Lectures
 

University of Malta, Malta. MRER lecture series, keynote, “Barriers and Obstacles to
Transformative Learning - Embracing Immunity and Resistance on the Journey to
Transformation”, June 2025.

University of Malta, Malta. Transformative and Emancipatory Adult Education (TEAE)
Network Research Retreat Symposium. Transforming Work-Life Balances. “Between
Heroism and Humanity: Navigating Personal and Professional Transformation in EmergencyServices”, June 2025.

Convention Center Denver, Colorado, USA. AERA. “Practicing Epistemic Collaboration
in Transformative Inclusive Research with Students with ASD” (with Alessandra Romano,
Kuen Fung Kenneth Sin, Lan Yang, Fengzhan Gao, Deborah J. Kramlich & Francesca
Bulletti), April 2025.

VHS Ottakring. Großstädtischen Tagung, keynote. Vienna, Austria. “Transformatives
Lernen aus Teilnehmer*innenperspektive”, November 2024.

Moldova State University (with DVV International), keynote. Chișinău, Moldova.
“Transformative Learning Theory in Practice”. November 2024.

DVV International. Chișinău, Moldova. Workshop: “Critical Incident Approach to ALE
as a Dimension of Transformative Learning”. November 2024.

Municipal Forum of Librarians (with DVV International), keynote. Chișinău, Moldova.
“Transformative Learning Theory in Practice - Fostering Transformative Learning through
Fiction”. November 2024.

Teachers College, Columbia University. Adult Learning and Leadership Program. New
York, USA. “Habermas‘ Influence on Transformative Learning Theory”. October, 2024.

University of Siena. International Transformative Learning Conference. Siena, Italy.
“Gender Trouble and Getting Gender Into Good Trouble: De-constructing Gender Identity through Transformative Learning”. September 2024.

University of Siena. International Transformative Learning Conference. Siena, Italy.
“Saving Lives: Transformative Experiences in the Emergency Industry”. September 2024.

Akkon Hochschule. Multidisziplinärer Ansatz im Umgang mit Einsatzbelastungen. Berlin,
Germany. “Belastungen im Rettungsdienst”. September 2024.

Hochschule Niederrhein. TrialogLe - Strategien und Methoden zur Gesundheitsförderung. “Empowerment & Participation” (virtual). August 2024.

Linköping University. 13. Conference on Researching Work and Learning in Times of
Change. Linköping, Sweden. “Just Because I Carry It Well Doesn’t Mean It Is Not Heavy – Working and Learning within the Emergency Industry.” June 2024.

Hochschule Niederrhein. Trialogische Lehre in virtuellen studentischen Lernumgebungen.
Psychiatrische und Sozialmedizinische Grundlagen der Sozialen Arbeit. “Strategien und
Methoden zur Gesundheitsförderung.” May 2024.

Fachtag Rettungsdienst. Johanniter Unfallhilfe. Germany. “Belastungsstudie
Rettungsdienst.” March 2024.

Fachtag Rettungsdienst. Johanniter Unfallhilfe. Germany. “Forschungsprojekt
Interkulturelle - Kompetenz im Rettungsdienst.” March 2024.

Teachers College, Columbia University. Adult Learning and Leadership Program. New
York, USA. “Habermas’ Influence on Transformative Learning Theory.” October 2023.
 

University of Cumbria/ Altcar Barracks, Liverpool. British Army - US Army Joint
Medical Evacuation Training. “Saving Lives.” United Kingdom. September 2023.

Hellenic Open University Patras. European Society for Research on the Education of
Adults (ESREA)/ Transformative and Emancipatory Adult Education Network. Greece.
“Saving Lives: An Unsustainable Profession – A Study of Transformative Learning at Work.” July 2023.

Akkon-University of Applied Sciences. “Leben retten auf eigene Gefahr? Ergebnisse der
Belastungsstudie bei Rettungsdienst und Feuerwehr.” July 2023.

University of Trondheim. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults
(ESREA)/ Life History and Biography Network. Norway. “So lange der Mensch glaubt, geht er nach Hause. – Exploring Belonging and Finding a Home.” June 2023.

University of Augsburg. Conference of the Jean Monnet Network on EU Counter-
Terrorism, Germany. “Can the De-Escalation of Conflicts Be Trained? Transformative
Learning Theory: Fostering Critical Reflection” (with Eckhardt Lazai & Andreas Bock). June 2023.

Hochschule Niederrhein. Trialogische Lehre in virtuellen studentischen Lernumgebungen.
Psychiatrische und Sozialmedizinische Grundlagen der Sozialen Arbeit. “Schizophrenie &
Wahnhafte Störungen.” May 2023.

Teachers College, Columbia University. Adult Learning and Leadership Program. New
York, USA. “TL: Concepts, Habermas, Critique” (with Victoria J. Marsick). February 2023.

University of Georgia, Athens. Program in Learning, Leadership & Organization
Development. “Rethinking Transformative Learning Theory – Thoughts from a Rortyan
Perspective.” February 2023.

University of Georgia, Athens. Complexity Lab Series. Program in Learning, Leadership
& Organization Development. “Saving Lives: An Unsustainable Profession – A Study of
Transformative Learning at Work.” February 2023.

Teachers College, Columbia University. AEGIS Program. New York, USA.
“Transformative Learning Theory & The Phenomenon of Transformation” (with Victoria J. Marsick). November 2022.

Teachers College, Columbia University. Adult Learning and Leadership Program. New
York, USA. “TL: Concepts, Habermas, Critique” (with Victoria J. Marsick). November 2020.

University of Milano Bicocca. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults
(ESREA)/ Triennial European Research Conference. Italy. “Planting Seeds of Resilience for Coping with Trauma During the Time of a Global Pandemic” (with Mitsunori Misawa). September 2022.

University of Milano Bicocca. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA)/ Triennial European Research Conference. Italy. “Living Theory, Living Practice. Expanded Perspectives on Transformation” (with Marguerite Welch, Aliki Nicolaides, Yabome Gilpin-Jackson, Mitsunori Misawa & Ahreum Lim. September 2022.

University of Milano Bicocca. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA)/ Triennial European Research Conference. Italy. “TEAE Network - Sowing the Seeds of Transformation in a Barren Ecosystem” (with Alessandra Romano, George Koulaouzides & Dina Soeiro). September 2022.

University of Milano Bicocca. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA)/ Triennial European Research Conference. Italy. “Reconsidering the Roots of Transformative Learning: De-Constructing Gender Identity” (with Nils Weber). September 2022.

University of Algarve, Faro. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA)/Gender and Adult Education in the Era of Social and Cultural Changes: (New) Risks and Challenges. Portugal. “De-constructing Gender Identity Through Transformative Learning” (with Nils Weber). July 2022.

University of Toronto (Virtual). Researching Work & Learning (RWL) Conference.
Canada. “A Dialogue Across Traditions of Theorizing Learning: A Panel of Three Pieces”
(Panel with Ted Fleming, Peter H. Sawchuk & Henning Salling Olesen). July 2022.

International Transformative Learning Conference (Virtual). “Keynote: The
Transformation of Experience – The Experience of Transformation” (with Ted Fleming).
April 2022.

International Transformative Learning Conference (Virtual). “Barriers and Obstacles to Transformative Learning: Embracing Immunity and Resistance on the Journey to Transformation.” April 2022.

International Transformative Learning Conference (Virtual). “Learning For
Transformation: Entanglements and Passageways for Transformation” (with Aliki Nicolaides, Petra Buergelt, Marguerite Welch, Yabome Gilpin-Jackson & and Mitsunori Misawa. April 2022.

International Transformative Learning Conference (Virtual). “Crisis and Experience:
Toward a Transformative Pedagogy of Crisis” (with Ted Fleming). April 2022.

Jönköping Business School. Responsible Enterprise. Sweden. “Responsible Leadership – Embracing Immunity and Resistance on the Journey to Transformation.” February 2022.

Akademie der Naturwissenschaften Schweiz (SCNAT). International Transdisciplinarity Conference. Bern, Schweiz. “Creating ‘Safe Enough Spaces’ for Transformative Learning in TD: Fostering Personal and Collective Transformation.” (Panel with Ruth Förster, Mandy Singer-Brodowski &Petra Biberhofer). September 2021.

Helmut-Schmidt-Universität Hamburg/Bundeswehr-Universität Hamburg. Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Erziehungswissenschaft. Erwachsenenbildung in internationalen
Perspektiven: Grenzen und Chancen. Hamburg, Germany. “Transformative Learning Theory – Opportunities and Challenges of a Theory in Progress” (Panel with Anna Laros, Thomas Fuhr & Aliki Nicolaides). September 2020, postponed to September 2021.

Helmut-Schmidt-Universität Hamburg/Bundeswehr-Universität Hamburg. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Erziehungswissenschaft. Erwachsenenbildung in internationalen Perspektiven: Grenzen und Chancen. Hamburg, Germany. “Möglichkeiten und Grenzen Transformativen Lernens im Kontext von Flucht- und Migrationserfahrungen.” September 2020, postponed to September 2021.

Akademie der Naturwissenschaften Schweiz (SCNAT). Higher Education Summit 2020. How Can We Assure Quality and Transformative Learning for Sustainable Development? Bern, Schweiz. “How Can Educators Stage and Hold a Safe (Enough) Space for Transformative Learning in Higher Education for Sustainable Development?” (Co-Creative Lab with Ruth Förster, Mandy Singer-Brodowski, Petra Biberhofer&Sofia Getzin). September 2020.

Hellenic Open University. Transformative Processes in Learning and Education (TPLE). Athen, Griechenland. “Groping Around in the Dark: Promoting Transformative Learning.” June 2020, postponed to June 2022.
 

University of British Columbia. Adult Education in Global Times – An International
Research Conference. Vancouver, Canada. “Transformative Learning Theory, a Theory in
Progress? Thoughts from a Habermasian Perspective.” June 2020, postponed to June 2021.

University of British Columbia. Adult Education in Global Times – An International
Research Conference. Vancouver, Canada. “Living Theory, Living Practice. Transformation: Building the Bridge Between Practice and Theory” (Panel with Aliki Nicolaides, Yabome Gilpin-Jackson, Marguerite Welch, Mitsunori Misawa & and Petra Buergelt. June 2020, postponed to June 2021.

University of British Columbia. Adult Education in Global Times – An International
Research Conference. Vancouver, Canada. “Anti-Muslim Racism and the Perils of Social
Disintegration – Fostering Social Reintegration Through Transformative Learning” (with
Andreas Bock). June 2020, postponed to June 2021.

Schweizerische Akademische Gesellschaft für Umweltforschung und Ökologie (Saguf), Universität Zürich. Transformatives Lernen “meets” Hochschuldidaktik: Theoretische Konzepte und zentrale Handlungsfelder für eine transformative Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung. Zürich, Schweiz. “Transformative Learning as Teaching for Change.” December 2019.

Teachers College, Columbia University. Program in Philosophy and Education. New
York, USA. “Drawing Lines and Crossing Borders: Transformation Theory and Richard
Rorty&Philosophy.” December 2019.

Teachers College, Columbia University. AEGIS Program. New York, USA.
“Transformative Learning” (with Victoria J. Marsick & Dawn Shedrick). December 2019.

Teachers College, Columbia University. Adult Learning and Leadership Program. New
York, USA. “TL: Concepts, Habermas, Critique” (with Victoria J. Marsick). November 2019.

Teachers College, Columbia University. AEGIS Program. New York, USA. “Habermas’ Influence on Transformative Learning” (with Victoria J. Marsick). November 2019.

University of Belgrade. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults
(ESREA)/ Triennial European Research Conference. “Regaining Balance: Transformative
Learning Theory between Individual Transformation and Social Action.” September 2019.

University of Belgrade. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults
(ESREA)/ Triennial European Research Conference. “Anti-Muslim Racism and the Perils of Social Disintegration in Europe” (with Andreas Bock). September 2019.

Teachers College, Columbia University. XIII International Transformative Learning
Conference. New York, USA. “Transformative Learning Theory, a Theory in Progress?
Thoughts from a Habermasian Perspective.” November 2018.

Teachers College, Columbia University. XIII International Transformative Learning
Conference. New York, USA. “Promoting Civic Capacities through Transformative
Learning” (Symposium). November 2018.

Teachers College, Columbia University. XIII International Transformative Learning
Conference. New York, USA. “Anti-Muslim Racism and the Perils of Social Disintegration – Fostering Social Reintegration Through Transformative Learning” (with Andreas Bock). November 2018.

Summer Institute of Civic Studies. Herrsching, Germany. “Women’s Rights Movement and Transformative Learning Theory.” July 2018.
 

Bosch Service Solutions. HR-Department Workshop. Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
“Principles and Strategies on Learning in Adulthood.” July 2018.

University of Milan-Bicocca. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA)/ Interrogating Transformative Processes in Learning and Education Conference. Milan, Italy. “Transformative Learning Theory, a Theory in Progress? The Dilemma Between Self-Conception and a Deficient Debate.” June 2018.

University of Milan-Bicocca. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA)/ Interrogating Transformative Processes in Learning and Education Conference. Milan, Italy. “Rorty on Irony – Conceptualizing an Adult Educator’s Attitude.” June 2018.

Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Ringvorlesung Erwachsenenbildung und
Migration. Eichstätt, Germany. “Flucht- und Migrationserfahrungen – Möglichkeiten und
Grenzen Transformativen Lernens im Erwachsenenalter.” June 2018.

Akkon-University of Applied Sciences. Soziale Arbeit mit dem Schwerpunkt Flucht und Migration. Berlin, Germany. “Die Angst vor dem Unbekannten – Flucht- und
Migrationserfahrungen im Kontext von Beratung.” May 2018.

Teacher’s College, Columbia University. Adult Education Guided Intensive Study
(AEGIS). New York, USA. “Engaging at the Intersections – Adult Learning and Leadership.” November 2017.

Yuri Fedkovich Chernivtsi National University. Summer Institute of Civic Studies.
Czernowitz, Ukraine. “Jürgen Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action within
Transformation Theory.” Invited expert. August 2017.

Academy of the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (HSS). Sexual Violence in Armed Conflicts
Workshop. “Sexuelle Gewalt in bewaffneten Konflikten.” Invited expert. July 2017.

Deutscher Bundestag. Vergewaltigung ist eine Kriegswaffe – Schweigen beenden,
Überlebende stark machen - Conference. Invited expert. June 2017.

University of Augsburg. Adult Education and Democracy Seminar. Augsburg, Germany. “Transformative Learning Theory.” December 2016.

Pacific Lutheran University. XII International Transformative Learning Conference.
Tacoma, USA. “Where Philosophy Ends, Education Begins: Engaging at the Intersection of Transformation Theory and Richard Rorty’s Philosophy.” October 2016.

Pacific Lutheran University. XII International Transformative Learning Conference.
Tacoma, USA. “Teaching for Change: Transformative Learning Theory and Holocaust
Education.” October 2016.

Pacific Lutheran University. XII International Transformative Learning Conference.
Tacoma, USA. “At the Intersection of Transformative Learning Theory, Systems Thinking,
and Learning through Story-telling.” October 2016.

DVV International. Training of Trainers Course: Adult Education for Civic Participation and Change. “Transformation and Adult Education.” September 2016.

DVV International. Training of Trainers Course: Adult Education for Civic Participation and Change. “Transformative Learning Theory: Outlines and Overview.” September 2016.

DVV International. Training of Trainers Course: Adult Education for Civic Participation and Change. “Transformative Learning Theory in Practice.” September 2016.

DVV International. Training of Trainers Course: Adult Education for Civic Participation and Change. “Forms of Reflection.” September 2016.
 

DVV International. Training of Trainers Course: Adult Education for Civic Participation and Change. “Challenges of Change.” September 2016.

DVV International. Training of Trainers Course: Adult Education for Civic Participation and Change. “Facing Change: Working Your Way through Your Own Immunity to Change.” September 2016.

DVV International. Training of Trainers Course: Adult Education for Civic Participation and Change. “Biographical Learning: Using Critical Incidents to Explore Assumptions.” September 2016.

DVV International. Training of Trainers Course: Adult Education for Civic Participation and Change. “Adult Education as a ‘Rite de Passage’: Self Concept and Attitude.” September 2016.

DVV International. Summer Academy of Countries of Eastern Neighbours’ Region. Riga, Latvia. “Biographical Learning.” August 2016.

Hellenic Open University. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults
(ESREA)/ Interrogating Transformative Processes in Learning and Education. Athens,
Greece. “Dialogue and Communication in Transformation Theory: New Ideas from the
Perspective of Systems Thinking.” June 2016.

DVV International. Adult Education between Individual Growth and Social Development Workshop. Kyiv, Ukraine. “Experience and Lifelong Learning.” August 2015.

DVV International. Adult Education between Individual Growth and Social Development Workshop. Kyiv, Ukraine. “Transformative Learning Theory: Outlines and Overview.” August 2015.

DVV International. Adult Education between Individual Growth and Social Development Workshop. Kyiv, Ukraine. “Critical Reflection on Assumptions and Critical Self-Reflection on Assumptions Black Like Me’ (John Howard Griffin).” August 2015.

DVV International. Adult Education between Individual Growth and Social Development Workshop. Kyiv, Ukraine. “Transformative Learning within Biographies - Biographical Learning: Narration as a rite de passage.” August 2015.

Yuri Fedkovich Chernivtsi National University. Social Work as a Profession of Human
Rights Conference. Czernowitz, Ukraine. “Teaching for Change: Fostering Critical Self-
Reflection in Adulthood.” April 2015.

Midwest Political Science Association. Annual Conference. Chicago, USA. “The Iranian Nuclear Crisis and Jack Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory as an Alternative Approach to Cope with Crises.” April 2015.

University of Milan-Bicocca. European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA)/ Life History and Biographical Research Conference. Milan, Italy. “Narration as a Rite de Passage.” March 2015.

Teachers College, Columbia University. XI International Transformative Learning
Conference. New York, USA. “Communication as a Space of Transformation in Adult
Education.” October 2014.

Teachers College, Columbia University. XI International Transformative Learning
Conference. New York, USA. “Facilitating Transformative Learning in Educational
Organizations through Service-Learning: A Cross-Cultural Approach” (Symposium).
October 2014.
 

Goethe-Universität Frankfurt. World International Studies Committee (WISC).
Frankfurt/Main, Germany. “What makes Iran a Threat? Jack Mezirow’s Transformative
Learning Theory as a New Approach to Cope with Threats” (with Andreas Bock). August
2014.

Penn State University. Adult Education Research Conference (AERC). Harrisburg, USA. “Transformative Learning Theory and the Missing Focus: How to Enable Perspective Transformation through Communication.” June 2014.

Penn State University. Adult Education Research Conference (AERC). Harrisburg, USA. “The Social Construction of Threats. The Iran Nuclear Crisis as a Textbook Example for Jack Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory” (with Andreas Bock). June 2014.

University of Vaasa. Culture, Values and Justice Conference. Vaasa, Finland.
“Transforming Threats: Jack Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory as a New Approach to Cope with the Iran Nuclear Crisis” (with Andreas Bock). May 2014.

Midwest Political Science Association. Annual Conference. Chicago, USA. “What makes Iran a Threat? Jack Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory as a New Approach to Cope with Threats” (with Andreas Bock). April 2014.

Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg. European Society for Research on the
Education of Adults (ESREA)/ Life History and Biographical Research Conference.
Magdeburg, Germany. “Systemic Models as Stimuli for New Methodological Approaches in Person-Centered Biography Work in the Sphere of Adult and Continuing Education.” March 2014.

University of Augsburg. Holocaust Education in the 21. Century Conference. Augsburg, Germany. “Holocaust Education in Western Europe and the USA” (with Ludwig Eiber). October 2013.

Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg. Transformative Learning meets Bildung Conference. Freiburg, Germany. “The Problem of Perspective Transformation in Adult Education – Theoretical Reflections Referring to Jack Mezirow” (Poster Presentation). June 2013.