We are delighted to welcome a new addition to the Faculty of Applied Social Studies(Opens in a new tab) : As of September 1, 2026, Prof. Dr. Nora Berner has taken up her Professorship in Social Gerontology at our university. We extend a warm welcome to her and look forward very much to working with her!
In “Five Questions for…,” Prof. Dr. Nora Berner offers, among other things, a brief glimpse into her teaching and research interests.
What drew you to our university—and what moment in your career first sparked your passion for your field of study and area of interest?
At the Fachhochschule Dortmund, I was particularly drawn to the close connection between practice-oriented teaching and academic research. I don’t just want to conduct research on aging and old age; I want to work with students to explore and reflect on the question: What do older adults really need? How can we support social participation and self-determination? And how should (educational) programs be designed so that they are effective? This is exactly what I want to inspire students of social work to explore.
My passion for the field and these topics began during my studies in education, where I focused on social work and social gerontology. This combination has guided me throughout my professional career ever since.
If you had to summarize your current areas of interest in three keywords or a single sentence that a layperson could understand: What exactly do you do?
Education and learning among older adults, dementia across the life course, qualitative educational and social research.
Specifically, I am interested in how people continue to learn well into old age and how they can participate in social life in a self-determined manner for as long as possible. This also involves exploring what effective support for older adults looks like, particularly for those living with dementia.
Prof. Dr. Nora BernerSpecifically, I'm interested in how people can continue to learn well into old age and participate in social life on their own terms for as long as possible.
What is particularly important to you when interacting with students? And what skill would you like to help them develop for the future?
It is important to me to raise students’ awareness of the life situations of older adults and to help them learn to truly understand these situations—with a perspective that goes beyond the need for care and dementia and focuses on the diversity of aging. This also involves encouraging them to question their own perceptions of aging.
Ultimately, the goal is for us to work together to link scientific findings with concrete situations from the practice of social work and to develop professional strategies for action based on this.
Prof. Dr. Nora BernerUltimately, the goal is for us to work together to connect scientific findings with specific real-world situations in social work and, based on that, develop professional courses of action.
What major challenges is your area of interest and research currently facing—and what contribution would you like to make in this area over the next few years?
We live in a society of longevity, and that brings about many changes—including shifts in family structures, living arrangements, and the demands placed on social and long-term care services. A key question remains: How can municipalities and social environments be designed to truly meet the diverse needs of older adults? Added to this is an issue that is particularly close to my heart: education in later life. After all, learning does not end with one’s professional career. Educational opportunities can significantly support self-determination and social participation in older age.
In the coming years, I would like to focus on this by closely integrating research and teaching with practical experience, equipping students to work with older adults, and collaborating with partners in the field to address issues relevant to the lives of older adults.
After a busy day of teaching and research, how do you like to unwind?
The best way is through exercise. I do functional fitness and cardio boxing. It lets me clear my head and really push myself to the limit.