Dr. phil. Elisabeth Denzl M.Ed.

former research associate

Subject area: Educational Science, Childhood Education, Art and Waldorf Education / Department of Educational Sciences
Project “Media Education at Reform Pedagogical Educational Institutions” (Prof. Dr. Paula Bleckmann), Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences in Alfter
Campus II, 2nd floor, Room V/2 OG/22

Phone: 02222 9321 – 1520

Porträtfoto in schwarz-weiß von Elisabeth Denzl

Biography

Academic and professional career

2025: among other things, teaching assignments at various universities, speaker activities for the Professional and Trade Association for Curative Education (BHP)

2024: Scholarship holder in the network for scholarship recipients with special entrepreneurial and social commitment e.V.

2022 – 2025 Research associate in the project “Media Education at Reform Pedagogical Educational Institutions”, Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, Alfter

2021 – 2025 Doctorate under Prof. Dr. Paula Bleckmann, Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences & Prof. Dr. Maike Rönnau-Böse, Protestant University of Applied Sciences Freiburg, Alfter; Topic: Media education in early childhood educational institutions (summa cum laude)

2021 – 2024 Part-time work in the curative educational specialist service in child and youth welfare institutions & implementation of outpatient curative educational measures, Munich

2021 – 2022 Student research assistant in the project “Media Education at Reform Pedagogical Educational Institutions”, Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, Alfter

2020-present: Further training in person-centered psychotherapy with children and adolescents (GwG)

2020-2021 Student research assistant, German Institute for Adult Education, Department of System and Policy, Bonn

2018-2021 Master of Education (M.Ed.) in the degree program Pedagogy / Educational Practice Research, Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, Alfter

2018-2020 Part-time work as a curative educator at an early intervention center, Munich

2017-2018 Certification in trauma-centered counseling and trauma pedagogy according to DeGPT-BAG/ TP, Trauma Institute Southern Germany, Munich

2017-2018 state-certified crafts teacher, Munich

2017-2020 Lecturer for cooking courses for people with learning and sensory impairments at VHS Barrierefrei, Munich

2015-2017 state-certified curative educator, Munich

2014-2018 Part-time work as an educator in residential youth welfare, Munich

2010-2015 state-certified educator, Munich

Selected publications

Monographs

Denzl, E. (2025). Das SESAM-Konzept. Media education practice in daycare centers – transdisciplinary development and evaluation of an action concept. Dissertation. Munich: Ernst Reinhardt Verlag.

Contributions to edited volumes

Denzl, E. & Bleckmann, P. (in preparation). Media literacy in early childhood. In: Fröhlich-Gildhoff, K & Hoffer, R.: Developmental Psychology for Professionals in Early Childhood Education. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.
Denzl, E. & Bleckmann, P. (in preparation). Digital media in middle childhood – from protection and guidance to gradual personal responsibility. In: Fröhlich-Gildhoff, K. & Kaiser, S.: Handbook of Developmental Psychology of Middle Childhood. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.
Denzl, E. & Laule, C. (2024). “…Hulk ran behind me, I was so scared” Outline of the problem and action models for the professional handling of (distressing) media experiences in early childhood educational practice. In: Priewasser, B. & Wolf, S.: Growing Up in Diversity – Changes & Opportunities in Times of Crisis. (pp. 97-120). Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta-Verlag.
Denzl, E. & Bleckmann, P. (2023). Screen media in focus in collaboration with parents: Foundations, challenges & a resource-oriented approach for early childhood educational practice. In: Brisch, K. H.: Disrupted Attachments in Digital Times. (pp. 168-192). Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta-Verlag.
Bleckmann, P., Streit, B., Denzl, E. (2023). Becoming media literate instead of media addicted – structures and concepts in the interdisciplinary field of media prevention. In: Möller, C., Fischer, F. M.: Internet and Computer Addiction. A Practical Handbook for Therapists, Educators and Parents. (3rd edition, pp. 291-304). Stuttgart: Kohlhammer Verlag.
Reichart, E.; Christ, J. & Denzl, E. (2021). Providers & offerings. In Schrader, J. & Widany, S., Echarti, N., Reichart, E., Christ, J. (eds.): Trend Analysis 2021. (pp. 66-145). Bonn: German Institute for Adult Education.
Kohl, J. & Denzl, E. (2021). Effects of the coronavirus pandemic on adult and continuing education. In Schrader, J. & Widany, S., Echarti, N., Reichart, E., Christ, J. (eds.): Trend Analysis 2021. (pp. 249-275). Bonn: German Institute for Adult Education.

Journal articles

Denzl, E. & Salomon, B. (2023). The challenge of media literacy: Academic and practical impulses for family & educational practice. PFAD Professional Journal for Foster Care and Adoption Services. 2023(4), pp. 16–20. Schulz-Kirchner Verlag, Idstein/Taunus.
Bleckmann, P. & Denzl, E. (2022). Media literacy: A broad understanding of media education and its transfer into early childhood educational practice. Voice of the Family. 2022(4), pp. 8-12.
Bleckmann, P.; Denzl, E. & Streit, B. (2021). Becoming media literate. Conceptual and empirical approaches to an expanded understanding of media education beyond the use of tablets in daycare centers. Early Childhood. 2021(5), pp. 6-17.
Kohl, J. & Denzl, E. (2020). Continuing education providers during the pandemic. A first look at empirical findings. weiter bilden. 2020(4), pp. 23-25. Bielefeld: wbv media.

Results reports

Bleckmann, P.; Streit, B.; Denzl, E. (2022). MünDig Study Nature Education: Maturity and Digitalization in Nature and Forest Daycare Centers. Alfter: Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences.
Bleckmann, P.; Denzl, E.; Kernbach, J.; Pemberger, B.; Streit, B. (2022). MünDig Study Waldorf: Maturity and Digitalization in Daycare Centers and Schools. Alfter: Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences.
Denzl, E.; von Kalckreuth, B.; Bleckmann, P.; Streit, B.; Pemberger, B. (2022). Media-related collaboration with parents as a component of media education: Results and background of the MünDig survey of Waldorf professionals and parents. In: Bleckmann, P.; Denzl, E.; Kernbach, J. Streit, B. (eds.): MünDig Study Waldorf: Maturity and Digitalization in Daycare Centers and Schools. Alfter: Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, pp. 215-238.
Bleckmann, P.; Streit, B.; Denzl, E. (2022). Supporting the processing of distressing media experiences as a component of media education: Background and results of the MünDig survey of Waldorf professionals and parents. In: Bleckmann, P.; Denzl, E.; Kernbach, J. Streit, B. (eds.): MünDig Study Waldorf: Maturity and Digitalization in Daycare Centers and Schools. Alfter: Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, pp. 263-279.

Other publications

Denzl, E. & Bleckmann, P. (in preparation). Das SESAM-Konzept – Media education in early childhood. A card set for professionals. Munich: Reinhardt-Verlag.
Denzl, E. (in preparation): Review of: Jofer-Ernstberger, Stephanie: The History of Curative Educational Play Therapy and Its Connections to Person-Centered Play Therapy. A Historical Approach as a Guide for Today’s Mastery of Play Therapy. Munich: Grin Verlag. In: heilpädagogik.de. 2025(3).
Denzl, E. (2025): Review of: Jofer-Ernstberger, Stephanie: The History of Curative Educational Play Therapy and Its Connections to Person-Centered Play Therapy. A Historical Approach as a Guide for Today’s Mastery of Play Therapy. Munich: Grin Verlag. In: Gesprächspsychotherapie und Personzentrierte Beratung. 2025(2).
Denzl, E. (2024). Practice of Curative Education – Daycare Centers. Professional Association of Curative Educators – Trade Association for Curative Education (BHP) e.V., Berlin.
Bleckmann, P.; Brauchli, V.; Denzl, E.; Hantinger, M.; Kalckreuth v., B.; Klein, A. M. et al. (2024): Position paper Digital Media and Early Childhood. Research status, effects and recommendations. 2nd revised ed. Published by the German-speaking Association for Infant Mental Health (GAIMH). Vienna.

Lectures

Upcoming lectures & workshops

Denzl, E. (14.03.2026). Between inspiring fascination and grinding strain – Addressing children’s media experiences in a person-centered way in daycare & therapy. [Workshop]. Conference on person-centered child therapy, Freiburg.
Denzl, E. (05.03.2026). The curative educator as a secure attachment figure: expectations, relationship building, psychohygiene. [Lecture]. Online lecture series of the Professional and Trade Association for Curative Education (BHP).
Denzl, E. (19.09.2025). Das SESAM-Konzept: Media education in daycare centers. [Lecture]. 22nd annual conference of the PdfK qualification network, Berlin.
Denzl, E. (12.09.2025). Digital media and early childhood: Practical implications for interdisciplinary early intervention from the GAIMH position paper. [Lecture]. VIFF – 23rd Early Intervention Symposium, Halle-Wittenberg.

Past lectures & workshops

Denzl, E. (16.11.2024). Rethinking curative education. Presentation of doctoral projects in curative education. [Moderation]. 55th Federal Conference of the Professional and Trade Association for Curative Education e.V.. With recognition! Curative education in the exploration of potential, Erfurt.
Denzl, E. (01.10.2024). Media literacy in early childhood. [Lecture]. Early Intervention Office Hesse, Offenbach.
Denzl, E. (01.10.2024). The SESAM concept: A (curative) educational action concept for the individualized design of media education practice in daycare centers for specialist advisors in curative education. [Workshop]. Early Intervention Office Hesse, Offenbach.
Denzl, E. (28.11.2023). General media education in early childhood with an introduction to media literacy. [Lecture]. ZNL Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning. Ulm.
Denzl, E. (10.112023). The (curative) educational attitude – key to successful inclusion? [Lecture]. Praxis Sonnenhaus e.V., Iffezheim.
Denzl, E. (10.11.2023). The significance of curative education in dealing with (distressing) media experiences. [Workshop]. Praxis Sonnenhaus e.V., Iffezheim.
v. Kalckreuth, B. & Denzl, E. (18.07.2023): The GAIMH position paper. Infant/ toddler – screen – parents. A “new” world of interaction and relationship. Effects and Recommendations. [Oral Brief]. 18th World Congress for the World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH 2023), Dublin, Ireland
Denzl, E. (02.06.2023) Rethinking curative education. Presentation of doctoral projects in curative education. [Lecture]. 54th Federal Conference of the BHP “Opening spaces together. Curative education in the service of solidarity, appreciation and diversity!”, Würzburg.
Denzl, E. (06.05.2023): “Open Sesame” – Presentation of a collection of prompting questions for (reform)pedagogical daycare practice. [Lecture]. Final conference “Human Education Media Education”, Alfter near Bonn.
Denzl, E. (29.04.2023): “And now Batman is going to beat you to death!” How can children with distressing media experiences be supported and helped in everyday daycare life? [Workshop]. 28th annual conference of the German-speaking Society for Mental Health in Early Childhood, Salzburg.
Denzl, E. (11.03.2023): “Open Sesame” – A toolbox with prompting questions for sustainable media education in daycare centers. [Poster presentation]. Annual conference “Shaping Children’s Upbringing” of the Commission on Early Childhood Education of the DGfE, Leipzig University.
Denzl, E. (06.02.2023). More than the use of tablets – how can media education succeed in daycare centers so that children become media literate instead of media addicted? [Lecture]. Lecture series of the Office for Childhood and Family Education Issues (KiPF) at the Institute of Educational Sciences, University of Tübingen.
Denzl, E. (20.01.2023). Digital childhood – The role of digital media & educational challenges. [Lecture]. 48th International Symposium Obergurgl, Obergurgl.
Denzl, E. (17.09.2022): Complex relationship dynamics between very young children, parents, smartphones and professionals. [Lecture]. International Attachment Conference, Ulm.

Memberships

Research interests