Honorary Professorship for Educational Science and Waldorf Education

Hans-Joachim Pieper, Rector of Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, appointed Dr. habil. Dirk Rohde as Honorary Professor of Educational Science and Waldorf Education at Alanus University on 30 September 2022.

Rohde studied biology. He completed his studies in Marburg and at locations abroad, including a Fulbright scholarship in San José/Costa Rica. After his studies, he pursued further qualifications as a Waldorf teacher and worked full-time at the Waldorf School in Marburg until 2021. Alongside his professional career, Rohde has been actively involved for more than 20 years in nationwide subject groups and associations in the natural sciences. He is the state subject advisor for biology and chemistry and, among other things, organizes the nationwide annual biology conference of the German Waldorf schools (and until 2021 also the annual chemistry conference). Since 2008, he has also been involved in teacher education at the Kassel Seminar for Waldorf Education. In addition, Rohde is a member of the faculty of the Graduate School of Waldorf Education at Alanus University and a lecturer at the University of Marburg, where he teaches introductory seminars on Waldorf education for student teachers in the Department of Educational Science. At the end of 2021, he completed his habilitation there in the field of educational science with a comparative study on how Hessian Waldorf schools deal with the central Abitur, using biology teaching as an example.

Dirk Rohde has continuously combined his work as a Waldorf teacher with teaching and research in educational science. Hans-Joachim Pieper also emphasizes this special aspect of his career in his laudatory speech: “In this very special way, and as one of very few individuals, he brings both perspectives into national and international Waldorf education and likewise ensures that Waldorf education is recognized within mainstream educational science.”

Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren, Dean of the Department of Educational Science, is also pleased about the addition to his department in terms of both personnel and expertise: “The Department of Educational Science at Alanus University aims to promote academic discourse and dialogue between Waldorf education and educational science. Dr. Dirk Rohde is a proven expert in this field. His research and teaching are a great asset to Alanus University.”