Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren
Dean, Head of Department, Professor of School Pedagogy with a Focus on Waldorf Education
Department: Educational Science, Childhood Education, Art and Waldorf Education / Department of Educational Sciences, Program Director for the Master of Arts in Education with a Focus on Waldorf Education / Schooling and Teaching, Head of the Graduate School for Waldorf Education
Telephone: 02222 9321-1566
Office hours: Appointments by arrangement with the departmental secretariat
Biography
since 2008 // Professor of School Pedagogy with a focus on Waldorf Education at Alanus University and Dean of the Department of Educational Sciences
since 2006 // Associate Professor at Rudolf Steiner University College in Oslo
2004 – 2008 // Research Associate at the University of Paderborn
1997 // Doctorate in Philosophy at the University of Essen
1996 – 2006 // Teacher of German and Philosophy (upper secondary level) at Rudolf Steiner School Dortmund
1991 // Master’s degree at Ruhr University Bochum, majoring in Philosophy with minors in Art History and German Studies
1963 // born in Duisburg
Publications
Monograph/Edited Volumes
Handbook of Research on Waldorf Education. (Handbuch Waldorfpädagogik und Erziehungswissenschaft. Standortbestimmung und Entwicklungsperspektiven. Translation by Karin Di Giacomo and Margot Saar) New York: Routledge, 2023. (ed.)
The Philosophical Sources of Anthroposophy. A Lecture Series at Alanus University. Frankfurt: info3 Verlag, 2022. (ed.)
Children, Children! Perspectives on Child Development, Support, and Educational Attitudes. Weinheim: Beltz Juventa, 2019. (ed., with Stefanie Greubel)
La pédagogie Waldorf. État des lieux, fondements et perspective. (Handbuch Waldorfpädagogik und Erziehungswissenschaft. Standortbestimmung und Entwicklungsperspektiven. Translation by R. Burlotte) Laboissière-en-Thelle: Editions Triades et Aethera, 2018. (ed.)
Handbuch Waldorfpädagogik und Erziehungswissenschaft. Standortbestimmung und Entwicklungsperspektiven. Weinheim: Beltz Juventa, 2016. (ed.)
Concept of the Human Being and Education. Weinheim: Beltz Juventa, 2015. (ed., with Horst Bauer)
Personality and Relationship as the Foundation of Education: Contributions to a Pedagogy of the Person. Weinheim: Beltz Juventa, 2013. (ed., with Jochen Krautz)
Pedagogika waldorfska. Wybrane zagadnienia epistemologiczne. Translation from German: Barbara Kowalewska. 2012.
What Is an I? Aspects of a Personal Pedagogy. In: Jochen Krautz: Art, Education, Responsibility. On the Fundamental Questions of Art Education. Oberhausen: ATHENA-Verlag, 2010.
Rationality and Intuition in Philosophical and Educational Perspective. Series Kulturwissenschaftliche Beiträge der Alanus Hochschule für Kunst und Gesellschaft. Volume 3. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang Verlag, 2008. (ed.)
Educational Motifs in Art and Science. Oberhausen: Athena Verlag, 2008. (ed.)
What Is and How Does Teaching Quality Emerge in Waldorf Schools? Munich: Kopaed-Verlag, 2008. (ed.)
Image and Reality. Experience of the World through the Medium of Art and Art Education. Munich: Kopaed-Verlag, 2008. (ed.)
Perceptive Judgment. Methodological and Philosophical Foundations of Goethe’s Scientific Cognition. Düsseldorf and Bonn: Parerga-Verlag, 1998
Essays, Scholarly Articles, Reviews, Interviews
Philosophical Implications of Waldorf Education. A Critique of Ideology Criticism. In: Phillip Gelitz (ed.): Early Childhood Waldorf Education and Its Contexts. Perspectives from Scholarship and Practice. Beltz Juventa Verlag. Weinheim 2025.
Waldorf education is an education for freedom. In Erziehungskunst, October 2025.
Waldorf without Steiner? In: Erziehungskunst, November 2023.
Joy of Learning. Interview in: General Anzeiger Bonn, 20 March 2023.
Anthroposophy as a Form of Consciousness. In: „RoSE” Reseach on Steiner Education, Vol. 13, Number 2, 2022.
Perceptive Judgment. Goethe’s Scientific Method (Parts 1 to 3) . In: LOGON Magazine, 30.10.2022.
Waldorf School vs. Science? Interview together with Heiner Ullrich. In: Psychologie Heute 10/2022.
The Philosophical Sources of Anthroposophy, New Publication by Info-3-Verlag // Five Questions for Editor Jost Schieren. Interview on the Alanus University website, 3 May 2022.
Anthroposophy Under Criticism. In: Erziehungskunst, April 2022.
The Thesis of ‘Education Toward Anthroposophy’ Has Been Empirically Refuted. In: info 3, January 2022.
Statement on Waldorf Schools and Corona. On the Tagesschau website, 29 November 2021.
Corona denial has no place in Waldorf schools. Interview in: Zeit online, 24 November 2021.
Waldorf Education and Educational Science – A Reconsideration. In: Dirk Rohde (ed.): Waldorf Education – A Stocktaking. Beltz Verlag. Weinheim 2021.
Esotericism – a stumbling block for Waldorf education? In: info 3, February 2021.
Waldorf education in academic dialogue. In: info 3, January 2021.
Waldorf is by no means a worldview. Interview in: Zeit online, 6 July 2020.
Dimensions of the Self in the work of Rudolf Steiner. In: „RoSE” Reseach on Steiner Education, Vol. 11, Number 2, 2020 (Download as PDF)
“… we dream our sleep …” – Aphoristic remarks on the mental landscape of Waldorf Education. In: „RoSE” Reseach on Steiner Education, Vol. 11, Number 1, 2020 (Download as PDF)
Outcomes and standards are not education. In: Erziehungskunst, February 2019.
Educational Art – The Concept of Art in Education. In: Christian Boettger, Wenzel M. Götte, Claus-Peter Röh (ed.): Developing the Self – Shaping the World. The Artistic in Waldorf Education. Pädagogische Forschungsstelle. Stuttgart 2019.
Dimensions of the I in Rudolf Steiner. In: Reinhild Bras, Stefan Hasler (ed.): “Das Tonerlebnis im Menschen” von Rudolf Steiner. Verlag am Goetheanum. Dornach 2019.
Waldorf Education and Educational Science. In: Heinz Brodbeck, Robert Thomas (ed.): Steiner Schools Today – Ideas and Practice of Waldorf Education. Zbinden Verlag. Basel 2019
One School for All. In: Info3, January 2019.
Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences / Alanus Foundation Alfter near Bonn. In: Maren Gronert, Alban Schraut (ed.): Handbook of Reform Education Associations. Reform education associations working across regions as well as institutions initiating educational development with a bridging function in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol and Liechtenstein. Ergon Verlag. Baden-Baden 2018.
Perceptive Judgment. Goethe’s Scientific Method. In: Andrea Sunder-Plassmann, Dagmar Wohler (ed.): Sensory-Aesthetic Perception + Creative Processes. Revolver Publishing. Berlin 2018.
„…we dream our sleep…“ Aphoristic Remarks on the Form of Consciousness in Waldorf Education. In: Leonhard Weiss, Carlo Willmann (ed.): Interest Initiative Intuition. On the Teacher Image in Waldorf Education. Festschrift for Tobias Richter. Series: Waldorfpädagogik: Positionen_Praxis_Perspektiven. Vol. 3. Lit Verlag. Vienna 2018.
TÜRKİYE’DE WALDORF EĞİTİMİNE YÖNELİK GİRİŞİMLER. In: Akademik Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, July 2017
Aesthetic Education in School Eurythmy. In: Gisela Beck, Axel Föller-Mancini, Stefan Hasler (ed.): Realizing Educational-Artistic Motifs – Contributions to Eurythmy Pedagogy. Edition Waldorf, Pädagogische Forschungsstelle. Stuttgart 2016.
Waldorf Education and Educational Science. A Reconsideration. In: Anke Redecker/Volker Ladenthin (ed.): Rethinking Reform Education. Ergon Verlag. Würzburg 2016.
Understanding Anthroposophy and Waldorf Education Scientifically. In: Erziehungskunst, November 2016.
The Concept of the Human Being in Waldorf Education. In: Jost Schieren, Horst Bauer (ed.): Concept of the Human Being and Education. Beltz Juventa. Weinheim 2015.
The Spiritual Dimension in Waldorf Education. In: Peter Loebell, Peter Buck (ed.): Spirituality in Areas of Life and Education. Contributions to the discussion on the significance of spiritual experiences in the life worlds of children and adolescents, Verlag Barbara Budrich. Opladen 2015.
The Accusation of Worldview. On the Influence of Anthroposophy on Waldorf Education – A Question of Form and Measure. Review of: Heiner Ullrich: Waldorfpädagogik. Eine kritische Einführung. In RoSE – Research on Steiner Education, Vol 6, Number 1, 2015.
The Understanding of Imagination for the Learning Process in Waldorf Education. In: Sowa, Hubert; Glas, Alexander & Miller, Monika (ed.): Education of the Imagination. Volume 2. Athena-Verlag, Oberhausen 2014.
Educational Art – The Concept of Art in Education. In: Stefan Hasler, Charlotte Heinritz (ed.): Researching One’s Own Eurythmy Teaching. Pädagogische Forschungsstelle, edition waldorf. Stuttgart 2014.
What Should Teachers Be Able to Do? Competence Antinomies in the Teaching Profession. In: Krautz, Jochen/Schieren, Jost (ed.): Personality and Relationship as the Foundation of Education: Contributions to a Pedagogy of the Person. Weinheim: Beltz Juventa, 2013.
The Enigma of the Human I – A Challenge for Teachers and in Teacher Training. In: Journal Pedagogical Section at the Goetheanum. Special Edition – World Teachers Conference 2012. Dornach (Switzerland), 2012.
The Enigma of the Human I – A Challenge for Teachers and Teacher Education. In: Newsletter of the Pedagogical Section at the Goetheanum. Special edition 2012 for the World Teachers Conference. Dornach (Switzerland), 2012.
The Enigma of the I. In: Das Goetheanum. Weekly Journal for Anthroposophy 25, June 2012.
The Concept of the Human Being in Waldorf Education. In: erleben und lernen „e&l“. International Journal for Action-Oriented Learning 20, 2/2012.
Waldorf Education – Education for Freedom. In: Haccius, Manon/Rehn, Götz E. (ed.): Anthroposophical Perspectives. Cologne: DuMont Verlag, 2012.
The Concept of Learning in Waldorf Education. In: „RoSE” Reseach on Steiner Education, Vol. 3, Number 1, 2012 (Download as PDF).
The Concept of Learning in Waldorf Education. In: „RoSE” Reseach on Steiner Education, Vol. 3, Number 1, 2012 (Download as PDF).
The Scientific Credibility of Anthroposophy. In: „RoSE“ Research on Steiner Education, Vol. 2, Number 2, 2011 (Download as PDF).
The scientific credibility of anthroposophy. In: „RoSE“ Research on Steiner Education, Vol. 2, Number 2, 2011 (Download as PDF).
The Concept of Learning in Waldorf Education. In: Willman, Carlo (ed.): Studying Waldorf Education. Vienna: Lit Verlag, 2011.
The Goethean Attitude of Consciousness in Waldorf Education. In: Paschen, Harm (ed.): Educational Science Approaches to Waldorf Education. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, 2010.
The Disposition for Intuitive Abilities in Education. In: RoSE – Research on Steiner Education, Vol 1, Number 1, 2010.
Conclusion, Judgment, Concept – The Quality of Understanding. In: RoSE – Research on Steiner Education, Vol 1, Number 2, 2010.
Goethe’s Perspective of Development. In: Schad, Wolfgang (ed.): Evolution as a Principle of Understanding in Cosmos, Humanity and Nature. Stuttgart: Verlag Freies Geistesleben, 2009.
Perspectives of Anthroposophical Research. In: Grimm, Rüdiger/Kaschubowski, Götz (ed.): Compendium of Anthroposophical Curative Education. Munich: Reinhardt-Verlag, 2008.
The Disposition for Intuitive Abilities in Education. In: Schieren, Jost (ed.): Rationality and Intuition in Philosophical and Educational Perspective. Series Kulturwissenschaftliche Beiträge der Alanus Hochschule für Kunst und Gesellschaft. Volume 3. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang Verlag, 2008.
Goethe’s Meditative Knowledge of Nature. In: Schieren, Jost (ed.): Rationality and Intuition in Philosophical and Educational Perspective. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang Verlag, 2008.
Spiritual Higher Education. In: Schieren, Jost (ed.): Educational Motifs in Art and Science. Oberhausen: Athena Verlag, 2008.
Conclusion, Judgment, Concept – The Quality of Understanding. In: Schieren, Jost (ed.): What Is and How Does Teaching Quality Emerge in Waldorf Schools? Munich: Kopaed-Verlag, 2008.
Aesthetic Education – On the Understanding of Art in Waldorf Education. In: Schieren, Jost (ed.): Image and Reality. Experience of the World through the Medium of Art and Art Education. Munich: Kopaed-Verlag, 2008.
Competence Development in the Tension Field between Waldorf Teacher Training and University Education – on the “Pilot Project for Dual-Qualification Teacher Education” at Alanus University. In. Hilligus, Annegret Helen/Rinkens, Hans-Dieter (ed.): Standards and Competencies – New Quality in Teacher Education? New Approaches and Experiences from National and International Perspectives. Berlin: Paderborner Lehrerausbildungszentrum (PLAZ), 2006.
“Pilot Project for Dual-Qualification Teacher Education” at Alanus University. In: Bauer, Horst Philipp/Schneider, Peter (ed.): Waldorf Education. Perspectives of a Scholarly Dialogue. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang Verlag, 2005.
Perceptual Power of thinking. Goethes scientific method as a way of understanding nature. In: Conferencia Brasileira de Agricultura Biodinamica. A Dissociacao entre Homen e Ntureza. Sao Paulo (Brazil): USP – Cidade Universitaria, 2000.
Perceptive Judgment and Observation of the Soul. Goethe and Steiner. In: Info 3, May 1999.
Goethes forste Harzreise – en biografisk studie. (Translation) In: Cogito. Perspektiver 2. Tankesmie for Kunst, Filosofie, Litteratur og Samtid. Hasselbo (Norway), 1998.
Grunnmotiver i Goethes Eventyr – en studie i goetheanistik realsymbolik. In: Cogito. Perspektiver 3. Tankesmie for Kunst, Filosofie, Litteratur og Samtid. Hasselbo (Norway), 1998.
Remarks on Goethean Cognition. In: Beiträge zur Weltlage 27, 1994/4.
Goethe’s First Harz Journey. In: Beiträge zur Weltlage 26, 1993/1.
Poetry of the Real. Peter Handke’s “Versuch über den geglückten Tag”. In: Beiträge zur Weltlage 25, 1992/1.
Cézanne’s Painterly Cognition. In: Evidenz. Yearbook of the Novalis Hochschulverein 1991. Dortmund.
In Memory of Beppe Assenza. In: Beiträge zur Weltlage 23, 1990/2.
The Motif of the Beyond in the Art of Paul Klee: In: Beiträge zur Weltlage 22, 1989/3.
Cognition and Artistic Creation. In: Beiträge zur Weltlage 20, 1987/1.
Research and Development Projects
“Anthropology of Waldorf Education and Anthroposophical Curative Education”, see www.ars-studien.de & www.thementage-menschenkunde.de
Graduate School for Waldorf Education, see
www.graduiertenkolleg-waldorfpaedagogik.de
INTERNATIONAL CAMPUS WALDORF (ICW)
www.international-campus-waldorf.co
Memberships
Graduate School for Waldorf Education at Alanus University, Director. Since 2015.
Research Institute for Waldorfeducation (USA). Board member. Since 2011.
“INASTE” – International Network of Academic Steiner Teacher Education (www.inaste.com). Co-founder and member. Since 2010.
“RoSE” – Research on Steiner Education (www.rosejourn.com). Co-founder and member of the editorial board of the online journal. Since 2010.
Member of the Board of the Educational Research Unit of the Federation of Independent Waldorf Schools. Since 2008.
DGfE – German Educational Research Association, member of the School Pedagogy section. Since 2008.
RSUC – Rudolf-Steiner-University-College in Oslo. Visiting Professor. Since 2008.
Senate of Alanus University. Member. Since 2008.
Videos / Podcasts / Radio Features
Interviews, Information
Jost Schieren (ed.) – Handbook of Waldorf Education and Educational Science.
Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren provides information about the Master’s degree program in Waldorf Education.
Radio Features
Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren: Rudolf Steiner and His Heirs – Why Are Waldorf Schools Successful?
Radio interview with SWR 2.
Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren: 100 Years of Waldorf School – Steiner’s Heirs on the Move
Radio interview with SWR 2.
Podcasts
Podcast “Alanus Punkt.Landung” by students of Alanus University
Episode 3: School without grades?
Conversation about Waldorf education with Professor Jost Schieren
Podcast “Waldorf.Perspektiven”
“The episode about spirituality at Waldorf schools. Conversation with Jost Schieren”
Lectures
Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren – Educational Art. The Concept of Art in Education.
Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren – No dog would want to live any longer like this. Motifs of Cognition in Goethe’s Faust.
Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren: How I See the Child, That Is How I Educate It. Education & Concept of the Human Being.
Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren: Waldorf education today – criticism and challenges
Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren: The Development of Feeling in Waldorf Pedagogy
YouTube playlist → Lectures by Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren:
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Events 2026
31 January – 12 February 2026 // Seminar trip to Chengdu, China and Hong Kong
Seminar: „The concept of Intelligence in Waldorf pedagogy“
05 – 08 March 2026 // Federal Parents’ Council Conference, Rudolf-Steiner-Schule Gröbenzell
Lecture: „The Reality of Thinking. Rudolf Steiner’s Concept of Intelligence and Waldorf Education in Times of AI“
15 – 20 March 2026 // Teacher Training Seminar for Waldorf Education Kassel
Seminar work on the topics: „Human Intelligence“ and „Sexualized Violence at Schools. Protection and Prevention“
17 – 18 April 2026 // Scuola Rudolf Steiner di Lugano Origlio, Switzerland
Lecture and seminar work: „Waldorf Education in Scholarly Dialogue“
12 – 14 June 2026 // Didascali Sorgues, France
Seminar work on the topics: „Development of the Child and Adolescent“ and „Goethe’s Perceptive Judgment“
19 – 22 June 2026 // Apis-Escola Waldorf de Sesimbra, Portugal
Seminar work: „Waldorf Education in Scholarly Dialogue“
17 June 2026 // Institute for Waldorf Education Witten-Annen
Public lecture: „Educational Art – The Concept of Art in Education“
27 June 2026 // Waldorf Institute of Southern California, USA
Lecture: „Waldorf education in the time of AI“
(Online event)
29 June – 03 July 2026 // Vilnius Waldorf School, Lithuania
Seminar work: „The concept of Intelligence in Waldorf pedagogy“
15 July – 05 August 2026 // Alanus University, Alfter
International Master program for Waldorf pedagogy
31 August – 03 September 2026 // Sofia Waldorf School, Bulgaria
Lecture: „Waldorf Education in Scholarly Dialogue“
19 – 21 November 2026 // Alanus University, Alfter
Congress: „Individuation as an Educational Principle. Impulses for Waldorf Teacher Education“
Events 2025
16 January 2025 // Sonnenhof, Arlesheim (CH)
Lecture: “The Significance of Feeling in Education”
22 January 2025, 7:00 p.m. // Alanus University, Alfter
Virtual information evening on the Master’s program in Education: „Becoming a Waldorf teacher: information about the degree program”
(Online event)
06 February 2025, 6:30 p.m. // Freie Waldorfschule Bergisch Gladbach
Lecture: “Waldorf education: successful model or myth? Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education”
13 February 2025 // Freie Waldorfschule Bonn
Lecture: “Waldorf education and spirituality. A critical reflection”
16 February 2025, 3:00 p.m. // HebelHalle, Heidelberg
Participation in a colloquium as part of the event “Thinking becomes reality – Ceremony marking Herbert Witzenmann’s 120th birthday”
20 February 2025 // Freie Waldorfschule Bergisch Gladbach
Faculty work: “Waldorf education in the present”
21–22 February 2025 // Goetheanum, Pedagogical Section (CH)
Participation in colloquium: “Rudolf Steiner’s concept of individuality”
28 February – 01 March 2025 // Atelierschule, Zurich (CH)
Faculty work “Didactic-methodological specificities of Waldorf education”
03–04 March 2025 // Waldorf School Geneva (CH)
Faculty work: “Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education”
30 March 2025 // Anthroposophical Society in Germany, Stuttgart
Participation in a panel discussion as part of the ceremonial event marking the 100th anniversary of Rudolf Steiner’s death
12–17 April 2025 // International Highschool Conference, Kassel
Lecture and seminar work on the topics: “Waldorf Education and Spirituality. A Critical Reflection” and “The Development of Judgments in Adolescence”
29 April 2025 // Faculdade Rudolf Steiner in Sao Paulo
Online lecture (in English with Portuguese translation): Waldorf Education and Educational Science. A Critical Dialogue.
08 May 2025 // Freie Waldorfschule Engelberg
Lecture: Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education
09 May 2025, 10:00 // Public academic conference: “The current discourse on Waldorf education. Critical assessment”, Freie Hochschule Stuttgart
Participation in conference and discussion rounds. Keynote on the topic: “Problems, requirements and prospects of dialogue between Waldorf education and educational science – considered from both sides”
22–24 May 2025 // INASTE Congress, Vienna
Lecture: “The Reality of Thinking. Rudolf Steiner’s concept of intelligence and its relevance for education”
Research report: “Sustainability awareness and behavior of children and adolescents”
28–31 May 2025 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France
Lecture and seminar work: “Developmental psychological aspects of Waldorf education”
05 June 2025 // Waldorf School Marburg
Lecture: “Which Waldorf education do we want?”
16 June 2025 // Alanus University, Alfter
Lecture on the topic “Which Waldorf education do we want?” as part of the public lecture series “Future impulses in Rudolf Steiner’s work – lecture series marking the 100th year since his death”
25 June 2025 // Institute for Waldorf Education Witten-Annen
Lecture: “The monistic understanding of the world and the human being in Waldorf education”
31 July – 16 August 2025 // “The 2nd Highschool Conference”, Chengdu, China
Lecture and seminar work: “Child and youth development”, “The new understanding of intelligence”, “The concept of art in education”, “Didactical aspects of waldorf education” and “ Epistemology and waldorf pedagogy”
04 September 2025 // Freie Waldorfschule Oberberg
Lecture: “Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education”
05– 12 September 2025 // Alanus University, Alfter
Block week Master’s in Education. Seminars on the topic: “Cultural history and Waldorf education”
30 September 2025, 7:30 p.m. // International Campus Waldorf (ICW)
Opening lecture: “How non-dualistic is Waldorf”
(Online event)
www.international-campus.waldorf.com
21– 24. Semptember 2025 // Sloka Waldorf School, Hyderabad, India
Lectures and seminar work: “The new understanding of intelligence” and “Didactical aspects of waldorf highschool teaching”
06 October 2025, 9:00- 10:30 // Institute for Waldorf Education Witten-Annen
Lecture: “The Holistic Nature of the Concept of Intelligence in Waldorf Education”
07– 10 October 2025 // Snellman Collage, Helsinki, Finland
Lecture: “The concept of intelligence in waldorf education”
29 October 2025 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France
Lecture: “Quelle pédagogie Waldorf voulons-nous?”
31 October – 17 November 2025 // Lecture tour Hong Kong
05 November 2025 // The Education University of Hongkong
Lecture and seminar work: “Holistic Approach Teaching and Synergy between Technology and Human Intelligence in Education.”
10 – 13 November 2025 // Hai Siann Waldorf School in Taichung, Taiwan
Lecture and seminar work: “The new understanding of intelligence, Considerations on the topic of AI and Waldorf education”
04 December 2025 // Freie Waldorfschule Berlin Mitte
Lecture: “The Reality of Thinking – Waldorf Education in Times of AI”
15– 16 December 2025 // Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, USA
Lecture: “Philosophical Implications of Steiner’s Waldorf Pedagogy. A Critique of Ideological Criticism”
16– 18 January 2026 // Center for Culture and Education, Vienna, Austria
Lectures and seminars
Events 2024
17 January – 2 February 2024 // Round trip through China. Visits with lectures and seminar work at various Waldorf educational institutions, participation in education conferences:
- 17–18 January // Visit to Guangzhou Hairong School
- 19–20 January // Visit to Beijing Lezhi School
Public lecture together with Christoph Wiechert: “The whole picture of K-12 in Waldort education” - 21 January // Visit to Beijing Nanshan School
- 22–23 January // Visit to Chengdu School
Lecture and seminar work together with Christoph Wiechert and others on the topics: “The whole picture of K-12 in Waldort education. How does education make people healthy with community” and “Teachers’ inner development; how to support children and family diversity” - 24–26 January // Participation in “The 8th Leadership Conference”, Chengdu
Participation in discussion rounds on educational topics as well as on organization and development // Lectures on “Waldorf in Academy” (24 January) and “Chances and challenges of a global Education” (25 January). - 28 January – 2 February // Participation in “The 5th High School Seminar”, Chengdu
Opening lecture: “Waldorfpedagogy and Ideaology” (28 January) // Lecture: “Adolescence development” (30 January) and workshop on “Literature Grade 9-12 with focus on 11” (28 January – 2 February)
22 February 2023, 12:00 p.m. // Didacta 2024, Cologne
Lecture: Waldorf education in a global perspective
24 February 2024, 08:45 a.m. // 91st Federal Parents’ Council Conference “WALDORF connects”, Rudolf-Steiner-Schule Dortmund
Keynote: Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education
06 March 2024, 7:30 p.m. // Rudolf Steiner Branch Cologne of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany
Lecture: Life Form and Form of Consciousness of Anthroposophy
13 March 2024 // Alanus University, Alfter
Virtual information evening on the Master’s program in Education: „Becoming a Waldorf teacher: information about the degree program”
(Online event)
15–17 March 2024 // Asociácia waldorfských škôl a škôlok (Waldorf Association Slovakia), Nove Zamky, Slovakia
Lecture on 15 March: Anthroposophy and Waldorf education – a field of tension.
Seminar work on the topic “Human Being and Cosmos. Rudolf Steiner’s monistic worldview reflected epistemologically, anthropologically and ecologically”
10 April 2024 // Alanus University, Alfter
Virtual information evening on the Master’s program in Education: „Becoming a Waldorf teacher: information about the degree program”
(Online event)
17–21 April 2024 // Goetheanum, Dornach (Switzerland)
Participation in panel discussion on the topic “Anthroposophy in training” as part of the “Goetheanum Worldwide Teacher Education Conference”
18 April 2024, 13:00 // Sonnenhof, Arlesheim (Switzerland)
Lecture as part of Sonnenhof’s 100th anniversary on the topic “The significance of anthroposophy in education – a field of tension”
03 May 2024, 8:00 p.m. // Freie Waldorfschule Heidelberg
“Anthroposophy in conversation – The defense of the human being”. Panel discussion together with Thomas Fuchs and Jens Heisterkamp (moderation) on the topics: “Media digitalization * Artificial intelligence * The human being as an embodied spiritual-soul unity * Education” as part of the series “Anthroposophy in conversation” of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany.
08–11 May 2024 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France
Seminar work with students of Waldorf education.
15 May 2024 // Alanus University, Alfter
Virtual information evening on the Master’s program in Education: „Becoming a Waldorf teacher: information about the degree program”
(Online event)
16 May 2024, 7:30 p.m. // Rudolf Steiner School Düsseldorf
Lecture: “Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education”
05 June 2024, 19:00 // Alanus University, Alfter
Keynote as part of the public lecture series “Happy Child” on the topic: „How exactly do you tick?“ Educational challenges in puberty”
12 June 2024, 8:00 p.m. // Freie Georgenschule, Waldorf School Reutlingen
Lecture: “Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education”
13 June 2024, 8:00 p.m. // Freie Waldorfschule Heilbronn
Lecture: “Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education”
04–09 July 2024 // Haisheng Waldorf High School, Taichung City, Taiwan
Seminar work with participants in the Waldorf High School Teacher Training of the Taiwan Waldorf Education Movement Federation on the topics “The Development of Judgements in Adolescence”, “Learning Process in Waldorf Education”, “Goethes Epistemology as a source of Waldorf pedagogy” and “The academic aspects of Waldorf High School Teacher Education” (the latter seminar together with Wilfried Sommer).
18–25 July 2024 // “High School Conference”, Chengdu, China
Seminar work on: “Goethean/Steiner’s Epistemology” and workshop on “Anthropology & Study of Man”
31 July 2024 // Alanus University, Alfter
Virtual information evening on the Master’s program in Education: „Becoming a Waldorf teacher: information about the degree program”
(Online event)
28–29 August 2024 // Waldorf School Schwerin
Teacher training
17 September 2024, 7:30 p.m. // INTERNATIONAL CAMPUS WALDORF (ICW)
Lecture: What kind of spirituality exists in Waldorf education?
(Online event)
www.international-campus-waldorf.com
25–28 September 2024 // Forest House Waldorf School, Hong Kong, China
Public lectures on the topic: “Developement of judgements in adolescence”
29 September–03 October 2024 // Skola Waldorf School, Hyderabad, India
Seminar work on the topic: “The developement of feeling in pedagogy”
11–16 October 2024 // Block week at the Waldorf Institute Witten Annen
Seminar work on the topic: “Freedom as developmental potential – Human Being & World in Waldorf education”
Opening lecture on 11.10.2024 at 7:30 p.m. on the topic: ” Waldorf education and spirituality – a critical reflection
30 October–02 November 2024 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France
Seminar work with students of Waldorf education.
21 November 2024 // Waldorf School Bratislava
Lecture and faculty work: “Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education”
22 November 2024 // Vienna Education Dialogues at the Waldorf School Vienna Mauer
Lecture and panel discussion on the topic: “Challenges for a contemporary Waldorf school”
26 November 2024 // Seminar for Waldorf Education in Berlin
Lecture: “Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education”
Events 2023
03 March 2023, 8:00 p.m. // Freie Waldorfschule Essen
Lecture: Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education
08 March 2023, 6:00 p.m. // Goethe Society Mannheim
Lecture: „No dog would want to live any longer like this!” – Motifs of cognition in Goethe’s Faust
09 March 2023, 3:30 p.m. // Didacta 2023, Stuttgart
Panel discussion on the topic “Waldorf in the media”
15 March 2023 // Alanus University, Alfter
Virtual information evening on the Master’s program in Education: „Becoming a Waldorf teacher: information about the degree program”
(Online event)
25 March 2023, 12:00 p.m. // Study Information Day, Alanus University, Alfter
Lecture with discussion: What must teachers be able to do? On the professional profile of the Waldorf teacher and the part-time Master’s program in Education/Waldorf Education.
13–16 April 2023 // AERA 2023 Annual Meeting, Chicago, USA
Participation together with Prof. Dr. Janne Fengler and Prof. Dr. Stefanie Greubel with the joint research project “Fridays for Future” at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association
20 April 2023, 8:00 p.m. // Freie Waldorfschule Freiburg-Wiehre
Lecture: The Concept of Learning in Waldorf Education. Introduction and current situation
21 April 2023, 8:00 p.m. // Freie Waldorfschule Rottweil
Lecture: Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education
08 May 2023, 7:15 p.m. // Alanus University, Alfter
Panel discussion together with Prof. Jochen Breme: Art and Science? Or: What makes the university special.
17–20 May 2023 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France
Seminar work and public lecture: Dimensions de l’individualité dans la pédagogie
31 May 2023 // Alanus University, Alfter
Virtual information evening on the Master’s program in Education: Becoming a Waldorf teacher: information about the degree program
(Online event)
08–11 June 2023 // Solymár, Hungary
Seminar work and lectures on the topic: Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education
13–18 June 2023 // Waldorflärerhögskolan, Stockholm, Sweden
Seminar work and lecture on the topics: Development of feeling in educational processes and the relationship between Waldorf education and anthroposophy
07–09 August 2023 // Asociácia waldorfských škôl a škôlok, Bratislava, Slovakia
Seminar work on Goethe’s fairy tale
10–14 August 2023 // Waldorf Summer Academy 2023, Passail, Austria
Lecture: Diversity and individuality. Educational perspectives on the development of the I
Working group on the topic: Challenges for a contemporary Waldorf school
08 September 2023, 19:30 // at Alanus University
Opening lecture of the Master’s block week in Education: „Challenges and opportunities of a global education”
18–22 September // Snellman University Helsinki, Finland
Seminar work on the topics: “The development of feeling within the pedagogical process” and “What makes Waldorf special? The relationship between anthroposophy and Waldorf education and how to balance it”
26 September 2023, 7:30 p.m. // INTERNATIONAL CAMPUS WALDORF (ICW)
Lecture: Chances and Challenges of a Global Education
(Online event)
www.international-campus-waldorf.com
29 September – 01 October 2023 // Goetheanum, Switzerland
Participation in expert forum on the topic “Equal and different! How can the search for the ‘I’ be taken into account in debates on interculturality, gender, as well as karma and reincarnation?” as part of the “Goetheanum World Conference”
03 October 2023, 7:00 p.m. // Rudolf Steiner School Pötzleinsdorf, Vienna/Austria
Lecture: The Concept of Learning in Waldorf Education
07–12 October 2023 // Skola Waldorf School, Hyderabad, India
Seminar work on the topic: “Goethes way of thinking and observing nature as a source for Waldorfpedagogy”
19–22 October 2023 // Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland
Lecture: “Freedom as a pedagogical category” as part of an international conference on the topic “Sources and contexts in Waldorf education. Past – Present – Future”
24 October 2023, 17:30 // Alanus University
Lecture as part of the public lecture series “Early Childhood Waldorf Education and Its Contexts. Perspectives from Scholarship and Practice”: How ideological is Waldorf education? A critical examination of the existing critique of ideology
01– 05 November 2023 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France
Seminar work and lecture
Lecture on 01 November, 8:15 p.m.: Possibilités et défis d’une pédagogie mondiale
28 November 2023, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. // Seminar for Waldorf Education Hamburg
Lecture and discussion as part of the lecture series “Perspectives. Waldorf”: The philosophical foundations of Waldorf education
29 November 2023, 7:00 p.m. // Rudolf Steiner School Harburg (Hamburg)
Lecture: Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education
Events 2022
16 March 2022, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. // University of Bremen as part of the DGfE Congress 2022
Moderation of a research forum of scholarship holders from the Graduate School for Waldorf Education on the topic „Research in the context of Waldorf education and educational science“
(Online event)
02 April 2022 // Colloquium of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany, Stuttgart
Topic: „Plural science and spirituality under review“
Participants: Prof. Dr. Esfeld, Dr. Jens Heisterkamp, Wolfgang Müller, Prof. Dr. Jost Schieren
04 May 2022 // Alanus University
Virtual information evening on the Master’s program in Education: „Becoming a Waldorf teacher: information about the degree program”
(Online event)
18 – 20 May 2022 // Diplomatic Academy, Vienna, 4th International INASTE Congress: Realizing Humanity – Perspectives in Education
Co-moderation of a discussion forum together with Prof. Dr. Janne Fengler and Prof. Dr. Stefanie Greubel on the topic: “Individuality and Responsibility: Challenges for Young People”
25 – 28 May 2022 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France
Seminar work on the topic:„Le développement de la perception et de la conscience dans la pédagogie Waldorf”
02 June 2022 // Alanus University
Virtual information evening on the Master’s program in Education: „Becoming a Waldorf teacher: information about the degree program”
(Online event)
27 June – 01 July 2022 // Mills College Oakland California and Community School for Creative Education
Seminar work on the topic: “Basics of Waldorf Education”
(Online event)
Participation on request at katharina.deroos@alanus.edu
06 July 2022 // Alanus University
Virtual information evening on the Master’s program in Education: „Becoming a Waldorf teacher: information about the degree program”
(Online event)
11 – 16 July 2022 // Center for Culture and Education, Vienna
Lecture and seminar work on the topic: „What is good teaching? Didactic specificities of Waldorf education“
02 September 2022 // Freie Waldorfschule Marburg
Lecture and workshop (faculty work) on the topic: „What makes Waldorf different? Challenges for contemporary Waldorf education“
04 – 08 September 2022 // Snellman University Helsinki, Finland
Lecture and seminar work on the topic: ”Goethe’s way of thinking and its influence on Waldorf Pedagogy”
23 – 28 September 2022 // Skola Waldorf School, Hyderabad, India
Lecture and seminar work on the topic: “Holistic Education”
25 October 2022, INTERNATIONAL CAMPUS WALDORF (ICW)
Lecture: WHAT CONSCIOUSNESS DOES WALDORF EDUCATION AIM TO DEVELOP?
(Online event)
www.international-campus-waldorf.com
02 – 06 November 2022 // Didascali Teacher Seminar, Sorgues, France
Seminar work on the topic: ”Anthropology of Waldorf Education”
Events 2021
29/30 January 2021 at Alanus University
Online seminar in the Master’s program in Education
“Professional profile of the Waldorf teacher”
Registration required via elke.rath@alanus.edu
10 February 2021, 6:00 – 7:45 p.m. at Ruhr University Bochum
Lecture: “Waldorf education today – criticism and challenges”
(Online event)
18 February 2021 , 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Alanus University
Study Waldorf education! Information evening with short lecture
(Online event)
04 March 2021, 6:00 p.m. // The David Yellin Academic College Education Journal (“Be Maagalei Hinuch”);
The Jerusalem Institute for Waldorf Education & Research
Lecture: Waldorf Education facing the Academic world
(Internal online event)
22 – 25 March 2021, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CET (4pm – 6pm IST) // Indian Waldorf Education Forum (IWEF)
Webinar together with Christof Wichert on the topic:
“THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN ‘I’ (self) in EDUCATION”
Participation on request // katharina.deroos@alanus.edu
27 March 2021 at Alanus University
Virtual information event as part of Augen.Blick.Mal
(Online event)
22 April 2021 , 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Alanus University
Virtual information evening on the Master’s program in Education
Become a Waldorf teacher: information about the degree program
(Online event)
29 May 2021 at Alanus University
“Study Waldorf education!”, virtual information event as part of the information day of the Department of Educational Sciences
(Online event)
05 – 09 June2021 // Conditio humana / Kassel Youth Symposium
Workshop
(Online event)
23 June 2021 , 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Alanus University
Study option for future Waldorf teachers
Virtual information evening on the part-time Master’s in Education / Waldorf Education
(Online event)
05 – 09 July 2021 // Mills College Oakland California and Community School for Creative Education
Lectures and seminar work on the topic: „Harnessing Waldorf Education to Advance Child Development & Social Justice: Foundations of Waldorf Pedagogy“
Public lecture on 05.09.: „Waldorf Education & The Development of the Child “
(Online event)
21 July 2021, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Alanus University
Study option for future Waldorf teachers
Virtual information evening on the part-time Master’s in Education / Waldorf Education
(Online event)
26 July 2021, Rudolf-Steiner-University-College in Oslo, Norway
Lecture: „The Development of Feeling in Waldorf Education“
(Online event)
Video recording of the event
03 August 2021, Podcast „Alanus Punkt.Landung“ by students of Alanus University
Episode 3: School without grades?
Conversation about Waldorf education with Professor Jost Schieren
10 September 2021, 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Alanus University
Opening lecture of the Master’s block week in Education: „The Development of Feeling in (Waldorf) Education”
28 September 2021 // International Camups Waldorf (ICW)
Lecture: What consciousness does Waldorf Education aim to develop?
(Online event)
www.international-campus-waldorf.com
07 October 2021, 7:00 p.m. at Ita Wegmann School in Benefeld
Public lecture: „Challenges of contemporary Waldorf education“
08 – 10 October 2021, Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France
Lectures and seminar work on the topic: „Foundations of Waldorf education“
23 October 2021, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland
Lecture: „The Quality of Waldorf Education “
28 October and 11 November 2021, both at 4:00 p.m. at Freie Waldorfschule Bonn
Internal conference work with the faculty on the topic: „Foundations of consciousness in Waldorf education“
Events 2020
29 – 31 January 2020 // Conference of Waldorf Teachers of the Swedish Waldorf Schools, Stockholm (Järna/Kulturcentrum): Three lectures on the topic „Waldorf Education today – Possibilities and Challenges“.
31 January – 02 February 2020 // Goetheanum, Dornach. International Youth Conference: „Consciousness aspects of Sustainability”
03 February 2020 // Waldorf School Colmar: „Concept of learning in Waldorf Education”
13 – 15 March 2020 // Institute for Subject Didactics Kassel: “Methodological-didactic foundations of Waldorf education”
20 – 23 May 2020 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France: „Anthropological foundations of Waldorf education“
Opening lecture on 20.05.: „The biography of Rudolf Steiner and anthroposophy in the present“
(Online event)
06 – 09 September 2020 // Snellman University Helsinki, Finland: “Phenomenological aspects of Waldorf Education”
(Online event)
19 September 2020 // Lecture series „Thementage Menschenkunde“, Alanus University: „Development as a principle of being. On Goethe’s concept of development“
(Hybrid event online and in person)
02 – 04 October 2020 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France: „Developmental aspects of Waldorf education“
(Online event)
12 – 16 October 2020 // Institute for Subject Didactics Kassel: „Thinking, Feeling and Willing in Waldorf education“
(Online event)
28 November 2020 // Alanus University, Alfter
Lecture series „Thementage Menschenkunde“: Personality development in Waldorf education.
Events 2019
11 – 13 January 2019 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France
“Reform pedagogy and Waldorf education in dialogue”.
24 – 26 January 2019 // 100th anniversary celebration of the Scandinavian Waldorf schools, Stockholm, Sweden
Three lectures on the topic „Waldorf education in the present“.
27 January 2019 // Rudolf Steiner House, Hamburg: “Rilke’s poetry as an example of non-dual consciousness”
20 February 2019 // Didacta Cologne: “Quality aspects of Waldorf education in the present”
22 – 24 February 2019 // Waldorf Teacher Seminar Krakow, Poland: “Anthropological foundations of Waldorf education”
1 – 2 March 2019 // Waldorf Teacher Seminar Schwerin: “Anthropological foundations of Waldorf education”
7 & 8 March 2019 // Hiberniaschule Herne: “Waldorf education in the present”
15 March 2019 // General Assembly of the Federation of Independent Waldorf Schools, Dortmund: “On the anthropology of Waldorf education”
21 March 2019 // Curative Education Association, Anthropoi, Berlin: “The power of intuition in everyday educational practice”
23 March 2019 // Lecture series „Thementage Menschenkunde“, Alanus University: On the topic „Threefold aspects: body, soul, spirit // thinking, feeling, willing // waking, dreaming, sleeping // imagination, inspiration, intuition“
28 March 2019 // Parzival School Munich: “The enigma of the human I”
29 – 31 March 2019 // Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland: “Professional ethics in Waldorf education”
8 – 12 April 2019 // Institute for Subject Didactics Kassel: “Senses and sensory development. Festivals and the shaping of festivals in Waldorf education”
29 April 2019 // University of Munich: Panel discussion on the topic „Waldorf education in the present“
29 May – 2 June 2019 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France: “Anthropological foundations of Waldorf education”
22 June 2019 // Lecture series „Thementage Menschenkunde“, Alanus University: On the topic „The fundamental pedagogical law“
2 – 4 July 2019 // Western Esotericism and consciousness Visions, Voices, Altred States, Amsterdam, Netherlands: “Rudolf Steiner’s Concept of intuition”
6 – 14 July 2019 // Congress General Study of Man Goetheanum Dornach, Switzerland: “How does the new enter the world, on the third lecture of the General Study of Man”
15 – 19 July 2019 // Oakland Mills College & Community School for Creative Education, USA: “Anthropological foundations of Waldorf education”
16 – 18 September 2019 // Snellman University Helsinki, Finland: ”Goethe’s Way of Thinking And Its Influence on Waldorf Pedagogy”
19 September 2019 // Tempodrom Berlin: Lecture at the anniversary festival 100 years of Waldorf education
21 September 2019 // Lecture series „Thementage Menschenkunde“, Alanus University: On the topic „Conclusion, judgment, concept“
23 October 2019 // University of Marburg: Lecture on the topic “100 years of Waldorf education”
30 October – 2 November 2019 // Didascali Sorgue near Avignon, France: “Anthropological foundations of Waldorf education”
7 November 2019 // Freie Waldorfschule Trier: Lecture on the topic “100 years of Waldorf education”
16 November 2019 // Lecture series „Thementage Menschenkunde“, Alanus University: On the topic „Developmental aspects: seven-year phases and Rubicon“
22 & 23 November 2019 // University of Kyiv: Lecture on the topic “100 years of Waldorf education”
