Welcome to the IFEB!

From the perspective of educational sciences, university research, teaching and further education make important contributions to fostering personal, interpersonal and social developments. Research and teaching activities serve the critical and constructive examination of biographical, social, socio-economic and structural conditions for learning and educational processes throughout a person’s lifetime. Educational research and teaching focus not only on people’s individual designs, needs and potentials but also on their being social subjects. The IfEB is guided by the basic democratic values of an open, participatory and solidary society in which interests and conflicts are negotiated in dialogue and minorities are respected in their right to shape their own lives.

Unequal access to labor, educational opportunities and social participation due to socio-economic circumstances, language, origin, gender, (social) disability, sexual orientation, political positioning and ideology are examined in the sense of critical science and discursively addressed in terms of changeability and possible approaches to action. Education is also understood as a contribution to a society that is non-violent and geared towards sustainable development.

Teaching and research are committed to this guiding principle in intradisciplinary permeability and interdisciplinary networking in a regional and international context. The special features of the Alps-Adriatic region are perceived from a nationally and internationally networked perspective and addressed in research and teaching. Quality in research and teaching as well as the promotion of young academics are amongst the Department’s key priorities.