In this report, we look back on the working years 2024 and 2025 of our center. The last ZPE report was still clearly influenced by the transition from a central institution of the University of Siegen to a central institute of Faculty II. In retrospect, it can be said that the corresponding processes have been successfully completed. Today, the ZPE is naturally perceived as part of the faculty, making an important contribution to the overall image and success of the faculty. Within the faculty, there are fruitful relationships and personnel overlaps, for example with the Institute for Social Pedagogy (ISP) and the DFG Research Training Group “Consequences of Social Assistance.” This is evident, among other things, in the fact that the ZPE, together with the social work degree programs, the ISP, and the graduate college, has already organized and run the joint Siegen social pedagogy stand at the Open University twice. The steadily growing relationships within the faculty since 2022 are also reflected in many of the activities of ZPE members documented in this report.
The connections both within and beyond social work demonstrate that the ZPE, as part of Faculty II, is an attractive working environment and partner for collaborations and projects for members from other faculties at the University of Siegen. These networks are also reflected in the diverse activities of the ZPE and its members – be they events, research projects, or other formats. In addition to collaborations with partners within the faculty and the university, there are numerous cooperative relationships with administrations and ministries at the municipal, state, and federal levels, with European and non-European universities, and, last but not least, with a wide range of practice apartners and professional associations. In my opinion, this also demonstrates that we are visible and recognized as important voices in theory building and practice development surrounding our individual and collective issues.
Dr. Martin F. Reichstein (Managing Director of the ZPE)
The new ZPE report is now available for download as a PDF at https://u-si.de/g7DoY.