Activities in FHNW

Kirsten Schweinberger is a Research Associate at the Centre for Research on the Professional Development of Teachers in the Department of Research and Development at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (School of Education). Her work focuses on areas such as innovation in teacher education, teachers' professional development, and school development.

In her current research project, she is examining the role of teachers' identification with their school in fostering collaboration and engagement, which are pivotal for school improvement if aligned with institutional goals. She is also interested in the process through which organizational identification develops and how it can be deliberately cultivated to benefit the school environment.

In addition, she is exploring which innovative learning settings are best suited for helping future teachers integrate scientific insights into their professional practice, thereby assisting them in finding solutions to the practical demands of the profession. Furthermore, she is looking into how the exchange between research and practice can be made even more beneficial.

As a psychologist, she integrates expertise in cognitive, emotional, and social developmental processes, as well as methodological competencies, into educational research questions and translates research findings into practical recommendations for schools and teachers.

Research Focus

• Innovations in teacher education, with a focus on bridging the gap between scientific insights and professional practice requirements.
• Emotional, cognitive, and social factors in school improvement processes