Aktuell

• von Dr. Alexandra Nießen
• 29.09.2026

Every child brings own abilities, interests, and potential to school. For all of them to be able to develop these, we need learning environments that prioritize relationships, a sense of belonging, and trust. Dr. Laura Ferreira González, the new professor of ‚Inclusive Education for Complex Emotional and Social Developmental Disabilities‘ at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Duisburg-Essen, is researching how young people can navigate their initial circumstances and how schools and other institutions can effectively support them in doing so.

[Dr Alexandra Niessen:] If you had to explain your research to people outside your field – special educational needs – what would it be about?

[Prof. Dr Laura Ferreira González:] I am exploring the question of how we can tackle inequalities in our education system, particularly for those children and young people who grow up in particularly vulnerable circumstances and/or whose experiences and behaviour are distinctive. This concerns the children and young people themselves, and how we can design both curricular and extracurricular settings to serve as preventative and intervention measures. It also addresses the question of how we can foster the professionalism of (prospective) teachers and specialist staff in this regard.

What interests you about this topic?

Children, young people and their families face a world full of (im)possibilities. At present, our education system is showing that inequalities are becoming increasingly entrenched over time. For me, therefore, the key question is how we can counteract these processes and exert a positive influence in order to shape a society in which everyone can participate actively and have a say.

What would you like to achieve at the UDE in the next years?

I am looking forward to collaborating with the various disciplines. The University of Duisburg-Essen is characterised by a range of specialisms, which provide excellent points of contact. Furthermore, it is already becoming clear that the Ruhr region, with its many interested collaboration partners, offers the opportunity to achieve close integration between academia and practice.

Short Biography: Laura Ferreira González

Academic Work

• Since August 2026: Professor of ‚Inclusive Education for Students with Complex Emotional and Social Developmental Disabilities‘, Faculty of Humanities at the UDE
• 2023: Adjunct Professorship in the Pedagogy of Inclusive Education, University of Cologne
• 2022 to 2026: Senior Lecturer, University of Cologne
• 2014 to 2022: Special needs teacher in higher education, biology education, University of Cologne
• 2009 to 2014: Special needs teacher, special school, Cologne

Education and Training

• 2019: Ph.D. (Dr. sc. ed.), University of Cologne
• 2007 to 2009: Legal traineeship, 2nd State Examination
• 2006: 1st State Examination
• 2002 to 2006: Degree in Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Cologne

Further information:
Prof. Dr Laura Ferreira González, Faculty of Humanities, Institute of Special Education, laura.ferreiragonzalez@uni-due.de

Editor: Dr Alexandra Niessen, alexandra.niessen@uni-due.de