Aktuell

• von Dr. Alexandra Nießen
• 08.10.2026

Speaking, understanding, expressing oneself. Language shapes our lives from an early age. Yet not all children find this equally easy. Dr Stephanie Riehemann, the new Professor of Inclusive Education specialising in speech, language, communication needs (SLCN) support, is developing, amongst other things, specific language interventions for different year groups and school types at the Institute of Special Education. In addition, the 49-year-old prepares trainee teachers to provide support for children with developmental language disorders.

[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 Stephanie Riehemann:] Imagine attending a lecture in a language you barely understand. That is how children with language or communication difficulties feel at school every day. My research seeks evidence-based and practical approaches that enable them to learn successfully and participate socially at all year groups and in all types of school. This involves both the development of specific language interventions and the removal of language learning barriers in the classroom.

What is it about this topic that fascinates you personally?

Language and communication are key skills in our society. Children who lack sufficient mastery of these basic skills face enormous challenges in their everyday school life. This can lead to them withdrawing in frustration or becoming increasingly aggressive. One of my main areas of research is therefore ‘communicative resilience’ – that is, the inner strength – that they need when conversations fail, misunderstandings arise or explanations are very complex.

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

I bring a wealth of experience and an extensive network of collaborators to the UDE. This enables me to adopt a participatory research approach in which pupils, parents and teachers are actively involved. I carry out research for and with schools. In the long term, the aim is to set up a consultancy centre for multi-professional teamwork alongside our language clinic, because in an inclusive education system we need teachers who know how and with whom to cooperate successfully for the benefit of the learners.

What misconception about your field of expertise would you like to clear up?

Developmental Language Disorders (DLD) are the most common disorder in childhood, with a prevalence of 10 per cent. Almost everyone knows a child who is receiving speech and language therapy. In every primary school class, there are two to three children with DLD. Nevertheless, DLD is much less well known than, for example, stutterring or autism. As a professor of inclusive education specialising in SLCN support, my work therefore always involves raising awareness and building networks beyond my own professional community, so that those affected receive appropriate support at school.

Short Biography: Stephanie Riehemann

Academic Work

Since September 2026: Professor of ‚Inclusive education for complex impairments in speech and communication development’, UDE

February 2016 to August 2026: Senior teacher in Higher Education (Pedagogy and Didactics for Language and Communication Impairments), University of Cologne

September 2021 to August 2022: Acting Head of ‘Special Language Education in School and Therapy’, University of Cologne

April 2018 to August 2022: Acting Professor of ‘Special Language Education’, Humboldt University of Berlin

August 2010 to January 2016: Teacher, Special Language Needs School, Wuppertal

More information:
Prof Dr phil. Stephanie Riehemann, Faculty of Humanities, Institute of Special Education, stephanie.riehemann@uni-due.de

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