Since studying theology and sociology in Tübingen, Rome and Frankfurt on Main, both fields of study have left their mark on my professional career.
As theologian I focused on biblical studies using my knowledge in sociology to shed new light on the literary style and the socio-historical background of the New Testament. From 1996 to 2002 I worked on these topics as research assistant at the University of Münster.
As sociologist I specialised in industrial relations in Germany and Europe focusing on situations where employees have difficulties to enforce their rights.
- From 1993 to 1995 I worked in a research project on industrial relations in the construction industry as well as the hotel and catering sector. A comparative study involving Germany and France I was responsible for the French part of the project and conducted numerous interviews with experts, social partners and employees from both sectors in France.
- From 2003 to 2009 I worked as senior researcher at the Technische Universität München, inter alia on two major research projects. The first concerned a study of workplaces without works councils in Germany, while the second project studied German companies who failed to set up a European Works Council.
- From 2009 to 2011 I worked as senior researcher at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, in particular in the “BALANCE” project commissioned to coordinate a government funded research program on the balance of flexibility and stability at work.
- Since 2011 I’m responsible for the Priority Support Area “Co-determination and the changing world of work” at the Hans Böckler Foundation in Düsseldorf.
Starting with my studies in Rome and further developed through empirical research in France international comparative research and a European perspective have become very important for me. As a member of the EU-level team of the network of correspondents for Eurofound’s information reporting services from 2006 to 2010 I have developed an intimate understanding of European industrial relations.
In the last couple of years I’ve focused on digital transition, platform work and artificial intelligence as challenges for workers‘ participation and labour rights. Inter alia I’m responsible for the research programme on digital transition at the Hans Böckler Foundation.
In my spare time I play guitar singing chansons, Bossa Nova, folk songs, and jazz standards. Since 1996 I’m on tour in Germany and Europe with the folk band Pont neuf.
Affiliations
- Digitalcourage: setzt sich für Grundrechte und Datenschutz ein.
- GIRA: German Industrial Relations Association
- ILERA: International Labour and Employment Relations Association
- ISA: International Sociological Association
- Sektion AIS: Sektion Arbeits- und Industriesoziologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Soziologie (DGS)
Music
- Jacobus van Sternkamp: Musik des Mittelalters, Folklore, Jazz
- Pont neuf: Folk und mehr