Research Areas
The research activities of the BBF currently concentrate on four research areas.
History of School and Subject Teaching
The projects in the research field “History of School and Subject Teaching” aim to investigate the transformation of school and (subject) teaching practices, cultures and institutional structures, particularly since the 19th century.
History of Pedagogical Knowledge
The research area of “History of Pedagogical Knowledge“ reconstructs the genesis of different forms of pedagogical knowledge – scientific research knowledge, professional knowledge and knowledge of lay people. These different forms of knowledge are historically analyzed regarding their often contradictory relationships and with respect to educational policy.
History of Education in the GDR
The projects within the research field “History of Education in the GDR” research the educational institutions and, more recently, the development of pedagogy and educational science in the GDR.
Digital History of Education
In the field of Digital History of Education, innovative approaches are being explored and critically evaluated to advance research into the history of education. In 2024, a W2 professorship titled “Historical Educational Research with a Focus on Digital Humanities” was established in collaboration with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.