Distinction
Honorary doctorate from the University of Ioannina for Wuppertal social pedagogue Heinz Sünker
Prof. Sünker (Mitte) mit der Dekanin der School of Education der University of Ioannina, Prof. Dr. Nicoletta Tsitsanoude Mallide, und dem Head der Childhood Studies Prof. Dr. Harilaos Zaragas.
At the award ceremony in Ioannina: Prof Dr Sünker and Rector Prof Anna Batistatou // Photos Jo Moran-Ellis
The social pedagogue received his honorary doctorate from Prof. Dr Anna Batistatou, rector of the University of Ioannina, at a ceremony on 10 October.
About Heinz Sünker
Born in Lower Saxony, Heinz Sünker studied German language and literature, Protestant theology, philosophy and education in Münster and Heidelberg. He completed his doctorate at the Faculty of Education at Bielefeld University in 1983/84 and completed his habilitation there in 1988. In 1991, he came to the University of Wuppertal, where he was Professor of Social Pedagogy/Social Policy for 25 years and was also continuously involved in academic self-administration - including as Dean and a long-standing member of the Senate. After retiring, he was appointed "Rudolf Carnap Senior Professor". In 2015, he was awarded the World Lion for his outstanding commitment to the internationalisation of the University of Wuppertal in studies, teaching and research.
In addition to a wide range of international and national activities in research and academic self-organisation, Prof. Sünker was a member of the DFG Research Training Group "Youth Welfare in Transition" and co-spokesperson for the Hans Böckler Foundation's doctoral programme "Children and Childhoods in the Context of Social Modernisation", of which he is a liaison lecturer. He is also a board member of the Centre for Childhood Research "Kindheiten.Gesellschaften" and the Centre for International Studies in Social Policy and Social Services.
