Barbara Schellhammer becomes the first female professor at the Munich School of Philosophy (HFPH). From October 1, 2019, the 42-year-old will head the newly created Chair for Intercultural Social Transformation, which was established with the support of the Jesuit Order. Her research and teaching will focus on the philosophical perspective on social change, cultural loss and intercultural issues. The chair will be established for an initial period of five years.

HFPH-President Johannes Wallacher: "With the new chair we are strengthening intercultural philosophy at our Faculty. The subject area 'Intercultural Social Transformation' is rapidly gaining in importance in times of globalisation, digitalisation and urbanisation. We are pleased that we were able to win Barbara Schellhammer for this chair, an outstanding academic who also brings in her international connections and her experience with digital teaching."

Chair holder Barbara Schellhammer: "I am delighted that the Faculty is giving this important field of research weight in science and the public with the new chair. In the coming years, I want to deal with the philosophical reflection of social change, with a particular focus on the cultural dimension. In concrete terms, I am concerned with dealing with the unknown, with abuse, violence and possibilities for peace-building, as well as with a change in consciousness towards a socio-ecological transformation".

Barbara Schellhammer studied Social Work in Munich, earned a doctorate in Philosophy at the Jesuit School of Philosophy in 2009 and a habilitation at the University of Hildesheim in 2018. From 2009 she taught for Intercultural Social Work at the International YMCA University Kassel and in 2013 she moved to the HFPH as a lecturer. From 2005 to 2015 she also taught at the Royal Roads University in Canada. In addition to Canada, where she conducted research on cultural loss among the Inuit, she spent time working and doing research in Togo, Kenya and Iraq.

At the Munich School of Philosophy (HFPH), teachers and students have been facing the challenges of the present and the future together for more than 90 years. The courses offered by the Jesuit Order's state-recognised Faculty include philosophy courses with Bachelor's, Master's and doctoral degrees as well as part-time continuing education courses with certificates or Master's degrees. Only a few metres away from the English Garden, students find excellent study conditions with modern lecture halls and seminar rooms and a very favourable ratio of supervision.