Migration, forced migration and other forms of mobility have a significant impact on societies. We reflect upon consequential discrimination and its criticism along various categories such as race, class, gender, ability as well as actors such as civil society or educational institutions. For example, at institutions of higher education, structural discrimination as well as manifold inclusions and exclusions become relevant to educational and career processes but also trigger (counter)reactions.

In the research group “Forced Migration, Migration & Discrimination” at the Institute of Sociology, we look at the nexus of mobilities and discrimination, their manifestations, practices and discourses from a social science and transdisciplinary perspective. Our work encompasses empirical research projects, university teachings, participation in (internal university) committees and working groups. We moreover transfer our expertise to science and civil society.

Dr. Rebecca Hofmann, Staff member at the Institute of Sociology; contact person for prospective and enrolled refugee students and researchers; member of the University of Education's “Anti-discrimination and Equal Opportunities Network”

M.A. Claudia Himmelsbach, Staff Member at the Institute of Sociology; member of Senate Committee of Equal Opportunities and the Equal Opportunities Commission of Faculty 1 

Prof. Dr. habil. Sabine Flick, Head of Department

Prof. Dr. habil. Albert Scherr, Professor retired

The contact person for refugee prospective students, students and researchers at the University of Teacher Education is based at the Research Unit. As part of the scientific monitoring of the HOLA project, she investigates qualitative questions about the fit of the project in university structures and the everyday practices of the participants. 

Contact: Dr. Rebecca Hofmann, KG 5, room 304, phone +49 761 682-687, e-mail: rebecca.hofmann(at)ph-freiburg.de

“Vielfalt gefällt! Places of tolerance” - Scientific support 

Project management: Prof. Dr. Albert Scherr

Collaborators: Claudia Himmelsbach, Dr. Rebecca Hofmann

Duration: 01.05. 2021- 30.4.2024

Funding: Baden-Württemberg Foundation

The funding program “Vielfalt gefällt! Places of Tolerance” of the Baden-Württemberg Foundation focused on lines of social conflict in Baden-Württemberg. The central aim was to facilitate encounters, dialogues and joint activities between people with different backgrounds, identities and memberships, creating “places of tolerance”. Because, under certain conditions, encounters can reduce social distance and break down categorical classifications in favour of individualizing perceptions and can thus reduce stereotypes and prejudices.

Publication

Himmelsbach, C./ Hofmann, R./ Scherr, A. (2024): Vielfalt gefällt! Places of tolerance. Results of the scientific monitoring. Stuttgart. Baden-Württemberg Foundation.  https://www.bwstiftung.de/de/publikation/vielfalt-gegaellt-orte-der-toleranz 

Himmelsbach, C./ Hofmann, R./ Scherr, A. (2024): “Overcoming social distance, relativizing identifications”. In: Martin Winands and Marc Breuer (eds.): Identity, discrimination and violence. Devaluation of Minorities and Foreign Groups - Perspectives on Social Work. Beltz Juventa, pp. 50-64.

HOLA - University certificate for teachers with a foreign teaching diploma - Scientific support

in preparation, Dr. Rebecca Hofmann

German for refugees: preparation for studies and work - academic support

Project of the funding guideline: “Integra - Integration into Specialized Studies” of the DAAD at the Freiburg University of Education

Duration of the accompanying scientific research: Winter semester 2020/21

Project management: Dr. Rebecca Hofmann in collaboration with Saskia Walther

Publication:

Hofmann, Rebecca (2025): Refugees at the university. In: Breit, H.; Himmelsbach, C., Hofmann, R; Bittlingmayer, U.H., Gerdes, J. (eds.): Mit Wissenschaft über Wissenschaft hinaus.Schlaglichter auf die Soziologie Albert Scherrs. Wiesbaden: Springer VS.

2025 Hofmann, R.: Refugees at the university. In: Breit, H., Himmelsbach, C., Hofmann, R., Bittlingmayer, U.H., Gerdes, J. (eds) Mit Wissenschaft über Wissenschaft hinaus. Bildung und Gesellschaft. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-38943-7_16 

2024 "Migrationssoziologie". In: Genkova, P. (eds) Handbuch Globale Kompetenz. Springer, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-30555-0_93 

2024 Hofmann, R. (mit A. Scherr): "Sanctuary Cities – Zufluchts-Städte." In: Gesemann, F., Filsinger, D., Münch, S. (eds) Handbuch Lokale Integrationspolitik. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-658-43195-2_58-1

2024 Himmelsbach, C. /R. Hofmann und A. Scherr: "Soziale Distanz überwinden, Identifikationen relativieren". In: Martin Winands und Marc Breuer (Hrsg.): Identität, Diskriminierung und Gewalt. Abwertung von Minderheiten und Fremdgruppen - Perspektiven Sozialer Arbeit. Beltz Juventa, S. 50-64.  

2024 Himmelsbach, C. /R. Hofmann und A. Scherr: „Vielfalt gefällt! Orte der Toleranz – Ergebnisse der wissenschaftlichen Begleitung“. Schriftenreihe der Baden-Württemberg-Stiftung; Nr. 103 (ISSN 2366-1437). https://www.bwstiftung.de/de/publikation/vielfalt-gegaellt-orte-der-toleranz 

2017 Hofmann, R. (mit A. Scherr): Verwahrung in Aufnahmelagern oder Willkommenskultur? In: Unterbringung von Geflüchteten - Studien zu Sammelunterkünften. Rat für Migration, https://rat-fuer-migration.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/vorstudie_hofmann_scherr_2017.pdf