Deborah Lutz, Professorin an der KH Freiburg

Prof. Dr. Deborah Lutz

Professor

Kontakt

Inclusive Education

Academic Qualifications

2014-2019 PhD studies (Social Policy) at the Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia (UNSW Sydney), graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy
Dissertation title: The experiences of support work relationships within the ruling relations - An institutional ethnographic study on the relationships between personal budget holders with intellectual disabilities and their support workers in Germany and Australia
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Kelley A. Johnson; Prof. Karen R. Fisher (both UNSW Australia)
Grade awarded by the external examiners: Classification A (with the highest distinction)

2010-2011 Studies at the University of Sydney, Australia, graduating with a Master of Education (Designation: Special Education) (with Merit)
Thesis title: Possible factors influencing task engagement – A qualitative study about a student with autism

2006-2009 Studies at Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) Stuttgart graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (Classification A**)
Thesis title: Martial Arts as an Educational Tool in the Development of Primary School Children – Strengths and Limitations from the Perspective of Experts

 

Professional Experience

Deborah Lutz has been Professor of Inclusive Education at Catholic University Freiburg since 2023. From January 2025 to September 2026, she was Programme Director of the BA Inclusive Education there. She previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Meta-Project Inclusive Education at Goethe University Frankfurt (2019–2023) and as a research associate at DHBW Heilbronn. Further research positions took her to UNSW Sydney, Trinity College Dublin and the Intellectual Disability and Behaviour Support Program at UNSW. Her academic work is grounded in extensive practice experience in disability support in Germany and Australia (2009–2018), including work as a social worker at Wohnverbund Lebenshilfe Heidelberg e.V. and, in Australian disability organisations, as a personal assistant, team leader and case manager (including Uniting Care Disability).

Teaching and Research Interests

  • Personal assistance and person-centred support
  • Independent Living
  • Parental involvement in the support process
  • Participation and self-determination
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Inclusive and participatory research methods
  • Qualitative social research, especially ethnographic fieldwork
  • Research ethics
  • Disability studies

Publications and Profiles

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8856-0795
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-l-lutz-408920376
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Deborah-L-Lutz-2?ev=hdr_xprf