Sheikh Muhammed Subhan - Research Assistant
Sheikh Muhammad Subhan, born in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2003, completed his Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology from Lahore Garrison University in 2023, graduating with bronze medal honors. His academic journey has been defined by a dedication to understanding human behavior and cognitive processes. His bachelor's thesis, titled “YouTube Screentime, Self-Esteem, Prosocial Behavior, and Eating Patterns among Children,” reflects his commitment to research with practical applications. Since beginning his M.Sc. in Cognitive Science (Embodied Cognition) at the University of Potsdam, Germany, Mr. Subhan has contributed to various research initiatives, with expertise in experimental design and statistical analysis software, including SPSS, AMOS, Smart PLS, and R Studio. His research skills are complemented by proficiency in survey design, literature reviews, and a foundational understanding of ethical research practices.
In addition to his research, Mr. Subhan’s language skills in Urdu, English (C1), and German (A1) enable him to collaborate across diverse cultural and academic contexts. Since October 2024, he has been working at the Chair of Inclusive German Didactics and in particular supports data preparation and data analysis in research projects.
Susanne Strach - Research Assistant
After graduating from high school in Münster, Susanne Strach completed a state-recognised acting course at the German-Polish Teatr Studio in Berlin. Parallel to her work as an actress in theatre and film, she acquired the foundations for managing numerous projects in school and extracurricular contexts through further training in theatre education. This awakened her interest in scientific reflection and research-based work in the field of education.
In 2024, she completed her bachelor's degree in primary school teaching at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, specialising in German, subject teaching and special education with a focus on language, learning and emotional and social development. She is now continuing her studies in the Master of Education programme. In her Bachelor's thesis, she used video analysis to investigate reading skills in primary school children who took part in the theatre performance ‘Stop Bullying!’. She is continuing this research at the Chair of Inclusive German Didactics, particularly in the field of videography research on theatre projects at the interface of performing arts and science.
She has been working as a student assistant at the chair since June 2025 and is looking forward to contributing her experience from theatre work and her scientific findings to innovative teaching and research projects as well as the connection between performing arts, pedagogical practice and scientific research.
Taraneh Shahpar - Research Assistant
After completing her training as a physiotherapist, Taraneh Shahpar gained international experience in Istanbul, where she worked as a German and English teacher. Since 2019, she has been working as a substitute teacher at various schools in Berlin, bringing valuable insights into diverse school realities.
She is currently studying for a master's degree in German and special education at the University of Potsdam. As part of her bachelor's thesis, she conducted research at Prof. Dr. Giera's Chair of Inclusive German Didactics. Using an exploratory study she developed herself, she investigated the extent to which basic reading skills are related to the central problem of everyday school life – bullying. Her work was based on the theatre project ‘Stop Bullying’ and an existing data collection from the chair, which she systematically evaluated to gain insights into these diverse connections.
Since June 2025, she has been actively involved in the chair's research activities as a student assistant. She is particularly interested in promoting reading in inclusive teaching – especially with regard to the question of how linguistic and communicative skills can be specifically supported in cultural, political or career-oriented school projects.