Nurturing Critical Minds: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Education and the Workforce
Nurturing Critical Minds: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Education and the Workforce
We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming international conference on “Nurturing Critical Minds: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Education and the Workforce”. The conference is interdisciplinary, it will cover a diverse range of fields and perspectives on the development of critical thinking skills in different academic fields at universities and labour market institutions. Showcasing the holistic approach, the conference aims to explore the vital role of critical thinking in diverse academic disciplines and its significance in the ever-evolving landscape of labour market institutions.
The conference aims to bridge the gap between universities and labour market institutions, fostering a culture of critical thinking that thrives in the classroom and enhances professional growth in the workplace. This conference will serve as a platform for educators, researchers, and labour market professionals from diverse fields to explore innovative strategies, and share best practices and collaborate on integrating critical thinking skills into educational curricula.
Keynote speakers
Alistair Starling
Co-Founder and Managing Director of the European Diplomats
Luís Sebastião
Associate Professor in the Department of Pedagogy and Education, Director of the Center for Research in Education and Psychology, University of Évora
Dimitris Pnevmatikos
Professor in the Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Western Macedonia
Erika Vaiginienė
Associate professor in the Department of Business, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Vilnius University
Inga Jončienė
Head of Business Development at Alliance for Recruitment
Adam Mastandrea
Assistant Professor in the Department of Foreign Language Teaching and Research, Institute of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Philology, Vilnius University
Daiva Penkauskienė
Director of Modern Didactics Center, Associate Professor in the Institute of Educational Sciences and Social Work, Mykolas Romeris University
Sandra Kairė
Associate Professor, Director of the Institute of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius University
Kay Hemmerling
Dr Kay Hemmerling, Chairman at the Institute for Moral-Democratic Competence (IMDC e.V.)
Programme
Programme
Kay Hemmerling
Dr Kay Hemmerling, Chairman at the Institute for Moral-Democratic Competence (IMDC e.V.)
Dr.rer.nat., Dipl.-Psych. Kay Hemmerling is a pedagogic psychologist with an expertise in psychological didactics within professional settings.
With a rich professional background, he has contributed his expertise across diverse fields, including geriatric care, hospitality, and as a psychological referral officer within the prison system. Engaging in various social rehabilitation projects, Dr. Hemmerling notably facilitated debates among inmates in high-security prisons. Under the guidance of Prof. Georg Lind, his doctoral research focused on the practical implementation of moral competence within social rehabilitation frameworks. The culmination of his efforts is reflected in his publication "Morality behind Bars" by Peter Lang, which disseminates his insightful findings and analyses.
Dr. Hemmerling became closely associated with Prof. Lind, serving as his assistant and cultivating a friendship while undergoing rigorous training and certification as a teacher and trainer in the Konstanz Method of Dilemma Discussion (KMDD). From 2006 onward, Dr. Hemmerling expertly applied KMDD across diverse educational settings, spanning from primary to higher education institutions. Additionally, he integrated KMDD into various vocational domains, extending support to socio-educational programs for dropouts and the long-term unemployed, providing therapeutic assistance to individuals battling addiction, and delivering professional training sessions. Dr. Hemmerling's commitment to advancing educational practices is evidenced through his leadership in numerous research projects, and his role as a trusted scientific advisor to several university research institutes.
Over the past decade, Kay Hemmerling has excelled as an employer and project manager, spearheading multiple EU-funded initiatives. These projects are dedicated to providing support for trainers, students, and process consultants within small and medium-sized enterprises. Through his dynamic leadership and strategic insight, Dr. Hemmerling has played a pivotal role in enhancing the professional development and operational efficiency of individuals and businesses alike across the European Union.
Following the passing of Prof. Georg Lind, Dr. Hemmerling was elected as the first chairman at the Institute for Moral-Democratic Competence (IMDC e.V.). This institute holds a significant position as the official training hub for the Konstanz Method of Dilemma Discussion (KMDD), offering comprehensive training programmes tailored for educators and teacher-training institutions. Under Dr. Hemmerling's stewardship, the IMDC continues to uphold prof. Lind's legacy, fostering ethical and democratic competencies through rigorous training and educational initiatives.
Presentation title: Nurturing Critical Thinking vs. Fostering Moral Competence: Psychological Perspectives on Theory and Measurement of Both Concepts and Their Implications for Education
