"Goodbye, Uni Bayreuth!"

From 2001 to 2006 Leipold studied history and general pedagogy at the University of Bayreuth in the former master’s degree and received his doctorate there in 2010 in modern history. Parallel to his studies, he worked as a student assistant, later as a research assistant and finally as a research assistant for school pedagogy as well as a lecturer for modern history. At the start of the school year, the 38-year-old, who originally comes from southern Thuringia, started a new chapter in his professional life away from “his” University of Bayreuth. Brigitte Kohlberg asked for UBTaktuell.

UBTaktuell: Dr. Leipold, after half a life at your university, if I may say so, you have left your alma mater. What were your reasons for taking this step?
"Yes, that's right - I was at the University of Bayreuth for half my life, 19 years to be precise: the first few years as a student, then as a doctoral candidate, and later and until the end as a researcher and lecturer. And right now was the right time for me to start all over again: My path has led me into the teaching profession; I work at a secondary modern school in Kulmbach in Upper Franconia, so very close by, and I teach German, German as a second language, music, and above all history there. In addition, I am active in the reserve service in the Bundeswehr. Even so, I will always think back to my time at the University with joy and love to come back to visit - I will be staying in the region, after all."

Up until now you had almost exclusively dealt with young people, young adults, at the school education research group. How do you like your daily work with children now?
"It's a change, I'll admit that. But my students are very inquisitive and come up with very interesting ideas - so far I have really enjoyed working with them. The teaching staff also welcomed me. But, to come back to your question, in my research project 'Philosophizing with Children', which I led at the University, the focus was also on working with children. For two years, I was allowed to enjoy the fruits of my project in a primary school in Creußen and to complete philosophical units with primary school students. So I have experience working with children."

Please tell us more about your research project 'Philosophizing with Children'!
"The project was assigned to me in 2011 and was a cooperation between the Chair of School Education, the Upper Franconian Foundation and the Upper Franconian government. The aim was to train educators and teachers in the method of philosophical conversation and to let them work actively in the educational institutions. A new culture of discussion was meant to be established that is geared towards appreciating all participants. Around 220 pedagogues have been trained so far; they work extremely hard with the children. I also completed this training myself. In 2018, at the end of the funding period, my project was converted into a support association (editor's note: as reported in UBTaktuell issue 1-2020, p. 79). In this way, educators can enjoy the training for many years to come and go to educational institutions as multipliers. In addition to coordinating the project, I accompanied the scientific research on philosophizing with children and evaluated the project."

When you think of the University of Bayreuth as your alma mater, what comes to mind first?
"A great time that shaped my life and was absolutely enriching! The countless hours in the University library, the exciting lectures and seminars with my fellow students. But also the cool dance courses of the University Sport programme! And: I have played in the University Symphony Orchestra since 2007 and our summer concerts at the lake and the University garden show in 2016 will remain in fond memory."

When you review your professional activity at the University of Bayreuth, which projects were particularly close to your heart?
"Especially 'philosophizing with children'! But of course, I also loved my courses in history and school pedagogy, where I was allowed to give many seminars, lectures, and workshops; I was also able to organize three conferences. And I really enjoyed working with students and not only advising them, but also preparing them for professional life."

And which of the people who are important to you do you particularly like to think back on?
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who have accompanied me in my professional career: Prof. Hiery from Modern History, who supervised my doctoral thesis and gave me valuable tips for scientific work. And of course with Prof. Haag, who, as Chair of School Education, was my former boss (and is now in well-deserved retirement). I have always been very honored by his support and his trust in my work! I also hold dear my colleagues from the research groups for General and School Education, especially Karin Heinz."

You were also heavily involved in the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Bayreuth - how is it going for you there, or are you no longer allowed to play as an external person?
"I am very happy that my trumpet and I can continue to play with the University Symphony Orchestra. Actually, many of my musical colleagues there do not work at the University of Bayreuth and yet represent a great enrichment for the orchestra. As a long-standing board member of the Association of Friends and Supporters of the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Bayreuth e.V., I was able to achieve a solid financial basis for the association. In addition, I did my best to make the orchestra known outside the campus and organized numerous wonderful concerts. It was a challenge every semester to ensure that the orchestra was able to play, as no one knew before the first rehearsal which and how many musicians would play in the current semester."


Contact:
Dr. Andreas Leipold
E-Mail: andreas.leipold1982@web.de