Welcome Prof. Dr. Manuel Voelkle, Professor for Evaluation at the Department of Psychology
Freiburg, 28/10/2025
Prof. Dr. Manuel Voelkle has been Professor of Evaluation at the Department of Psychology since October 2025. In this interview, he discusses how quantitative methods and statistical models relate to human experience and behaviour, what interests him outside of his research, and what he is particularly looking forward to in Freiburg and the surrounding region.
What excites you about your research?
What excites me about my research is that it lies at the intersection of nearly all areas of psychology, as well as between basic research and applied work. This position allows me to gain diverse insights into different fields and opens up exciting interdisciplinary collaborations.
Using quantitative methods and statistical models, it becomes possible to reveal the structures and dynamics underlying change. I find it particularly fascinating that precise methodological approaches can translate seemingly chaotic processes into patterns—leading to a deeper understanding of human experience and behavior.
In the event your research offers entry points: What solutions can you find in your research for present and future challenges?
The increasing importance of mental health, dealing with a flood of information of often questionable quality, demographic change and issues of educational equity are among the key challenges of our time. My research develops methods that allow for a nuanced understanding of change and stability. These approaches provide the foundation for evidence-based decision-making – for example, in health and educational research or in policy measures.
What would you like to pass on to your students, and what would you like to gain from teaching?
I want to convey to students that data analysis methods are not an end in themselves, but valuable tools for answering exciting and socially relevant questions. In doing so, it is important to me to encourage curiosity and critical thinking.
I myself constantly gain new inspiration from teaching. Students surprise me with their ideas and perspectives, which broaden my own thinking and enrich my research.
What topics are you personally most concerned with at the moment, outside of your research?
Both in my research and beyond, I am currently particularly interested in the topic of artificial intelligence. We are at the beginning of a profound transformation that will reshape almost all areas of life. Social justice and sustainability are also important topics to me, as are more personal ones such as family and friendships.
What do you like most about Freiburg?
I am looking forward to becoming part of a vibrant academic community in Freiburg that values both research and teaching. I am particularly excited about the possibility of new collaborations and interdisciplinary projects. The region itself excites me because it is so open-minded, along with the proximity to nature and the high quality of life. Both professionally and personally, I look forward to many new discoveries—large and small alike.