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Dr. Linda Balzer - Lecturer with specialist teaching duties in Catholic Theology
The former teacher training student is now a lecturer and researcher
A state examination, an additional subject, then a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree followed by a doctorate: Linda Balzer began her teacher training programme in Catholic religion and German in 2008, added the subject of history, successfully completed her state examination in 2012, then did a Bachelor's degree in Cultural Studies in Historical Perspective and a Master's degree in Religious Traditions in Europe.
"During my degree programme, I realized that I wanted to combine the theological component with cultural studies, with a view to strengthening my academic profile. As I had obtained a university qualification in 2012, I was already able to work as an academic research associate at the Institute of Catholic Theology in 2014. I completed my doctorate in 2019 and am now employed here as a lecturer with specialist teaching duties (Lehrkraft für besondere Aufgaben). Since 2023, I have also been working on my habilitation."
"After my state examination in 2012, I realized: I'm not done with studying yet!"
As a teacher with specialist teaching duties, programme coordinator, programme adviser and voluntary academic liaison officer, Linda's work is very student-oriented. "My professional life is very busy and full, but that suits me just fine. If you don't want your working life to look like this, you can certainly find and make compromises, but I see my profession and my work as a reflection of my intrinsic motivation and interests. I really enjoy what I do."
The decision not to become a school teacher but to pursue an academic career instead was influenced by Linda's time as a tutor. "When I was a tutor, I realized that becoming a school teacher was more of a plan B for me and that I really enjoyed working with students. Rather fortuitously, a vacancy in my subject came up in 2014 that gave me the chance to become an academic research associate." For Linda Balzer, the interdisciplinary nature of her work and of course the opportunity to conduct research are further positive aspects of her role.
"I associate the university with opportunities for the future, lifelong learning and freedom."
Diverse roles, diverse tasks: As a teacher with specialist teaching duties, a key focus of Dr. Linda Balzer's day-to-day work is teaching. In her role as programme adviser, Linda also carries out organizational tasks, for example overseeing the participation of the Department of Catholic Theology in university-wide events such as the Open Campus. As programme coordinator, a key area of her work is meeting with other programme representatives to discuss overarching topics, such as how AI is currently being handled and the way it is being used by students. In addition, as a voluntary academic liaison officer, Linda is also the point of contact for students with personal issues that could potentially impact their studies.
Highlights of any academic career are a doctorate and a habilitation (the post-doctoral advanced research degree that entitles the holder to teach at professorial level in Germany). Dr. Linda Balzer completed her dissertation on Die Lernwerkstatt Religion Plural – Chance und Nutzen für die aktuelle LehrerInnenbildung (The Workshop on Religious Pluralism – Opportunities and Benefits for Current Teacher Training) in 2019 and is currently working on her habilitation on the topic of the prevention of anti-Semitism in teacher training. "I'm obviously proud of things like the scholarships I've received and of course my dissertation, but I see the latter as more of a factor that helps me to continue teaching and researching. What I'm really proud about are my courses, as I developed them myself. My Workshop on Religious Pluralism focuses on interreligious and intercultural learning," says Linda. "An important professional role model I would like to mention at this juncture is my doctoral supervisor, Prof. Dr. Lucia Scherzberg, who supported me intensively during my doctorate and made this career path possible for me. We're still in close contact today. It's a connection that has always been very important to me."
And what does Linda recommend to people who want to pursue an academic career? "Always have a plan B. Always. You've got to be realistic and keep in mind that for an academic career, it also takes a few strokes of luck for everything to come together and be feasible. For instance, a suitable vacancy has to come up at the right time. If you find these lucky opportunities and everything works out, it can be a very fulfilling career."
Work-life balance: When she wants to take time out, Linda visits the city that never sleeps
“I've been flying to New York regularly with my whole family since 2011. That sounds somewhat of a contradiction because New York is the ultimate big city, but visiting the Big Apple always grounds me. I feel very comfortable there and there’s a sense that you can be whoever you want to be. Otherwise, when it comes to everyday life, I come from a family of footballers – they all played football, so I always look forward to the weekend and upcoming matches. I find it really helps me to unwind.”
If you would like to find out more about the Department of Theology or the work of Dr. Linda Balzer, you can find further information here: Fachrichtung Katholische Theologie | Universität des Saarlandes