• 2016-2019: DFG (Program: Scientific Networks GZ: GI 1274/1-1)
• 2019-2022: Erasmus+ (Erasmus+ strategic partnerships funding line 2019-2022, 2019-1-DE01-KA203-004967)
• 2022-2024: Movetia project no.: 2022-1-CH01- IP-0046

The international research network "MentEd - Mentalization-based Pedagogy" aims to integrate the mentalization approach into the education and training of pedagogical professionals. Funded by the EU as part of Erasmus+ and supported by the DFG and Movetia, a practical curriculum has been developed that teaches the ability to mentalize as a key competence for inclusion, stress management and relationship work. Mentalization refers to the ability to understand one's own and others' behaviour as an expression of inner states such as thoughts, feelings and intentions. This competence is central to successful social interactions and emotional self-regulation and is seen as an important component of professionalism. In educational contexts, a mentalizing attitude makes it possible to create relationships that promote learning processes and mental health.

Central questions:

• How can mentalization improve the professional shaping of relationships in schools, childhood education, youth welfare and social work?
• What role does mentalization play in promoting epistemic confidence, resilience and social learning?
• How can attitudes and interventions that promote mentalization be sustainably implemented in organizations?
• What effects does mentalization training have on the well-being and self-reflection skills of professionals?

Core activities of the network:

• Development and testing of modular mentalization training for students and professionals
• Training of multipliers as part of "train-the-trainer" seminars
• Provision of teaching materials, case vignettes and evaluation tools
• Scientific monitoring and evaluation of the training courses
• Networking of universities and practical institutions in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and the UK

Project partners: Prof. Dr. Peter Fonagy (University College London), Prof. Dr. Stephan Gingelmaier (PH Ludwigsburg), Melanie Henter (University of Koblenz-Landau), Prof. Dr. Joost Hutsebaut (De Viersprong Institute & Tilburg University NL), Prof. Dr. Holger Kirsch (EH Darmstadt), Dr. Tillmann F. Kreuzer (PH Freiburg), Prof. Pierre-Carl Link (HfH Zurich), Tobias Nolte (University College London), Prof. Dr. Nicola-Hans Schwarzer (PH Ludwigsburg), Prof. Dr. Agnes Turner (University of Klagenfurt), Prof. Dr. Michael Wininger (Bertha von Suttner Private University St. Pölten)