Profile
Abstract
Dr. Malte S. Ubben is a physics didactician and has headed the “Modern Physics Education” working group at Leipzig University since 2024. He completed his doctorate in physics, mathematics and education at the University of Münster (summa cum laude) and worked there as a postdoctoral researcher until 2023. 2023-2024 he worked in the QTindu project in Braunschweig. His research interests include mental models in quantum and astrophysics, enactive learning in astronomy, the development of concepts and the evaluation of psychological constructs in learning environments. His topics also include the use of digital media in teaching, such as smartphones.
Professional career
- since 10/2024
- 04/2023 - 09/2024
- 10/2020 - 05/2023
- 10/2016 - 09/2020
Education
- 09/2014 - 09/2016
- 09/2011 - 08/2014
Dr. Malte S. Ubben conducts research in the field of physics didactics with a focus on conceptual development in learning modern physics. A central interest lies in the investigation of mental models in quantum physics and astronomy as well as in the promotion of enactive and reflexive learning processes, for example through walk-in models such as human orrerys. With the Erasmus+ project ARISTARCHUS, he is pursuing the goal of making astronomical concepts more accessible through physical movement and collaborative learning. In addition, he has been working on the assessment of psychological constructs in physical learning environments and the sensible use of digital media in teaching. In the “smart for science” project, he investigated, among other things, how smartphones can be used as measuring instruments in school experiments. His work is empirically based, highly interdisciplinary and internationally oriented, with numerous contributions on current topics such as quantum entanglement, topological explanations of quantum mechanical phenomena and digital toolkits for teaching.
In his teaching, Dr. Malte S. Ubben attaches particular importance to linking scientific content with didactic reflection. He designs courses in which students not only understand physics concepts, but also learn to teach them in a way that is based on learning psychology. He focuses on research-related and research-based learning, particularly in the training of future physics teachers. A central component of his teaching profile is his extensive expertise in the conception, implementation and supervision of physics school internships and internships for basic physics education for the teaching profession. His work placement formats are not only aimed at technical safety, but in particular at didactic understanding, diagnostic skills and the promotion of experimental skills in the classroom. Training in the analysis and development of teaching materials and in empirical teaching research is also part of his teaching profile. Dr. Ubben actively promotes independent project work, for example in the context of student laboratories and final theses (e.g. in the context of state examination theses), and supports these with extensive individual supervision.