Research

Scientific Research on Coaching & Mediation

Mediation and coaching have been the subject of academic research for many years, across numerous countries and disciplines. Interdisciplinary studies explore the effectiveness of both procedures, the methods associated with them, the conditions under which they succeed, and their development within different professional and organisational contexts.

I have long been fascinated by scientific verification, as well as by the relationship between research and practice. Because I value evidence-based methods and approaches, I have spent many years engaging with a wide range of academic perspectives on mediation and coaching. Here, I am pleased to share selected findings that may enrich your own work as a coach or mediator. You will find insights into various methods and research results that can support your professional development. Those who wish to explore specific methods in more depth or discuss case supervision are warmly invited to attend my regular workshops dedicated to cases and methodology.

Research Projects

In 2010, together with Björn Neuhaus and Dr Jürgen von Oertzen, I founded the Mediation Research Group (ForMed). Our aim was—and continues to be—to promote research in mediation, provide an overview of ongoing projects (initially in the German-speaking region), and, above all, bring together researchers who wish to exchange ideas and collaborate.

Since 2013, we have coordinated ForMed jointly with Prof Dr Katharina Kriegel-Schmidt and Dr Klaus Schmidt. Together, we support mediation research, build interdisciplinary academic networks, and initiate or accompany research projects. Each year, we organise a scientific colloquium, promote academic exchange, support publication initiatives, and facilitate a wide range of related activities.

Since 2010, we have organised a total of 18 colloquia, primarily in Karlsruhe and Berlin. We have also been guests at universities in Hamburg, Kraków, Heidelberg, and Potsdam, and have extended our work into online formats. In October 2025, Dr Gisela Kohlage presented her research on justice in mediation. Calls for papers and programmes for upcoming events can be found on the ForMed website.

Publications and Editorial Work

Ideas for publications and projects emerge in many contexts. As members of various editorial boards, we welcome new proposals, opportunities for networking, and contributions that deepen and broaden knowledge in the fields of mediation and coaching. I am pleased to refer colleagues to the following journals and publication series:

The Mediation 
Conflict Dynamics 
Perspective on Mediation 
Spectrum of Mediation
ZKM 
Viadrina series on Mediation and Conflict Management.