Teaching Philosophy & Topics

„One’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.“
– Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

and

„Have courage to use your own mind!“
– guiding principle of the enlightenment, Immanuel Kant.

These are two quotes on my desk that accompany me in my research and teaching.

I see myself as a graduate who is never finished learning. It is important to me to have the courage to question things anew, to be inspired and moved, and to both question and be questioned. My teaching and lectures should be shaped by curiosity, critical thinking, and looking ahead. Beyond conveying content and preparing students for exams, I aim to help them overcome “the inability to use their own understanding without the guidance of another.” Asking the right and important questions matters more to me than easy answers, and I consider the art of deliberation a crucial resource in an increasingly polarized world.

I greatly enjoy giving talks and lectures in various contexts within and outside academia and discussing research findings in applied settings. If you are looking for a speaker for your training seminar, conference, or event, please feel free to contact me to discuss possible formats and topics.

Previous Experiences (Lectures & Seminars)

Academic Teaching

  • Lecturer in CAS Module “Resilience and mental health – impulses and practical strategies for schools” in the CAS Coaching for Learning (postgraduate program for teachers), School of Pedagogy, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW, Fall 2025)
  • Lecturer in Master Seminary: „Risk and protective factors of young people’s mental health from adolescence to young adulthood“ at the Psychological Institute of the Philosophical Faculty at the University of Zurich (Spring 2025)
  • Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Seminary: “Understanding Trauma-Psychological and practical theological perspectives” at the Theological and Psychological Faculty of the University of Basel (Spring 2022)
  • Lecturer in Theory Seminary entitled: “Behavior problems of children and adolescents in high-risk groups: From Spirited Toddlers to Delinquent Adolescents” for Master students at the Psychological Faculty of the University of Basel (Fall 2020)

Selected Topics of Lectures and Invited Talks

  • A trauma-sensitive and resilience-promoting youth welfare system between trauma-informed everyday practice and therapy
  • Developmental Course and Predictors of Trust in Longitudinal Studies
  • Youth Mental Health, Social Participation and Social Capital – What can and should be done?
  • The biopsychosocial sequel of childhood adversities – From Understanding to Caring
  • From multisystemic resilience and hidden talents to the promotion of social participation in young people under stress
  • The dark side of resilience
  • Impact of war and forced displacement on children’s mental health – Multilevel, needs-oriented, and trauma- informed approaches
  • Childhood maltreatment and social participation of young adult care leavers – Lessons learned from the Swiss Cohort Study Youth Welfare
    Trajectories: Learning from experience
  • Trauma and its consequences – from the evolution and classification of PTSD to transdiagnostic approaches

Science Outreach

Die Auswirkungen von Krieg und Vertreibung auf die psychische Gesundheit von in die Schweiz geflohenen (jungen) Menschen – wie können und sollten nachhaltige Hilfen aussehen?

https://mentalhealthforum.ch/de/abstract-david-buergin.html