Academic background

• 2024
  Deputy spokeswoman of the Mittelbau
• August 2024
  Certificate for Teaching in Higher Education of the Bavarian Universities – Advanced Level
• May 2023
  Doctoral Dissertation: 'Voluntary Engagement in Child and Youth Mentoring – A Social and Organizational Psychological Series of Studies', Degree: Dr. phil., Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
• Since 2016
  Research assistant at the Chair of Social and Organizational Psychology
• 2014 - 2016
  Master's degree in Psychology, Master of Science degree, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
• 2011 - 2014
  Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Bachelor of Science degree, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt

Research interests

• Conditions and influencing factors of environmentally protective behavior
• Voluntary commitment
• Motive research
• Justice and responsibility research
• Mentoring
• Evaluation research

Memberships

• Association of German Psychologists
• Division of Health Psychology DGPs
• American Psychological Association (APA)
• Mentee in the mentoring programme for young female academics at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (2024-2025)
• German Psychological Society (DGPs, the Society)
• Division of Social Psychology DGPs
• Division of Environmental Psychology DGPS
• Working Group "University Teaching and AI" of the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
• Sounding Board of the School of Transformation and Sustainability at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt

Review activity

• Global Environmental Psychology
• Journal of Environmental Psychology
• Konfliktdynamik
• Natur und Landschaft
• Ageing & Society

Teaching Topics

• Subject areas and working techniques
• Social psychology specialization
• Current research questions: social and organizational psychology
• Leadership, personnel and cooperation
• Justice psychology and conflicts
• Psychology of social and economic processes
• Empirical research in business and psychology

Publications

• Menethil, S., Strubel, I. T., Zieris, P. & Kals, E. (2024). Von der ökologischen zur nachhaltigen Identität: Ihre Bedeutung für nachhaltiges Handeln. Konfliktdynamik, 13(4), 276–285. https://doi.org/10.5771/2193-0147-2024-4-276
• Müller, M. M., Zieris, P., Krebs-Fehrmann, M., Thümer, K., Loreth, P., Pokorny, D., Katzlberger, F., Grec, A. & Kals, E. (2025). A mindfulness-and relaxation-based nature intervention improves mood in depressed patients in psychosomatic rehabilitation: Results from the GREENCARE non-randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 101, 102493.
• Zieris, P., Freund, S. & Kals, E. (2023). Nature experience and well-being: Bird watching as an intervention in nursing homes to maintain cognitive resources, mobility, and biopsychosocial health. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 91
• Zieris, P. (2023). Freiwilliges Engagement im Kinder- und Jugendmentoring – Eine sozial- und organisationspsychologische Studienreihe. [Volunteering in child and youth mentoring - A social and organizational psychological study series]. Baden-Baden: Nomos.
• Kals, E., Müller, M. M., Zieris, P. & Bruckbauer, S. (2023). GreenCare │ Natur und psychische Gesundheit - Abschlussbericht der wissenschaftlichen Begleitstudie. [GreenCare │ Nature and mental health - final report of the accompanying scientific study]. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Eichstätt.
• Kals, E., Freund, S. & Zieris, P. (2020). LBV-Präventionsprojekt: Alle Vögel sind schon da – Vogelbeobachtung in vollstationären Pflegeeinrichtungen. Abschlussbericht der wissenschaftlichen Begleitstudie (Oktober 2017 bis September 2020). [LBV prevention project: All the birds are already here - birdwatching in residential care facilities. Final report of the accompanying scientific study (October 2017 to September 2020)]. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Eichstätt.
• Kals, E., Freund, S. & Zieris, P. (2020). LBV-Präventionsprojekt: Alle Vögel sind schon da – Vogelbeobachtung in vollstationären Pflegeeinrichtungen. Zwischenbericht der wissenschaftlichen Begleitstudie im Frühjahr 2020. [LBV prevention project: All the birds are already here - birdwatching in residential care facilities. Interim report of the accompanying scientific study in spring 2020]. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Eichstätt.
• Kals, E., Freund, S., Zieris, P. & Zwerger, V. (2019). Alle Vögel sind schon da – Vogelbeobachtung in vollstationären Pflegeeinrichtungen. Prävention in vollstationären Pflegeeinrichtungen durch Steigerung des Wohlbefindens aufgrund von Naturbeobachtung am Beispiel des Vogelschutzes. Zwischenbericht der wissenschaftlichen Begleitstudie im Frühjahr 2019. [All the birds are already here - bird watching in residential care facilities. Prevention in residential care facilities by increasing well-being through nature observation using the example of bird protection. Interim report of the accompanying scientific study in spring 2019]. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Eichstätt.
• Zieris, P. & Kals, E. (2019). Studie zur Tätigkeit der Mentorinnen und Mentoren des Deutschen Schülerstipendiums. Bericht über die Ergebnisse der Online-Umfrage im Frühjahr 2019. [Study on the activities of mentors of the German School Scholarship. Report on the results of the online survey in spring 2019]. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Eichstätt.
• Zieris, P. & Kals, E. (2019). Studie zur Tätigkeit von Mentorinnen und Mentoren im Kinder- und Jugendbereich. Bericht über die Ergebnisse der Online-Umfrage im Frühjahr 2019. [Study on the activities of mentors in the child and youth sector. Report on the results of the online survey in spring 2019]. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Eichstätt.
• Heinemann, P. & Kals, E. (2019). Mentoring unbegleiteter Minderjähriger: Ein Manual zur Förderung geflüchteter Kinder und Jugendlicher. [Mentoring unaccompanied minors: A manual for supporting refugee children and young people]. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.
• Heinemann, P. & Kals, E. (2018a). Mentorenprogramme für unbegleitete minderjährige Flüchtlinge. [Mentoring programs for unaccompanied refugee minors]. Konfliktdynamik, 7(2), 2-11.
• Heinemann, P. & Kals, E. (2018b). Befragung der Alumni des Deutschen Schülerstipendium. Mit dem Schwerpunkt auf ihrer Teilnahme am Mentorenprogramm. [Survey of alumni of the German School Scholarship. With a focus on their participation in the mentoring program]. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt.
• Freund, S., Strubel, I., Heinemann, P., Vaganian, L. & Kals, E. (2017). Förderung des Ehrenamtes in den Feuerwehren in NRW - Ergebnisse der Interviewstudie zum Thema Frauen in der Feuerwehr: Best Practices und Evaluation des Workshops „Ich bin dabei - Frauen in der Feuerwehr“. [Promotion of volunteering in the fire departments in NRW - results of the interview study on women in the fire department: best practices and evaluation of the workshop "I'm in - women in the fire department"]. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt.
• Freund, S., Strubel, I., Vaganian, L., Heinemann, P. & Kals, E. (2017). Förderung des Ehrenamtes in den Feuerwehren in NRW. Ergebnisse der Interviewstudie zur Evaluation der Pilotprojekte der AG1 „Der Mensch in der Freiwilligen Feuerwehr“. [Promotion of volunteering in the fire departments in NRW. Results of the interview study to evaluate the pilot projects of WG1 "People in the volunteer fire department"]. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt
• Heinemann, P., Freund, S. & Kals, E. (2016). Seminar "Jugendfeuerwehrwarte". Ergebnisse der Evaluation durch die TeilnehmerInnen. [Seminar "Youth fire brigade wardens". Results of the evaluation by the participants]. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt.

Lectures and posters

• Kals, E., Strubel, I. T., Grunenberg, M., Schütt, S. C., Zieris, P., Landwehr, A. & Maes, J. (09/2025). Empörung: Diagnostische Relevanz und transformatorisches gesellschaftliches Potenzial. Vortrag auf der 19. FGSP-Fachgruppentagung, 14.-16.9.25 in Bochum.
• Grunenberg, M., Schütt, S. C., Maes, J., Jaudas, M., Zieris, P. & Kals, E. (2024). Besser streiten durch YouTube? Wirksamkeiten eines konfliktpsychologischen Wissenstransfer-Projekts. Vortrag am 18.9.24 auf der “53. DGPs-Tagung” in Wien (16.-19.9.24).
• Zieris, P., Müller, M. M., Bruckbauer, S., Strubel, I. & Kals, E. (2024). Effectiveness of a Nature-Based Intervention on Well-Being and Conservation Behavior. Vortrag am 16.9.24 auf der “53. DGPs-Tagung” in Wien (16.-19.9.24).
• Müller, M.M., Zieris, P., Krebs-Fehrmann, M., Thümer, K., Loreth, P., Pokorny, D., Katzlberger, F., Grec, A. & Kals, E. (2024). A mindfulness- and relaxation-based nature intervention improves mood in depressed patients in psychosomatic rehabilitation: Results from the GREENCARE non-randomized controlled clinical trial. Poster Presentation auf der 11th Annual Scientific Conference of the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine (EAPM), 12.-15.6.24 in Lausanne (Schweiz).
• Pollack, L., Freund, S., Zieris, P. & Kals, E. (07/2021). Conflicts and conflict behavior in team and individual sports. Poster presentation at the 32nd International Congress of Psychology (ICP).
• Schütt, S.C., Prantl, J., Zieris, P. & Kals, E. (07/2021). Intergenerational Volunteering: Intergenerational Learning and its Effects on Elderly Volunteers. Presentation at the 32nd International Congress of Psychology (ICP) in Prague (virtual).
• Zieris, P. & Kals, E. (2020). Naturerfahrungen und Wohlbefinden. Theoretische Grundlagen und empirische Befunde. [Experiences of nature and well-being. Theoretical foundations and empirical findings.]. Presentation on 18.06.20 at the LBV-Wiesenseminar in Munich.
• Zieris, P. & Kals, E. (2019). Ehrenamt stärkt Demokratie: Gerechtigkeit – Verantwortung – Motive. [Volunteering strengthens democracy: Justice - Responsibility - Motives.] Presentation at the "Supraregional Mentoring Conference of the Roland Berger Foundation 2019" in Munich.
• Zieris, P. & Kals, E. (2019). Förderung der biopsychosozialen Gesundheit durch Naturbeobachtung in Pflegeeinrichtungen. [Promotion of biopsychosocial health through nature observation in care facilities.] Poster presentation on 09.11.19 at the "Future Forum Climate and Sustainability" in Eichstätt.
• Zieris, P. & Kals, E. (2019). Professionelle Mentoringprogramme für unbegleitete Minderjährige – Wirkungen und Erfolgsfaktoren aus sozial- und organisationspsychologischer Sicht. [Professional Mentoring Programs for Unaccompanied Minors - Effects and Success Factors from a Social and Organizational Psychological Perspective.] Lecture on 12.07.2019 at the "1st Network Migration and Refugee Research Bavaria (NeMiF) Day" in Eichstätt.
• Bürkle, L. & Heinemann, P. (2018). Befragung der Alumni des Deutschen Schülerstipendiums: Mit dem Schwerpunkt auf ihrer Teilnahme am Mentorenpogramm. [Survey of alumni of the German Student Scholarship: With a focus on their participation in the mentoring program.]. Presentation on 20.10.18 at the "Supraregional Mentoring Conference of the Roland Berger Foundation 2018" in Kassel.
• Freund, S., Heinemann, P. & Kals, E. (2018). Traditionelles Ehrenamt und neue Formen des Helfens: Psychologische Bedingungen gelingender Zusammenarbeit. [Traditional volunteering and new forms of helping: Psychological conditions of successful cooperation.] Presentation on 19.9.18 at the "51st Congress of the German Society for Psychology (DGPs)" in Frankfurt.
• Heinemann, P., Freund, S., Schütt, S. & Kals, E. (2018). Psychologische und organisationale Faktoren erfolgreicher Mentorenprogramme im Kinder- und Jugendbereich. [Psychological and organizational factors of successful mentoring programs in the child and youth sector.] Presentation on 19.9.18 at the "51st Congress of the German Society for Psychology (DGPs)" in Frankfurt.
• Heinemann, P. & Kals, E. (2018). Integration und gesellschaftliche Teilhabe unbegleiteter Minderjähriger: Über das Potenzial professioneller Mentoring-Programme. [Integration and social participation of unaccompanied minors: On the potential of professional mentoring programs.] Workshop leader on 18.9.18 at the "1st German Mentoring Day" in Frankfurt.