Welcome


to the Department of Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Muenster. We study human behavior and cognition in sports (causes, conditions, objectives) and try to predict and influence the behavior of athletes. On the following pages, you will find information on our current research projects, courses, examinations, our team, and links. Further, you can find information on sport psychological support and counseling. If you are interested in an internship, please send a motivational letter, CV and a transcript of records via email to Birte Brinkmöller.

You can find a list of the latest publications of our team here: publications (2006 - today)

We hope that you will find all the important information you need. In case there are any questions left, please do not hesitate to talk to us directly.

Prof. Bernd Strauss
Head of the Department

© Barbara Halberschmidt

FISU World Conference in Bochum

Laura van de Loo presented data from the project on the scientific investigation of the compatibility of studies and elite sports (https://www.uni-muenster.de/Spitzensport/DualeKarriere.html) funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the German Association of College Sports (adh) on July 18th during the FISU World Conference (https://rhineruhr2025.com/en/world-conference). The FISU World Conference is embedded in the FISU World Games, the largest student sports event worldwide this year.
►Information booklet of the FISU World Conference

© S. Bünemann

AB Sportpsychologie represented at the NASPSPA

From June 3–5, 2025, Dr. Valeria Eckardt and Stephanie Bünemann attended the annual NASPSPA conference. This year, they had the opportunity to present their research in the beautiful setting of Lake Tahoe. They also engaged in many exciting and inspiring conversations with both new and familiar colleagues.

© Uni MS - Brigitte Heeke

Room for improvement: Podcast on the situation of top-level sport in Germany

Dr. Barbara Halberschmidt was a guest on the university's podcast "Umdenken." Even before the start of the "FISU World University Games 2025" on July 16, the challenges faced by young elite athletes are the focus of many discussions. While some experts call for more intensive talent scouting and more and better-trained coaches, sports psychologist Dr. Barbara Halberschmidt is convinced that financial difficulties, in particular, often prevent better results, and that psychological factors influence athletic performance.

You can find the link to the episode here [de].

© IfS Münster

Job advertisement: Honorary staff member for sports education program in Altenberge

The Willibald Gebhardt Institute is seeking to fill a position as a 1-2 part-time honorary staff member (with or without a bachelor's degree) for a school support program at an elementary school in Altenberge, starting September 8, 2025, until July 31, 2026, with a weekly working time of approximately two 3-4 hour shifts.