My scientific work lies at the intersection of moral psychology, positive psychology, personality psychology, psychological assessment and occupational health psychology.
My central research interestsinclude positive moral and self-transcendent emotions, ethical competence and personality, personnel selection diagnostics and the topic of work and health. I am currently working on a habilitation on the topic of Trait Appreciation of Beauty and Self-transcendent Emotions.
Selected publications
Positive moral and self-transcendent emotions
Pohling, R., & Diessner, R. (2016). Moral elevation and moral beauty: A review of the empirical literature. Review of General Psychology, 20(4), 412–425.
This work brings together the empirical research on the emotion of moral elevation and the experience of moral beauty, marking a core area of my research profile: positive moral emotions, self-transcendent experiences and their significance for moral motivation, identity and development. With this work, I presented the first major review article in this still young field of research internationally.
Moral psychology, personality and the assessment of ethical competence
Pohling, R., & Strobel, A. (2025). Diagnostik und Förderung ethischer Kompetenz in Organisationen. In: CSR und Wirtschaftspsychologie (2. Auflage). Springer.
This work exemplifies my interest in psychological assessment in organisations, the measurement of individual competences and the question of how diagnostic procedures can be used in responsible personnel selection and development.
Pohling, R., Bzdok, D., Eigenstetter, M., Stumpf, S., & Strobel, A. (2016). What is ethical competence? The role of empathy, personal values, and the Five Factor Model of Personality in ethical decision-making. Journal of Business Ethics, 137(3), 449–474.
This work exemplifies my interest in fundamental questions of moral psychology, personality traits and the psychological foundations of ethical decision-making and action.
Work and health
Pohling, R., Buruck, G., Jungbauer, K.-L., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Work-related factors of presenteeism: The mediating role of mental and physical health. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 21(2), 220–234.
This publication exemplifies my interest in the relationships between working conditions, mental and physical health and health-related behaviour in the workplace.
Academic career
I studied psychology at the Technische Universität Dresden, specialising in work and organisational psychology as well as clinical psychology. This was followed by research positions at TU Dresden and TU Chemnitz, a doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) on the topic of moral sensitivity, as well as teaching and supervision of academic theses. Research phases were supported, among others, by a scholarship from the Free State of Saxony, a short DAAD-funded stay in the USA and further grants. In addition, I serve as a reviewer (peer review) for various international academic journals, including the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, The Journal of Positive Psychology, German Journal of Human Resource Management, Journal of Moral Education, Journal of Business Ethics and Educational Research and Reviews.
Scientific profiles and full publication list
Further information on my scientific profile and individual publications can be found at:
I also provide a full publication list in English as a PDF: Publication list (PDF)
Coaching in the academic context
Alongside my scientific work and research profile, I also offer counselling and coaching in the academic context. This is aimed in particular at doctoral candidates, post-doctoral researchers and professors seeking support with writer's block, work disruptions, overwhelm, self-doubt, decision conflicts or stressful final phases of academic projects.
My perspective combines personal experience within the academic system with psychotherapeutic and diagnostic expertise. Particularly in the academic environment, which is often characterised by high performance pressure, uncertainty and competition, this can be a helpful combination.