Biography
I am from Montana, USA where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work. I now live in Potsdam where I 
conduct research as a German Chancellor Fellow from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. My professional background includes volunteer management, refugee resettlement, podcast production, and mental healthcare.
Research Subject
I will be investigating and reporting on refugee integration in Germany, especially the lessons learned from the large scale migration of Syrian war refugees in 2015. This time period has been labeled by some as “The Migrant Crisis” and has had a profound effect on Germany politics and civil society. My research will address how these effects are felt today in Germany and what lessons can be drawn from these experiences, especially as they pertain to Germany’s ability and political desire to integrate migrants in the future.
Project Goal
With this project, I aim to document the story of those who work to help refugees and migrants integrate in Germany. If you have worked with refugees or migrants and have a story to tell, or know of someone who does, please contact me. I am seeking diverse perspectives, so please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Podcast
In the summer of 2020 I launched the podcast “Integration for everyone”. In these podcasts I explore the host country’s role in integration. You will hear interviews with Germans, both newcomers and long-time citizens, who decided to help refugees. In these interviews, they share their experiences which offer ideas on how to build better systems of integration and also carry lessons that might improve our society as a whole. Subscribe with your favorite podcast player to join the conversation. You can find the podcast here or here.
Email Address: zak.reimer@socialscienceworks.org
Telephone: +49 160 92380616
Languages: English (native), German (Beginner)