Final reading of the ASH master's program 'Biographical and Creative Writing'

Introducing the ASH Master’s program in “Biographical and Creative Writing”: With stories and performance—but not without performance.

Students and alumni provide insights into their theses and studies—and, not least, into the inner workings of this accredited program, unique in Europe, which has been offered as a part-time master’s program at the Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences in Berlin since 2006, combining pedagogical-didactic, therapeutic-counseling, and literary-artistic content into a conglomerate of interdisciplinary and applied science.

Short biographies of the authors

Yuliya Awater has been writing since childhood and today combines her educational experience with her passion for language, writing, and international work in child and youth welfare. Through creative and autobiographical writing, she aims to empower children with experiences of displacement and war and open up avenues for them to express their experiences, feelings, and identity.

Josef Lenerz is a psychotherapist in Berlin and loves prose.

Julia Möller has always been passionate about writing. She used to be an actress in theater and occasionally in front of the camera. Today, she writes and delivers special eulogies. In the future, she hopes to work with others on biographical texts.

Sigrid Oberer has lived in Berlin for 20 years and works at Lebenshilfe supporting people who need assistance. Her writing is often politically engaged and closely tied to social issues. During her studies, she discovered biographical writing with others and autoethnography about herself.

Hannah Simon is a social worker and systemic therapist; she currently works with students at an integrative comprehensive school and occasionally leads creative writing groups. She is particularly interested in the connection between creative and therapeutic writing.

Sonja Suntrup was a bookseller and has been working as a teacher for 30 years. Her passion is biographical writing. She leads writing workshops, writing retreats, and offers writing trips. In her courses, she creates writing spaces that allow participants to remember through writing and gain new perspectives.

Anke Werner has been writing fantasy stories since childhood and dreams up magical or dystopian worlds—today, primarily to reflect on complex conflicts and possible solutions.

Mariana Mühlenkamp lives between Portugal, Germany, and Hungary. She speaks all three languages and is the mother of three children. After completing the BKS program, she plans to travel through Eastern Europe with a caravan and inspire children to write. Nothing is impossible—only when we set limits and shackles for ourselves.