Navigation auf uzh.ch

Suche

Theologisches Seminar | Theologische und Religionswissenschaftliche Fakultät

Fabian Winiger

Fabian Winiger, M.Sc., PhD.

  • Senior Research Fellow
Anschrift
KIR E 002, Kirchgasse 9, 8001 Zürich.

Research Interests

  • Religion and spirituality in global health
  • Spirituality and secularism in multilateral Organisations
  • Digitalisation and Spiritual Care

Projects

2022- Spirituality and Health in the United Nations: Global Norms and Local Practices (Swiss National Science Foundation) More

2020- URPP Digital Religion(s), University of Zürich

  • Digital Spiritual Care More
  • Telechaplaincy Community of Practice More
  • MEEET:  The Media Existential Encounters and Evolving Technology Lab More
  • Digital Society Initiative Minor in "Digital Skills" More

2018-2020 The Integration of Spiritual Aspects into the WHO Health Policy since 1984. Historical Investigations in view of the Foundations of Interprofessional Spiritual Care (Swiss National Science Foundation) More

  • World Health Organization Faith Network More

Curriculum Vitae

Experience

2025- Innovation Ambassador, UZH Innovation Hub

2025- Member of governance board and project lead (Cluster A: Emerging Technologies), URPP Digital Religion(s)

2024- Co-Principal Investigator, "Digital Spiritual Care", URPP Digital Religion(s), University of Zürich.

2022- Senior Research Fellow, Professorship for Spiritual Care, University of Zürich.

2018-2021 Postdoctoral Fellow, Professorship for Spiritual Care, University of Zürich.

2018 Research Fellow, Yale Center for Cultural Sociology.

Education

2024 Dipl. Complementary Therapist with industry certificate (OdA-KT), HPS Lucerne

2018 Ph.D. Medical Anthropology, Hong Kong University

2013 M.Sc. Medical Anthropology, Oxford University.

2011 Bachelor in Sociology and Media & Communication with Honours, University of Canterbury (Christchurch, New Zealand)

2009 NZ Diploma in Business, CPIT (Christchurch, New Zealand)

Scientific Publications

Peng-Keller, S., Balboni, M., Balboni, T., Haussmann, A., Haythorn, T., Mösli, P., Neuhold, D., Nuzum, D. R., Smeets, W., Swift, C., Swinton, J., Roser, T., Vandenhoeck, A., & Winiger, F. (2025). Spiritual Care at the Crossroads: An Ecumenical White Paper on the Future of Christian Healthcare Chaplaincy. Journal of Religion and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-025-02255-0

Goodwin, E., & Winiger, F. (2024). Integrating ‘Faith’ into MHPSS: Report of an International Conference on ‘Faith-Sensitive’ Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Spiritual Care in Humanitarian Contexts (18.–19. September 2024). Spiritual Care. https://doi.org/10.1515/spircare-2024-0047

Winiger, F., Schneider, G., Goldzycher, J., Neuhold, D., & Peng-Keller, S. (Accepted). The ‘Spiritual’ and the ‘Religious’ in the Twittersphere: A Topic Model and Semantic Map. Journal of Religion, Media and Digital Culture.

Winiger, F. (Accepted). Thinking Faith Engagement Beyond 'Faith': The Spiritual Dimension in the World Health Organization. Journal of Religion and Development.

Peng-Keller, S., Winiger, F. (Accepted). Digitale Spiritual Care. In: E. Frick et al., Spiritualität und Medizin (new edition).

Winiger, F. (2024). Digitalisierung klinischer Spiritual Care im Spitalnetzwerk Baylor, Scott & White Health. Spiritual Care. https://doi.org/10.1515/spircare-2024-0023

Winiger, F. (2024). Verschläft die klinische Seelsorge die Digitalisierung des Gesundheitswesens? Eine kritische Betrachtung aktueller Entwicklungen in Europa und den U.S.A. Zeitschrift Für Pastoraltheologie, 44(1), 179–192. https://www.uni-muenster.de/... (Open Access)

Peng-Keller, S., Schneider, J., Winiger, F., & Neuhold, D. (2024). Empirische Grundlagen zur Weiterentwicklung klinischer Seelsorge. Ergebnisse einer repräsentativen Bevölkerungsumfrage in der Schweiz. Spiritual Care. https://doi.org/10.1515/spircare-2023-0068 (Open Access)

Peng-Keller, S., & Winiger, F. (2024). Digitale Spiritual Care: Ergebnisse eine Umfrage unter klinischen Seelsorgenden in der Schweiz. Praktische Theologie, 59(1), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.14315/prth-2024-590106

Winiger, F., & Sprik, P. (2023). Navigating Challenges in Telechaplaincy: A Thematic Analysis of an International Conference. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 0(0), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2023.2294680 (Open Access)

Winiger, F., & Goodwin, E. (2023). “Faith-Sensitive” Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Pluralistic Settings: A Spiritual Care Perspective. Religions, 14(10), 1321. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14101321(Open Access)

Peng-Keller, S., & Winiger, F. (2023). „In meiner innersten Kammer begegnet mir Gott jeden Tag.“ Ein Gespräch mit Hans van der Geest. Spiritual Care. https://doi.org/10.1515/spircare-2023-0019

Haußmann, A., Peng-Keller, S., Neuhold, D., & Winiger, F. (2023). Digitalisierte Spiritual Care und Seelsorge. Spiritual Care. https://doi.org/10.1515/spircare-2023-0012

Haußmann, A. Neuhold, D. Peng-Keller, S., Winiger, F., eds. (2023). Digitalisierte Spiritual Care und Seelsorge. Special Issue in Spiritual Care 12(2). https://www.degruyter.com/journal/key/spircare/12/2/html

Winiger, F. (2023). Spiritual Care im „Virtuellen Spital“: Ein Gespräch mit zwei Teleseelsorgern. Spiritual Care. https://doi.org/10.1515/spircare-2022-0019 (Open Access)

Winiger, F., & Neuhold, D. (2023). Zum Zwist mit dem Zeitgeist: Ein Rückblick mit zwei Pionieren der europäischen Teleseelsorge. Spiritual Care. https://doi.org/10.1515/spircare-2022-0021

Winiger, F. (2023). The changing face of spiritual care: Current developments in telechaplaincy. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 29(1), 114–131. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2022.2040895 (Open Access)

Winiger, F., & Neuhold, D. (2022). Spiritual Care on the go?: Ein Gespräch mit Achim Blackstein zur digitalen Teilhabe und -gabe im Alltag. Spiritual Care. https://doi.org/10.1515/spircare-2022-0052(Open Access)

Peng-Keller, S., Winiger, F., & Rauch, R. (2022). The Spirit of Global Health: The World Health Organization and the “Spiritual Dimension” of Health, 1946-2021. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/... (Open Access)

Winiger, F., & Peng-Keller, S. (2021). Religion and the World Health Organization: An evolving relationship. BMJ Global Health, 6(4), e004073. https://doi.org/10/gkd2nn(Open Access)

Roser, T., Peng-Keller, S., Kammerer, T., Karle, I., Lammer, K., Frick, E., & Winiger, F. (25 March 2020). The Corona Pandemic as a Challenge for Spiritual Care—Advice for Pastors (joint statement, available in  English - German - French - Italian - Spanish)

Winiger, F. (2020). “More than an intensive care phenomenon”: Religious communities and the WHO Guidelines for Ebola and Covid-19: „Mehr als ein Phänomen der Intensivpflege“: Religiöse Gemeinschaften und die WHO Richtlinien für Ebola und Covid-19. Spiritual Care, 9(3), 245–255. https://doi.org/10/gg8qhd(Open Access)

Winiger, F. (2020). The Chief Fallacy: A Commentary on Hostility to Hospitality: Zum Irrtum der ‚Hauptliebe‘: Ein Kommentar zu Hostility to Hospitality. Spiritual Care, 9(2), 109–113. https://doi.org/10.1515/spircare-2019-0093

Iskra, A., Winiger, F., & Palmer, D. A. (2020). Remaking the Self: Spirituality, Civilization, the Chinese Quest to “Live Well” in the Reform-Era. In S. Feuchtwang (Ed.), Handbook on Religion in China (pp. 54–74). Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd,.

Winiger, F., & Neuhold, D. (2020). Michael J. Balboni/Tracy A. Balboni, Hostility to Hospitality. Spirituality and Professional Socialization in Medicine (review). Schweizerischen Zeitschrift Für Religions- Und Kulturgeschichte, 114.

Palmer, D. A., & Winiger, F. (2019). Neo-socialist governmentality: Managing freedom in the People’s Republic of China. Economy and Society, 48(4), 554–578. https://doi.org/10/ggdv6g

Palmer, D. A., & Winiger, F. (2019). Secularization, Sacralization and Subject Formation in Modern China. In The Secular in South, East, and Southeast Asia (pp. 83–105). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89369-3_5

Winiger, F. (2019). Who Cares? Health, Religion, and “Spiritual Care” in the People’s Republic of China. In S. Peng-Keller & D. Neuhold (Eds.), Spiritual Care im globalisierten Gesundheitswesen: Historische Hintergründe und aktuelle Entwicklungen (pp. 251–276). Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft.

Winiger, F. (2018). Qigong in Three Social Worlds: National Treasure, Social Signifier, or Breathing Exercise? In C. Brosnan, P. Vuolanto, & J.-A. B. Danell (Eds.), Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Knowledge Production and Social Transformation (pp. 85–110). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73939-7_4

Winiger, F. (2017). “When the spirit cannot feel the body”: Overcoming Cartesian mind-body dualism with qigong practice. Sciences and Techniques of Sports and Physical Activities (STAPS), 3, 113–142.

Knowledge Exchange

Event organisation

2025

Spiritualität im Kontext der Schweizer Gesundheitsversorgung von Geflüchteten und Asylsuchenden. [Interdisciplinary workshop co-organisation]. Faculty of Theology and the Study of Religion, University of Zurich. 

2024 Integrating ‘Faith’ into Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Humanitarian Contexts. [Conference co-organisation]. University of Zurich and Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI).
2024 Virtuous Reality: Sinnstiftende VR-Erfahrungen. [Workshop organisation]. MEEET-Lab (University of Zurich) and Kantonsschulen Hohe Promenade and Küsnacht, Zurich.
2023 Christian Healthcare Chaplaincy as Specialized Spiritual Care: Pathways and Models for the Future. [Co-organisation of working group, workshop and book project]. Professorship for Spiritual Care, University of Zurich.
2023  Digital Spiritual Care: Quo Vadis? (JPG, 1002 KB) [Conference co-organisation]. URPP Digital Religion(s)/Professorship for Spiritual Care, University of Zurich.
2022

Spiritual Care for the 21st Century: An International Conference on the Theory and Practice of Telechaplaincy.[Conference organisation]. Spiritual Care at UZH and Transforming Chaplaincy Initiative.

2021

Chaplaincy: Critical and changing roles in COVID-19. [Conference organisation and panel moderation] Global conference on strengthening national responses to health emergencies . World Health Organizations & Religions for Peace.

2020

The ‘Spiritual Dimension’ in Global Health [Co-organiser and -chair, interdisciplinary roundtable]. World Council of Churches, Geneva.

Paper presentations and guest lectures

2025

VR Workshop zum Thema “Religiöse und religionsbezogene Bildung in einer Kultur der Digitalität” [Seminar]. Theologische und Religionswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Universität Zürich.

2025

Digitale Formen von Seelsorge — Erfahrungen, Befürchtungen, Bewährtes. [Lecture]. Abteilung Spezialseelsorge Evangelisch-reformierte Landeskirche des Kantons Zürich.

2025

Wer ist offen für digitale Seelsorge (und wer nicht)? Forschungsergebnisse zur Akzeptanz digitaler Seelsorge im Schweizer Gesundheitswesen. [Conference presentation]. Digitale Sorge für die Seele - Fachtag zu Anthropologie, Digitalisierung und Seelsorge, Zentrum für Seelsorge Evangelische Landeskirche Hannover/Universität Heidelberg.

2025

Klinikseelsorge im digitalen Zeitalter: Einblicke in eine repräsentative Umfrage zur Akzeptanz digitaler Seelsorge im Kanton Zürich. [Conference presentation]. AG Digitale Seelsorge, Berufsverband Seelsorge im Gesundheitswesen (BSG).

2025

Empirical Foundations for the Development of Spiritual Care: Results of a Representative Population Survey in the Canton of Zurich [Conference presentation]. Uniting Population Research Across Disciplines: Novel Approaches, Innovative Strategies, and Mutual Learning, Zurich Population Research Conference, University of Zurich.

2024

Digitale Spiritual Care—Aktuelle Entwicklungen und Kritische Rückfragen [Research colloquium]. Abteilung für Praktische Theologie und Religionspädagogik, Universität Bonn.

2024

Adapting Spiritual Care to the Digital Age—Insights from a Mixed-Methods Study on Digital Spiritual Care Interventions [Conference presentation]. Unlocking the Acceptance of Digital Health Interventions:  Policy, Communication, and User Design Perspectives, Digital Society Initiative, University of Zurich.

2024

Sinnsuche im virtuellen Raum. Einblicke ins MEEET-Lab [Conference presentation]. On-Life. Kommunikation des Evangeliums in der (Post-)Digitalität, Universität Zürich and Universität Bern.

2024

Digitale ’Holy Spaces’ im Gesundheitswesen—Einblicke in die Forschung zur digitalisierung seelsorglicher Spiritual Care [Lecture]. Holy Spaces – Wie Spiritualität im Netz funktioniert, RefLab, Reformierte Kirche Zürich.

2024

Clinical Spiritual Care and the Digitalization of Healthcare: A Critical Reflection on Current Developments [Keynote lecture]. Spiritual Care Interventions in Modern Health Care, European Conference on Religion, Spirituality and Health, Paracelsus Medical University.

2023

With Peng-Keller, S. Seelsorge im Gesundheitswesen: Erfahrungen und Erwartungen. Ergebnisse einer repräsentativen Bevölkerungsumfrage in der Schweiz [Workshop presentation]. Institut für Sozialethik, Universität Zürich.

2023

Digitalisierung und seelsorgliche Praxis im schweizerischen Gesundheitswesen: Eine Bestandesaufnahme [Conference presentation]. URPP Digital Religion(s), Universität Zürich.

2023

Chapel, Shepherd, Staff: No more? Rethinking Pastoral Care Metaphors in the Virtual Hospital [Paper presentation]. 13th biennial conference of the International Society for Media, Religion and Culture, Center for Religious Studies (CERES).

2023

The “Gospel of Health”, Then and Now: Historical Remarks on the ‘Spiritual Dimension’ of Health at the World Health Organization [Seminar presentation]. Wellcome Centre for the Cultures and Environments of Health, University of Exeter.

2022

“Born in Dignity and Rights”: Zur (christlichen) Herkunft des Würdebegriffs im UN-Menschenrechtsdiskurs [Workshop presentation]. Institut für Sozialethik, Universität Zürich.

2022

A History of Telechaplaincy—Towards the Digital Turn in Spiritual Care [Conference presentation]. Spiritual Care for the 21st Century: An International Conference on the Theory and Practice of Telechaplaincy. University of Zurich and Transforming Chaplaincy.

2022

Religion at the World Health Organization—From the ‘Spiritual Dimension’ to ‘Faith Engagement’ [Conference presentation]. Religious Engagement in Global Affairs. Faculty of Theology, University of Geneve and European Academy on Religion and Society.

2022

Religion and Global Health [Guest lecture]. Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Botswana and Research Programme on Religious Communities and Sustainable Development, HU Berlin.

2022

Of Covenants, Polarisers and Cosmopietists: Global Health and the Post-Secular Turn in the United Nations. [Guest lecture]. World History Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences.

2021

Religion at the Temple of Health—The ‘Spiritual Dimension’ and the World Health Organization [Keynote address]. Research Programme on Religious Communities and Sustainable Development, HU Berlin.

2021

Healthism, Colonialism and Neoliberal “Spirituality” in the WHO Discourse on Traditional Medicine [Conference presentation]. American Anthropological Association.

2021

Buzzword or Way of the Future? On the Emergence of ’Telechaplaincy’ in Three Major U.S. Healthcare Systems [Paper presentation]. Joint Research Council, Transforming Chaplaincy Initiative.

2021

Telechaplaincy: Forschungsergebnisse zu digitalen Formen seelsorglicher Spiritual Care [Conference presentation]. Kann man zu existenziellen Fragen zoomen, skypen, chatten? Chancen und Herausforderungen von Online-Kommunikation. Evangelische Akademie zu Berlin. 

2021

Spiritual Care and Digital Presence: On the Turn to Telechaplaincy During the Covid-19 Pandemic [Conference presentation]. Religious Engagement and the COVID Response, Leeds Centre for Religion and Public Life. 

2020

Through Thick And Thin: Semantic Abstraction And Contextualisation In The World Health Organization’s Discourse On “Traditional Medicine” [Conference presentation]. European Association of Science and Technology Studies.

2020

WHO Guidelines for Ebola and Covid-19 [Guest lecture]. Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities.

2019

Spiritual Care und die WHO Definition der Gesundheit [Conference presentation]. Third Swiss Conference on Spiritual Care.

2018

 A Century of Humiliation: Chinese Cultural Trauma after Mao [Conference presentation]. Spring Conference, Yale Center for Cultural Sociology.

2017

Neo-Socialist Governmentality’ and the Genealogy of Chinese Socialist Spiritual Civilization, with David A. Palmer [Conference presentation]. National University of Singapore.

Digital media

2024 DSI Minor 'Digital Skills': The Virtuous Reality Challenge[Blog post]. UFSP Digital Religion(s), Universität Zürich.
2024

Mit den Augen einer Astronautin: Die VR-Brille als Resonanzraum spirituell-existenzieller Erfahrungen. [Blog post]. bref Magazin (9/2024).

2024 Faith-Sensitive MHPSS: Resources for Practitioners of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Humanitarian Settings[Information portal for scholars and practitioners of faith-sensitive MHPSS].
2023
 
 Virtuous Reality: A Video Essay on Meaningful Experiences in Virtual Reality. [Blog post]. UFSP Digital Religion(s), University of Zürich. 
2023

Telechaplaincy.io: A New Resource for Telechaplains. [Blog post]. Transforming Chaplaincy.

2022 Telechaplaincy.io: Connecting spiritual care providers, managers and researchers.  [Bilingual information portal for Telechaplaincy practitioners].
2022  Der „Pfarrer aus Plastik“: Ein Gespräch über seelsorgliche Authentizität auf Instagram [Blog post]. UFSP Digital Religion(s), University of Zürich.
2022 Videoportrait Digital Spiritual Care. [Whiteboard animation]. UFSP Digital Religion(s), University of Zürich.
2022

 Telechaplaincy 2.0: Electronic Medical Records. [Whiteboard animation]. UFSP Digital Religion(s), University of Zürich.

2021

The WHO’s First Conference on Spiritual Care: What’s this Conference About, and Why is it Important? [Blog post]. Chaplaincy Innovation Lab.

2021

Digitalisierung seelsorglicher Spiritual Care: Telechaplaincy. [Interview]. Digital Religion(s): Der Blog.

2020

COVID-19: SPIRITUAL CARE. Ressourcen  zur seelsorglichen Arbeit.  [Online resource repository for spiritual care providers during the Covid-19 pandemic].

Weiterführende Informationen

Integrating 'Faith' into Care: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue on Faith-Sensitive MHPSS and Spiritual Care in Humanitarian Contexts

This international conference brings together leading voices in the field to overcome disciplinary boundaries and academic-practitioner divides, and to bring together leading experts in the field, and share the latest research and evidence in the field of ‘faith-sensitive’ MHPSS from around the world.

Digitale Spiritual Care - Quo Vadis?

Digital technologies are increasingly part of work organizations: they are increasingly used to improve the treatment of patients, to shorten the length of stay in hospital, and to ensure medical care and interdisciplinary support after discharge. Last but not least, digitization is also changing the forms of communication between those receiving pastoral care, who are increasingly looking for meaningful offers on mobile devices.

This event was held on site and via livestream. Recordings are available.

Telechaplaincy.io

Telechaplaincy.io

Connecting spiritual care providers, managers and researchers.

The Changing Face of Spiritual Care: Current Developments in Telechaplaincy

Recently published

Winiger, F. (2023). The changing face of spiritual care: Current developments in telechaplaincy. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 29(1), 114–131. (Open Access)

“Faith-Sensitive” Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Pluralistic Settings: A Spiritual Care Perspective

Recently published

Winiger, F., & Goodwin, E. (2023). “Faith-Sensitive” Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Pluralistic Settings: A Spiritual Care Perspective. Religions, 14(10), 1321. (Open Access)

The Spirit of Global Health: The World Health Organization and the “Spiritual Dimension” of Health, 1946-2021

Recently published

Peng-Keller, S., Winiger, F., & Rauch, R. (2022). The Spirit of Global Health: The World Health Organization and the “Spiritual Dimension” of Health, 1946-2021. Oxford University Press. (Open Access)