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
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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
Winiger, F., Schneider, J., & Peng-Keller, S. (2025). Acceptability of Digital Spiritual Care: Results from a Mixed-Methods Study in Switzerland. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy. https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.33203 (Open Access)
Grabenweger, R., Sitefane, S., Winiger, F., Afonso, A., Prinds, C., Rabiais, I., v, S., & Paal, P. (Accepted). Availability, Usability, and Commercialization of Digital Spiritual Care Educational Resources for Healthcare Professionals: An Exploratory Scoping Review. Journal of Health and Social Care Chaplaincy.
Winiger, F., Schneider, G., Goldzycher, J., Neuhold, D., & Peng-Keller, S. (2025). The ‘Spiritual’ and the ‘Religious’ in the Twittersphere: A Topic Model and Semantic Map. Journal of Religion, Media and Digital Culturehttps://doi.org/10.1163/21659214-bja10123 (Open Access)
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. (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. |
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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
