Dirk Gebhardt holds a PhD in Geography from Humboldt-University, Berlin. His current research interests include the interplay between urban development, migration and local citizenship. He taught courses related to urban development and migration and has worked in a variety of research, consultancy and urban development projects in Berlin. As a Marie Curie Intra-European Fellow at GRITIM University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Dirk Gebhardt focused on the role of European cities in developing and implementing integration policy. He previously worked as a policy advisor for EUROCITIES, the Brussels-based network of major European cities, where he developed integrative learning activities and projects on behalf of political decision makers.

In his latest report “Building Inclusive Cities: Challenges in the Multilevel Governance of Immigrant Integration in Europe” he points out, that in the area of integration of immigrants, governments do not focus enough on the partnership and cooperation of the cities.