Anja Senz

Prof. Dr. Anja Senz is a Professor for Transcultural Studies with a focus on China and East Asia at the Institute of Sinology, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg. Her research examines China's dynamic economic development, institutional adaptation, and transnational relations with neighboring countries.

• Current projects: "Southern Silk Road", infrastructure and regional cooperation in Asia, and Sino-European relations
• Former roles: Managing Director of Confucius Institute Metropole Ruhr (2009-2014), Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at Heidelberg University (2019-2023)

Research interests include:

• Environmental and resource governance
• State-society relations
• Trade and connectivity in Asia
• Corruption and institutional change

She has conducted comparative studies on local governance across India, China, Bangladesh, and Europe, and maintains active field research in Asia. Academic affiliations include editorial board memberships with the European Journal of East Asian Studies and Alternative Perspectives journal.