David Meschede

David Meschede is a Researcher and doctoral student at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Freiburg since July 2023. His work focuses on environmental and socio-cultural dynamics in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, particularly among Dayak communities in Borneo. He is affiliated with the DFG-funded project 'A Future Without Forests?' examining environmental change and socio-economic transformations.

Academic Career:

• Since 2023: Research Associate, University of Freiburg
• 2019–2023: Research Assistant, Institute for Ethnology, University of Cologne
• 2016–2019: Research Assistant, Institute for Oriental and Asian Studies, University of Bonn
• 2008–2016: B.A. (Asian Studies) and M.A. (Southeast Asian Studies), University of Bonn

Research Interests: Human-environment interactions in rural regions, post-colonial social change, indigenous identity formations, and future-making processes in resource-extraction zones. His work bridges environmental anthropology, political ecology, and historical ethnography.

Key Projects:

• DFG Project 'Eine Zukunft ohne Wald?' (2023–present)

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Future-Making research team at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to environmental governance and indigenous rights in Borneo.