About
Matthias Leanza is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Basel, Switzerland. His SNSF-funded professorship focuses on historical sociology and the history of sociology, particularly the role of social sciences in decolonization and the formation of the post-imperial world order. He is actively building his research team.
- Academic Rank: Assistant Professor
- Institution: University of Basel
- Department: Social Sciences
- Email: matthias.leanza@unibas.ch
Leanza's research centers on empire and colonialism, historical sociology, and social theory. He investigates how colonial rule shaped nation-state formation, especially in Germany, and how modernization concepts underpinned global norms. His work bridges historical analysis with sociological theory, emphasizing the enduring impact of colonial structures on contemporary social thought.
The recent articles highlight a consistent focus on colonialism, decolonization, and the epistemological foundations of sociology. They span interdisciplinary themes, combining history, cultural studies, and political theory, with a strong emphasis on German colonial history and postcolonial conceptual frameworks.
Scientific Awards:
- Erasmus Prize for the Liberal Arts and Sciences (2017)
Leanza has received significant grant support, notably a Starting Grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), which funds his current professorship. He advises doctoral students and is involved in organizing academic conferences through his role in the Historical Sociology Working Group of the German Sociological Association. There is no explicit mention of major collaborative grants beyond the SNSF funding.
Leanza is establishing his research team at the University of Basel. He is a founding member of the Historical Sociology Working Group within the Cultural Sociology Section of the German Sociological Association, which serves as a key academic network and collaborative platform for his research interests.
