Prof. Dr. Alexander Stroh-Steckelberg is Professor of Political Science with a focus on African Politics & Development Policy at the University of Bayreuth since 2022. He serves as Deputy Head of the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) until 2025 and has held prior roles as Junior Professor and Senior Fellow at BIGSAS (2015–2021). His academic career includes research associate positions at the GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies (2006–2015) and teaching roles at the Universities of Abomey-Calavi, Heidelberg, and Lüneburg. Stroh-Steckelberg’s research spans comparative democracy studies , judicial politics , electoral systems , political party dynamics , and development policy in Africa, with regional expertise in Francophone West Africa and Rwanda . His work emphasizes institutional diffusion, informal networks in courts, and the interplay between formal and informal governance structures. Recent publications reveal a focus on judicial appointment policies , electoral manipulation , and local governance challenges across Africa. He contributes to methodological advancements in comparative area studies and network analysis , particularly in non-Western democracies. Stroh-Steckelberg is actively involved in academic communities including the American Political Science Association , German Political Science Association , and Association for African Studies in Germany .
Zaur Gasimov is a Lecturer at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and currently serves as DAAD Departmental Coordinator and Co-Head at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Turkish-German University. He holds a habilitation in Modern History and Eastern European History, with a focus on Eastern European History, political science, and sociology. Education : B.A. in International Relations from Baku State University; M.A. from Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt; Doctorate in Eastern European history Research : Concentrates on Russian-Turkish relations, nationalism in Eastern Europe, cultural transfer processes, and historical narratives. His habilitation thesis analyzed Polish-Turkish anti-Soviet alliances. Publications : Authored monographs on Prometheism, Azerbaijani historiography, and Russification policies. Collaborated on comparative studies of cultural transfer and Ottoman-Russian entanglements.
Robert Schumann University of Music DüsseldorfGermany
Enrique Sánchez Lansch is a Professor of Media Dramaturgy at the Institute for Music and Media at Robert Schumann University of Düsseldorf, appointed in 2018. Born in Gijón, northern Spain, and raised in Cologne, he has established himself as a prominent documentary filmmaker with a strong focus on music-related subjects. His educational background includes studies in music with a focus on singing, Romance languages, philosophy, and German studies. He completed his master's thesis on adaptation of literature into music films. After gaining professional experience in fictional series production, he pursued further studies in film and screenwriting at Columbia University and UCLA. Sánchez Lansch's research and creative interests center on the intersection of music and visual media. His work explores how musical experiences can be effectively translated to film, examining the relationship between sound and image. He has particular expertise in documenting musical institutions, historical contexts of music, and the educational aspects of musical performance. His approach combines rigorous historical research with innovative visual storytelling techniques that respect the integrity of musical performance while creating compelling cinematic narratives. His filmography reveals a consistent focus on music documentaries that bridge cultural and historical contexts. Early works focused on major musical institutions and figures, while more recent projects have expanded to examine the relationship between music and broader social, political, and cultural phenomena. His films consistently demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of both musical content and cinematic storytelling. His notable awards include: German Film Award German Documentary Film Award Bavarian Film Award German Critics' Award German Kinogilde Award Franz Hofer Prize Best Documentary Film at Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival Best Documentary Film at SEMINCI Festival de Valladolid Diapason d'Or Emmy nomination for "A Celebration for Gershwin" Sánchez Lansch has served as a mentor to young filmmakers, notably curating and presenting music short films by young talents for the Beethovenfest Bonn from 2006 to 2013. His professional activities extend beyond filmmaking to include teaching at institutions such as the dffb (German Film and Television Academy Berlin) and his current professorship at Robert Schumann University. He is an active member of both the German Film Academy and the European Film Academy, contributing to the broader film community through these organizations. As Professor of Media Dramaturgy, Sánchez Lansch contributes to the academic framework of the Institute for Music and Media, bringing his extensive professional experience to bear on the education of future media creators. His work bridges the gap between academic study and professional practice in the field of music-related visual media.
Dr. Oliver Raaz is a Research Associate at the Institute for Media and Communication Studies , part of the Department of Political and Social Sciences at Freie Universität Berlin. His work focuses on organizational communication, public relations, and the intersection of media theory with strategic discourse. University: Freie Universität Berlin School: Department of Political and Social Sciences Department: Institute for Media and Communication Studies Email: oliver.raaz@fu-berlin.de His research interests span organizational communication , public relations , transparency theory , critical post-structuralism , non-standardized research methods , and digital media in chronic disease management . He actively contributes to academic discourse through publications in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. Recent publications highlight trends in PR historiography , organizational transparency , digital media ethics , polyphony theory , and complexity frameworks . His work often integrates critical theory with empirical analysis.
Erica Frantz is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Michigan State University and a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Institute of Political Science, Tübingen University. She earned her PhD in Political Science from UCLA in 2008. Her research focuses on authoritarian politics, including democratization, conflict, development, and the security implications of autocratic rule. She previously served as an Assistant Professor at Bridgewater State University (2011–2015). Research interests include comparative politics, authoritarian regimes, and policy analysis. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with real-world applications, addressing topics such as regime stability, political violence, and governance challenges in non-democratic contexts. In 2020, she received the MSU College of Social Science Outstanding Teacher Award. She is affiliated with the Schlumberger Team at Tübingen University and contributes to the CMEPS Joint Master's Program. Her publications include influential books like Authoritarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford UP, 2018).
Christopher Kopper is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Bielefeld University's Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology. His academic career spans over three decades with significant contributions to economic history, banking history, and transport history. Appointed as an extraordinary professor at Bielefeld University in April 2012, he has held various research and teaching positions including visiting professorships at Charles University in Prague, University of Siegen, University of Münster, and West Virginia University. His research interests focus on German economic history, particularly banking systems during the Nazi era, transport policy, corporate history, and European economic integration. Kopper has led and participated in numerous research projects including 'From the Reichsbank to the Bundesbank' and served as Project Manager for Subproject 6 on infrastructure buildings during National Socialism. He has been a member of the Historikerkommission (History Commission) for the German Federal Ministry of Economics since 2012 and the Selection Committee of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation since 2013. Kopper's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with recent works focusing on corporate responsibility under military dictatorships (particularly Volkswagen in Brazil), monetary policy consequences of German occupation in Greece, and the internationalization of German banks. His research shows a trend toward examining corporate ethics in authoritarian regimes and the long-term economic consequences of historical events. As a member of multiple academic committees and research networks, Kopper maintains active engagement with the historical research community. His work bridges economic, political, and social history with particular attention to institutional development and policy impacts. Professor Kopper supervises research projects and collaborates with international scholars, contributing significantly to contemporary historical scholarship through his expertise in German economic and business history. His current research continues to explore the intersections of corporate behavior, political regimes, and economic policy across different historical periods.
GIGA German Institute of Global and Area StudiesGermany
Thomas Richter is a leading academic and Professor at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) , where he serves as Lead Research Fellow and Head of the Research Programme "Accountability and Participation" . His work focuses on the institutional and material determinants of authoritarian rule , executive personalization , and global political economy , particularly in the Middle East and North Africa region. Education: PhD in Political Science (summa cum laude) at the University of Bremen (2008); studies at Eberhard-Karls University Tuebingen and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His research explores the interplay of rentier statehood and economic reforms , civil society under authoritarian regimes , and shrinking civic spaces . Recent projects include the Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM) and the Monitoring System and Transfer Platform Radicalisation (MOTRA) , funded by BMBF and DFG. Richter has published extensively on topics such as anti-Semitism , executive power dynamics , and public opinion on military service in Germany. He has received notable awards, including the Lijphart/Przeworski/Verba Data Set Award (2017) and the Gero Erdmann-Preis für vergleichende Area-Forschung (2022) . His collaborative work spans institutions like the WZB Berlin and Université de Tunis . Richter is also a co-editor of the Perspectives on the Maghreb series with Amsterdam University Press.
Prof. Dr. Aurel Croissant is a full Professor of Political Science at the Institute of Political Science, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg. His academic career spans institutions like the Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey, CA) and fellowships from prestigious bodies including the East West Center Honolulu and the Korea Foundation. Editorial Leadership: Editor-in-Chief of Democratization , and serves on editorial boards of journals like International Studies Review and Asian Politics & Policy . Research Focus: Comparative analysis of democracies and autocracies, civil-military relations, autocratization, democratic resilience, terrorism, and political violence in East/Southeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula. Advisory Roles: Member of academic advisory boards for institutions including the Sustainable Governance Indicators (SGI) and the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI). His recent publications examine democratic backsliding, civil-military dynamics in autocracies, and pandemic governance. Awards include fellowships from the National Endowment for Democracy and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. He has advised numerous PhD students and collaborates extensively with international scholars.
Prerna Agarwal is a Research Fellow at the Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient and holds a Marie Skłodowska Curie Action Fellowship at the Centre for Modern Indian Studies, University of Göttingen . Her work bridges Modern South Asian History , Global Labour History , and Postcolonial State Formation . Education : PhD in History (King’s College London, 2013-2018), MSc in Political Economy of Development (SOAS, 2011-2012), MA in Philosophy (University College London, 2009-2010), BA (Honors) in Economics (Miranda House, University of Delhi, 2006-2009). Her research explores the interplay between labour politics and state authoritarianism in postcolonial India, with a focus on events like the 1974 railway strike and the 1975 Emergency . She situates these within broader frameworks of crisis in the Third World and labour welfarism . The 2022-2024 period dominates her recent publications, covering topics from Calcutta dockworkers to plague responses . These works intersect social history , political economy , and authoritarianism studies . Scientific Awards : Marie Skłodowska Curie Action Fellow (2023-2026) Gerda Henkel Fellow (2022-2023) Teaching Fellow (Ashoka University, 2020) LSE Fellow (2017-2019) Prerna has taught courses on historical methods , European history , and economic history at institutions including the Indian Institute of Science , Ashoka University , and London School of Economics . Her research is funded by prestigious organizations, and she contributes to debates on democracy vs. authoritarianism in India.
Prof. Dr. Rachid Ouaissa serves as University Professor and Head of the Department of Middle Eastern Politics at the Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (CNMS), Philipps University of Marburg since March 2009. He concurrently holds affiliations with the Center for Interdisciplinary Religious Studies and Center for Conflict Research at the same institution, and maintains active roles in Berlin-based research networks including EUME and the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin. His academic formation includes a PhD from the University of Leipzig (2004) supervised by Prof. Hartmut Elsenhans, preceded by undergraduate studies at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (1994-1999) where he received the DAAD-Preis in 1997. His scholarly trajectory includes a Visiting Scholarship at Dalhousie University (2008) and prior research positions at the University of Leipzig. Ouaissa's research program centers on Middle Eastern and North African political dynamics with four interconnected pillars: cultural-identitarian political movements (comparing BJP in India and Algerian parties), moderate Islamist parties as potential EU partners, state-class behavior during resource scarcity (Iraq case study), and fundamentalist movement development (FIS in Algeria vs. Mahdia in Sudan). His conceptual innovation emphasizes blocked middle classes mobilizing religious identity to challenge state power, while his recent work develops 're-configuration' frameworks for understanding post-Arab Spring transformations. His publication trajectory from 1999-2021 reveals evolving scholarly priorities: early work focused on Algerian state formation and political Islam, shifting toward comparative cultural-identitarian movements (2007-2009), then moderate Islamist parties' foreign policy (2009-2012), with contemporary research addressing Hirak protests and theoretical re-configuration models. The corpus demonstrates consistent engagement with Algeria while expanding to regional comparative frameworks, particularly through co-edited volumes on Maghreb entanglements and MENA transformation processes. His scientific recognition includes: DAAD-Preis der Martin-Luther-Universität (1997) Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung PhD Fellowship (2000-2002) Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Scholarship (1998-1999) Professor Ouaissa has secured major research funding including two German Research Foundation (DFG) projects: 'New Cultural-Identitarian Political Movements' (2007-2009) and 'Moderate Islamist Parties as EU Partners' (2009-2012). He actively mentors emerging scholars through the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's doctoral programs and serves on its selection committees, while his policy engagement manifests through frequent media contributions analyzing Algerian protests and regional dynamics for outlets including Le Monde, El Watan, and Deutsche Welle. He leads the Department of Middle Eastern Politics at CNMS while contributing to the university's interdisciplinary research infrastructure through the Center for Interdisciplinary Religious Studies and Center for Conflict Research. His international scholarly integration is evidenced by co-editing the book series 'Politik und Gesellschaft des Nahen Ostens' and 'Studien zur Geschichte und Zeitgeschichte Westasiens und Nordafrikas', alongside editorial leadership of the journal META (Middle East Topics and Arguments).
Prof. Dr. Katharina Bluhm is Professor of Sociology with a focus on Eastern Europe at the Institute for Eastern European Studies (Osteuropa-Institut) at Freie Universität Berlin. She has served as Head of the Department of Sociology since 2011 and as Head of the Institute for East European Studies since 2014. Her academic career spans multiple prestigious institutions including Humboldt University, Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Harvard University, and the University of Osnabrück. Her educational background includes philosophy studies at Humboldt University and Lomonosov University in Moscow, followed by a shift to sociology after the fall of the Berlin Wall. She completed her doctoral degree at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin in 1987 and her habilitation at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena in 2004. Prof. Bluhm's research focuses on the illiberal-conservative turn in Russia and Eastern Central Europe, economic and social policy, and the role of elites. Her work combines theoretical frameworks from economic sociology, political sociology, and the sociology of knowledge to analyze post-Soviet transformations. She has made significant contributions to understanding the new Russian conservatism, varieties of capitalism in Eastern Europe, welfare state regimes, and business elites. Her recent research has examined Russia's conservative counter-movement, the relationship between business, state, and social welfare provision in Russian regions, and the development of illiberal conservatism in Eastern Europe. Her 2023 monograph "Russia and the West: Ideology, Economics, and Politics since the End of the Soviet Union" represents a major scholarly contribution that analyzes how Russian neoconservatives construct societal alternatives to the "West" through both civilizational demarcation and positioning Russia as the "other Europe" with a mission for Europe itself. Member of the foundation board of the Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS), Regensburg (since 2017) Member of the academic advisory board of the Center for East European and International Studies (ZOiS), Berlin (since 2017) Member of the advisory board of the Institute for European Politics (IEP) Berlin (since 2016) Member of the international advisory council of the Strategic Academic Unit for Social Development of the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), Moscow (since 2016) Editor of the online journal 'Employment and economy in Central and Eastern Europe' (emecon) (since 2011) Prof. Bluhm actively leads the Cluster of Excellence "Contestations of the Liberal Script" (SCRIPTS) as Principal Investigator for Research Unit "Orders." She has supervised numerous research projects including "GOVRUS - Variationen von Governance in hybriden Regimen" and "Ökonomische Eliten im erweiterten Europa." Her research colloquia regularly bring together international scholars to discuss pressing issues in Eastern European studies, with recent events addressing Ukraine's resilience, Russian conservatism, and transformations in post-Soviet societies. She remains deeply engaged in public intellectual discourse through events like the "Futuring the Liberal Script" discussion series.
GIGA German Institute of Global and Area StudiesGermany
Prof. Aurel Croissant is a Professor of Political Science at Heidelberg University's Institute of Political Science. His research focuses on comparative democracy, authoritarianism, civil-military relations, and political systems in Asia-Pacific. He holds editorial roles at journals like Democratization and has authored/co-authored over 300 publications. Key works include Democratic Regressions in Asia and Routes to Reform: Civil-Military Relations and Democracy in the Third Wave . He has been a Fellow at institutions such as the East West Center and the National Endowment for Democracy. His team includes doctoral candidates like Nikitas Scheeder. He advises on democratic resilience, autocratization, and regional governance, contributing to projects like the Bertelsmann Transformation Index and Sustainable Governance Indicators. Education: MA (1996), PhD (2001) from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz; postdoctoral work at Heidelberg University. Tenure-track Assistant Professor (2004) at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, before joining Heidelberg in 2006. Research Interests: Civil-military relations, democratization, authoritarianism, Asian politics, conflict studies. Notable Publications (2020–2025): Explores pandemic governance ( Democracy, State Capacity and the Governance of COVID-19 in Asia-Oceania ), democratic resilience, and regional militarization trends. Recent works analyze South Korea's democratic resilience, autocratization patterns in Asia, and military roles in authoritarian regimes. Awards & Fellowships: Recognized as a Fellow by the East West Center, Korea Foundation, and others. Editorships of journals and book series, including Democratization Special Issues Series .
GIGA German Institute of Global and Area StudiesGermany
Dr. Idriss Jebari is an Associate in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies at Trinity College Dublin. Previously held positions include Visiting Fellow at the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies (2023–2024), Bowdoin College (2017–2019), and the American University of Beirut (2016–2017). His research focuses on Maghreb intellectual history, decolonial thought, and political sociology. Research interests include Arab political thought, postcolonial intellectual trajectories, and transitional justice in North Africa. Key themes: nation-building processes, cultural heritage disputes, and the role of historians in decolonization. Active in analyzing Algerian-Moroccan relations and regional reconciliation models. Notable publications explore the Tunisian New Left, Abdallah Laroui’s historiography, and Franco-German reconciliation frameworks for North Africa. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary political dynamics, emphasizing marginalized voices in Maghreb historiography.
Dr. Irene Weipert-Fenner is a Senior Researcher and Project Director at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), serving as a member of its Executive Board since 2024 and coordinating the Research Group on Regime Competition since 2023. She holds a PhD from Goethe University Frankfurt (2013) and previously served as a Visiting Professor for Middle Eastern Politics at the University of Marburg (2019). Her research focuses on authoritarian regimes, political transformation, social movements, and socioeconomic conflicts in North Africa, with a particular emphasis on Egypt and Tunisia. Key projects include leading studies on IMF reforms, socioeconomic protests, and trust dynamics in social movements. She has authored or co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and books, including The Autocratic Parliament (2020) and edited volumes on clientelism and protests. Awards include the DAVO Dissertation Prize (2014). Her work bridges comparative politics, conflict studies, and regional expertise, addressing themes like democratization, protest dynamics, and geopolitical implications of regional conflicts. Affiliations: PRIF, University of Marburg (visiting role) Education: PhD in Political Science, Goethe University Frankfurt (2013) Research Groups: Regime Competition, Intra-state Conflict Key Projects: ConTrust initiative (2021–2025), Tunisian budget politics analysis Her research publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to understanding political economy, trust in social movements, and the interplay between socioeconomic grievances and authoritarian resilience. Recent work explores green hydrogen economies in North Africa and the erosion of democratic trust in Tunisia.
Timm Beichelt is a Professor of European Studies at the European University Viadrina, where he serves as Dean of the Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences and Head of the Master's degree programme in European Studies (MES). His research bridges political science and social/cultural sciences, focusing on democracy and autocracy in Central/Eastern Europe, EU foreign policy, and the intersection of football and politics. Doctorate in Political Science (University of Heidelberg, 2000, summa cum laude) Junior Professor at European University Viadrina (2003) Head of MES since 2003 Director of Viadrina Institute for European Studies (2017-2022) Head of Jean Monnet Policy Network 'ValEUs' (2024) His research explores democratic consolidation in post-socialist Europe, political emotions , and the politics of football as a transnational organizational field. Recent work analyzes EU foreign policy contradictions, autocratic practices in football, and emotional dynamics in governance. Articles reveal a focus on institutional hybridity, transnational networks, and late-modern societal contradictions. Recipient of the German Political Science Association (DVPW) Dissertation Prize (2000) Board member of Brandenburgische Landeszentrale für Politische Bildung (2019) Advisory Board member of Genshagen Foundation (2014) Co-spokesperson for DGO specialist group 'Political and Social Science' (2018) Beichelt leads the EU-funded 'ValEUs' research network and has contributed extensively to debates on democracy promotion, Europeanization, and the social dimension of political emotions. His career spans teaching, research, and leadership roles, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to European integration and political systems.
