Mahmoud Abdallah is a Researcher at the Center for Islamic Theology , University of Tübingen, where he has worked since 2020. His career includes roles as Senior Scientist at the University of Innsbruck (2019–2020), Project Leader at ZITh (2016–2019), and Post-Doc researcher (2013–2018). He also held guest lectures at Marmara University (2017) and served as an Arabic Editor (2012–2013). Education : PhD in Comparative Linguistics (2012, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf), Master’s summa cum laude (2002, University of Minia), State Examination (1998, Al-Azhar University). Research Interests focus on Islamic Theology , Pastoral Care , Interreligious Dialogue , and Religious Institutions in Pluralistic Societies . He explores hermeneutics in Islamic counseling, Ḥisba in public order, and Umma dynamics in multicultural contexts. Recent Publications (2014–2022) analyze Qur’anic ambiguity , interfaith education , religious responses to crises (e.g., pandemic pastoral care), and Islamic social ethics . Key themes include Abrahamic unity , contextual theology , and religious hermeneutics . Scientific Awards : Master’s degree with summa cum laude distinction (University of Minia, 2002). Advising & Projects : Co-editor of Grundlagen muslimischer Seelsorge (2020) and Theologie des Zusammenlebens series (2017–2022). Led the 2016 project Scientific Education and Social Responsibility (Baden-Württemberg Ministry). Currently working on books about Prophetic Hermeneutics (2023) and Religious Transformations in Crisis (2022). Committee Memberships : Member of the German Islam Conference (since 2018), Scientific Advisory Boards at Zukunftsforum Islam e.V. (since 2017), and the DAVO (German Working Group on the Middle East, since 2009).
Catholic University of Eichstätt-IngolstadtGermany
Dr. Stefan Ihli serves as an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Theology at Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, specializing in Canon Law and Church Legal History. His academic career spans over two decades with continuous scholarly contributions to ecclesiastical jurisprudence. His research focuses primarily on canon law, with particular emphasis on marriage law within the Catholic Church, church-state relations, ecclesiastical courts, and church labor law. His scholarly work demonstrates deep engagement with both historical and contemporary aspects of canon law, examining how legal traditions interact with modern legal systems. Professor Ihli's publication record reveals a strong trend toward analyzing the intersection of church law with civil legal systems, particularly in Germany. His work frequently addresses practical applications of canon law in contemporary contexts, including marriage validity, labor relations within religious institutions, and constitutional dimensions of church autonomy. His expertise in Bavarian church law indicates regional specialization within the broader German context. Multiple reviews of significant works in canon law (2015-2024) Substantial contributions to marriage law in Catholic canon law Analysis of church-state relations in German constitutional context Examination of labor law within ecclesiastical institutions Historical studies of church legal structures Commentary on ecclesiastical court procedures His scholarly influence extends through numerous book chapters, journal articles, and editorial contributions to major reference works in canon law. Professor Ihli has participated in significant academic collaborations, contributing to Festschriften and edited volumes that shape contemporary canon law scholarship. His institutional affiliation with Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany's only Catholic university, positions him at a unique intersection of theological scholarship and legal expertise within the ecclesiastical context.
Professor Dr. Thilo Marauhn holds the Chair of Public Law and International Law at the Faculty of Law, Justus Liebig University Giessen, since 2001. He is also a Permanent Visiting Professor for Constitutional Theory at the University of Lucerne (Switzerland) and has served as Visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (USA) in 2005, 2008, and 2011. Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, Heidelberg (1990-2001) Scientific Advisory Board roles (BMZ, HSFK, UN Political Advisory Board) Research Interests include Public International Law, European Law, Human Rights, Environmental Law, Arms Control, and Constitutional Law. His work focuses on conflict resolution, international security, and the interplay between legal frameworks and global challenges like climate change and armed conflict. Publications & Contributions span monographs and edited volumes on topics such as social fundamental rights, environmental law, and international financial regulation. Recent articles analyze human rights fact-finding, religious freedom, and compliance mechanisms in international law. Leadership Roles encompass directing the International Summer University (ISU), co-leading the US-German Summer Law Program, and serving on the Board of the German-Polish Projects (DPWS).
Bedirhan Erdem is a researcher at the Chair of German and International Criminal Law at the Leuphana Law School , Leuphana University. His work focuses on Turkish criminal law, international criminal justice, and comparative legal systems. Criminal Law International Criminal Law Comparative Law Victim Rights Legal Theory Environmental Law His recent publications analyze judicial integrity, victim standing, and procedural reforms in Turkey, alongside broader debates on political crimes and ecocide. Themes include corporate criminal liability, antitrust regulation, and academic integrity. Dr. Erdem contributes to the Joachim Herz Doctoral School and the Center for European and International Law (CEIL) , mentoring doctoral candidates and engaging in structured Ph.D. programs. His research often intersects European and international legal frameworks.
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. Silvia von Steinsdorff serves as Professor of Comparative Democracy and the Political Systems of Eastern Europe at Humboldt University of Berlin's Institute of Social Sciences since 2009. She co-directs the Integrated Research Institute Law & Society (LSI) and holds the position of Vice Dean for Research and International Affairs at the Faculty of Humanities, Cultural, Educational and Social Sciences. Her research centers on political systems operating in the democracy-autocracy gray zone, with emphasis on de-democratization processes and institutions at the politics-law interface. Regional expertise spans Central and Eastern Europe (particularly Russia and post-Soviet states) and Turkey, examining constitutional courts, judicial independence, and authoritarian legal strategies. Current work analyzes threats to judicial autonomy across 40 Council of Europe states through the Einstein/Mercator-funded project "Judicial Autonomy under Authoritarian Attack". Publication trends reveal deepening focus on constitutional erosion mechanisms, with recent articles exploring rule of law backsliding, authoritarian parliamentary practices, and cross-national judicial reasoning patterns. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges political science and legal studies, consistently highlighting how formal institutions adapt under democratic stress. As co-founder and former director (2015-2018) of the Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences, she has shaped doctoral training while securing major research funding. Her leadership extends to curriculum development for international Master's programs and collaborative projects with European and Turkish scholars. Current administrative responsibilities include advancing research agendas as Vice Dean and steering LSI's interdisciplinary initiatives.
Dr. Deasy Simandjuntak is an Assistant Professor at the International College of Innovation, National Chengchi University (Taiwan), and an Associate Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) in Singapore. Her academic career includes roles such as Visiting Research Fellow at BRIN (Indonesia), Guest Professor at Thammasat University (Thailand), and Adjunct Associate Professor at NCCU. She holds a PhD in Political Anthropology from the University of Amsterdam (2010) and has extensive post-doctoral experience in Germany and the Netherlands. Her research focuses on Southeast Asian politics, democracy, ethnoreligious identity, and decentralization. Key projects include studies on Indonesia’s democratic challenges, religious nationalism, and the impact of the pandemic on socio-economic relations. She has edited volumes on Indonesia’s foreign policy and the nexus of technology and human rights in Southeast Asia. In 2021, she received the Taiwan Fellowship. Her work bridges political science and anthropology, with publications in journals like Asian Journal of Law and Society and East Asian Studies . She teaches courses on populism, authoritarianism, and comparative politics, emphasizing global south perspectives. Grants and collaborations include projects on Southeast Asian democracy (CAPAS, Academia Sinica) and religious freedom in ASEAN. She is affiliated with research networks across Asia and Europe, contributing to interdisciplinary dialogues on state-society dynamics and development policy. Her current research explores Indonesia’s pandemic response, Southeast Asian democratic trajectories, and religious-secular state relations. She remains active in policy discussions through media commentary and international conferences.
University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration North Rhine-WestphaliaGermany
Sarah Jadwiga Jahn is a Lecturer in Ethics, Intercultural Competence and Professional Role Reflection at the Police University of North Rhine-Westphalia (HSPV NRW), where she has been employed since October 2018. She serves as Spokesperson for the Institute for History and Ethics of Police and Public Administration (IGE) since 2022 and is Deputy Chair of the Senate Commission for Continuing Education, University Didactics and Media since 2024. Dr. Jahn earned her Magistra Artium in Religious Studies, Sociology and Philosophy from Universität Leipzig in 2009 and completed her doctoral dissertation on religious freedom in the German penal system in 2015. Her academic journey includes research positions at Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster. Dr. Jahn's research focuses on religious diversity, antisemitism, police education, and religious freedom in correctional facilities. Her work examines the intersection of religion, law, and public administration, with particular attention to how religious minorities navigate institutional settings like prisons and police forces. She has developed numerous educational programs addressing cultural and religious diversity in public service. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on antisemitism in police education and practice, examining police officers' perceptions of Jewish life and developing training approaches to address knowledge gaps. Her work also explores religious diversity in prisons, analyzing how religious freedom is implemented in correctional settings and addressing challenges related to Islamic chaplaincy services. Dr. Jahn leads several significant research projects including the BMBF-funded EMPATHIA³ project (2021-2025) on empowering police officers to address antisemitism, and the DFG Network on religious minorities and majorities in plural societies (2019-2023). EMPATHIA³ - EMpowering Police Officers and TeacHers in Arguing Against Antisemitism (2021-2025) DFG Network: Constellations of religious minorities and majorities in plural societies (2019-2023) Implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the city of Gelsenkirchen (2021-2023) Development of educational offerings on religious diversity for public administration Dr. Jahn has established herself as a leading expert in religious diversity within police education and correctional facilities, bridging academic research with practical applications in public service training and policy development.
Jerg Gutmann is a Junior Professor for Behavioral Law and Economics at the University of Hamburg, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of law, economics, and political science. His work spans constitutional compliance, migration studies, judicial independence, and the economic impacts of international sanctions. Affiliation: University of Hamburg Research Focus: Law & Economics, Political Science Projects: Principal Investigator for DFG-funded constitutional economics research; Affiliated Researcher with POLMIG Advisory Roles: Member of UNODC corruption measurement task force; Advisory Board for EU-PHILIPPINE ASEP energy program Research Trends: Analysis of constitutional compliance mechanisms, migration economics, sanctions efficacy, and judicial independence dynamics through empirical and behavioral frameworks. Grants & Memberships: Funded by German Research Foundation (DFG #525707184) for constitutional social contract research; active in international policy advisory capacities.
Prof. Dr. Felix Hartmann is a full professor of Civil Law and Labor Law at the Free University of Berlin since October 2016. His academic journey includes studies at the Universities of Tübingen and Fribourg (Switzerland), a legal state examination (2001), an LL.M. from Harvard Law School (2007), and a habilitation in Heidelberg (2012). He has held professorships at EBS Law School Wiesbaden (2013–2014) and the University of Hamburg (2014–2016) before his current position. His research focuses on labor law, civil law, and European legal frameworks, particularly addressing issues like collective bargaining, discrimination, and digitalization impacts. His work often bridges contractual freedom and social policy, with notable contributions on tariff contract validity, employment discrimination, and labor rights in the digital age. Recent publications explore fairness in cognitive testing (2025), transnational labor law (2024), and wage discrimination (2023). He advises on EU legal challenges and chairs the Institute for Labor Law at FU Berlin. His teaching emphasizes labor law digitalization and individual/collective labor rights.
Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International LawGermany
Giancarlo Anello is an Associate Professor of Culture and Legal Pluralism at Parma University, Italy. His work focuses on the intersection of constitutional law, religious freedom, and legal pluralism, particularly addressing challenges faced by religious minorities. Research Themes: Constitutional protections for religious minorities, regional administrative overreach, and anti-Islamophobic legal challenges in Italy. Key Contributions: Analysis of Italian Constitutional Court rulings nullifying discriminatory regional laws against mosques, emphasizing language rights and administrative discretion limits. The articles above (2015-2019) reflect his expertise in constitutional law and religious freedom, with specific attention to Lombardy and Veneto regional policies targeting Muslim communities. His work documents how Italian courts balance administrative authority with fundamental rights.
Prof. Dr. Emanuel V. Towfigh is a Professor of Law & Economics at EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht in Wiesbaden and Chair of Public Law, Empirical Legal Research, and Legal Economics at EBS Law School. He is also Vice Dean of Research at EBS Law School and a Max Planck Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg. His academic roles include leading the Stiftung Mercator-funded Center for Diversity in Law and directing the BRYTER Center for Digitalization & Law. He holds a doctorate (Dr. iur.) from the University of Münster, where he also habilitated in 2014. His research focuses on constitutional law, legal economics, digitalization of law, and religious pluralism. Notable awards include the 2005 Dissertation Prize and the 2015 Münster University Society Prize. His recent publications emphasize empirical legal studies, diversity in legal systems, and digitalization challenges. Key works include analyses of algorithmic decision-making in anti-discrimination law and the legal status of religious communities. He co-edits the German Law Journal and has contributed to international legal encyclopedias. Prof. Towfigh advises on legal education reforms, including the Hessian constitutional right to education and digital legal education formats. His interdisciplinary work bridges law, economics, and social sciences, addressing modern challenges like migration policies and institutional reform.
Astrid Reuter is a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Münster and a Principal Investigator in the Cluster of Excellence 'Religion and Politics.' She holds leadership roles, including Director of the Centre for Religion-related Studies and Deputy Dean for Finance and Personnel in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Her academic journey includes a Habilitation in Religious Studies (2012) and a PhD from the University of Bremen (1999), with advanced studies in Paris and extensive research stays in Brazil and Colombia. Her research focuses on religious diversity, legal-political unity, sociology of religion, and Latin American religions. Key projects include examining the dynamics of religious practice's de-institutionalization and re-institutionalization, and legal conflicts around religion in Germany and internationally. She leads interdisciplinary research teams and has coordinated projects within the Cluster of Excellence. Publications highlight theoretical contributions to religious studies, law-religion intersections, and comparative analyses of religious movements. Her work bridges empirical research and sociological theory, addressing topics like Afro-Brazilian religions, charismatic Catholicism, and secularization trends. She teaches courses on religious diversity, methodology, and regional religious practices, contributing to both undergraduate and postgraduate education. Professional activities include editorial roles, international collaborations, and service in academic associations like the German Sociological Association’s Sociology of Religion section. Her work emphasizes critical engagement with religious pluralism, legal frameworks, and societal dynamics, reflecting a commitment to interdisciplinary and global perspectives.
Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International LawGermany
Emanuel Vahid Towfigh is a Professor of Public Law, Empirical Legal Research and Law & Economics at EBS University of Business and Law in Germany. He holds the Chair in Public Law at EBS Law School and is Professor of Law & Economics at EBS Business School. Since October 2024, he serves as a Max Planck Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg, where he heads the Center for Diversity in Law funded by Stiftung Mercator. He is also Director of the BRYTER Center for Digitalization & Law and supports the EBS Diversity & Refugee Law Clinic. Additionally, he is a Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Peking University's School of Transnational Law and a Research Affiliate at the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods. Having earned his doctorate from the University of Münster in 2005 with a thesis on religious communities (focusing on the Bahá'í faith), Towfigh completed his habilitation at the same university in 2014 with his work 'The Party Paradox.' His academic journey includes research positions at the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods (2007-2016), a Global Fellowship at NYU School of Law (2011/12), and a Visiting Professorship at the University of Virginia School of Law (2012/13). He served as Dean of EBS Law School from 2018 to 2020 and has been Vice Dean for Research since 2023. Towfigh's research spans interdisciplinary governance, combining interests in public and constitutional law, democracy theory, religious constitutional law, party law, municipal law, European law, and corporate law. His work employs doctrinal, comparative, economic, and empirical methodologies. His recent publications reflect a strong focus on diversity in law, algorithmic decision-making systems, digitalization's impact on legal frameworks, and the intersection of constitutional principles with contemporary social challenges. The trend in his scholarship shows increasing attention to how legal systems can accommodate diversity while maintaining constitutional principles, with growing emphasis on digital governance and algorithmic fairness. 2005 Dissertation Prize by the University of Münster 2015 Prize for the Promotion of Young Academics by the University Society of Münster Member of Young Academy at Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Leopoldina (2011-2016) As Co-Editor in Chief of the German Law Journal since 2016 (previously Editor since 2011), Towfigh has significantly shaped scholarly discourse in comparative constitutional law. His leadership extends to directing the BRYTER Center for Digitalization & Law, which focuses on legal education in the digital age and the intersection of law and technology. He also heads the Center for Diversity in Law, examining how legal systems can better address diversity perspectives. Towfigh serves on the supervisory board of Freudenberg SE and as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'í Community in Germany. His professional memberships include the Vereinigung der Deutschen Staatsrechtslehrer, International Society of Public Law (ICON•S), and Society for Empirical Legal Studies. Through the BRYTER Center, Towfigh has pioneered innovative teaching approaches including 'Legal Engineering' courses and workshops on legal tech automation. His 'Smartbook Fundamental Rights' integrates 67 learning videos with traditional legal education. The Center for Diversity in Law under his direction examines diversity perspectives in legal research, law as an instrument for managing human diversity, and legal pluralism.
Prof. Dr. Felix Hartmann is a full professor of Civil Law and Labor Law at the Freie Universität Berlin since October 2016, holding the Chair of Bürgerliches Recht und Arbeitsrecht. He previously held positions at the Universität Hamburg (2014-2016), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (2012-2013), and Heidelberg University. He earned his LL.M. from Harvard Law School and completed his habilitation in 2012. His academic career includes roles as an academic researcher, lecturer, and visiting scholar. Education:法学博士, 2007 (Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen), Harvard LL.M. (2006-2007), and habilitation (2012, Heidelberg). He specialized in private law, labor law, and comparative law during his academic journey. Research focuses on labor law, civil law, European labor regulations, collective bargaining, digitalization in labor relations, and employment discrimination. He has authored monographs like Negative Tarifvertragsfreiheit im deutschen und europäischen Arbeitsrecht (2014) and contributes to leading journals such as Zeitschrift für Arbeitsrecht and Europäische Zeitschrift für Arbeitsrecht . Teaching includes advanced courses on labor law, civil law, and digitalization’s impact on employment. Recent lectures address AI in HR, gender bias in employment, and religious symbols in workplace contracts. He advises three PhD students (Julian Dieckmann, Benjamin Herting, Karl Huhn) and collaborates with research staff (Jennifer Gareis-Purper, Judith Hantel, etc.). His editorial roles include co-editing Zeitschrift für Arbeitsrecht and Europäische Zeitschrift für Arbeitsrecht . Labor Law Institute at Freie Universität Berlin serves as his primary research hub, exploring contemporary labor law challenges like digital labor, union rights, and employment discrimination.
