Alena Thiel

Alena Thiel is an Associate Professor at the Centre of African Studies within the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. Her research examines digital technologies' impact on state formation and knowledge systems across Africa, with primary field sites in Ghana, Senegal, Botswana, and Kenya.

Her core research areas include:

• State knowledge systems (biometric ID, census histories, DHIS2 health records)
• Digital governance (addressing systems, payment solutions, disaster risk datafication)
• African/feminist AI development and implementation
• Anthropology of the state through Science and Technology Studies (STS) frameworks

Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal concentrated analysis of health data infrastructures in Ghana, trust dynamics in Africa's global networks, and critical sociological examinations of digital identification. Her work consistently bridges anthropological theory with practical governance challenges in African contexts.

As an active member of the Centre of African Studies, she maintains interdisciplinary collaborations across multiple African countries and European institutions, with particular emphasis on Ghanaian research partnerships and editorial leadership for Africa Spectrum journal.