Alexander Horstmann

Dr. Alexander Horstmann is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Sociology at Bielefeld University, specializing in the Sociology of Transnationalization and Social Anthropology under the Missbach Research Group. His work bridges global migration patterns, ethnic minority dynamics, and transnational humanitarian practices.

• Education: Not explicitly stated in the provided texts.

Horstmann’s research focuses on forced migration and humanitarianism in Southeast Asia, particularly among the Karen ethnic minority in Northwest Thailand and Northeast Myanmar. He traces refugee journeys from camps to Western destinations, analyzing transnational networks, postcolonial migration, and local aid mechanisms. His teaching spans peace and development, postdevelopment critiques, and politics of humanitarianism.

His recent publications include co-edited volumes like Building Noah's Ark (2022) and Routledge Handbook of Southeast Asian Borderlands (2023), with a monograph on Vernacular Humanitarianism (2025) in progress. Research also covers charismatic Buddhism in Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, as well as Puer tea cultures intersecting with China’s Belt and Road Project.

• Email: alexander.horstmann@uni-bielefeld.de
• Location: Building X, Main Street, Level C2 (Mailbox No. 391)
• Phone: +49 521 106-4639

His work engages with borderland studies, ritual exchange, and transnational aid systems, often challenging conventional frameworks for migration and development. Current projects explore how ethnic minority resilience and local religious practices intersect with global economic and political forces.