Boris Nieswand

Boris Nieswand is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Tübingen, where he has been working since 2012, first as a Junior Professor and then as a full Professor since September 2017. He currently serves as Deputy Director of the Institute of Sociology. His academic journey includes positions at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology and the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity.

His educational background includes:

• Doctorate in Ethnology from Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg (2008)
• Diploma in Sociology from Bielefeld University (2000)

Nieswand's research focuses on migration and diversity, urban studies, cultural sociology, and the sociology of morals. He has conducted extensive ethnographic research projects in Europe, Africa, and Latin America, examining transnational migration, diversity in public administration, and moral dimensions of migration societies. His work often explores how societies navigate diversity and threat perceptions, particularly in urban contexts.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on moral dimensions of migration and diversity, with particular attention to how moral frameworks shape migration discourse and policy. He has been increasingly examining the intersection of migration, diversity, and moral reasoning, with several publications on 'moralization' processes in migration contexts. His work also addresses urban diversity, street naming conflicts, and the social dynamics of threat perception in diverse societies.

Scientific awards:

• 2016 Thomas A. Herz Prize for Qualitative Social Research of the German Sociological Association

Nieswand has led several significant research projects, including work within the SFB 923 'Threatened Orders' research program, where he examined diversity in urban contexts in the Global South. He has also directed projects on refugee accommodations in Baden-Württemberg and on urban diversity and public administration. His collaborative work with Ewald Frie on crisis research has resulted in notable publications including 'Krisen anders Denken' (Thinking about crises differently).

He is actively involved in the Institute of Sociology at Tübingen, supervising research and teaching courses on migration research, morality and migration, and sociology of violence. His current research continues to explore the moral dimensions of migration societies and how moral frameworks shape social inclusion and exclusion processes.