Clara-Auguste Süß

Dr. Clara-Auguste Süß is a postdoctoral researcher and Associate Fellow at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), where she contributes to the Research Department Intrastate Conflict and the Research Group Radicalization, Terrorism, and Extremism Prevention. Since May 2024, she has also served as Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Outreach & Transfer Manager at the Merian Centre for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM), hosted by the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA). Her work bridges academic research and policy engagement in the fields of political violence, social movements, and extremism in North Africa.

Education:

• PhD in Political Science, Goethe University Frankfurt (2023)
• M.A. in Political Science, Philipps University Marburg (2017)
• B.A. in Political Science and Communication Studies, TU Dresden (2014)

Her research centers on Islamist radicalization processes, political transformation, and marginalization in Tunisia, particularly in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. She investigates how socioeconomic grievances, political opportunities, and framing processes contribute to radicalization, with a strong emphasis on empirical and policy-relevant analysis. Her work also explores co-escalation dynamics in contentious politics and the impact of global crises—such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine—on extremist mobilization in the MENA region.

Dr. Süß’s recent publications reflect a consistent focus on comparative studies of Egypt and Tunisia, the role of state and societal responses to extremism, and interdisciplinary approaches to peace and conflict research. Her articles span academic journals, policy briefs, and public commentary, demonstrating a commitment to knowledge transfer and public engagement.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship (2015–2017)

She has actively contributed to academic governance as a Board Member of the EuroMeSCo Young Researchers Lab (2022–2023), Representative of the PRIF board for assistants (2021–2023), and member of the Leibniz PhD Network (2019–2021). Her advisory role is implied through collaborative publications and leadership in research projects, though no formal PhD students are listed. She has been involved in major research alliances such as PRIF’s Radicalization, Extremism, and Terrorism Prevention group and contributes to high-impact policy assessments like the Friedensgutachten. Her work is embedded in transnational research networks focused on the Maghreb, social movements, and conflict prevention.