Fabian Hofmann

Fabian Hofmann is a Lecturer and doctoral researcher in Technology and Governance (TaG) at the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences at ETH Zurich. His work bridges urban studies, digital governance, and peacebuilding through an interdisciplinary lens.

His educational background includes a Master's degree in International Relations and Political Science from the Geneva Graduate Institute, where his thesis "Sousveilling the Smart City" was funded by the Genfer Asien-Gesellschaft and awarded the Prix Arditi 2024 for the best Master's thesis in International Relations.

Hofmann's research examines the complex relationship between digital technologies and urban peacebuilding, focusing on three key areas: (1) socio-material practices driving the digital upgrading of urban security infrastructures, (2) risk externalization in digitalized international relations through ethical frameworks, and (3) resistance repertoires deployed by urban residents against negative impacts of smartification. His SNF-funded doctoral project "Securing Urban Peace" conducts a comparative analysis of smart city infrastructures in three post-conflict contexts: Northern Ireland, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, using multi-sited ethnography that combines discourse analysis, visual and participatory methods.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on the ethical dimensions of PeaceTech, urban surveillance, and digital sovereignty, with notable contributions in International Affairs and proceedings from the International Studies Association. His work consistently explores how technological solutions intersect with social power dynamics in urban security contexts.

Hofmann has received significant recognition for his work, including:

• Prix Arditi 2024 for International Relations
• Special commendation from IHEID International Relations/Political Science Department (2023)
• Competitive field research grant from Association Genève Asie (2023)

Before joining ETH Zurich, Hofmann worked as a Junior Researcher in the SNF Ambizione Project "An apomediated peace?" with the Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding, served civil service at swisspeace, and contributed to research at the Edgelands Institute. He currently serves as Communications Officer for the Journal of International Relations and Development and is a Junior Organiser of "DoingIPS Switzerland," fostering critical interdisciplinary exchange among scholars of international political sociology. His professional memberships include the Swiss Association for the Studies of Science, Technology and Society (STS-CH), European International Studies Association (EISA), and Schweizerische Vereinigung für Politische Wissenschaft (SVPW).