Hans Jonas Gunzelmann

Hans Jonas Gunzelmann is a postdoctoral researcher at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, affiliated with the Center for Civil Society Research. His work focuses on political sociology, organizational sociology, and social movements, with a particular emphasis on civil society, nationalism, and the far right.

• PhD in Political Science and Sociology (2021), Scuola Normale Superiore, Florence
• Postdoctoral Fellow (2022–2023), Institute of Sociology, Freie Universität Berlin

Gunzelmann’s research investigates how civil society organizations respond to far-right interventions, the organizational basis of secessionist protests, and the impact of critical junctures on movement cohesion. His work combines qualitative and quantitative methods, including protest event data, interviews, and network analysis.

Recent publications analyze the Catalan independence movement, counter-surveillance tactics, and strategies to combat far-right politicization. His projects are funded by the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) and the Friends of the WZB e.V.

• Fritz Thyssen Foundation Scholarship

Gunzelmann collaborates with institutions across Europe, including Freie Universität Berlin, Scuola Normale Superiore, and Technical University Berlin. His research bridges academic inquiry with practical civil society engagement, emphasizing transdisciplinary approaches to contemporary political challenges.