Janina Stürner-Siovitz

Dr. Janina Stürner-Siovitz is a postdoctoral research fellow and project leader at the Institute of Political Science and the Centre for Human Rights Erlangen-Nürnberg at Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg. She specializes in migration governance within complex multi-level systems, with a particular focus on city diplomacy and the role of urban authorities in migration policy-making at global, European, and African levels. Her current work centers on the 'Equal Partnerships' project examining African intermediary cities as actors in urban migration governance.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Political Sciences from Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (summa cum laude)
• Franco-German master's degree in International Relations with focus on migration policies
• Franco-German bachelor's degree in Political Sciences from Sciences Po Aix and University of Freiburg

Stürner-Siovitz's research focuses on migration governance in multi-level systems, with particular emphasis on how cities interact with states and international actors in implementing the Global Compacts for Migration and Refugees. She examines city diplomacy in regional and global migration governance across Europe, Africa, and UN systems, with special attention to AU-EU relations, climate mobility, and empowerment in protracted displacement situations. Her work bridges local experience from her time with the City of Stuttgart with transnational research on migration policy networks.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on African urban governance in migration contexts, with increasing attention to climate mobility and intermediary cities. Her work demonstrates how municipal authorities are becoming key actors in transnational migration governance, challenging traditional nation-state centered approaches. She consistently examines how local-global connections shape migration policy implementation and how cities develop innovative approaches to migration governance that transcend national frameworks.

Her notable affiliations and recognitions include:

• Visiting Fellow of the German Marshall Fund of the United States
• Research Associate of the City Diplomacy Lab
• Non-Resident Fellow of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs
• Peer reviewer for the UN Network on Migration Knowledge Platform
• Member of UNHCR's Global Academic Interdisciplinary Network

Stürner-Siovitz has developed significant policy impact through commissioned work for major international organizations. Her research has informed policy processes for the European Commission, German Federal Foreign Office, UN agencies, and numerous foundations. She has extensive experience designing evaluation processes, workshops, and policy papers that bridge academic research and practical governance needs. Her current 'Equal Partnerships' project represents a continuation of her longstanding work on how cities shape migration governance, now with a specific focus on African intermediary cities and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Her field work spans Belgium, Germany, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Uganda, and the United States, providing her with firsthand experience across diverse migration contexts. This global perspective informs her analysis of how local authorities navigate the complex challenges of migration governance in different political and cultural settings.