Lisa Tschörner

Lisa Tschörner serves as a Researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), where she leads work in the Megatrends Africa project and contributes to SWP Brussels initiatives. Her expertise centers on Sub-Saharan Africa's political and security dynamics, with institutional affiliation spanning both Berlin-based research and EU policy engagement contexts since 2022.

Her educational foundation includes an MA in International Conflict Studies from King's College London (2007-2008), which catalyzed over 15 years of field and research experience. Prior roles encompassed:

• Research Associate at University of Bremen (2016-2022) on DFG-funded conflict intervention studies
• Field operations with GIZ/Eirene across Sahel and Great Lakes regions (2009-2014)
• Freelance lecturing at Free University of Berlin (2014-2021)

Dr. Tschörner's research investigates conflict systems through three interconnected lenses: military governance dynamics following Sahelian coups, Western policy adaptation to authoritarian realities, and local-global narrative interactions (e.g., 'Trumpist' perceptions in Africa). Her work reveals how regimes consolidate power through perceived anti-imperialism while exposing contradictions in civil society engagement under authoritarianism.

Recent publications demonstrate consistent thematic evolution toward pragmatic policy frameworks for engaging military-led states. Analysis of Niger's failed jihadist dialogue (2024) and post-coup consolidation (2024) provides empirical grounding for her 2025 argument that Europe must develop differentiated engagement strategies reconciling member state interests with African political realities.

As a policy-oriented researcher, she maintains active grant funding through SWP's institutional framework and the Megatrends Africa project. Her collaboration network spans:

• SWP colleagues (Denis M. Tull, Lena Gutheil)
• EU policy institutions via SWP Brussels
• Academic partners from prior University of Bremen affiliation

Operating within SWP's Africa and Middle East research group, Dr. Tschörner contributes to Berlin's premier foreign policy think tank through evidence-based analysis that directly informs German and European security strategies. Her field-tested perspective bridges academic rigor and operational policy requirements in one of the world's most volatile regions.