Marthe Achtnich

Dr. Marthe Achtnich serves as Assistant Professor in Development Studies at the Centre of Development Studies within the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at the University of Cambridge, where she holds a University Teaching Officer position. Her academic profile bridges anthropology and political science through interdisciplinary research on global development challenges.

Education Background:

• DPhil (PhD) in Anthropology, School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford
• MPhil in Migration Studies, School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford

Research Expertise:

Dr. Achtnich's scholarly work centers on Development Studies with specialized focus in Political Anthropology and Migration Studies. Her research examines socio-political dynamics in developing contexts through anthropological lenses, particularly analyzing migration flows and their intersection with international political structures. This interdisciplinary approach generates critical insights into contemporary global challenges by combining ethnographic methods with political theory frameworks. Her work contributes significantly to understanding power relations in development discourse and practice.

Professional Trajectory:

Prior to her Cambridge appointment, Dr. Achtnich held prestigious fellowships including a Junior Research Fellowship (Fellow by Examination) in Anthropology at Magdalen College, University of Oxford, and a Wiener-Anspach Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Laboratoire d’Anthropologie des Mondes Contemporains (LAMC), Université Libre de Bruxelles. These positions established her comparative research perspective across European and global development contexts.