Martin Lüthe

Dr. Martin Lüthe is a Researcher at the Department of Culture, John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies, Freie Universität Berlin. His academic career spans roles as a Gastprofessor (Visiting Professor) at the same institute (2022–2023) and an Einstein Junior Fellow (2019–2022), focusing on 'Critical Whiteness in Contemporary African American Media Networks.'

• Education: PhD (magna cum laude) from Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (2010), Magister from Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn (2006).

Research Interests include African American media networks, Hip Hop culture, digital gaming, and biopolitics. His work bridges popular culture, media history, and critical whiteness studies, with a focus on transatlantic cultural dynamics.

Recent Publications analyze media change in the Progressive Era, transmedial political practices in Hip Hop, and digital sports games. Articles span topics like MTV Cribs' neoliberal celebrity narratives, telephonic modernity, and epidemic imaginaries in gaming.

Scientific Awards include the Einstein Junior Fellowship, DAAD Stipend, and research grants from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and Terra Foundation.

Academic Leadership involves organizing workshops on the African Atlantic and co-editing Unpopular Culture. He also contributes to educational outreach for ESL teachers and participates in interdisciplinary colloquia.

Labs & Teams include the African Atlantic Research Group (AARG) and editorial roles at Eludamos: Journal for Computer Game Culture.