Michaela Pelican

Michaela Pelican is Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Cologne, where she also serves as Rector’s Representative for International Affairs and Spokesperson of the Global South Studies Center (GSSC). She leads the international research unit on 'The Production and Reproduction of Social Inequalities' and the DFG research unit 5183 on 'Transborder Mobility and Institutional Dynamics'. Her academic journey includes prior positions at the University of Zurich, Kyoto University, and the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology.

Education:

• PhD in Anthropology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
• MA in Anthropology, Philosophy, and Religious Studies, University of Bayreuth

Research Interests: Michaela Pelican’s work centers on transnational migration within the Global South, with a focus on Africa-Gulf and Africa-China mobilities. She investigates ethnicity, indigeneity, conflict, and social inequality through innovative audio-visual and participatory methodologies. Her regional expertise spans Cameroon, Gabon, South Africa, the UAE, and southern China. She critically examines how global rights discourses intersect with local identities and how migration shapes citizenship, belonging, and economic practices.

Publication Trends: Her recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary focus on decolonizing academia, social inequality, and transnational citizenship. She combines ethnographic depth with visual storytelling, often co-producing documentaries and multimedia outputs. Her work increasingly addresses the role of media, performance, and representation in shaping migrant identities and intercultural encounters.

Scientific Recognition:

• Principal Investigator, DFG Research Unit 5183
• Director, Conflict-Induced Displacement and Socio-Economic Resilience Project
• Speaker, Global South Studies Center Cologne
• Fellow, Morphomata International Center for Advanced Studies (2018/19)

Advising and Grants: Michaela Pelican has supervised multiple doctoral theses on African migration to China, intercultural families, and student experiences. She has led major funded projects including 'Chinese Immigration Law and Policy' (2014–2019), 'Global African Entrepreneurs' (2007–2014), and VW-funded research on social inequalities. Her collaborative, interdisciplinary approach involves partners across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

Labs and Teams: She leads the research cluster on conflict-induced displacement and socio-economic resilience, co-directs the GSSC, and has developed research-oriented teaching programs in methodology. Her team includes researchers, filmmakers, and students engaged in visual anthropology, migration studies, and participatory fieldwork.