Philipp Baum

Philipp Baum is a doctoral candidate and research assistant at the Department of Ethnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, affiliated with Faculty of Philosophy I. His research focuses on political anthropology, particularly the ethnography of protests and social movements in East Germany. He examines left-wing conservatism through the lens of the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) party’s supporters, analyzing political polarization and biographical motivations.

Education:

• Bachelor's in Sociology and Ethnology (Universität Bremen & MLU Halle-Wittenberg)
• Master's research on Corona protest movements and constructions of conscience

Key Research Interests: Populism, (post-)liberalism, heterodox knowledge formations, and the impact of East-West German inequality. Current project explores BSW’s 'left-wing conservatism' and the role of 'peace with Russia' demands in political discourse.

Professional Affiliations: Collaborator on PECE (Platform for Collaborative Experimental Ethnography) and previously at ZIRS (Center for Interdisciplinary Research). Works under Prof. Dr. Olaf Zenker since 2024.