Silke Heumann

Silke Heumann is an Assistant Professor in the Major Social Justice Perspectives at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam. She holds a PhD from the University of Amsterdam (2010) and a Licenciatura from the Central American University (UCA, Nicaragua, 1998). Her research focuses on Gender and Sexuality Studies, Social Movements, and Latin American Politics, with a particular emphasis on Nicaragua. She explores intersections of power, discourse, and structural inequality, including work on feminist movements, ultra-conservative politics, and sex workers' rights. At ISS, she contributes to initiatives like the Sexuality Research Initiative (SRI) and Civic Innovation Research Initiative (CIRI), and affiliates with Governance, Globalization and Social Justice (GGSJ).

• Education:
  • PhD in Sociology, University of Amsterdam (2010)
  • MA in Sociology, University of Amsterdam (2003, honors)
  • Licenciatura, Central American University (1998, honors)
• Research Interests: Intersectionality, structural violence, anti-trafficking policies, labor rights in the sex industry, and the socio-political dynamics of Nicaragua.
• Recent Work: Collaborates with sex worker organizations to analyze labor precarity and the impact of migration governance. Her book Gender, Sexuality and Social Justice critiques dominant development discourses.

Her teaching spans Sociology, Gender Studies, and Latin American Studies, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. She has advised one student (details not specified) and contributed to policy-oriented research on humanitarian crises and institutional accountability.