معرفی
Dr. Thorsten Winkelmann serves as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Political Science within the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy at Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU). His research focuses on infrastructure policy, political extremism, and federalism, with particular attention to societal resistance against energy infrastructure projects and movements like the Reichsbürger.
Dr. Winkelmann completed his academic credentials with a doctoral thesis around 2008 on cross-border leasing contracts, a Magister thesis in 2014 on public infrastructure deficits, and achieved his Habilitation in 2022 with the work "Die 'bewegte' Republik: Zum Stillstand verdammt? Neue Soziale Bewegungen in der Infrastrukturpolitik" (The 'Restless' Republic: Condemned to Standstill? New Social Movements in Infrastructure Policy).
His research spans infrastructure policy challenges, political extremism analysis, federalism studies, and South African politics. A recurring theme examines how societal movements influence infrastructure planning and implementation. His work on the Reichsbürger movement has gained prominence as concerns about right-wing extremism have increased in German society. He frequently collaborates with colleagues including J. Zimmermann, E. Fellner, and D. Spiegl on infrastructure and public administration topics.
Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2025) reveals consistent focus on infrastructure policy challenges, with increasing attention to energy transition issues. His work demonstrates interdisciplinary connections between political science, public administration, and energy policy, particularly examining how legal frameworks shape public project implementation and how societal resistance affects infrastructure development.
Dr. Winkelmann has contributed to edited volumes and special journal issues, including serving as Special Editor for "Infrastruktur und Infrastrukturpolitik" in the journal "Der moderne Staat" (2018). His collaborative research with Zimmermann on public audit and infrastructure development represents significant contributions to understanding practical governance challenges.
His office is located in Room 00.025 at Kochstr. 4, 91054 Erlangen, with office hours Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00-11:00 via Zoom. He can be reached at thorsten.winkelmann@fau.de.
