معرفی
Dr. Ulf Vierke serves as Akademischer Oberrat (Senior Academic Councillor) at the University of Bayreuth, where he directs the Iwalewahaus and holds multiple leadership positions including Member of the Executive Committee of the Institute of African Studies (IAS) and Member of the Management Board of the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS). His academic career spans over two decades at the University of Bayreuth, beginning with doctoral studies in Cultural Studies completed in 2004.
Dr. Vierke earned his Magister Artium in Social Anthropology, Ethnology, Islamic Studies, and Law at the University of Bayreuth in 1996, followed by his doctorate under Prof. Dr. Till Förster. His academic progression includes Research Fellow at the Iwalewahaus (2004-2009), Akademischer Rat (2009-2014), and promotion to Akademischer Oberrat in 2014. He has directed the Iwalewahaus since 2010 and coordinates the 'Revolution 3.0 – Iconography of Social Upheaval' research project.
His research focuses on contemporary African art and visual culture, with regional expertise in Angola, Tanzania, and Kenya. Dr. Vierke's scholarly work examines urban art scenes, photographic practices, and material culture, particularly glass beads and commerce. His approach bridges anthropology, art history, and cultural studies to explore how visual practices reflect and shape social and political transformations in African contexts. He has made significant contributions to understanding Angolan photography, carnival practices, and postcolonial artistic expression.
Dr. Vierke's publication record demonstrates a consistent engagement with revolutionary iconography, urban memory, and the transnational circulation of African art. His recent work explores how visual culture documents and influences social change, particularly in post-conflict societies. The thematic progression across his publications reveals an evolving focus from material culture studies to contemporary political visualities.
As University of Bayreuth's Commissioner for Handicapped Students & Students with Chronic Illnesses since 2012 and Deputy chair of Studentenwerk Oberfranken's representative assembly since 2014, Dr. Vierke demonstrates significant institutional commitment beyond his research responsibilities. His authorization to supervise doctoral students at BIGSAS underscores his standing as a senior academic mentor in African Studies.
