Wolfgang Gabbert

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Gabbert is a Professor of Development Sociology and Cultural Anthropology at the Institute of Sociology, Leibniz University Hannover. He serves as Chair and Deputy Chair of the Audit Committee and represents professors in multiple examination boards for social sciences and sociology programs. His research focuses on Mesoamerica, Central America, and East Africa, covering topics like ethnological theory, development sociology, ethnicity and nationalism, social movements, legal pluralism, and the anthropology of violence.

• Education: Diploma in Sociology (1985), Doctorate in Philosophy (1991), Habilitation (2000) at Free University of Berlin

His fieldwork spans decades: 1986 research on African-American minorities in Costa Rica/Nicaragua; 1993–present extensive ethnological studies in Mexico on ethnicity, social inequality, and indigenous movements. Key publication themes include cultural change under colonialism, interethnic conflicts, and political anthropology. He co-edits academic series like Jahrbuch Lateinamerika and leads research projects on ethnicity and the Caste War of Yucatán.

Professional roles include:

• 1990–1994: Research assistant at University of Hanover
• 1995–2002: Research Associate at Free University of Berlin
• 2002–present: Professorship at Leibniz University Hannover
• Leadership in Center for Atlantic and Global Studies