Prof. Dr. Alexander Stroh-Steckelberg is Professor of Political Science with a focus on African Politics & Development Policy at the University of Bayreuth since 2022. He serves as Deputy Head of the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) until 2025 and has held prior roles as Junior Professor and Senior Fellow at BIGSAS (2015–2021). His academic career includes research associate positions at the GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies (2006–2015) and teaching roles at the Universities of Abomey-Calavi, Heidelberg, and Lüneburg. Stroh-Steckelberg’s research spans comparative democracy studies , judicial politics , electoral systems , political party dynamics , and development policy in Africa, with regional expertise in Francophone West Africa and Rwanda . His work emphasizes institutional diffusion, informal networks in courts, and the interplay between formal and informal governance structures. Recent publications reveal a focus on judicial appointment policies , electoral manipulation , and local governance challenges across Africa. He contributes to methodological advancements in comparative area studies and network analysis , particularly in non-Western democracies. Stroh-Steckelberg is actively involved in academic communities including the American Political Science Association , German Political Science Association , and Association for African Studies in Germany .
Hans Beck serves as Professor of Greek History at the University of Münster (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität) since 2018, with an additional appointment as Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Arts at McGill University. His academic career includes previous positions as Professor of Ancient History and Director of Classical Studies at McGill University (2005-2018), Heisenberg Fellow at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt (2004-2005), and Research Assistant at the University of Cologne (1997-2004). Beck earned his academic training through doctoral studies at the Universities of Erlangen, Canterbury, and Cambridge (1989-1996), followed by a fellowship at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, DC (2001-2002). His educational background reflects a strong international foundation in classical studies. His research spans multiple interconnected fields within ancient history, with particular emphasis on the history and culture of ancient Greece, historical geography of Greece, environmental studies of the ancient Greek world, political culture of the Roman Republic, and ancient historiography. Beck's work consistently explores themes of localism, federalism, and political structures across ancient societies, with notable contributions to understanding Greek city-states, regional identities, and comparative political systems. His approach often bridges geographical, historical, and cultural perspectives to examine how ancient communities organized themselves politically and maintained regional identities within larger frameworks. Analyzing his recent publications reveals a sustained focus on local political structures within broader contexts, particularly examining how Greek city-states maintained autonomy while participating in federal leagues. His work increasingly incorporates comparative approaches, connecting Greek political structures with those of Rome and even ancient China, reflecting his editorial work on cross-cultural studies. Beck demonstrates particular expertise in analyzing how physical landscapes shaped political organization and how religious practices reinforced regional identities. Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2018) Anneliese Maier Research Award from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (2014) Heisenberg Fellowship from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (2004) Doctoral scholarship from German Academic Exchange Service (1995) Doctoral scholarship from Hanns Seidel Foundation (1994) Beck has supervised numerous doctoral students including Jordan Christopher (2022), Chandra Giroux (2021), Wentian Fu (2020), Rebecca Robinson (2017), Alex McAuley (2015), and François Gauthier (2015), covering diverse topics from ancient Qin and Macedon to cult practices in ancient empires. His academic leadership extends to directing research projects B3-49 'Belonging in/to Lakonia' and B3-40 'Localism and Religion in Ancient Greece' within the Excellence Cluster focusing on 'Religious Diversity and Legal-Political Unity.' As head of the project 'Belonging in/to Lakonia' and 'Localism and Religion in Ancient Greece,' Beck leads interdisciplinary research teams examining archaeological and historical evidence from the Sanctuary of Apollo at Amyklai and its surroundings. His work integrates textual analysis with material culture studies, creating comprehensive approaches to understanding ancient regional identities and religious practices. Beck's leadership in these projects demonstrates his commitment to bridging traditional disciplinary boundaries in classical studies.
Renate Sachse is a Researcher at the Chair of Structural Analysis, Technical University of Munich (TUM), where she has worked since May 2024. Previously, she held postdoctoral positions at Harvard University's Bertoldi Lab (2024) and TUM's Chair of Computational Mechanics (2021-2024), following academic staff roles at the University of Stuttgart (2015-2020). Her interdisciplinary work bridges civil engineering, biomechanics, and computational modeling. Her educational foundation includes a Master's in Civil Engineering from the University of Stuttgart (2014; thesis: 'Isogeometric contact analysis of thin-walled structures') and a Bachelor's from the same institution (2011; thesis: 'A Primary School Pavilion for Magagula in South Africa - Structural Analysis'). She also completed ERASMUS studies at ESTP Paris and internships at Foster + Partners and Werner Sobek AG. Dr. Sachse's research centers on biomechanics and biomimetics, with pioneering work on plant-inspired structures. She investigates snapping mechanisms in carnivorous plants (Venus flytrap, waterwheel plant) to develop bio-inspired adaptive systems, soft robotics, and metamaterials. Her expertise spans motion design for large-deformation structures, isogeometric analysis, and hygroscopic actuation in 4D-printed materials, emphasizing computational modeling of contact mechanics and structural stability. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant focus on biomechanics (60% of articles), particularly plant movement mechanics translated into engineering solutions. Her work consistently integrates computational structural analysis with biological principles, showing increasing emphasis on motion design (25% of recent output) and additive manufacturing applications (15%). Key trends include translating snap-buckling phenomena into robotics and developing material design spaces for responsive structures. Her distinguished awards include the Bertha Benz Prize (2022), Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellowship (2022-2024), and University of Stuttgart Publication Award (2022). Additional recognition comprises GAMM Juniors Fellowship (2020-2022), AVK Innovation Award (2017), and Emil Mörsch Study Prize (2014). She has secured independent funding through the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund for high-risk interdisciplinary projects and participates in collaborative initiatives including CoDA, MistralWind, WINSENT, and FlexWing. While teaching advanced courses at TUM (Advanced Finite Element Methods, Theory of Plates), her mentorship focuses on computational mechanics and biomimetic design principles. Currently based at TUM's Chair of Structural Analysis under Prof. Bletzinger, she maintains active collaboration with Harvard University's Bertoldi Lab in developing next-generation adaptive structures.
Mahmoud Abdallah is a Researcher at the Center for Islamic Theology , University of Tübingen, where he has worked since 2020. His career includes roles as Senior Scientist at the University of Innsbruck (2019–2020), Project Leader at ZITh (2016–2019), and Post-Doc researcher (2013–2018). He also held guest lectures at Marmara University (2017) and served as an Arabic Editor (2012–2013). Education : PhD in Comparative Linguistics (2012, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf), Master’s summa cum laude (2002, University of Minia), State Examination (1998, Al-Azhar University). Research Interests focus on Islamic Theology , Pastoral Care , Interreligious Dialogue , and Religious Institutions in Pluralistic Societies . He explores hermeneutics in Islamic counseling, Ḥisba in public order, and Umma dynamics in multicultural contexts. Recent Publications (2014–2022) analyze Qur’anic ambiguity , interfaith education , religious responses to crises (e.g., pandemic pastoral care), and Islamic social ethics . Key themes include Abrahamic unity , contextual theology , and religious hermeneutics . Scientific Awards : Master’s degree with summa cum laude distinction (University of Minia, 2002). Advising & Projects : Co-editor of Grundlagen muslimischer Seelsorge (2020) and Theologie des Zusammenlebens series (2017–2022). Led the 2016 project Scientific Education and Social Responsibility (Baden-Württemberg Ministry). Currently working on books about Prophetic Hermeneutics (2023) and Religious Transformations in Crisis (2022). Committee Memberships : Member of the German Islam Conference (since 2018), Scientific Advisory Boards at Zukunftsforum Islam e.V. (since 2017), and the DAVO (German Working Group on the Middle East, since 2009).
Prof. Dr. Bernd Lucke is a full professor at the University of Hamburg , affiliated with the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences and Department of Economics . He holds the Chair for Economic Growth and Business Cycles and has been active in research, teaching, and public policy discourse. Research Interests : Macroeconomics, Monetary Policy, European Economic Policy, Business Cycles, Econometrics, Development Policy, and Public Finance. Publications : His recent work (2025–2020) focuses on synthetic control methods for EU monetary analysis, ECB policy critiques, debt sustainability, digital currency legislation, and expropriation impacts on FDI. Earlier works span econometric testing of Ricardian equivalence, productivity shocks, and growth modeling. Media Contributions : Regular political commentary in outlets like Cicero and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung , often critiquing ECB decisions, EU fiscal integration, and inflation dynamics. Contact : bernd.lucke@uni-hamburg.de
Prof. Dr. iur. Dipl.-Soz. Marion Albers holds the Chair for Public Law, Information and Communication Law, Health Law and Legal Theory at the Faculty of Law, University of Hamburg. She has been a Full Professor at Hamburg University since October 2009 and serves as Managing Director of multiple research institutions including the Cyber Law Clinic and the Hamburg Center for Bio-Governance. Her academic career spans prestigious positions at the University of Augsburg, Humboldt-University Berlin, and international collaborations with institutions in Brazil, Japan, and the United States. Education: Studies of Law, Sociology, Political Sciences and Economy at the Free University of Berlin and University of Bielefeld State Exam in Law and Diploma in Sociology Doctorate of Law in Crime Prevention and Provisions for Prosecution at University of Bielefeld Habilitation in Informational Self-Determination at Humboldt-University Berlin Professor Albers' research focuses on the intersection of law, technology, and human rights, with particular expertise in data protection law, digital constitutionalism, bioethics, and health law. Her work examines how traditional legal frameworks adapt to emerging technological challenges, especially regarding informational self-determination in the digital age. She has pioneered research on the horizontal effect of fundamental rights, the legal implications of biotechnologies, and the balance between security measures and privacy protections. Her scholarship consistently bridges theoretical legal concepts with practical applications in rapidly evolving technological contexts. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward digital constitutionalism, with increasing focus on data subject rights within digital governance frameworks. Her work demonstrates sophisticated engagement with EU data protection regulations while simultaneously exploring comparative approaches across jurisdictions including Japan and Brazil. A consistent thread throughout her scholarship is the exploration of how constitutional principles apply in digital environments, particularly regarding the protection of personal data as a fundamental right. Scientific Awards and Fellowships: Scientific award of the Claussen-Simon-Foundation (2015) Opus Magnum-Fellowship of the Volkswagen Foundation (2015-2016) Fellow at Alfried Krupp Wissenschaftskolleg Greifswald (2014) Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study Berlin (2017/2018) Professor Albers has secured significant research funding including the Volkswagen Foundation's Opus Magnum Fellowship and has served as Principal Investigator for the German/Brazilian DAAD/CAPES PROBRAL Research Project "Internet regulation and internet rights" (2015/2018). She has supervised numerous doctoral candidates and established productive international research collaborations, particularly with Brazilian institutions. Her advisory work extends to governmental bodies including service as an expert in the German Council for Scientific Information Infrastructures (RfII) since 2018 and previous membership on the Bundestag's Advisory Committee "Ethics and Law of Modern Medicine" (2003-2005). She directs the Hamburg Center for Bio-Governance (since 2013) and the Cyber Law Clinic at the Faculty of Law (since 2012), creating interdisciplinary research environments that bridge legal scholarship with practical applications in bioethics, health law, and digital governance. Her leadership extends to editorial roles including the book series "Schriften zum Bio-, Gesundheits- und Medizinrecht" and numerous edited volumes on data protection and constitutional law.
Bedirhan Erdem is a researcher at the Chair of German and International Criminal Law at the Leuphana Law School , Leuphana University. His work focuses on Turkish criminal law, international criminal justice, and comparative legal systems. Criminal Law International Criminal Law Comparative Law Victim Rights Legal Theory Environmental Law His recent publications analyze judicial integrity, victim standing, and procedural reforms in Turkey, alongside broader debates on political crimes and ecocide. Themes include corporate criminal liability, antitrust regulation, and academic integrity. Dr. Erdem contributes to the Joachim Herz Doctoral School and the Center for European and International Law (CEIL) , mentoring doctoral candidates and engaging in structured Ph.D. programs. His research often intersects European and international legal frameworks.
Prof. Dr. Rachid Ouaissa serves as University Professor and Head of the Department of Middle Eastern Politics at the Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (CNMS), Philipps University of Marburg since March 2009. He concurrently holds affiliations with the Center for Interdisciplinary Religious Studies and Center for Conflict Research at the same institution, and maintains active roles in Berlin-based research networks including EUME and the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin. His academic formation includes a PhD from the University of Leipzig (2004) supervised by Prof. Hartmut Elsenhans, preceded by undergraduate studies at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (1994-1999) where he received the DAAD-Preis in 1997. His scholarly trajectory includes a Visiting Scholarship at Dalhousie University (2008) and prior research positions at the University of Leipzig. Ouaissa's research program centers on Middle Eastern and North African political dynamics with four interconnected pillars: cultural-identitarian political movements (comparing BJP in India and Algerian parties), moderate Islamist parties as potential EU partners, state-class behavior during resource scarcity (Iraq case study), and fundamentalist movement development (FIS in Algeria vs. Mahdia in Sudan). His conceptual innovation emphasizes blocked middle classes mobilizing religious identity to challenge state power, while his recent work develops 're-configuration' frameworks for understanding post-Arab Spring transformations. His publication trajectory from 1999-2021 reveals evolving scholarly priorities: early work focused on Algerian state formation and political Islam, shifting toward comparative cultural-identitarian movements (2007-2009), then moderate Islamist parties' foreign policy (2009-2012), with contemporary research addressing Hirak protests and theoretical re-configuration models. The corpus demonstrates consistent engagement with Algeria while expanding to regional comparative frameworks, particularly through co-edited volumes on Maghreb entanglements and MENA transformation processes. His scientific recognition includes: DAAD-Preis der Martin-Luther-Universität (1997) Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung PhD Fellowship (2000-2002) Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Scholarship (1998-1999) Professor Ouaissa has secured major research funding including two German Research Foundation (DFG) projects: 'New Cultural-Identitarian Political Movements' (2007-2009) and 'Moderate Islamist Parties as EU Partners' (2009-2012). He actively mentors emerging scholars through the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's doctoral programs and serves on its selection committees, while his policy engagement manifests through frequent media contributions analyzing Algerian protests and regional dynamics for outlets including Le Monde, El Watan, and Deutsche Welle. He leads the Department of Middle Eastern Politics at CNMS while contributing to the university's interdisciplinary research infrastructure through the Center for Interdisciplinary Religious Studies and Center for Conflict Research. His international scholarly integration is evidenced by co-editing the book series 'Politik und Gesellschaft des Nahen Ostens' and 'Studien zur Geschichte und Zeitgeschichte Westasiens und Nordafrikas', alongside editorial leadership of the journal META (Middle East Topics and Arguments).
Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International LawGermany
Jannika Jahn is a Senior Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg, where she has been working since 2020. She also serves as an Associate Fellow at Maastricht University's Globalization and Law Network and as Associate Editor at Verfassungsblog for International Law and Human Rights Protection. Her work focuses on the intersection of international law, human rights, and environmental protection, with particular expertise in business and human rights law and climate litigation. Jannika Jahn received her LL.B. in English and German Law from University College London and the University of Cologne, where she completed her first state's exam. She earned her doctorate (summa cum laude) from the University of Heidelberg with a dissertation on "The media publicity of the judiciary and its limits." Her doctoral work was conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Law and Public International Law. Jahn's research spans European and international human rights law, business and human rights law, international environmental law (particularly climate law), comparative constitutional law and theory, and interdisciplinary legal analysis. She examines how national courts can serve as guarantors of global climate protection and investigates the role of judicial independence in multi-level governance systems. Her work on supply chain regulation explores how to create effective human rights due diligence frameworks for multinational corporations. Her scholarly output demonstrates a clear trajectory from foundational work on judicial independence and media coverage of courts toward increasingly focused research on climate litigation and business and human rights. Recent publications highlight her expertise in analyzing how constitutional courts worldwide are becoming key actors in climate governance and how supply chain legislation can be designed to effectively protect human rights across global value chains. Jahn has received several prestigious honors for her academic work, including: Ruprecht-Karls-Preis awarded by the Stiftung Universität Heidelberg for the best legal doctoral thesis in 2020 Scholarship for the doctoral thesis by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Scholarship for law studies by Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes Scholarship for LL.B. studies by Alexander-Lüderitz-Stiftung As a Senior Research Fellow, Jahn leads her habilitation project and a business and human rights project at the Max Planck Institute. She has served as a legal expert for the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE) of the Council of Europe regarding judicial independence and freedom of expression of judges. Her advisory work extends to policy development, as evidenced by her contributions to the German Supply Chain Act. She regularly presents her research at international conferences and teaches courses on European human rights protection, climate change challenges, and comparative constitutional law. At the Max Planck Institute, Jahn is actively involved in research teams focused on business and human rights and climate litigation. She participates in the Institute's Gender Equality initiatives as the Gender Equality Officer and contributes to interdisciplinary discussions on current challenges in international law through the Institute's research colloquia and workshops.
Dr. Irene Weipert-Fenner is a Senior Researcher and Project Director at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), serving as a member of its Executive Board since 2024 and coordinating the Research Group on Regime Competition since 2023. She holds a PhD from Goethe University Frankfurt (2013) and previously served as a Visiting Professor for Middle Eastern Politics at the University of Marburg (2019). Her research focuses on authoritarian regimes, political transformation, social movements, and socioeconomic conflicts in North Africa, with a particular emphasis on Egypt and Tunisia. Key projects include leading studies on IMF reforms, socioeconomic protests, and trust dynamics in social movements. She has authored or co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and books, including The Autocratic Parliament (2020) and edited volumes on clientelism and protests. Awards include the DAVO Dissertation Prize (2014). Her work bridges comparative politics, conflict studies, and regional expertise, addressing themes like democratization, protest dynamics, and geopolitical implications of regional conflicts. Affiliations: PRIF, University of Marburg (visiting role) Education: PhD in Political Science, Goethe University Frankfurt (2013) Research Groups: Regime Competition, Intra-state Conflict Key Projects: ConTrust initiative (2021–2025), Tunisian budget politics analysis Her research publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to understanding political economy, trust in social movements, and the interplay between socioeconomic grievances and authoritarian resilience. Recent work explores green hydrogen economies in North Africa and the erosion of democratic trust in Tunisia.
PD Dr. Lutz Rzehak is an academic staff member at the Institute for Asian and African Studies (IAAW) within the Faculty of Humanities at Humboldt University of Berlin, serving as a Teacher for special tasks specializing in Modern Iranian languages and the ethnography and cultural history of Afghanistan and Central Asia. His educational background includes: Oriental Studies/History from the State University of Leningrad (1985) Doctorate in Iranian Studies, Humboldt University of Berlin (1991) Habilitation in Central Asian Studies / Iranian Studies, Humboldt University of Berlin (2001) Dr. Rzehak's research spans Central Asian Studies , Iranian Studies , Ethnography , and Linguistics , with fieldwork focusing on Baloch, Pashtun, and Tajik communities. His work examines language evolution, social structures, and cultural practices through historical and contemporary lenses, particularly regarding Soviet influence and post-Taliban Afghanistan. Key contributions include grammatical analyses of Iranian languages and ethnographic studies of religious rituals and tribal systems. His recent publications (2016-2021) reveal consistent focus on Iranian language dynamics (especially Dari and Pashto), ethnic identity politics in Afghanistan, and cultural history of Central Asia. These works address language change mechanisms, ethnic consolidation strategies, and the interplay between tradition and modernity, often utilizing comparative linguistic and ethnographic methodologies. His scientific awards include: Heisenberg Fellow of the German Research Foundation Dr. Rzehak has held significant research positions including Research Associate in the Crossroads Asia Competence Network (2011-2016) and Heisenberg Fellow (2002-2011). While his CV does not list formal PhD advisees, his language lecturing and research supervision have mentored numerous students in Central Asian and Iranian studies through course instruction and fieldwork guidance. He has been actively involved in the Crossroads Asia Competence Network, a major interdisciplinary research initiative examining transregional connections and historical trajectories across Central, South, and West Asia.
Bernd Ladwig is a University Professor of Political Theory and Philosophy at the Free University of Berlin's Otto Suhr Institute for Political Science. He has held this position since February 2011, following a Junior Professorship at the same institution from 2004-2010. His academic career includes previous positions as a Scientific Assistant at Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg (2000-2004) and at Humboldt University Berlin (1998-2000). Ladwig received his doctorate in philosophy from Humboldt University of Berlin in 1999 (summa cum laude) with a thesis on "Justice and Responsibility: A Study of the Concept of Equality in Ethical Liberalism," supervised by Prof. Dr. Herfried Münkler and Prof. Dr. Axel Honneth. He completed his Diplom in Political Science at Freie Universität Berlin in 1994 with highest distinction. His research focuses on human rights, animal rights, justice theory, political philosophy, and applied ethics. He has developed significant expertise in normative theories of global relations, multiculturalism, democracy theories, and the intersection of political theory with animal ethics. His work often explores the anthropological foundations of ethics and the relationship between theoretical frameworks and practical political issues. Ladwig has published extensively on topics ranging from the philosophical foundations of human rights to the political theory of human-animal relationships. Ladwig's recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward integrating animal ethics into mainstream political theory. His work challenges traditional boundaries between human and non-human rights while maintaining rigorous philosophical standards. He has developed a distinctive position that advocates for political justice for animals without necessarily granting them citizenship status in human political communities. Principal Investigator of the Interdisciplinary Graduate College "Human Rights under Pressure - Ethics, Law, and Politics" (2014-2017) Director of the annual course "The Diversity of Human Rights" at the Inter-University Center Dubrovnik Member of the Green Academy Co-editor of the journal Leviathan - Berlin Journal for Social Science Member of the Political Theory and Intellectual History section of the German Political Science Association (DVPW) Ladwig has supervised numerous doctoral students and has been actively involved in academic service as a reviewer for major journals and research foundations. His teaching covers a wide range of topics including political theory, philosophy of human rights, animal ethics, and classical political philosophy from Rousseau to Kant.
Prof. Dr. Miloš Řezník is a prominent historian and Professor of European Regional History at the Faculty of Philosophy, Chemnitz University of Technology. He has held this position since 2009 and served as Pro-Dean of the Faculty. From 2014 to 2024, he was Director of the German Historical Institute in Warsaw. His academic career spans institutions in Prague, Liberec, Leipzig, and Chemnitz, reflecting a deep engagement with Central and Eastern European history. PhD and Habilitation in General History, Palacký University Olomouc Extensive research on collective identities, nationalism, borderlands, and elite transformations in Central Europe Expertise in Polish, Czech, Galician, and Habsburg history Longstanding leadership roles in German-Czech and German-Polish historical commissions His research interests center on the cultural and political dynamics of regional identities in Central and Eastern Europe, especially in border regions such as Silesia, Bohemia, Pomerania, and Galicia. He explores how historical memory, nationalism, and elite strategies have shaped regional consciousness from the 18th to the 20th century. His work bridges historiography, cultural studies, and political history, with a strong focus on transnational and comparative perspectives. The 15 most recent publications reveal a consistent thematic trajectory: the interplay between regionalism, ethnicity, memory, and state formation in Central Europe. Key sub-themes include the Kashubian movement, Habsburg provincial governance, German-Czech-Polish relations, and the symbolic politics of historical figures and events. His scholarship increasingly engages with theoretical frameworks such as retrotopia, ethnoregionalism, and the institutionalization of historical science. Scientific Awards and Honors: Foreign Member, Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences (2023) Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Federal Foundation for the Study of Communist Dictatorship in East Germany (2025) Member, Scientific Council, Bundeskanzler-Helmut-Kohl-Stiftung (2022) Member, Johann Gottfried Herder Research Council (2011–present) Prof. Řezník has supervised numerous academic projects and dissertations, particularly through collaborative EU and DFG-funded initiatives focused on cross-border history. He has served as editor for multiple academic series and journals, including Journal of Modern European History (2019–2024). His institutional roles include membership in evaluation committees for the European Research Council, DFG, and Czech Science Foundation. He leads or has led several major research initiatives, including the Interreg Project: Cultural Heritage of the Vogtland and Egerland , and has organized numerous international conferences on Central European history, memory, and regionalism. His work is deeply embedded in transnational academic networks, particularly through the German Historical Institute in Warsaw and the Kompetenzzentrum Mittel- und Osteuropa Leipzig.
Bettina Kümmerling-Meibauer is a Full Professor of German Literature and Literary Didactics at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, specializing in children's literature, picturebook research, and intermedial studies. With a habilitation from Tübingen (2001) and a PhD from Cologne (1990), she has held guest professorships in Sweden and Austria, declined a chair at the Free University of Bolzano (2014), and led EU-funded projects like Canon Constitution and Canon Change in Children's Literature (2017) and The Digital Literacy and Multimodal Practices of Young Children (2015–2019). Her research spans avant-garde children's literature, Jewish children's books, and early literacy. Education : PhD in German Philology (University of Cologne, 1990); Habilitation in Children's Literature (Tübingen, 2001). Her research interests focus on intersections between children's and adult literature, avant-garde aesthetics in picturebooks, and the political dimensions of children's media. She has co-edited The Routledge Companion to Picturebooks (2018) and Canon Constitution and Canon Change in Children's Literature (2017). Recent publication trends highlight her work on cognitive challenges in picturebooks, the impact of digital media on young adult literature, and the legacy of classical myths in contemporary children's works. She has also explored topics like propaganda in GDR photographic books and multilingual children's literature. Scientific awards include the 2017 ChLA Edited Book Award for Children’s Literature and the Avant-Garde (co-edited with Elina Druker). She serves on editorial boards for journals like International Research in Children’s Literature and Libri & Liberi . Advising includes completed doctorates on topics like Swedish fantasy reception in Germany, initiation novels in 20th-century children's literature, and gender discourse in Erich Kästner adaptations. She has advised on international doctoral projects in the UK, Belgium, South Africa, Portugal, Sweden, and Spain.
Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast is a distinguished Professor of Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Law and European Law at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, where he has been teaching since September 2002. He serves as the Academic Director of the Master of Mergers & Acquisitions program, which he initiated in 2005, and is Chairman of the annual M&A/Private Equity Conference. As Co-Director of the Frankfurt Institute for Private Equity and M&A (FIPEMA), he has established himself as a leading academic in corporate transactions and financial regulation. His expertise spans multiple legal domains including banking law, competition law, and infrastructure regulation, with particular focus on non-performing loans markets. Born in 1960, Schalast studied law and political science in Giessen, Frankfurt am Main, and Lausanne. He completed his legal clerkship with stations at Rasor and Schiedermair (now Linklaters), the European Parliament, and the Frankfurt municipal property office. He participated in specialized programs on comparative law in Strasbourg/Coimbra and European integration at the Europa-Institut in Saarbrücken. After being admitted to the bar, he specialized in M&A law, initially at Albert Flad & Schloßhan (now Mayer Brown), before founding Schalast LAW | TAX in 1995, which has grown to become one of Germany's top 40 mid-sized law firms with offices in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf and Stuttgart. Schalast's research interests focus on the intersection of corporate transactions, financial regulation, and European law. His work examines how legal frameworks shape M&A markets, particularly in times of financial crisis, with special attention to non-performing loan markets, private equity transactions, and regulatory challenges in infrastructure sectors. He has authored numerous publications analyzing the impact of EU directives on German corporate and banking law, with particular expertise in how geopolitical events like Brexit affect cross-border transactions. His research consistently bridges theoretical legal analysis with practical transactional considerations, making it highly relevant to practitioners. Schalast has received multiple accolades including being named Frankfurt School Professor of Excellence in 2009 and 2010, and his supervised theses have won prestigious awards such as the Leonardo M&A Award (2008, 2014), M&A Science Award (2010), and multiple DKS Awards. His law firm, Schalast LAW | TAX, received the JUVE Award as Law Firm of the Year for SMEs in 2007 and The Lawyer's European Award 'Law Firm of the Year Germany' in 2018. As an advisor, Schalast has worked with governments across Eastern and Southeastern Europe and the Caucasus region on economic law reform and rule of law implementation, serving on legislative commissions primarily in Southeast Europe. He also acts as an expert advisor on German legislative projects, particularly in banking and capital markets law. His influence extends to industry standards as he chairs the supervisory board of Deutsche Kreditmarkt-Standards e.V. and serves on the jury for the German Journalists' Prize and the Corporate Finance Awards of Börsenzeitung. Since 2016, he has been editor of the leading German-language M&A journal, M&A Review.
