Members
The Institute of African Studies (IAS) unites outstanding scholars from different faculties of the University of Bayreuth. We currently have almost 100 members from six of the university's seven faculties. This diversity underlines the broad positioning of the IAS as well as the comprehensive research focus that is made possible through interdisciplinary co-operation. These collaborations create a unique research environment that offers innovative and holistic perspectives on African Studies.
Membership is open to all members of the University of Bayreuth who work or conduct research in relevant areas.
To apply for a membership, please send a cover letter (including thematic focus) and a CV to ias@uni-bayreuth.de. The application will then be reviewed by the Institute's Steering Committee. For the committee meeting dates see here.
Further information on membership and the benefits of IAS membership is available on request.
Faculty II: Biology, Chemistry & Earth Sciences
PD Dr. Festus Boamah
Social and Population Geography
Prof. Dr. Martin Doevenspeck
Political Geography
Dr. Claudia Gebauer
afriZert
Dr. Nina Rholan Hounguè
Climatology
Prof. Dr. Lisa Hülsmann
Ecosystem Analysis & Simulation
Prof. Dr. Beate Lohnert
Geographical Development Research on Africa
PD Dr. Frank Meyer
Cultural Geography
Prof. Dr. Stefan Ouma
Economic Geography
Prof. Dr. Eberhard Rothfuß
Chair of Social and Population Geography
Prof. Dr. Cyrus Samimi
Climatology
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Schrüfer
Geography EducationRetired members
- Prof. Dr. em. Erwin BeckPlant Physiology
- PD Dr. Andreas HempPlant Systematics
Faculty III: Law, Business & Economics
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Herz
Economics I – Money and International Economics
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Eva Jakob
Social Entrepreneurship
Prof. Dr. Thoko Kaime
African Legal Studies
Prof. Dr. Michael Lauerer
Medical Management and Health Sciences
Prof. Dr. med. Wilm Quentin
Planetary & Public HealthRetired members
- Prof. Dr. Ulrike WanitzekPrivate Law, Comparative Law and Sociology of Law – Law in Africa
Faculty IV: Languages & Literatures
PD Dr. Eric Anchimbe
English Linguistics
Prof. Dr. Susan Arndt
English Literature
Prof. Dr. Markus Bieswanger
English Linguistics II
PD Dr. Klaudia Dombrowsky-Hahn
African Linguistics
Dr. Mario Faust-Scalisi
Intersectionality Studies
Dr. Claudia Favarato
African and Afrophone Philosophies
Prof. Dr. Ute Fendler
Romance Literary Studies and Comparative Literature
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Andrew Harvey
African Languages & The Construction of Knowledge
Prof. Dr. Natasha A. Kelly
Global African Arts; Academic and Artistic Director of Iwalewahaus
Prof. Dr. Florian Klaeger
English Literature
Dr. Franz Kogelmann
Managing Director, Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence
PD Dr. Georg Leube
Islamic Studies
Dr. Doris Löhr
Academic Coordinator, Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence
Dr. Christine Matzke
English Literature
Prof. Dr. Susanne Mühleisen
English Linguistics I
Prof. Dr. Gilbert Shang Ndi
Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies (Africa/Latin America)
PD Dr. Mariam Popal
General and Comparative Literature
Prof. Dr. Alena Rettová
African and Afrophone Philosophies
Prof. Dr. Ivo Ritzer
Comparative Media Studies
Dr. phil. Christine Scherer
Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence
Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Seesemann
Islamic Studies with a focus on Africa; Dean, Africa Multiple
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Sommer
African Linguistics I
Prof. Dr. Clarissa Vierke
Literatures in African LanguagesRetired members
- Prof. Dr. Martina DrescherRomance and General Linguistics
- Prof. Dr. Dymitr IbriszimowAfrican Linguistics II
- Prof. Dr. Gudrun MieheAfrican Linguistics I
- Prof. Dr. Rainer OßwaldIslamic Studies with a focus on Africa
- Dr. Manfred von RoncadorAfrican Linguistics and Literatures
Faculty V: Humanities & Social Sciences
Prof. Dr. Erdmute Alber
Chair of Social Anthropology
Dr. Asaf Augusto
Religious Studies
Prof. Dr. Sandra Calkins
Social and Cultural Anthropology with a Focus on Africa
Prof. Dr. Serawit B. Debele
Gender, Sexuality and Religion with a Focus on Africa
Dr. phil. Magnus Echtler
Religious Studies
Prof. Dr. Joël Glasman
Chair of African History
Prof. Dr. Jana Hönke
Chair of Sociology of Africa
PD Dr. Thomas Hüsken
Social and Cultural Anthropology
Prof. Dr. Melina C. Kalfelis
Social and Cultural Anthropology with a Focus on Social Belonging
Prof. Dr. Benjamin Kirby
Religious Studies with a Focus on Global Entanglements
Prof. Dr. Jia Hui Lee
Science & Technology Studies of the Global South
Dr. Cassandra Mark-Thiesen
Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence
PD Dr. Tilman Musch
Social and Cultural Anthropology
Prof. Dr. Joschka Philipps
Sociology
Dr. Tabea Scharrer
Social Anthropology
Prof. Dr. Katharina Schramm
Chair of Social and Cultural Anthropology
Dr. Phoebe Shambaugh
African History
Prof. Dr. Eva Spies
Religious Studies with a Focus on Africa
Dr. Florian Stoll
Sociology of Africa (associated); ReCentGlobe
Prof. Dr. Alexander Stroh-Steckelberg
Politics of Africa and Development Policy
Dr. Biruk Terrefe
Chair of Sociology of AfricaRetired members
- Prof. Dr. em. Kurt BeckCultural and Social Anthropology
- Prof. Dr. Dieter NeubertSociology of Development
- Prof. Dr. em. Gerd SpittlerCultural and Social Anthropology
Faculty VI: Engineering Science
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Helbig
Chair of Ecological Resource TechnologyFaculty VII: Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition & Health
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Tina Bartelmeß
Food Sociology
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Tim Dorlach
Global Food and Health Policy
Dr. Tilman Reinhardt
Food LawIwalewahaus
Prof. Dr. Natasha A. Kelly
Global African Arts; Academic and Artistic Director