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  • Human SecuritySecurity Studies

    Mariana Barchuk-Halyk

    Civil Preparedness and Community Resilience in Germany and Ukraine
    This project analyses how human security can strengthen civil preparedness through a comparative study of Germany and Ukraine. It examines the interaction between institutional civil protection systems, local governance, and community resilience under crisis conditions, with the aim of identifying practical lessons and policy recommendations for more adaptive, people-centred preparedness frameworks in Germany and across Europe.

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  • MediationPeace StudiesSecurity Studies

    José Pascal da Rocha

    Bridging the Gulf: Small-State Mediation, Structural Shifts, and Implications for German Foreign Policy
    Qatar, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are becoming increasingly influential as mediators in international conflicts. The “Bridging the Gulf” project examines this shift, its motivations and different mediation approaches, and asks whether global peacemaking is becoming more multipolar. For Germany, this transformation presents both challenges and opportunities, requiring new partnerships with emerging mediation powers and greater coordination of diplomatic capabilities, particularly in conflicts where Europe is no longer the primary convener.

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  • DiasporaGender StudiesMigration

    Erman Örsan Yetiş

    Navigating Uncertainty in a Transforming Europe
    This project examines how Turkish-speaking migrants who arrived in Europe after 2013 experience and respond to social, economic, and political uncertainty in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. It investigates how structural uncertainty is lived, endured, and reinterpreted, offering new conceptual and empirical insights into migration, transnational politics, and structural transformation.

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  • Digital GovernancePublic Law

    Stefanie Egidy

    Regulating the Information Infrastructure
    As societies increasingly rely on digital infrastructures, it is imperative to rethink the legal foundations of information control and access. Reports about the removal of data from public websites, about cyber-attacks on critical information systems, and about the targeting of AI-generated misinformation during democratic elections motivates my project, which investigates, how the legal framework governing public information infrastructures has to adapt to the digital transformation.

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  • Artifical IntelligenceDevelopment Economics

    Tuhinsubhra Giri

    Structural Transformation in the Age of Digitalisation and AI: Labour Market Shifts and the Politics of Inclusion
    Digitalisation and AI are fundamentally reshaping global labour markets. While macroeconomic impacts are well-documented, the role of subnational actors-city governments, regional governments, and others- in mediating these shifts remains under-researched. This project investigates how digitalisation and AI influence labour structures and evaluates subnational policy responses to mitigate displacement and foster inclusion through adaptive skill-building and localised initiatives.

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  • African PoliticsClimate JusticeAssociate Fellow

    Fadzai Chipato

    Climate Justice and Finance in Africa
    This project examines structural inequalities in global climate finance and how unmet commitments from developed countries affect trust and cooperation with Sub-Saharan Africa. Using policy analysis, case studies, and stakeholder interviews, it explores how climate finance systems can be restructured to promote equity, accountability, and stronger African participation in global climate governance.

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  • Comparative PoliticsInternational Relations

    Zarina Burkadze

    Great Power Politics and Democratization in the South Caucasus
    The rise of global authoritarian powers such as China, Russia, and Iran has transformed the unipolar world order and undermined efforts to promote democracy worldwide. This research addresses how small states adjust to such major shifts and examines the impact these changes have on regime development? To what extent do economic and energy routes define conflicts and their dynamics? Additionally, how can the South Caucasus contribute to the economic and political security of the European Union? These research questions are explored using a mixed-methods design.

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  • EconomicsAssociate Fellow

    Ramya Vijaya

    Debt Sustainability Versus Good Governance
    My research is broadly on the interconnected crises of sovereign debt burdens, fiscal sustainability, and the need for fiscal space to address critical structural transformation challenges including the climate crisis, investments in vital social services, and development infrastructure.

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  • Katja Velmans
    International Relations

    Cecile Pelaudeix

    EU Energy Security and Structural Transformations: Greenland and Sweden Critical Raw Materials
    EU policies to fight the existential threat of climate change, accelerate energy transition and ensure energy security can be met with fierce opposition captured by the phrase ‘not in my backyard’ or ‘green colonialism’. This project interrogates the political repercussions of critical material policies. The comparison of Sweden and Greenland assesses the conditions under which the implementation of EU policies is conducive to acceptance or is associated with resistance and political shift.

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  • International RelationsOcean PoliciesAssociate Fellow

    Christian Bueger

    Beyond the Oceanic Disconnect: Recalibrating Global Ocean Governance
    The past decade has witnessed a historic re-evaluation of the oceans. How can global ocean governance adapt to unprecedented maritime industrialization, climate crisis, and institutional fragmentation while addressing competing security, economic, and environmental priorities?

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  • Katja Velmans
    Artificial IntelligenceComparative PoliticsEnvironmental PoliticsSustainable DevelopmentAssociate Fellow

    Yi hyun Kang

    Governing AI and the Environment
    This project addresses the urgent challenge of integrating global AI governance with environmental sustainability goals. As AI technologies rapidly expand, their environmental footprint raises concern. Yet, current global governance systems for AI and the environment remain fragmented. This project explores viable pathways for institutional interplay between AI governance frameworks and international environmental reg

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  • Katja Velmans
    Artificial IntelligenceDigital GovernanceAssociate Fellow

    Anthony Acquah

    Ethical Tech Diplomacy in Germany-Africa Relations
    As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes the cornerstone in global development, the ethical dogma of its deployment, especially in continents with emergent technological infrastructure such as Africa require urgent attention. This project seeks to explore Germany’s leadership role in advancing ethical AI standards in Africa, situating this endeavor within a broader model of ethical tech diplomacy.

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  • Katja Velmans
    Global DevelopmentHuman RightsPostcolonialismAssociate Fellow

    Heloise Weber

    Politics of the ‘Declaration on the Right to Development’
    My project examines the politics and political economy implications of a key international development and human rights framework: the 1986 United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development (RtD). More recently the Rtd has been aligned with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda, conceived as a central pillar for ‘implementation’ of the RtD. I examine the RtD in relation to (global) structural injustice.

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  • Katja Velmans
    Political EconomyAssociate Fellow

    Filipe Mendonça

    Competing for the Future
    The US-China technological rivalry reshapes the global political economy and the liberal order. This project examines how Brazil and Germany respond to this structural change. While Brazil seeks neo-industrialization to avoid reprimarization, Germany faces strategic autonomy dilemmas within the EU. The research investigates how regional powers pursue technological resilience and viability under increasing geopolitical constraints.

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  • Katja Velmans
    African PoliticsInternational RelationsSecurity StudiesAssociate Fellow

    Aliru Abiodun Adiatu

    External Development Partners and Regional Integration in SubSaharan Africa: A Case Analysis of the European Union and African Union Inter-Regional Relations
    This research project analyses the dynamics of the EU- AU inter-regional relations with the intent to highlight the opportunities and challenges that arise from this partnership. It investigates how external development partners can contribute to advancing regional integration in Africa, while also bearing in mind the significance of the African ownership and leadership in shaping the continent’s development trajectory.

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  • Katja Velmans
    International RelationsSubnational DiplomacyAssociate Fellow

    Débora Prado

    A Comparative Analysis of the International Actions of Subnational Governments in Brazil and Germany
    This project examines how regional governments in Brazil and Germany engage internationally and why their actions matter for global debates. It focuses on two key areas: the global COVID-19 pandemic and environmental diplomacy. The study explores how subnational actors build partnerships, influence policy, and expand their presence beyond national borders, highlighting the growing relevance of subnational diplomacy in International Relations.

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  • International RelationsAssociate Fellow

    Karolina Kluczewska

    Geopolitical Reorientations in Central Asia
    Since the Soviet collapse, Central Asian states have been largely oriented towards Russia, seeing it as a reference point in foreign and domestic policies. Russia was even attributed with a status of a “strategic partner”. This suddenly changed with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 which prompted Central Asian policymakers, businesses and civil society to look for new, more reliable partners in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Using a critical geopolitics lens, my project analyses the new “strategic” partnerships emerging in the region. It investigates actors and rationalities of the ongoing geopolitical reorientation, as well as formal and informal practices characterising this process.

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  • International RelationsSubnational DiplomacyAssociate Fellow

    Stuart MacDonald

    Sub-national Soft Power: Policy, Strategy, and Measurement
    This fellowship programme will examine soft power dynamics across governance levels, from national frameworks through regional cooperation to urban cultural diplomacy. The research will build upon a recently completed comparative study for the British Council of the soft power policies, infrastructures and outcomes of 24 countries and the European Union, developing innovative methodological approaches for measuring and comparing soft power effectiveness across different governance contexts.

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  • Political ScienceAssociate Fellow

    Tamara Ehs

    European Capital of Democracy
    Democratic, smart, resilient: Cities play a crucial role for the UNs’ SDGs. From ancient Athens to renaissance Florence and Frankfurt, cities were incubators of democracy. And today, while national governments seem to be failing to meet people’s expectations, leading to a tide of authoritarian sentiment, cities once again emerge as strongholds for safeguarding democracy. Based on the European Capital of Democracy initiative the project focuses on urban diplomacy for shaping a democratic future.

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  • International PoliticsAssociate Fellow

    Martin Weber

    Solidarist Transnational Localism
    Social tensions and ecological stresses are on the rise today simultaneously. Increasing social Integration appears to depend on accelerated economic growth; and accelerating economic growth appears to hasten ecological crises. This problem is global, with distinctive local expressions; yet, today the International Institutional preconditions for coordinated responses are manifestly failing. His project surveys transnational solidarity networks that model workable alternatives.

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  • Conflict StudiesPeace StudiesSecurity StudiesAssociate Fellow

    Summar Iqbal Babar

    The Kartarpur Corridor
    This research examines the Kartarpur Corridor as a transformative model of trans-local and sub-national diplomacy between India and Pakistan. Connecting shared religious and cultural heritage, it fosters peace through people-to-people contact, emotional healing, and spiritual engagement. Despite structural challenges like political volatility, restricted access, and administrative barriers, the Corridor offers a counter-narrative to hostility. With institutional support and integration into broader cultural diplomacy frameworks, it holds the potential to become a lasting symbol and mechanism of cross-border peace, unity, and reconciliation in South Asia.

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  • EconomicsAssociate Fellow

    John Austin

    Spreading Opportunity – Strengthening Democracy
    During my tenure at the NRW Academy of International Affairs, I will build out Heartlands Transformation Network, conduct and deliver additional original research and insights into effective economic regeneration of heartland regions, and address key issues confronting policy makers and economic development and structural change managers in countries of North America and Europe. All designed to spread economic opportunity and strengthen democracies and our transatlantic alliance.

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  • MigrationAssociate Fellow

    Chisomo Banda

    Youth Perspectives on International Migration Policies
    The research will explore the nuanced experiences and views of young people in relation to existing international migration policies. It will further identify the unique challenges they face, such as disrupted education and social exclusion, and to offer recommendations for more inclusive and effective migration frameworks that are in favour of young people. The ultimate goal is provide valuable insights for improving policies to better address the needs of young migrants.

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  • International RelationsAssociate Fellow

    Chiung-Chiu Huang

    De/securitizing China: The Impacts of Security Community on States’ Strategic Assessments
    This research explores how regional security communities shape national strategies in response to global challenges. By comparing Germany (EU/NATO) and Vietnam (ASEAN), it examines how these groups influence members’ views on threats and change. The findings will enhance understanding of diverse multilateralism and how nations adapt amid great power rivalries, offering insights for both scholars and policymakers.

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