Universität Leipzig: Research

Research Projects

Leipzig University is a widely recognized hub for innovative research in the field of globalisation and transregional studies. The Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology significantly contributes to this field of research with a number of projects.

Two skin colour charts designed by the German anthropologist Felix von Luschan. Two pictures are shown next to each other. In the first picture a tablet is shown with 18 smaller compartments. In those compartments different shades of skin colours are visible. In the middle of the tablet and referencing the compartments the numbers 1-18 are visible. The picture on the right shows a similar tablet but with the numbers 19-36. The skin colour chart shows lighter tones whereas the right one shows darker shades.

Thiago Barbosa: Racialization, difference and inequality in science and politics

The project analyses the history and legacy of racism in science

A person weaves a basket. Photo: Colourbox.

Stefanie Mauksch: Being-in-Work - Labor, precarity and living with disability

A collective of authors ethnographically explores the relationship between work/labor and disability in the Global South

Dense traffic in Bamako, Mali in 2015. Photo: Susann Ludwig.

Susann Ludwig: Toward an Anthropology of Chance

Chance shapes the process and the outcomes of scientific research - this project takes a closer look at chance itself

The ruins of a house are being engulfed by the ocean. The climate crisis is already destroying houses and therefore homes, memories and knowledge at the coastel strip of Kerala (India). Photo: K. R. Sunil.

Claudia Lang: Environ-Mental Health

The project explores Experience, Ethics and Poiesis of Ecological Grief Amid Wounded Environments in India

Kleine Mosaiksteine in hellen Farben sind regelmäßig und kreisförmig angeordnet

Research Report

The research report of Leipzig University lists research projects conducted at our institute.

About the Research Projects

Habilitation Projects

The Institute of Anthropology provides opportunity to complete a habilitation in Anthropology and supports the writing of monographs and high profile journal articles. Our current post-doc projects unpack environmental, social and economic projects targeted at improving life in different localities.

Zwei Frauen stehen am Tresen eines kleinen Geschäfts

Let’s Make Entrepreneurs! Startup Worlds in Urban Sudan (in the 2010s)

This book project documents the emergence of a startup world in Khartoum, Sudan in the 2010s

A flat lake is visible in which salt is accumulated to small piles. Behind those piles big machinery is positioned to extract the salt out of the water. A mountain range and the blue sky are visible in the background.

Greening futures, racialized damages? “Green” lithium and cultural-territorial rights

Examining the disparate futurities and unequal socioenvironmental impacts implied in lithium extraction in Brazil

Zanräder liegen auf einem grünen Hintergrund

More Habilitation Projects to come

Soon you will find further habilitation projects here, which are currently being planned

About the Habilitation Projects

PhD Projects

We enable young researchers to pursue a doctorate under close supervision of our research staff. Current PhD projects engage with topics ranging from consumption, racism, food and taste, to migration and journalism in regions as diverse as South Asia, Africa, Europe, South America und Australia.

About the PhD Projects

Study Group LinC

Lifeworlds in Crisis Study Group

The LinC Study Group focuses on people's everyday lives during short or extended periods of emergency, hardship or general uncertainty - in african contexts and beyond. Here we present the researchers and projects in more detail.

Project Archive

Ein Fisch aus einem Drahtgestell ist mit leeren Plastikflaschen gefüllt

Research Archive

In addition to current research, habilitation and doctoral projects, we would like to draw attention to past projects as well. We have therefore collected recently completed projects in this archive - for your inspiration, entertainment or education.