Head of Project
Thomas Saalfeld, Convenor of the Bamberg Graduate School of Social Sciences

Thomas studied political science, modern history and communication studies at Munich University and the University of Hull. He completed his post-graduate studies in political science, modern history and communication studies at Munich University and held research and teaching positions at the Universities of the German Federal Armed Forces Munich, Hull, Dresden, Kent and Bamberg. His visiting professorships include Boğazici University Istanbul, Mannheim University and the Institute d’Études Politiques de Lille. Since 2009 he has been Professor of Political Science at Bamberg University, and since 2010 he has been founding Convenor of the Bamberg Graduate School of Social Sciences (BAGSS). In 2008, Thomas Saalfeld was elected Fellow of the UK Academy of Social Sciences (AcSS). In 2015 he was elected to the council of the German Political Science Association (DVPW).

Academic Unit

Simon Fink, Assistant Professor

Simon studied political science, law and psychology at the University of Konstanz. His post-graduate work was conducted in political science at the DFG Research Training Group 'Markets and Social Systems in Europe', University of Bamberg. Habilitation at Bamberg University’s Faculty of Social Sciences, Economics and Business Administration. Research and teaching positons at the Universities of Konstanz, Hanover, Seoul, Göttingen and Bamberg.

Michael Gebel, Professor of Sociology

Michael graduated both in economics and social sciences and earned his doctoral degree in sociology at the University of Mannheim. He is co-ordinator of the international and interdisciplinary research projects EXCEPT and TEW-CCA. His specific research interests include transitions to adulthood, international comparative research, longitudinal data analysis and modern methods of causal analysis.

Florian Weiler, Assistant Professor

Florian studied political science at the University of Innsbruck and economics at Washington DC University, completing his post-graduate studies in political economy at the Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich. He has held research and teaching positions at the Universities of Zurich, Bamberg as well as at the Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich.

Administration Unit

Wolfgang Goldbach, Administrative Coordinator

Wolfgang studied political science at Bamberg University, Paris X and Nanterre. He also worked as a research assistant at the Scottish Parliament. He is at the moment at his post-graduation.

Leo Ahrens, Student Assistant

After obtaining his bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics last year, Leo has recently started a master’s course in Political Science at the University of Bamberg. Beside his studies he tutors pupils in the subjects mathematics and English.

Simone Kaupe, Student Assistant

Simone did a training as a certified bilingual administrative assistant in English and French. Currently, she is studying English and political science at the University of Bamberg. Besides her studies, Simone teaches female refugees German.

Marina Mittermaier, Student Assistant

Marina has started a master’s course in political science at the University of Bamberg. She passed her bachelor studies in governance and public policy at the University of Passau with an essay about Terrorism in Germany. She worked as an intern for the European Commission and for a political foundation in Germany and Tanzania.

Daniel Neat, Social Events Student assistant

Daniel Neat started a master’s course at Aston University in International Relations and Global Governance. After joining, he decided to convert to the Double MA Governance and International Relations programme between Aston University and The Otto-Friedrich Universität Bamberg. He passed his bachelor in German Studies at The University of Portsmouth with an essay about Salzburgisch, the dialect of Salzburg and the status of dialect use throughout the Germanic community. He worked at Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council as an Economic Development Intern.