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 received his doctorate from the University of Munich 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 Director of the Bamberg Graduate School of Social Sciences (BAGSS), which has a very strong emphasis on research methods. He has a particular interest in survival analysis and quantitative text analysis. In 2008, Thomas Saalfeld was elected Fellow of the UK Academy of Social Sciences (AcSS). Between 2015 and 2016 he served on the Council of the German Political Science Association (DVPW).

Academic Unit

Michael Gebel, Chair of Sociology, Methods of Empirical Social Research

Michael graduated both in economics and social sciences and earned his doctoral degree in sociology at the University of Mannheim. He was recently awarded an ERC Starting Grant for his research project SECCOPA. Moreover, he is coordinator of the international and interdisciplinary research project TEW-CCA as well as co-coordinator of the Horizon-2020 project EXCEPT. His specific research interests include transitions to adulthood, multilevel analysis of comparative micro data, longitudinal data analysis and methods of modern causal analysis.

Lasse Gerrits, Chair for Political Science, Governance of Complex and Innovative Technological Systems

Lasse got degrees in public administration and spatial planning from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, were he worked as an associate professor before coming to the University of Bamberg as a full professor in political science. In Bamberg, he holds the Chair for the Governance of Complex and Innovative Technological Systems. His research interests are in complexity-informed methods such as qualitative comparative analysis, network analysis and system dynamics modeling.

Administration Unit

Nasia Pliakogianni, Administrative Coordinator

Nasia has studied International and European Studies and Politics and Economics of Eastern and Southeastern Europe at the University of Macedonia in Greece as well as Political Science at the University of Bamberg in Germany. She has worked as an intern for the Greek-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Thessaloniki as well as for NGOs and International Organizations.

Eneda Seitaj, Student Assistant

Eneda studied Political Science at the Panteion University of Athens and she is currently enrolled at the Double Master of Political Science and Politics and Economics of Eastern and Southeastern Europe between the University of Bamberg and the University of Macedonia. She has worked for different governmental bodies in Greece and Albania.

Daniel Kupfberger, Student Assistant

Daniel studies History and Primary School Didactics at Bamberg University. Previously, he also studied English and History at Erlangen University and the University College Cork in Ireland. In doing so, Daniel worked in different international environments, for example Amnesty International. He also has experience in organizing and guiding historical tours and exhibitions.