Dr. Christian von Soest

Since 05/2015: Head of GIGA Research Programme 2 "Peace and Security"

08/2014 - 04/2015: Acting Head of the GIGA Berlin Office

09/2013 - 08/2014: Transatlantic Fellow, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University

2009 - 2015: Spokesperson, Research Team 4 "Causes and Effects of Sanctions", GIGA Research Programme 2

Since 2009: Member of GIGA Berlin Office

05/2007 - 12/2007: Visiting researcher, Policy Planning Staff of the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin

Since 2005: Research Fellow at GIGA Institute of African Affairs, responsible for Southern Africa and East Africa, particularly South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe; Kenya

Doctoral thesis "The African State and the Capability to Raise Revenue", University of Leipzig. PhD (summa cum laude); PhD Price from Research Academy Leipzig and Junior Scientists Award from the African Studies Association in Germany (VAD)

Education: Study of Journalism (Communication Science, Political Science, Public Law), University of Munich, University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg), and University of Cape Town, South Africa. Training at the German School of Journalism (DJS)

International sanctions and interventions

Authoritarian regimes

Foreign policy and development policy

Informal institutions / corruption and their effects on political regimes

Statehood

Southern Africa and East Africa

South Africa

Botswana

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Kenya

Accountability and Participation

Peace and Security