Regional Institutes

Regional Institutes

The GIGA combines in-depth area expertise and cutting-edge comparative methods from the social sciences. The complementary interaction of regional institutes and cross-cutting thematic research programmes enables the GIGA to pursue its unique approach.



  • Area Studies

    All GIGA scholars belong to one Regional Institute and are members of one or more Research Programmes. The area expertise fostered through the Regional Institutes is key for the creation of the GIGA’s context-sensitive, empirically-grounded knowledge. It builds on close collaboration with partners in the region at the GIGA’s research platforms and beyond, intensive field research, engagement within area-specific professional networks and associations, and an internal culture, which promotes innovation and exchange. It is this knowledge that puts the GIGA in front when it comes to discovering new developments and future research topics early, integrating perspectives from the regions systematically, and applying state-of-the-art comparative research.

    All four Regional Institutes play important roles in their respective area studies communities. The GIGA is proud to host the secretariats of the Association for African Studies in Germany (VAD) and of the German Association for Asian Studies (DGA), and, since 2018, also of the Processes of International Negotiation (PIN) network. Senior staff of the institute holds key functions as Board Members in German, European, and international associations. The GIGA, either as an institution or through its employees, is involved in the following area-specific networks and associations:

    Africa:

    African Studies Association in Germany (VAD), Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies (AEGIS)

    Asia:

    German Association for Asian Studies (DGA), European Alliance for Asian Studies (Asia-Alliance)

    Latin America:

    German Association for Latin American Studies (ADLAF), Asociación Latinoamericana den Ciencia Política (ALACIP), European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR Standing Group Latin American Politics), Consejo Europeo de Investigaciones Sociales de América Latina (CEISAL), Red Euro-Latinoamericana de Gobernabilidad para el Desarrollo (RedGob)

    Middle East:

    German Middle East Studies Association for Contemporary Research and Documentation (DAVO), Euro-Mediterranean Study Commission (EuroMeSCo)

    Supra-regional:

    European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI)

    The role of the Regional Institutes in the area studies communities is further emphasised by the international reputation of the journals of the GIGA Journal Family, which are published in cooperation with SAGE under the auspices and ownership of the respective Regional Institutes. All four journals are fully open access, as the GIGA with its Global Approach is committed to contribute to the scholarly exchange between the continents and to the reduction of global asymmetries in knowledge production and access.

    Global Approach to Scholarship

    The GIGA works with perspectives, concepts, and experiences from different world regions. It stands for research that is global in content, reach, and structure.

    Global Approach to Scholarship

    President

    Prof. Dr. Amrita Narlikar is President of the GIGA. Her research focuses on international negotiations, economic statecraft, and multilateralism. She has a special interest in India, Asia, and the BRICS.

    Office of the President

    Regional Institutes

    Africa|Asia|Latin America|Middle East

    Notification

    Sign up to receive email notifications about GIGA activities

    Social Media

    Follow us