Profile
Abstract
Jens Herpolsheimer studied African Studies in Leipzig, Bordeaux, and Lisbon. Subsequently, continuing research initiated during his master's, he worked on cooperation dynamics at the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). Since 2016, he is a researcher at the Collaborative Research Centre (SFB 1199) “Processes of Spatialization under the Global Condition”, at Leipzig University. In this context, he has completed his PhD, focusing on intervention practices of African regional organizations and their spatializing effects. Since January 2020, Jens Herpolsheimer is a postdoctoral researcher at the SFB 1199, studying the practices of inter-regionalism between different actors at African regional organizations and the European Union. These issues reflect his more general research interests, among other things, including the politics and practices of peace and security in Africa, Lusophony, and comparative regionalism.
Professional career
- 10/2012 - 12/2015
Research Assistant, Institute of African Studies and Centre for Area Studies, Leipzig University - 01/2016 - 12/2019
Junior Researcher / PhD candidate, Collaborative Research Centre (SFB 1199) "Processes of Spatialization under the Global Condition", Leipzig University - since 01/2020
Senior Researcher / Postdoc, Collaborative Research Centre (SFB 1199) "Processes of Spatialization under the Global Condition", Leipzig University
Education
- 10/2009 - 09/2012
B.A. African Studies, Leipzig University and Sciences Bo Bordeaux (France) - 10/2012 - 09/2014
M.A. African Studies, Leipzig University and Centro de Estudos Internacionais (CEI-IUL) (Lisbon, Portugal) - 01/2016 - 12/2019
PhD student, Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) of the Collaborative Research Centre (SFB 1199) "Processes of Spatialization under the Global Condition", Leipzig University
Jens Herpolsheimer researches intervention practices of African regional organizations, in particular the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), as well as practices of inter-regionalism between African regional organizations and the European Union. To this end, he conducts field research - including archival research, interviews, and participant observation - in various African countries, mainly across West Africa. For his doctoral thesis, he conducted research in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Abuja (Nigeria), Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Dakar (Senegal), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), and Bamako (Mali), as well as outside Africa in Brussels (Belgium) and New York (USA).
- show detailsSFB 1199/B07: Interregionalism and Security in the Sahel: The African Union, ECOWAS, and the European UnionEngel, UlfDuration: 01/2020 – 12/2023Funded by: DFG Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftInvolved organisational units of Leipzig University: Leipzig Research Centre Global Dynamics (ReCentGlobe); Institut für Afrikastudien; SFB 1199: Verräumlichungsprozesse unter Globalisierungsbedingungen
- show detailsNew Regionalisms and Violent Conflict in Africa: The Politics of the African Union and ECOWAS in Guinea-BissauEngel, UlfDuration: 01/2016 – 12/2019Funded by: DFG Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftInvolved organisational units of Leipzig University: Centre for Area Studies; Gesellschaft, Politik und Wirtschaft in Afrika; Global and European Studies Institute; SFB 1199: Verräumlichungsprozesse unter Globalisierungsbedingungen
- show detailsHerpolsheimer, J.; Warnck, S. E.Mapping Intervention Practices of ECOWAS and the African Union: Methodological and Practical ChallengesLeipzig. 2020.
- show detailsHerpolsheimer, J.Spatializing Practices of Regional Organizations during Conflict Intervention: The Politics of ECOWAS and the African UnionAbingdon; New York: Routledge. 2021.
- show detailsDöring, K.; Engel, U.; Gelot, L.; Herpolsheimer, J. (Eds.)Researching the Inner Life of the African Peace and Security Architecture: APSA Inside-OutLeiden, Boston: Brill. 2021.ISBN: 978-90-04-46677-7
- show detailsHerpolsheimer, J.Studying practices of interregional security governance and space-making between ECOWAS and the European UnionTerritory, Politics, Governance. 2024. 12 (4). pp. 554–571.
- show detailsEngel, U.; Herpolsheimer, J.African Regional and Inter-Regional Health Governance: Early Responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic by ECOWAS and the African UnionAfrican security. 2021. 14 (4). pp. 318–340.
- Andere Ehrungen: Katharina-Windscheid-Preisshow detailsHerpolsheimer, Jens (Leipzig Research Centre Global Dynamics (ReCentGlobe))awarded in 2019 by Research Academy Leipzig.