German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

Short CV

Since 04/2024: President of the GIGA (ad interim)
08/2023-03/2024: Co-Leader of the GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies (ad interim)
Since 06/2018: Honorary professorship at the Philipps-University Marburg
06/2018 - 01/2020: Acting Director of the GIGA Institute of Latin American Studies
09/2006 - 10/2008: Senior Researcher DSF-Project "Societal and political Fractures after War: Youth Violence in Cambodia and Guatemala", INEF, University Duisburg-Essen.
Since 1993: Senior Researcher of the GIGA Institute of Latin American Studies, research interests: peace and conflict, security policies, youth Regional focus Central America, Andean Region.
Since 1992: Independent Consultant (among others for the Foreign Ministry, Minis-try of Development Cooperation, GTZ, Bertelsmann Transformation Index).
1991: PhD in Political Science, University of Hamburg.
1990 - 1992: Researcher at the Research Center on Wars, Armament and Development, University of Hamburg.
1987 - 1990: Researcher at the Institute of Political Science University of Hamburg (Prof. Dr. K.J. Gantzel), Coordination of the Research Group on Cau-ses of War.
1987: Researcher at the Institute for Iberoamerican Studies, Hamburg (July - September)
Education: Studies in Political Science, Spanish, Contemporary History in Madrid, Erlangen, Sevilla and Hamburg

Current Research

Postwar Societies
Violence and Social change
Youth

Countries and Regions

Central America
Colombia

Research Programmes

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

T. +49 40 42825-570 [email protected]

Press photo (1.14 mb, jpg)

Research Project | 01/03/2021 - 31/08/2022

COVID-19 and the Dynamics of (Post-)War Violence: Lessons from Colombia and Syria

What are the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dynamics of violence during and after civil wars? The project analyses the pandemic-related reconfiguration of social and political orders in a comparative study of Syria and Colombia at subnational levels. In this way, it will provide new knowledge on violence dynamics in two of the most complex conflicts today and be able to suggest crucial lessons for similar (post-)war contexts in other parts of the world.
Volkswagen Foundation, 2021-2022

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

Dr. André Bank

Dr. Viviana García Pinzón

Selman Almohamad

Research Project | 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2024

PEACEptions

Providing a conceptual framework in which different ideas of peace can be highlighted and their differences analysed in order to be able to formulate concrete proposals for peacebuilding is at the heart of this project. The concept is based on three elements whose meaning crosses historical and cultural boundaries: physical integrity, individual and collective human rights, and constructive conflict transformation.
FES, 2021-2023

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

Kristina Birke Daniels

Katharina Wegner

Nina Netzer

The Entanglements of Peace: Reflections on the long road of transforming the armed conflict in Colombia

Edited Volume | FESCOL Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Colombia | 08/2021

The Entanglements of Peace: Reflections on the long road of transforming the armed conflict in Colombia

The publication of this study, which seeks to analyse and understand the variety of conceptions of peace in Colombia, comes at a key but complex moment. The context of the pandemic has not only had an impact on the health of the Colombian population, but also on the quality of life of households.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

Kristina Birke Daniels

Friedrich Ebert Foundation Colombia

Building Pathways to Peace: State–Society Relations and Security Sector Reform

Elements in International Relations | Cambridge University Press | 11/2023

Building Pathways to Peace: State–Society Relations and Security Sector Reform

Local actors should be involved in peacebuilding processes and security sector reforms (SSR). The book presents a feminist and intersectoral conceptualisation of SSR as well as quantitative and qualitative findings from 42 post-conflict societies as well as from Afghanistan and Colombia. Open Access until 11 December 2023!

Dr. Nadine Ansorg

Associate

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

How to deal with Non-state Armed Actors

Infographic | 09/2023

How to deal with Non-state Armed Actors

Dealing with NSAAs is complicated and complex shifting between repression and dialogue. NSAAs are highly flexibkle and able to adapt to changing local and global contexts. Policies must be comprehensive and include local communities as well as structural drivers of violence.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

Yannick Deepen

Former GIGA Team member

Research Project | 01/03/2021 - 31/08/2022

COVID-19 and the Dynamics of (Post-)War Violence: Lessons from Colombia and Syria

What are the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dynamics of violence during and after civil wars? The project analyses the pandemic-related reconfiguration of social and political orders in a comparative study of Syria and Colombia at subnational levels. In this way, it will provide new knowledge on violence dynamics in two of the most complex conflicts today and be able to suggest crucial lessons for similar (post-)war contexts in other parts of the world.
Volkswagen Foundation, 2021-2022

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

Dr. André Bank

Dr. Viviana García Pinzón

Selman Almohamad

Research Project | 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2024

PEACEptions

Providing a conceptual framework in which different ideas of peace can be highlighted and their differences analysed in order to be able to formulate concrete proposals for peacebuilding is at the heart of this project. The concept is based on three elements whose meaning crosses historical and cultural boundaries: physical integrity, individual and collective human rights, and constructive conflict transformation.
FES, 2021-2023

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

Kristina Birke Daniels

Katharina Wegner

Nina Netzer

The Entanglements of Peace: Reflections on the long road of transforming the armed conflict in Colombia

Edited Volume | FESCOL Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Colombia | 08/2021

The Entanglements of Peace: Reflections on the long road of transforming the armed conflict in Colombia

The publication of this study, which seeks to analyse and understand the variety of conceptions of peace in Colombia, comes at a key but complex moment. The context of the pandemic has not only had an impact on the health of the Colombian population, but also on the quality of life of households.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

Kristina Birke Daniels

Friedrich Ebert Foundation Colombia

Building Pathways to Peace: State–Society Relations and Security Sector Reform

Elements in International Relations | Cambridge University Press | 11/2023

Building Pathways to Peace: State–Society Relations and Security Sector Reform

Local actors should be involved in peacebuilding processes and security sector reforms (SSR). The book presents a feminist and intersectoral conceptualisation of SSR as well as quantitative and qualitative findings from 42 post-conflict societies as well as from Afghanistan and Colombia. Open Access until 11 December 2023!

Dr. Nadine Ansorg

Associate

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

How to deal with Non-state Armed Actors

Infographic | 09/2023

How to deal with Non-state Armed Actors

Dealing with NSAAs is complicated and complex shifting between repression and dialogue. NSAAs are highly flexibkle and able to adapt to changing local and global contexts. Policies must be comprehensive and include local communities as well as structural drivers of violence.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

Yannick Deepen

Former GIGA Team member

Research Project | 01/03/2021 - 31/08/2022

COVID-19 and the Dynamics of (Post-)War Violence: Lessons from Colombia and Syria

What are the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dynamics of violence during and after civil wars? The project analyses the pandemic-related reconfiguration of social and political orders in a comparative study of Syria and Colombia at subnational levels. In this way, it will provide new knowledge on violence dynamics in two of the most complex conflicts today and be able to suggest crucial lessons for similar (post-)war contexts in other parts of the world.
Volkswagen Foundation, 2021-2022

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

Dr. André Bank

Dr. Viviana García Pinzón

Selman Almohamad

Research Project | 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2024

PEACEptions

Providing a conceptual framework in which different ideas of peace can be highlighted and their differences analysed in order to be able to formulate concrete proposals for peacebuilding is at the heart of this project. The concept is based on three elements whose meaning crosses historical and cultural boundaries: physical integrity, individual and collective human rights, and constructive conflict transformation.
FES, 2021-2023

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

Kristina Birke Daniels

Katharina Wegner

Nina Netzer

Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding | 03/2024

Variations of Peace in Colombia

Peace and conflict are not the same across territories and scales. Conceptualizing peace as a process based on three core functions of society and related norms allows us to identify variations in peacebuilding needs and perceptions. The entanglement of different scales shapes the diversity of peace and highlights the opportunities and challenges of peacebuilding and related norms, along with their diffusion and contestation.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

GIGA Focus Latin America | 1/2024

Guatemala: A Vote for Turning the Tide

In Guatemala, President Bernardo Arévalo took office on 15 January 2024, raising hopes of democratic reform. Still, an entrenched elite has continuously distorted the independence of the judiciary. Not only are elections highly contested; democracy itself is on the line. Can Guatemala turn the tide?

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

Désirée Reder

Alina Ripplinger

Country Studies | 2024

From Criminal Peace to Cititzen’s Peace: The Case of Venezuela

Venezuela has been one of the most violent countries without a formal war. Nevertheless, the debate on the multiple crises, focuses on the political regime and not the underlying conflicts. Venezuela provides evidence that a peacebuilding perspective on multiple crises outside of war is fruitful and helps us to understand the main dynamics.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

Die Welt gerecht gestalten | 2024

Peaceptions: Was ist Frieden?

Waging peace is more than just ending war. Besides reducing violent conflict, however, what else is needed for just and enduring peace? The Peaceptions Project of the GIGA and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is dedicated to this question.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

Country Studies | 2024

Searching for Peace in South Sudan: Hope Dies Last

Recognised as an independent state in 2011, South Sudan is the youngest and poorest country in the world. However, violence and armed conflict have continued, demonstrating how local and national conflicts interact. A Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2018 remains fragile.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

Research Project | 01/04/2023 - 31/03/2027

Context Matters – Country-Specific Politico-Economic Analyses, Conflict and Crisis Potentials, as well as Global and Regional Trends / Phase III

The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the strategic capability of German development cooperation in the context of the BMZ 2030 reform concept are based on in-depth knowledge of country-specific, regional and global developments. The GIGA provides annual information on actors and governance structures as well as on conflict potentials in countries of the Global South. Additionally, important regional and global trends are analysed with a comparative area perspective.
BMZ, 2023-2027

Research Project | 01/03/2021 - 31/08/2022

COVID-19 and the Dynamics of (Post-)War Violence: Lessons from Colombia and Syria

What are the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dynamics of violence during and after civil wars? The project analyses the pandemic-related reconfiguration of social and political orders in a comparative study of Syria and Colombia at subnational levels. In this way, it will provide new knowledge on violence dynamics in two of the most complex conflicts today and be able to suggest crucial lessons for similar (post-)war contexts in other parts of the world.
Volkswagen Foundation, 2021-2022

Research Project | 01/01/2021 - 31/03/2024

Democratizing Security in Turbulent Times

How is security provided in turbulent times and how does this affect the relationship between democracy and security? The proposed research training group examines fundamental reconfigurations of the relationship between security and democracy against the backdrop of growing political and societal polarisation, the advent of new digital technologies and the rescaling of security to arenas below and beyond the state.
Landesforschungsförderung Hamburg, 2021-2023

Research Project | 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2026

Leibniz Research Network "Environmental Crises - Crisis Environments"

The Leibniz Research Network "Environmental Crises - Crisis Environments" (Leibniz CrisEn), led by PRIF, bundles and networks the professional and methodological-technical competencies of 15 Leibniz Institutes in the environmental, life, spatial, social and economic sciences. The researchers of the participating institutions record and investigate crisis-like environmental changes and the interactions between the scientific and social phenomena that underlie the attributions or denials of the changes in our environment as crises.
Leibniz Association, 2021 - 2026

F.A.Z Machtprobe | Interview | 28/09/2024

Der "coolste Diktator der Welt"

In El Salvador regiert nach eigenem Bekunden der coolste Diktator der Welt - Nayib Bukele. Der Präsident geht mit harter Hand gegen die organisierte Kriminalität im Land vor. Auch wenn die Mordraten gefallen sind, zahlt das Land einen hohen Preis.

Podcast "Wirtschaft Welt und Weit" | Interview | 29/08/2024

Für Venezuela ist der Ukraine-Krieg "geopolitisch ein Geschenk"

Wie sehen die Beziehungen zwischen Venezuela und Russland genau aus? Welche Rolle spielen Waffenlieferungen? Und wo steht Deutschland bei alledem? Darüber spricht Podcast-Host Andrea Sellmann mit Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach und Mauro Toldo in dieser Folge von "Wirtschaft Welt und Weit".

VOX Nachrichten | Interview | 30/07/2024

Venezuela: Wut nach Wahl

Nach der Präsidentschaftswahl ist die Stimmung in Venezuela aufgeheizt. Die Menschen sind wütend, protestieren gegen das verkündete Wahlergebnis. VOX Nachrichten mit Einschätzungen von GIGA-Expertin Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach.

German Institute for Global and Area Studies | 22/10/2024

What are Latin American Studies for?

Organiser: German Institute for Global and Area Studies Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach (Speaker)

Why is it important and what is the added value of studying Latin America?
Main Seminar of the LAC Oxford University reflecting on the perspectives from Germany, France and the UK.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

Workshop | 22/02/2024 - 23/02/2024

Beyond the Liberal Peace: The Importance of Human Rights for Peace

IBEI-GIGA Workshop Security, Conflict and Peace, IBEI, Barcelona Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach (Speaker)

Over the last decade liberal peacebuilding was heavily criticised for its Eurocentric bias privileging civil and political rights. Nevertheless, peacebuilding needs a normative frame based not only on individual rights but also on collective human rights as the basis for violence reduction, participation and conflict transformation.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

President (ad interim)

Conference | 14/02/2024 - 16/02/2024

Violent Legacies, Social Movements, Uncertain Futures

Violent Legacies, Social Movements, Uncertain Futures, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José Désirée Reder (Organiser), Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach (Organiser), Alina Ripplinger (Panelist)

In Central America, democracy and peacebuilding processes are currently threatened. Researchers and civil society representatives discussed potential pathways out of the crisis in a three-day workshop at the University of Costa Rica in San José, organised by GIGA.

Désirée Reder

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

Alina Ripplinger

Teaching | Philipps-Universität Marburg | 2020

Lateinamerika brennt

Philipps-Universität Marburg Marburg Germany

Mittelseminar Friedens- und Konfliktforschung FB 03

Teaching | Universität Hamburg | 2015

Violence and Inequality in Latin America

Universität Hamburg Hamburg Germany

Teaching | Universität Hamburg | 2011

Youth and Violence

Universität Hamburg Hamburg Germany

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