Associated Chairs

“At the Center for International Studies, we build bridges between the disciplines of political science, Business Administration and Economics, and law. Only by bringing together different perspectives and subject-specific expertise can we achieve a truly comprehensive and nuanced understanding of world affairs.” (Prof. Dr. Dominik Steiger, Director)

Table of contents

1. 1. Law
   2. Political Science
   3. Business Administration and Economics
   4. Emeritus Faculty

Law

Prof. Dr. Dominik Steiger

"My research focuses on issues of general international law and the protection of international human rights, with a particular interest in topics at the intersection of international law, human rights protection, democracy studies, and digitalization. At the ZIS, I offer various courses in international law, such as International Law I and the United Nations System; I also teach European law and lead a seminar each semester on current and selected issues in international or European law.”Chair of International Law, European Law and Public Law

Dr. Johan Horst ( acting)

Chair of International Law, European Union Law and International Relations

Political Science

Prof. Dr. Anna Holzscheiter

"I am interested in the role of non-state stakeholders—particularly civil society stakeholders—in international politics, their influence on international rule-making, and their cooperation with major international organizations. Global health, development, and human rights are the policy areas in which I have the greatest expertise. In this context, I focus—together with colleagues in Sweden—on the political participation and representation of young people in international politics. The causes and effects of the complex interactions between organizations in the international arena are the focus of two current research projects, in which we examine, among other things, the relationship between institutional diversity and norm collisions, as well as the far-reaching discourse networks among stakeholders in the international arena. In the ZIS degree programs, I teach courses on complex actor relationships in international politics (“Horizontal Cooperation”), on international institutions, and, more generally, on theories and concepts of international relations." Chair of International Politics

Business Administration and Economics

Prof. Dr. Christian Leßmann

"I am very interested in subnational governments and regional inequalities in developing countries, natural resources, and political institutions. My research is driven by granular, georeferenced data, such as satellite imagery of the Earth by day and by night. In the ZIS degree programs, I teach courses on international trade and development economics." Chair of Economics, with a Focus on International Economic Relations

Prof. Dr. Alexander Kemnitz

"My research interests revolve around human capital as a factor of production and location, as well as the productivity and skills of the population. My primary focus is on how education systems and demographic trends shape the capabilities of countries. At the ZIS, I regularly offer courses on growth and distribution issues as well as migration. I also lead seminars on various current topics." Chair of Economics, with a focus on Economic Policy and Economic Research

Emeritus Faculty

Prof. Dr. Monika Medick-Krakau, emerita (d. 2011): Chair of International Politics ( 1995–2010), Vice-Rector Academic Affairs (2001–2006), Academic Director of the ZIS (2002–2008)

Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Udo Broll, emeritus († 2025): Chair of Economics, with a focus on International Economic Relations (2005–2012). You can find core research areas and publications on the Faculty of Business and Economics website.

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Fastenrath, Emeritus: Chair of International Law, European Law and Public Law (1993–2014); Research Center for International Law and State Theory; Academic Director of the ZIS (2008–2014). On the website of the Research Center for International Law and State Theory, you will find information on core research areas and publications.

Prof. Dr. Dr. Sabine Freifrau von Schorlemer: UNESCO Chair in International Relations (2009–2025); Chair of International Law, European Union Law and International Relations (2015–2024). On the pages of the UNESCO Chair, you will find information on core research areas and publications.