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Institute of Anthropology and Cultural Research

Welcome to the Institute of Anthropology and Cultural Research

We ask what it means to be human at the contemporary moment and conduct ethnographies of the present. One of the strengths of our institute is our interdisciplinary orientation, which is reflected in our BA in Cultural Studies, conducted in cooperation with the Centre for Media, Communication, and Information Research (ZeMKI). Our MA in Transcultural Studies, which is also interdisciplinary and research-oriented, focuses on transcultural relations.

 

Diversity & Inclusion with contact points

The Institute of Anthropology and Cultural Research (IfEK) has made critical, anti-racist, and intersectional approaches central to its teaching and research. Our goal is to implement and live these approaches in the everyday life of our institution.

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Überseehafen
© L. Müller, 3.7.25, former Überseehafen, Bremen.

How to improve education on German colonialism?

From the 2nd to the 4th of July 2025, experts from the humanities, civil society, and institutions for education gathered at IfEK/bik in order to have their first exchange. Colleagues from Namibia and Cameroon emphasised how important it is in this field to follow a collaborative approach between…

Exhibition opening: “Solidarity in (Post-)Colonial Spaces”

July 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM in the entrance area of the Bremen State and University Library (SuUB), Bibliotheksstraße 9, 28359 Bremen

MATS Info Session

On Monday, 19.05.2025 16:00-17:00!

Ocean World Film
© IfEK

Ocean Worlds Conference

The film of the “Ocean Worlds” event, which was organized in October 2024 by Bremen NatureCulturesLab, the Institute of Anthropology and Cultural Studies and other partners, is now available.

“Livin Right - What attracts right-wing extremist youth activists?”

Guest lecture by Agnieszka Pasieka (University of Montreal)

Unlearn the Ivory Tower: Decolonizing Minds, Challenging Racism and Sexism in Academia

Saumya Pant, responsible for the project BIG (Bridge between Gender and Internationalisation) within the Equal Opportunities Office, is organising a series of events from November 2024 to April 2025.

Institute for Anthropology and Cultural Research (IfEK) collaborates with Off-University

Conversation Series: “Ways of Remembering: Memories, Representations, Contexts”

Prof. Dr. Rosa Cordillera A. Castillo as panelist at United Nations Session

Prof. Dr. Rosa Cordillera A. Castillo was a panelist at the United Nations 67th Session on Narcotics Drugs in Vienna on March 19, 2024.

Still aus Sedat Akdoğan’s Videotrilogie About Dry Land and Soft Clouds, 2021
© Sedat Akdoğan

The events organized by the BNCL are now online!

Alle BNCL Veranstaltungen finden Dienstags von 18:15-19:45 in der Rotunde des Cartesiums an der Universität Bremen statt.

University of Bremen Illustration
© University of Bremen

W2-Professur, tenured, for the field Anthropology and Cultural Research, Culture in Practice and Transfer

W2-Professur, tenured, for the field Anthropology and Cultural Research, Culture in Practice an Transfer - Public Anthropology, at IfEK – Institut für Ethnologie und Kulturwissenschaft, Universität Bremen. Application deadline: 02.05.2024.

University of Bremen Illustration
© University of Bremen

GASCA: Statement on Academic Freedom in Germany

The Board of the German Association of Social and Cultural Anthropology is concerned about the state of academic freedom and freedom of expression for researchers in Germany.

Poster für den Vortrag von John Holloway
© Ulrike Flader / IfEK

John Holloway: Hoffnung in hoffnungslosen Zeiten

Vortrag am Dienstag, 30.01.2024, 18:00-20:00 c.t. in der Rotunde/Cartesium, Universität Bremen

Die MATS Module für das kommende Semester zur Übersicht

Bei Rückfragen bitte bei muehleba@uni-bremen.de melden.

ECOLOGIES OF WAR

December 13, 2023, 18:30: The Bremen NatureCultures Lab invites all of those interested to an evening of reading and conversation.

Workshop "Engaging with Data - Ideologies, Methods and Challenges"

December 15, 2023, 1 – 5 p.m. (CET). Department of Anthropology and Cultural Research. Open to advanced BA, MA students, PhDs and Postdocs.

Beekeeping in the End Times

November 22: Film Screening and Book Reading with Dr. Larisa Jašarević

University of Bremen Illustration
© University of Bremen

Every Thursday: Decolonizing Anthropology: Digital Lectures and Discussion

A self-critical appraisal of the current state of research and teaching. Collaborative lecture series by anthropological institutes in CH, A und D. Thursdays 6.15 – 7.45 pm on Webex.

[Translate to English:] Besuch im Museum auf der Hardt in Wuppertal

Study Visit "Decentering the Museum: Resist! - Repair! - Restitute! - Reimagine!"

A critical examination of colonial collections and museum practices in German museums by students from Bremen, Cape Town, and Cologne.

Lwandele Migrant Labour Museum in Capetown

Elephants in the Room: Autumn/Spring School on post/colonial memory politics

Parts of the DFG Research Training Group Contradiction Studies and students of the MA Transcultural Studies participated in the Autumn/Spring School Elephants in the Room: Situating Post/Colonial Histories and Imaginaries in Cape Town and Johannesburg from September 7-22, 2023.

SCIENCE GOES PUBLIC

Ein Format, bei dem Wissenschaft in Kneipen und Bars in Bremen und Bremerhaven zugänglich gemacht wird. Mit Dr. Margrit E. Kaufmann | Schirin Al-Madani | Monique Rosenberger | Nora Gambihler | Juliana Lux | Dr. Ferdaouss Adda | Klara Pechtel Am 19.10.2023 um 20:30 im Gondi, Bremen.

Logo of the University of Bremen.
© Matej Meza/Universität Bremen

Job offer: (Senior) Researcher - Critical Diversity and (Anti)Racism

We are looking for a junior researcher (f/m/d) with the potential to develop an ethnographic-collaborative research and teaching profile addressing social and global inequality, shaped by public anthropology practices, with a focus on critical diversity and (anti)racism research.

Summer party
© Matej Meza / Universität Bremen

IfEK Summerparty "Keep it simple and let's have a party!"

Invitation to IfEK summerparty for students and members of the institute.

Decolonizing Anthropology: Race, Emotions and Transformative Potentials

with Antony Pattathu (Universität Tübingen), 11. 07.2023 18:15-20:00 pm Cartesium Uni Bremen (Enrique-Schmidt-Straße 5).

SECURITY AND JUSTICE BEYOND STATE AND POLICE - Abolitionist Perspectives on and from Rojava.

Sunday 09th of July – 11am to 4pm (UTC+2), Bremen University – GW2 B2880 & Zoom

On the Moral Fetishism of the Cosmopolitan Left and its Consequences

with Ghassan Hage; 04.07. 2023, 18.15-20 pm Cartesium Uni Bremen (Enrique-Schmidt-Straße 5)

Antrittsvorlesung – Toward an Anthropology of the Ocean Floor

with Andrea Muehlebach (Universität Bremen)

Book Launch. Blackness as Universal Claim (University of California Press, 2022)

with Damani Patridge (University of Michigan)

Solidarity as a Practice of Anti-Discrimination

"It is not enough to oppose discrimination. We need anti-discrimination." (paraphrased from Angela Davis)

The National Frame: Art and State Violence in Turkey and Germany

13.06, 18.15-20 Uhr, Cartesium Uni Bremen (Enrique-Schmidt-Straße 5)

©

“The innovation of Rastafari dancehall music in isiXhosa language in Cape Town”

Special IfEK- lecture, 15.6.2023, 4 pm, SFG 1040 with Prof. Dr. Tuomas Järvenpää, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu

[Translate to English:]

Martin Gruber reviews "Sharing the Camera"

Review of the book "Sharing the Camera. A Guide to Collaborative Ethnographic Filmmaking", Sean Kingston

[Translate to English:]

Institut Colloquium: The (Un)Democratic Disease: Changing Epistemologies, Plastic Bodies, and the Other in Dementia Care

On Tuesday 2.5. there will be an exciting lecture by Annette Leibing (Université de Montreal and HWK Delmenhorst) as part of the Institute Colloquium.

All events will take place from 18:15 - 20:00, either in the Rotunde, Cartesium building, of the University of Bremen (always hybrid) or online.…

[Translate to English:]

Announcement: Institute Colloquium in SoSe 23

There are exciting lectures and events for you at the Institute Colloquium this summer semester! You can download the program as a PDF here. 

All events take place from 18:15 - 20:00, either in the Rotunde, Cartesium Building, of the University of Bremen (always hybrid) or online. Those who would…

[Translate to English:]
© Matej Meza

Artikel: Forschen zwischen Küche und Computer

Backen und Programmieren haben mehr gemeinsam, als man denkt, sagt Jan Dittrich, Doktorand am Institut für Ethnologie und Kulturwissenschaft. Denn in beiden Bereichen lernen viele Menschen autodidaktisch mithilfe von Anleitungen. In seiner Forschung untersucht er, wie sie dabei vorgehen. Zum Artikel…

[Translate to English:]

Ausschreibung

Das Institut für Ethnologie und Kulturwissenschaft sucht eine studentische Hilfskraft für das Projekt “Datenpolitiken und Autoritarismus: Digitale Verflechtungen und demokratische (Un-)Möglichkeiten“

(Dr. Nurhak Polat, im Rahmen des Bremen-Fonds „Gesellschaft und Individuum im digitalen Wandel -…

[Translate to English:]

Ethnogeeks sucht neues studentisches Team: Hilfskraftjob!

Für das Team ethnogeeks im Bachelorstudiengang Kulturwissenschaft (https://www.uni-bremen.de/kultur/ethnogeeks) suchen wir studentische Hilfskräfte / E-Tutor*innen für das Sommersemester 2023!

Ethnogeeks beraten und unterstützen Studierenden, vor allem die Studienanfänger*innen, bei verschiedenen…

[Translate to English:]

Ausschreibung: Planspieltutor*innen gesucht!

_____________________________________________________________________

Ihre Aufgabe als Tutor*in: Das Modul 3 „Kultur und Wirtschaft“ setzt sich aus einer Vorlesung, sechs begleitenden Seminaren und einem E-Tutorium zusammen. In dem Modul werden die Zusammenhänge von Kultur, Wirtschaft, Politik,…

[Translate to English:]

Announcement: new boasblog "Undoing Race and Racism"

The multimedia internet platform boasblogs launches "Undoing Race and Racism" on February 21, 2023.

[Translate to English:]

Invitation to a "last-minute" Zoom Info Call

Wednesday, 1st of February 2023 / 15:00

[Translate to English:]

The Department of Anthropology and Cultural Research presents: Jens Adam (University of Bremen) and Sabine Hess (Universität Göttingen)

Colloquium (31.1. / 18:15-19:45)

Bremen Days of Ethnografic Film 2023

Tuesday 24.1. - Thursday 26.1.

[Translate to English:]

The Department of Anthropology and Cultural Research presents: Minh Nguyen (University of Bielefeld)

Colloquium (17.1. / 18:15-19:45)

The Department of Anthropology and Cultural Research presents: Maka Suarez and Jorge Nuñez

Colloquium (10.1. / 18:15)

The Department of Anthropology and Cultural Research at the Universität Bremen presents Xenia Cherkaev

Gleaning for Communism: The Soviet Socialist Household in Theory and Practice

The Department of Anthropology and Cultural Research at the Universität Bremen presents Bernd Kasparek

Hotspots als Intensive Zone der Europäisierung: Genealogische und Ethnographische Beobachtungen zur Regierung der Migration

Reading Workshop

The Department of Anthropology and Cultural Research at the University of Bremen is offering a Reading-Workshop on the 7th of June, 18:15 bis 20:00 (online). All welcome!

Come join us in Bremen for a Masters in Transcultural Studies! Application deadline: June 15.2022!

The Geopolitics of Small Things

A Panel Discussion Featuring Anna Balazs, University of Sheffield / Julia Buyskykh and Tina Polek, Center for Applied Anthropology, Kyiv / Andrew Graan, University of Helsinki

Summer Semester 2022 Colloquium

The programme for the IfEK Colloquium summer semester 2022 is now online!

Continuation of the event series Diversity @ Uni Bremen in the summer semester 2022 on the focus "Social Origin & Educational (In)Equity".

The public events, to which we cordially invite you, deal with classist inequalities in the university context. They ask about mechanisms of action, effects and possible counter-strategies.

Clandestine Publics got invited to the FUSION Festival!

We got invited to the FUSION Festival. A group of up to 3 students will take the ideas of the course to the FUSION (June 29-July 3). This includes tickets and backstage access.

University of Bremen collaborates with Off-University and the New University in Exile Consortium

Course in summer semester 2022: "Decolonizing and Deconstructing the MENA/SWANA" is also open for students in BA Cultural Research and MA Transcultural Studies, General Studies

Congratulations

The MA programme Transculutral Studies has been evaluated successfully by the System Accreditation organized by University of Bremen and has been officially prolongued until September 2029.

Ethnography as Counter-Investigation?

Book presentation and discussion with Didier Fassin: Death of a Traveller. A Counter-Investigation. Polity 2021. |Thursday, 10 February 2022, 4-6 pm (online)

Siriwardane_Herbeck_
© Johannes Herbeck (2018)

Tidal Cities: Contested Speculative Futures Of Urban Shorelines

Tuesday 07.12.2021 | 06:15pm - 7:45pm CET | online via Zoom | Talk by Johannes Herbeck and Rapti Siriwardane-de Zoysa as part of the series "The Sea Is Rising And So Are We"

Cara New Daggett
© Cara New Daggett

Energy: A Geo-Theology Of Work

Tuesday 14.12.2021 | 06:15pm - 07:45pm CET | online via Zoom | Talk by Cara New Daggett as part of the series "The Sea Is Rising And So Are We"

Heath Cabot
© University of Pittsburgh

Solidarity, Contradiction, and Care in Athens

Lecture of the series „Eine Uni – Ein Buch“ | 09.12.2021 | 06:15 pm | Zoom

Frederike Oberheim
© Benedict Neugebauer

Frederike Oberheim & Amanda Harvey-Sanchez: Reports From The Frontline Of Climate Activism

Tuesday 16.11.2021 | 18:15 - 19:45 CET | online via Zoom

Searising
© Grafik: Julia Dorenwendt / Inhalt: Michi Knecht

Planetary Healthy Publics: Who Is This 'We' And What Can They Do?

Tuesday 02.11.2021 | 18:15 - 19:45 | online via Zoom | Talk by Steve Hinchliffe as part of the series "The Sea Is Rising And So Are We"

Yisares
© RG Soft Authoritarianisms

Young International Scholars Autumn Research School

Rethinking Extractivist Capitalism

Searising
© Grafik: Julia Dorenwendt / Inhalt: Michi Knecht

"The Sea is Rising and so are we?"

"The Sea Is Rising and So Are We" stellt die globale Umweltkrise ins Zentrum der sozial- und kulturwissenschaftlichen Debatte. Wie ist diese Krise aus sozialer, kultureller, politischer und geographischer Perpektive zu verstehen und welche Rolle können die Sozial- und Kulturwissenschaften spielen…

CSP_OffUniversity
© © Ezgi Keskinsoy / Off-University

University of Bremen collaborates with Off-University

Course in WiSe 2021/2022: "Conflicts and Struggles for Peace" is also open for students in BA Cultural Research and MA Transcultural Studies, General Studies

All news

Departmental Strengths

© Universität Bremen

Transculturation and Diversity

Anthropology and Cultural Research's primary goal is to grasp the complexity and dynamics of social and cultural phenomena. One of our departmental key foci in research and teaching thus lies in the critical examination of transcultural processes, diversity and social inequality in the contemporary world.

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© Universität Bremen

Media Anthropology and Visual Anthropology

In Media Anthropology and Visual Anthropology we focus on the central role the media plays in shaping cultural and social processes in contemporary life. Research and teaching in these areas are geared to analyzing developments at both global and local levels.

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Plastik
© Universität Bremen

NatureCultures and Maritime Anthropology

IfEK covers a broad spectrum of subjects in both teaching and research, including topics related to the environment, energy and resources; medical anthropology, science and technology studies (STS); as well as social and cultural research in the field of the anthropology of the oceans.

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© Universität Bremen

Public Anthropology

The term Public Anthropology refers to a socio-politically engaged form of Social and Cultural Anthropology aimed at tackling issues of contemporary relevance, while at the same time actively seeking two-way exchanges between academia and general public.

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Research projects / Cooperations / Labs

  • Go to page: Blog: Wie weiter mit Humboldts Erbe?
  • Go to page: Worlds of Contradiction
  • Go to page: Research Group Soft Authoritarianisms
  • Go to page: Bremen NatureCultures Lab
  • Go to page: Bremer Institut für Kulturforschung
  • Go to page: Eine Uni ein Buch
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