Studying Global China Workshop
29. January 2026
On 16–17 February 2026, the BCCN’s third Studying Global China Workshop will take place at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. The event is open to PhD students, postdocs, and other interested scholars.
News
New Advisory Board Member: Han Cheng
29. January 2026
We are proud to announce that Dr. Han Cheng (MPIWG) is now part of our International Advisory Board.
Upcoming Keynote: New Trends in Area Studies
22. January 2026
On 6 March 2026, Claudia Derichs will give a keynote speech at a one-day symposium at the University of East Anglia, UK. The lecture will trace the development of Area Studies and explore the principle of “no research about you without you”.
Next Brown Bag Talk: The BRI and the Evolving Role of Multilateral Development Banks
21. January 2026
On 12 March 2026, Valentin Krüsmann (ZOiS) will give a lunchtime talk exploring the key part multilateral development banks play within the BRI. Register now to take part online.
Audio Feature: Linda Ammann on Graphic Recording
7. January 2026
Complex ideas are sometimes better communicated visually. In this podcast, Linda Ammann describes how she employed graphic recording to describe and connect elements of her research.
Indonesian Studies Day 2026
19. December 2025
The third edition of the HU’s Indonesian Studies Day took place on 15 January 2026. Co-organised by Claudia Derichs, the event this time centred around sustainability, and of course featured traditional Indonesian performances and snacks.
Brown Bag Talk: Navigating the Field in Afghanistan Post-2021
18. December 2025
The second in our series of online Brown Bag Talks took place on 15 January 2026. Katja Mileke (bicc) discussed her work in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power.
Lunchtime Talk: China in Afghanistan: Die Neue Seidenstraße im Land der Taliban
27. November 2025
On 28 November 2025, Katja Mielke will give a short and accessible German-language talk about the BRI in Afghanistan. From noon CET, anyone interested can listen to the 20-minute presentation and ask questions afterwards.
Shifting Tracks: Life After the BRI Railway Project in Mombasa, Kenya
20. November 2025
In 2017, Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) – a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative – was unveiled as a symbol of national progress. How has this affected the lives of ordinary people in Mombasa?
AGYA Annual Conference 2025
13. November 2025
Our co-speaker Claudia Derichs will participate in the panel discussion ‘Connectivity in Science: Arab-German Research Cooperation’, which forms part of the public programme at the annual conference of the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities.