Research Training Group World Politics RTG 2225
Nicole Sommer
Doctoral Researcher
E-Mail: nicole.sommer@uni-bielefeld.de
Phone: +49 521 106-67633
Office: Gebäude X B2-218, Locations Map
Postbox: Nr. 398 im Gebäude X - Magistrale - Ebene C2
Doctoral Project:
The Institutionalization of People of African Descent as a Global Social Category in International Politics
- Biography
Since 10/2023 Doctoral Researcher at the Research Training Group "World Politics", Bielefeld University 02/2021-09/2023 Research Associate, University of Tuebingen
In the project: "Making up people" in World Society: Analyzing the Institutionalization of Global Social Categories
Since 02/2021 Volunteer at Refugee Aid Department, City of Tuebingen 10/2020 MA Sociology, University of Hamburg 01/2018-08/2018 Research Assistant for Kari Anne Klovholt Drangsland, Centre for Women's and Gender Research, University of Bergen, Norway
In the project: "WAIT - Waiting for an uncertain future: the temporalities of irregular migration"
2015-09/2017 Research Assistant for Prof. em. Dr. Irene Neverla, Institute for Journalism and Communication Research, University of Hamburg 10/2014 BA Sociology, University of Hamburg 07/2008-09/2009 Ethnographic Research Internship. Fat Beats Records, New York City, USA - Abstract
The research is centered on understanding the historical development of the global recognition of individuals as 'people of African descent' from a sociological standpoint. In this context, the thesis has two primary objectives: Firstly, to trace the evolution and acceptance of this categorization within international politics, considering a global perspective. Secondly, it aims to explore how this categorization contributes to a shared global expectation.
Moreover, the classification of individuals under the label 'people of African descent' adds complexity to the process of categorization. The scope for categorization broadens significantly when this category is believed to hold global significance: Emphasizing commonalities across various regions and cultures becomes necessary, often resulting in the suppression of differences (Zerubavel 1996). The identification and classification of defining characteristics play a crucial role in grouping individuals under the global category of 'people of African descent'. The research interest lies in understanding the negotiation and interpretation processes involved in the creation of this cross-cultural categorical identity.
To analyze and interpret these processes, the study relies on qualitative content analysis of specific UN documents, providing a global context. Additionally, it employs expert interviews and participant observation to gain a deeper understanding of the knowledge processes associated with the formation and institutionalization of the category.
- Publications
- Research Stays and Conferences
- Sommer, N. (2023). Reconstructing Narratives: Exploring the Significance of Descent and Ancestry for People of African Descent. Paper presented at the workshop "Mere labels, racial concepts, or scientific methods? The politics, epistemologies, and ethics of naming populations in the life sciences and beyond (30.-31. July 2023). Organized by the Department of Sociology, University of Freiburg, Germany.
- Sommer, N. (2022). Germany and the Construction of the African Diaspora: National Identities and Global Perspectives. Presentation in the Panel "Germany and the African Diaspora" der Fifty-Third Annual Convention der Northeast Modern Language Association, 10.-13.03.2022, Organized by John Hopkins University and University at Buffalo, Baltimore, USA.
- Sommer, N. (with Müller, M.) (2022). People of African descent: On the global expansion of categories on persons. Presentation at the Inaugural Conference of the Collaborative Research Center 148 "Humandifferenzierungen", Empirische Sondierungen.1. July 2022. University of Mainz, Germany.
- Sommer, N. (with Bennani, H., Fritz, A., Müller , M.) (2022). "Persons with disabilities, LGBTI people" and "People of African descent": On the establishment of global categories of persons in international politics. Presentation at the Conference of the Section Political Sociology (June 2, 2022). University of Bielefeld, Germany.