- Research associate, Centre d'anthropologie culturelle, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
Research interests:
- History and anthropology of transport and mobility in Africa, especially on inland waterways ;
- History and anthropology of the environment: socio-environmental change, ethno-ecology, ecological nostalgia, anthropogenic pressure, forest and river interactions, fishing techniques, riparian societies.
- History and anthropology of technology and infrastructure: Science and Technology Studies (STS), socio-technical entanglements, appropriate technologies, frugal innovations.
- Anthropology of development: "small-d" or "real" development, governance and bureaucracy, popular economy, trade.
- History and anthropology of religion in Africa: religious movements, religion in the city, religion and globalisation, religious multiplicity and non-conformism, material religion, Japanese new religions.
- Regional focus: DR Congo (Kinshasa as well as Tshopo province), Senegal.
Peter also coordinates the action research initiative MOBEKA -- mobeka.org
Experience
-
2023–presentVisiting professor, Université de Kisangani (UNIKIS)
-
2026–presentPostdoctoral research associate, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Centre d'anthropologie culturelle
-
2023–presentVisiting professor, Université de Kisangani (UNIKIS), Département d'anthropologie
-
2022–presentCoordinator, MOBEKA asbl/gUG (Kisangani/Berlin)
-
2026–2027Guest professor , University of Bayreuth, African History
-
2024–2026Postdoctoral fellow, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, FORAGENCY / Social History of Capitalism
-
2023–2024Postdoctoral fellow, Université Libre de Bruxelles, BANTURIVERS / Centre d'anthropologie culturelle
-
2021–2022Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, KU Leuven, Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology
-
2019–2020Postdoctoral fellow, Gerda Henkel Foundation / HU Berlin, Institute für Asian and African Studies
-
2017–2018Postdoctoral fellow, German Historical Institute Paris & CREPOS Dakar
-
2015–2016Visiting professor, Philosophat Edith Stein, Kisangani (DR Congo)
-
2016–2016Visiting fellow, Zentrum Moderner Orient
Education
-
2015Utrecht University and Universität Leipzig (bi-national PhD), PhD African Studies / Religious Studies
-
2008Universität Leipzig (- Stellenbosch - Wroclaw), MA Global Studies
-
2005Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), License en Histoire (MA)
-
2003Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Candidature en Histoire (BA)
Grants and Contracts
-
2019MB TOKENDE. A river transportation craft for local traders on the upper Congo River (Kisangani – Bumba), DR Congo
- Role:
- p.i.
- Funding Source:
- Gerda Henkel Stiftung
Contact Peter for
- General
- Media request
- Speaking request
- Consulting / Advising
- Research collaboration
- Research supervision
- Website
- Article Feed
- ORCID
- Joined
