Hatem Elliesie takes on two additional new positions: Teaching in Leipzig and research in Erlangen

During the summer semester 2021 Hatem Elliesie, Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, is serving as Acting Professor for Islamic Law at the Institute of Oriental Studies at the University of Leipzig. In February this year he additionally began a position as Head of Junior Research Group at Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU).

“I am delighted by the opportunities offered by both positions – at the University of Leipzig and at FAU in Erlangen – to strengthen ties between these two major universities and the MPI for Social Anthropology,” says Elliesie.

At the Erlangen Centre for Islam and Law in Europe (EZIRE) Elliesie is head of the three-year project “Qualitative Milieu Research” funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This project looks at identity-shaping practices and subcultural lifestyles in bouncer, martial arts, rap, and shisha bar milieux. “Our goal is to use anthropological methods to gain insights into the lifestyles and everyday practices of the participants in these subcultures,” explains Elliesie. “An important aspect is the role of family and 'clan ties', and gaining detailed insights into the perspectives of the various family members is essential." Through fundamental research, the project aims to improve our understanding of clan structures in Germany.