Dr. Sebastian Köthe

I am moved by the sources from which people draw the strength to endure political violence.

In my research, I examine the in­terplay between political violence and sur­vival practices. On the one hand, I am in­terested in the cultural dimensions of political violence, such as the associated re­presentations of the body and gender, ideas of commu­nity, temporality and vul­nerability, and aesthetic forms. On the other hand, I am in­terested in how those affected cling to life in des­perate survival situations, get through the ordeal and draw on fun­damental human ca­pacities in the process. For example, they may ima­gine something, touch one another, gaze into the dis­tance or hum to themselves.

Research Area Interpretations