Hello my name is Maren Tomforde.
I am the Head of Global International Relations at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College in Hamburg, Germany. 

About me

I am a political anthropologist and Global Affairs scholar. I am the Head of Global International Relations at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College (Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr) in Hamburg, Germany. In this role, I contribute to the college's mission of providing advanced, postgraduate education to experienced officers from Germany and around the globe, fostering strategic dialogue and a better understanding of today’s contested global security environment – especially in the Indo-Pacific.

Concurrently I am an Honorary Postdoctoral Associate at the Department of Security Studies and Criminology at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. My research here in Australia delves into the intricate power dynamics and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific in an increasingly multiplex landscape. I follow a multifaceted approach to understand global reordering. This lens not only illuminates the interconnectedness of modern security challenges but also provides crucial insights for policymakers and scholars grappling with the complexities of 21st-century international relations.

I was Head of the European Orientation on Global Security (EOGS) 2023 Programme. EOGS provides an opportunity for high-ranking military leaders to engage in substantive discussions with European experts from various sectors, including government, parliament, military, and civil society. Through these interactions, participants from NATO and partner countries gain deep insights into the complexities of European security cooperation within the transatlantic framework.

I am a board member of the European Research Group on Military and Society (ERGOMAS) and the coordinator of the "Soldiers in Operations" working group, which contributes to military and society research at the European level.

Education

• PhD in Social and Cultural Anthropology, 2006
 University of Hamburg

• Master of Arts in International Relations / 
 Social and Cultural Anthropology, 1997
 University of Hamburg

• Study abroad in Social and Cultural Anthroplogy
 Université VII, Jussieu, Paris

• Bachelor of Arts (equivalent) in Political Science / 
 Social and Cultural Anthroplogy
 University of Münster

Teaching

I am Professor at the Command and Staff College in Hamburg and offer courses focused on regional orders, strategies and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. I also have (among other things) teaching experience in:

• Critical International Relations

• Security studies

• Colonialism and Postcolonialism

• Multiplex world orders

• Political and military anthropology

• Women, Peace and Security

• MA and PhD thesis supervision (throughout Europe)

Research

My research spans a diverse array of interconnected topics that illuminate the complex power dynamics shaping our contemporary world. My work delves into the security challenges unfolding in the Indo-Pacific region, examining how traditional and non-traditional threats intersect with local, regional, and global power structures and regional orders.

I am particularly fascinated by the concept of multiplexity and its role in the ongoing reordering of the international system. This lens allows me to explore how various actors navigate and influence the shifting global landscape, challenging conventional notions of power and order.

My research also extends to various forms of conflict and war. In particular, I focus on Grey Zone Warfare and the novel concept of ICAD, an acronym which stands for illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions below the threshold of war. These areas of study reveal the blurring lines between peace and war and show how strategic competition is evolving in the 21st century.

A significant portion of my work examines the pursuit of strategic autonomy and agency in the Indo-Pacific. I analyse how states and non-state actors assert their interests and navigate complex geopolitical realities. My research is also intrinsically linked to my anthropologically informed investigations into the enduring implications of colonialism, which continue to shape power dynamics and identities in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

Lastly, I also work in the critical field of Women, Peace and Security, examining how gender dynamics influence concepts of security, conflict, peacebuilding, and global governance. This work not only contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of security challenges but also advocates for more inclusive and effective approaches to security, conflict resolution and sustainable peace.

Recent Publications

Maren Tomforde / Felix Heiduk: Strategic Autonomy and Regional Organisations: Comparing ASEAN and the EU. In print. In book: Strategic Autonomy: Complexities in a Changing World. 

Maren Tomforde: Processing violence: the continuum between fear, doubt, and joy among German soldiers in Afghanistan. October 2024. In: War & Society 

• DOI: 10.1080/07292473.2024.2409530

Maren Tomforde: Military Heroism in Germany: A Contested and Ever-Changing Concept. April 2024. In book: Military Heroism in a Post-Heroic Era.

• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-51556-9_12

Maren Tomforde / Ulrich vom Hagen: Militärische Kultur. May 2023. In book: Militärsoziologie – Eine Einführung.

• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-658-30184-2_15

Maren Tomforde: Framing the Other in Times of War and Terror: Explorations of the Military in Germany. December 2022. In book: Civil–Military Entanglements

• DOI: 10.1515/9781789201963-007

Maren Tomforde / Eyal Ben-Ari: Anthropology of the Military. September 2021. In book: Handbook of Military Sciences.

• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-02866-4_82-1

If you require consulting or my expertise, please feel free to reach out. 

IMPRESSUM | DATENSCHUTZ

© Copyright. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Wir benötigen Ihre Zustimmung zum Laden der Übersetzungen

Wir nutzen einen Drittanbieter-Service, um den Inhalt der Website zu übersetzen, der möglicherweise Daten über Ihre Aktivitäten sammelt. Bitte überprüfen Sie die Details in der Datenschutzerklärung und akzeptieren Sie den Dienst, um die Übersetzungen zu sehen.