Laura Völkle M.A.

I have been working in the central project management of the CRC since September 2023. Previously, I studied sociology in Tübingen and Mainz, received a doctoral scholarship at the Centre for Gender and Diversity Research in Tübingen (2018-2020), and was a research assistant at the Department of Sociological Theories and Gender Studies in Mainz (2020-2023).

Although my dissertation is not located within the CRC, it certainly deals with something that can be seen as a case of human differentiation: I am conducting ethnographic research focusing on (prospective) fathers in heterosexual relationships and co-parenting arrangements, as well as on known sperm donors, in order to understand the differentiation of fatherhood and the construction of father figures within the dynamics of reproductive relationships. The theme and conceptual framework of human differentiation is also an important point of reference in some of my other research interests. For example, I have worked on the issue of the outer limits of human categorisation in the case of stillbirths.

As part of the central project management team, I work with my colleague Manuela Schips and coordinator Robert Mitchel on everything from financial management to organising events. I am looking forward to gaining experience and insight into the administration and coordination of such a large research consortium, as well as having the opportunity to keep track of the empirical and theoretical work within the CRC.