History - African-German Research Network for Transnational Criminal Justice

The Network goes back to the South African-German Centre for Transnational Criminal Justice (2008-2018) which was one of seven Centres of African Excellence funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The Centre was based on a cooperation agreement between Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and was located in the Law Faculty of UWC in Cape Town, South Africa. It was founded and led by Professor Gerhard Werle (HU Berlin), jointly with Professor Lovell Fernandez (UWC).

The Centre offered the LL.M.- and PhD-programme “Transnational Criminal Justice and Crime Prevention – An International and African Perspective” with modules on transitional justice, international criminal law, organised crime and money laundering, as well as anti-corruption law. During the ten years of its existence, 124 students from 21 countries representing three continents graduated from the Centre, the majority of them with an LL.M.-degree; 16 have completed their PhD. With the end of the ten-year-funding period, the Centre closed its doors on 31 December 2018.

Taking advantage of the large number of the Centre’s excellent Alumnae and Alumni, Professor Werle established the African-German Research Network on Transnational Criminal Justice in 2019 as a platform to continue exchange and cooperation. Until 2023 the Network was funded by the DAAD. As of 2024, Professor Werle handed over the Network’s directorship to Professor Florian Jeßberger (HU Berlin).

Since 2008, a number of people have been involved in the coordination and administration of both, the Network and the Centre on the Berlin side. Professor Moritz Vormbaum, Professor Leonie Steinl, Dr Paul Bornkamm and Anna Krey served as coordinators of the LL.M. and PhD programme at different stages between 2008 and 2018. Professor Aziz Epik, Dr Yao Li, Nella Sayatz and Leon Trampe were coordinators of the Network in various phases between 2019 and 2023. Anja Schepke has been financially administrating the Centre and the Network from its foundation until 2023.

LL.M. Alumnae and Alumni

PhD Alumnae and Alumni

Countries of origin of our Alumnae and Alumni

Alumnae and Alumni of the South African-German Centre for Transnational Criminal Justice

In the ten years of its existence, the South African-German Centre for Transnational Criminal Justice has developed 124 Alumni, of whom 16 are PhD Alumni. Our Alumni come from 21 countries and represent three continents.