Dr. Fabian Hofmann

Instructor

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Biography

Fabian Hofmann is a PhD researcher in Technology Governance at ETH Zurich's Department of Humanities, Social Political Sciences. He is the principal investigator of a four-year interdisciplinary research project, "Securing Urban Peace," funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). Fabian holds a master's degree in International Relations from the Geneva Graduate Institute, where he also earned the Arditi Prize in 2024 for his dissertation titled "Sousveilling Smart City." His research areas include the impact of smart city initiatives on social ordering in post-conflict contexts, with a focus on cases in Northern Ireland, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. His dissertation involves a multi-sited ethnography that employs discourse analytical and participatory methods to trace how these initiatives shape urban peace dynamics. Previously, he worked as a Junior Researcher at the Centre for Conflict, Development, and Peacebuilding at the Geneva Graduate Institute and served as a Civilian Servant at swisspeace. He has also volunteered as the communications officer for the Journal of International Relations and Development.

Research Interests

Technology Governance Smart City Initiatives Urban Studies Critical Security Studies Science and Technology Studies

Experience

Junior Researcher

— Present

Tech Hub, Geneva Graduate Institute • Geneva, Switzerland

Conducting research on technology governance.

Junior Researcher

— Present

Centre for Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding, Geneva Graduate Institute • Geneva, Switzerland

Researching conflict dynamics and development.

Student Researcher

— Present

Centre for Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding, Geneva Graduate Institute • Geneva, Switzerland

Assisting in research projects.

Research Associate

— Present

Edgelands Institute • Geneva, Switzerland

Participating in qualitative research.

Civilian Servant

— Present

swisspeace • Switzerland

Providing communication support.

Teaching Assistant

— Present

University of Basel, Department of Sociology • Basel, Switzerland

Assisting in undergraduate courses.

Awards

#2024

Prix Arditi

#2023

Special Honorable Mention

Requirements for ETH Zurich

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.4
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:159
Verbal Percentile
Required:80
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:81
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Writing Percentile
Required:85
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a related field (Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Mathematics) Minimum 180 ECTS credits Subject-specific knowledge equivalent to ETH Bachelor's programs
Application Checklist
  • Bachelor's degree diploma or transcript
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letter of Motivation (1 page)
  • Two academic recommendation letters
  • English language proficiency certificate
  • GRE General Test (for non-EU/EFTA applicants)
Specialization Notes

The GRE is mandatory for students who did not obtain their Bachelor's degree in an EU/EFTA state. Some departments (e.g., Computer Science) have specific ECTS credit requirements in core subjects.