Dr. Hans Steinmüller

Professor

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Biography

Hans Steinmüller conducts long-term fieldwork in Hubei Province, China, exploring significant changes in family lives, work, rituals, and rural development along the China-Myanmar border. His research critically examines the contradictions between local practices and official discourses, culminating in his monograph 'Communities of Complicity.' His interests also include the meanings of cynicism, irony, and justice within Chinese politics, and he is involved in a project focusing on the history of militarism in the highlands of Myanmar. Steinmüller's primary interest is in understanding the sovereignty of the Wa State, a de facto state governed by an insurgent army, based on extensive fieldwork in the region. He examines the relationships between villages, the army, military economies, and para-nationalism, employing a social anthropology framework that emphasizes attention, care, legibility, and opacity. His recent collaborations include contributions to a special issue entitled 'Governing Opacity.' In addition to his research, Hans is the convenor of the MSc programme in China in Comparative Perspective and serves as an editor for 'Social Analysis.' He possesses expertise in political economic anthropology, focusing on moralities, ethics, irony, rituals, and gambling.

Research Interests

Requirements for London School of Economics and Political Science

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in a relevant social science discipline
Application Checklist
  • Transcripts
  • Statement of Academic Purpose
  • Two academic references
  • CV
Specialization Notes

Standard English requirement applies to most programs in Geography, Anthropology, Sociology, and Media.