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Henrike Kohpeiß
20182026

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Curriculum

I an a philosopher, working primarily on critical theory, philosophy of emotion, Black Studies, feminist philosophy and aesthetics. 

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Leuphana Transformation Lab, studying affects of Transformation, the relationship between crises and transformation and the notion of Transformation Literacy.

In my current project Respect for Reality, I seek to understand the social affective dynamics that lead to a derealization of the global ecological crisis. I initiate a dialogue between different methodologies like psychoanalysis, decolonial critique of extractivism, phenomenology and aesthetics of devastation in order to generate insights into the current experience of planetary collapse.

I was formerly employed at the CRC “Affective Societies” at Free University, Berlin (2019-2025), where I completed my doctoral degree in Philosophy with summa cum laude. The book resulting from this work was published in 2023 (Campus) and released as "Bourgeois Coldness" in English translation in 2025 (divided).

I studied philosophy and applied theatre studies in Berlin, Rome, Vienna and Gießen. My work and teaching are currently focused on critical theory, institutions, theories of affect and capitalism and psychoanalysis. In addition to my academic research, I organize and host events at Volksbühne Berlin and other venues. 

Keywords: Social philosophy, Black Studies, philosophy of affect and emotion, critical theory, aesthetics, feminist philosophy

Education/Academic qualification

Philosophy, Doctorate , Bourgeois Coldness - Affect and Colonial Subjectivity, Freie Universität Berlin

Award Date: 25.04.2022

Applied Theatre Studies, Master, Loving oneself instead of power - selfcare as a practice of rehearsal, University of Giessen

01.10.201431.10.2017

Award Date: 01.03.2018

Philosophy, Master, This is where the pain comes in - critical theory of negative affect, Freie Universität Berlin

01.10.201301.11.2017

Award Date: 01.11.2017

External positions

Postdoc CRC Affective Societies, Freie Universität Berlin

01.07.202330.11.2025

Predoc CRC Affective Societies

01.08.201930.06.2023

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 5 - Gender Equality
    SDG 5 Gender Equality
  2. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action
  3. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Research collaborations from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
  • University of Copenhagen

    Kohpeiß, H. (Visiting researcher)

    06.09.202503.10.2025

    Activity: Visiting an external institutionVisiting an external academic institutionResearch

  • Lund University

    Kohpeiß, H. (Visiting researcher)

    29.01.202408.03.2024

    Activity: Visiting an external institutionVisiting an external academic institutionResearch

  • Academy of Fine Arts Vienna

    Kohpeiß, H. (Visiting researcher)

    02.05.202203.06.2022

    Activity: Visiting an external institutionVisiting an external academic institutionResearch