As a Mercator Fellow, Sophie focuses on the role of civil societies in fragile contexts. She analyzes how local civil society organizations can influence decision-making processes and governance in the aftermath of disasters and conflicts. Sophie has experience in rural development and cultural cooperation. She has worked for GIZ, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Jerusalem, and Goethe-Institut in Beirut. Sophie holds a BA in Political Science and Sociology and another BA in Asian Studies – both from the University of Bonn. She completed her MA in “Middle Eastern Studies” at the American University of Beirut. There, she focused on urban policies and post-war and post-disaster reconstruction.