Felix Volkmar obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political and Administrative Science from the University of Konstanz, after completing a semester abroad at the Science Po Bordeaux in France. He then studied Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Marburg as well as the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. He gained professional experience working in development cooperation in Rwanda, with Reporters without Borders and the KfW Development Bank. As a Mercator Fellow, he will explore the local and regional political economy of human smuggling and work on practicable political solutions.