Judith Hoppermann is a Doctoral Researcher at SOAS, University of London. Her research focuses on the politics of refugee governance in cross-border contexts with a focus on Lebanon and Turkey. She is particularly interested in the interaction of state and nonstate actors. Her research has received funding from various bodies, including the Gerda Henkel Foundation, European International Studies Association, Institute of Humane Studies, and Gilbert Murray Foundation.
Previously, she gained experience as as a Carlo Schmid Fellow at the World Food Progamme’s office for the coordination of the Syria crisis, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Lebanon program and the German Permanent Mission to the UN, amongst others. 
Judith holds an M.A. in Near and Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic (with distinction) from SOAS and a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies and Politics (first-class honours) from Albert-Ludwigs-University in Freiburg, Germany. During her studies, she held scholarships from Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (Journalism Track) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Research Project

This research project explores how large-scale forced migration shapes governance in key refugee-hosting states. Since 2011, the Syrian conflict has led to the displacement of over 6.8 million people, with neighbouring countries such as Lebanon and Turkey hosting the largest number of refugees per capita and in absolute terms. This project investigates how a range of actors navigate the challenges of refugee management. Through fieldwork in Lebanon, Turkey, and Geneva, the study examines how displacement responses intersect with broader questions of governance and cooperation and who is involved in responding to displacement. Rather than focusing solely on state-led approaches, the research pays particular attention to the roles of actors operating alongside or beyond state institutions. In doing so, it seeks to generate new insights into how migration is governed in regions affected by conflict and crisis – and how these responses influence both domestic politics and broader international debates.