The graduate school is headed by two representatives and speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Detlef Nolte (GIGA Vice President and Head of GIGA’s Doctoral Programme)
• Prof. Dr. Cord Jakobeit (Chair of International Relations at the University of Hamburg)

The professional management and advancement of the research programme is conducted by an academic director:

• Dr. Anja Jetschke (GIGA)

All of these positions are supported by a coordinator:

• Dr. Jörg Meyer (University of Hamburg)