Gideon Kiptoo is a doctoral student in German Literature and Culture and hails from Eldoret, Kenya. He holds a Bachelor of Education (Arts) in German and Christian Religious Education from Kenyatta University, a MA degree in German Studies from the University of Arizona, and participated in the UNESCO-Kulturweit Tandem Program in Renchen-Ulm, Germany. Gideon’s research is interdisciplinary in scope, focusing on themes surrounding Heimat, identity, illness, disability, and liminal aesthetics in German literature, film, and African studies.

He aspires to explore how autobiographical narratives by Afro-German and the Afro-Diasporic authors narrate notions of belonging and nationhood. Alongside his research, Gideon is deeply passionate about German language pedagogy. He has completed multiple professional development programs, including the Goethe-Institut’s Summer Academy 2024 in Dresden and is taking part in the Deutsch Lehren Lernen (DLL) modules. His teaching philosophy is grounded in social justice and inclusivity, aiming to create classroom spaces that recognize and celebrate students’ diverse identities and cultural backgrounds. Beyond academia, Gideon enjoys thoughtful conversations about life, maintains a personal blog, and is an avid listener of Reinhard Mey.