Gianni Sievers received his Ph.D. with distinction in South Asia Studies (concentration: History) from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023. He also holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies and a B.A. in History and Cultures of the Middle East (concentration: Islamic Studies) from the Free University of Berlin.

Beyond his academic work, Gianni has been active as a semi-professional jazz musician, performing with various ensembles in France, Germany, India, Portugal, and the U.S. He studied jazz saxophone in Munich, Berlin, and at the Franz Liszt Conservatory of Music, Weimar.