Rauf Ceylan

Rauf Ceylan is a full Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at the University of Osnabrück's Institute for Islamic Theology since 2009, with a specific appointment confirmed in the 2019/2020 academic year. He is also a member of the Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies (IMIS) since 2011 and serves on the Council for Migration (RfM eV). His academic leadership extends to roles as Deputy Director of the Institute for Islamic Theology and membership in the University Senate since 2014.

His educational background includes:

• Diploma in Social and Cultural Sciences from University of Applied Sciences Dusseldorf (2000)
• Doctorate in Sociology (Dr. rer. soc.) with magna cum laude from Ruhr University Bochum (2006)
• Doctorate in Religious Education (Dr. phil.) with summa cum laude from University of Vechta (2014)

Ceylan's research focuses on the sociological aspects of Islam in Germany, particularly examining Turkish Muslim communities in the diaspora. His work spans contemporary Islamic studies, mosque dynamics, the role of imams, Islamic organizations, religion and migration, urban development, and religious extremism. He approaches these topics through both religious studies and sociological lenses, creating a distinctive interdisciplinary perspective on Islam in Western societies.

His extensive publication record reveals consistent themes across decades of scholarship, with particular emphasis on the institutional development of Islam in Germany, the professionalization of Muslim community organizations, and the challenges of radicalization prevention. His recent work shows increasing focus on the academization of Islamic studies, financial sustainability of Muslim communities, and the experiences of specific religious minorities like Alevi communities within the German context.

Ceylan serves on numerous advisory boards including the Scientific Advisory Board of the Federal Agency for Civic Education (since September 2023), and has held leadership positions in organizations like the Avicenna Scholarship Foundation. His expertise is frequently sought for policy consultation with various governmental bodies including the Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

He has secured significant third-party funding for research projects, most notably serving as project leader until September 2021 for the consortium project 'Radical Islam versus radical Anti-Islam' funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with 224,000 euros for the Osnabrück site. His research portfolio includes numerous projects on radicalization processes, Islamic welfare provision, and the structural development of Islamic theology as an academic discipline in Germany.

Ceylan is actively involved in mentoring through the Avicenna Scholarship Foundation and serves on the board of the Future Forum Islam at the Federal Agency for Civic Education. His work bridges academia and practical community engagement, particularly through his leadership in establishing counseling centers for Salafism prevention in Hannover.