Thede Kahl

Thede Kahl is a University Professor of Southern Slavic Studies and Southeastern European Studies at Friedrich Schiller University Jena (until March 2016). He currently chairs the Austrian Academy of Sciences' Commission on 'Vanishing Languages and Cultural Heritage'. His career includes leadership roles in multiple research projects focusing on Balkan linguistics, minority languages, and cultural heritage preservation.

Education: Habilitation in Balkan Languages/Cultures (University of Vienna, 2007); PhD in Geography (University of Münster, 1999). Key projects include DFG-funded archives projects, FWF-led studies on nomadic languages, and EU/industry-sponsored cultural documentation initiatives.

Research focuses on endangered languages (Aromanian, Albanian, Megleno-Romanian), interethnic relations, and Balkan folklore. He has published extensively on language typology, cultural sustainability, and minority cultural preservation strategies. Major awards include an honorary doctorate from Vasile Goldis University and Gagauzia's Gold Medal.

Advising/Grants: Headed 8+ funded projects including €1.2M+ grants from FWF, DFG, and industry partners like Henkel. Advised over 20 doctoral researchers through university and academy programs.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Commission's documentation teams and collaborates with international institutions like the Saxon Academy of Sciences. Leads fieldwork in Greece, Italy, Ukraine, and the Caucasus to document vanishing cultural practices and linguistic archives.