Ute Hüsken

Professor Ute Hüsken serves as head of the Department of Cultural and Religious History of South Asia at Heidelberg University since 2017. Prior to this, she held a professorship in South Asia Studies (Sanskrit) at Oslo University (2007–2017) and led projects in Heidelberg's Collaborative Research Centre "Dynamics of Ritual" (SFB 619).

• Research Focus: Interdisciplinary approaches combining textual analysis (Sanskrit/Pali/Tamil) with anthropological fieldwork
• Editorial Leadership: Co-editor of The Oxford Ritual Studies Series

Her scholarly work intersects Buddhist studies, Hindu studies, Ritual studies, and Gender studies, with particular emphasis on prenatal rituals in South India and female agency in South Asian religious traditions. Recent publications explore South Indian temple practices, gendered ritual training, and festival dynamics.

Academic Network:

• Collaborates with Heidelberg's Transforming Cultural Heritage Flagship Initiative
• Former member of SFB 619 (Ritual Dynamics)
• Project partner in international gender and religion studies