Prof. Dr. Kianoosh Rezania is a Professor of West Asian Religious History and Director of the Käte Hamburger Kolleg Dynamics of Religious History at Ruhr University Bochum. His research focuses on Zoroastrianism, Iranian religions, and the history of religions, with a particular emphasis on ancient Iranian languages and interreligious dynamics. He holds a Ph.D. from Georg-August University Göttingen and has conducted extensive research on topics such as Zoroastrian cosmology, Sasanian-Zoroastrian interactions, and the transmission of religious texts. His work combines philological analysis with historical and cultural studies approaches. Rezania's academic career includes roles as a research associate at Göttingen University and his habilitation project on spatial concepts in early Zoroastrianism. He has directed major research initiatives like the Graduate School of Metaphor and Religion (GSMR) and the Käte Hamburger Kolleg. His publications span monographs, edited volumes, and peer-reviewed articles exploring themes such as religious economics, Middle Persian lexicography, and cross-cultural exchanges between the Safavid and Mughal empires. His current projects include the 'Zoroastrian Middle Persian: Digital Corpus and Dictionary' initiative and studies on Pahlavi literature's interreligious context. He collaborates internationally, leading interdisciplinary teams and contributing to digital humanities efforts in religious studies.
Viktor Golinets is a Professor of Hebrew Linguistics at the Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies , where he has held the Chair of Hebrew Linguistics since 2018. Previously, he served as a Junior Professor at the same institution from 2012 to 2018. His academic journey includes a PhD in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from the University of Munich (2010) and a Magister degree in Semitics from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2004). Education: PhD (Altorientalistik, LMU Munich, 2010), Magister (Semitics, LMU Munich, 1997-2004) Professional Roles: Professor (Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies, since 2018), Junior Professor (Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies, 2012-2018), Scientific Assistant (University of Basel, 2007-2012) Golinets’ research focuses on the linguistic and textual history of the Hebrew Bible , ancient Bible translations , and historical grammar of Hebrew . He specializes in Masoretic studies, Semitic epigraphy, and comparative analysis of Northwest Semitic languages like Amorite, Aramaic, and Ugaritic. His work addresses textual criticism, biblical hermeneutics, and the evolution of Hebrew from Masoretic to modern usage. His publications and articles reveal a strong emphasis on Hebrew onomastics , epigraphic analysis , and the role of language in Jewish cultural identity . He has contributed to international colloquia on textual criticism and Semitic philology. Memberships: German Oriental Society, European Association of Biblical Studies, International Association for Comparative Semitics, Association of Judaists in Germany, and others Golinets serves as Deputy Rector at Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies and has collaborated on projects like the Hebrew-Greek Text-Critical Synopsis of the Book of Jeremiah and the Biblia Hebraica Transkripta. His expertise in Hebrew manuscripts and Semitic languages informs both his teaching and research.
Dr. Alexandra von Lieven is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Egyptology at the Free University of Berlin , specializing in Ancient Egyptian mythology, religious studies, and cultural history. She held a fellowship at the Lichtenberg-Kolleg (University of Göttingen) from October 2010 to July 2011. Her research focuses on divine norm transgression in Egyptian myths, analyzing hierarchies, gender roles, and legal frameworks. She explores comparative phenomena in other ancient mythologies to distinguish Egyptian-specific traits from cultural universals. Education : Egyptology and Comparative Religious Studies, with additional studies in Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, and Indology at the University of Tübingen. Research Highlights : Compiling a comprehensive inventory of deities involved in norm transgression; identifying mythemes related to rape, hierarchies, and gender in the Osiris myth; comparative analysis with other ancient mythologies. Key Publications : Studies on celestial mythology, Thoth's role in cross-cultural traditions, Seth cult sites, divine manifestations in nature, and rituals for goddesses.
Jonathan Miles Robker is a Lecturer (Privatdozent) at the University of Münster's Faculty of Protestant Theology. He holds a Habilitation in Old Testament (2018), Doctor of Theology (2011), Master of Theological Studies (2006), and dual Bachelor's degrees in History and Philosophy (2003). Since 2020, he serves as Editor for Biblical Studies and has held research positions at the university since 2013. His research focuses on textual criticism, ancient Near Eastern epigraphy, Deuteronomistic history, and literary analysis of biblical texts. Primary interests include the Book of Kings, history of Israel, and comparative ancient Near Eastern traditions. Robker's publications demonstrate consistent engagement with textual variants across ancient manuscripts, particularly examining the Deuteronomistic History through Septuagint and Masoretic textual traditions. His works frequently analyze political theology, prophetic literature, and the development of biblical canons.
Elisa Roßberger is an Assistant Professor with tenure track for Explorative Visual Archaeology of the Ancient Near East at the Free University of Berlin since October 2022. Previously, she held a similar position for Digital Humanities for Near Eastern Archaeology and Assyriology at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (2021-2022). Her academic journey includes post-doctoral positions at LMU München's Graduate School Distant Worlds and Centre for Advanced Studies. Dr. Roßberger's educational background includes: PhD in Near Eastern Archaeology from Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen (2010, summa cum laude), published as "Schmuck für Lebende und Tote" (2015) Graduate studies as a scholarship recipient of the DFG Graduate College "Forms of Prestige in Ancient Cultures" at LMU München (2006-2009) Studies in Near Eastern Archaeology, Political Science (International Relations), and Assyriology in Munich, Beirut, and Tübingen (2000-2006) Her research focuses on the archaeology of Iraq, Syria, and the Levant during the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE, with particular emphasis on visual culture, multimodality, and digital approaches to ancient studies. She has conducted extensive fieldwork since 2000 at archaeological sites including Ba'ja (Jordan), Gerçin Höyük (Turkey), Tell Burak (Lebanon), Emar and Qatna (Syria), Tilla Bulak (Uzbekistan), and Ur (Iraq). Dr. Roßberger's scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with visual representation in ancient societies, particularly examining cylinder seals, terracotta figurines, and Babylonian imagery. Her work bridges traditional archaeological analysis with innovative digital methodologies, creating new approaches to understanding ancient material culture through multimodal analysis. Her major research projects include: Co-leading the interdisciplinary long-term project "KIŠIB. Digital Corpus of Ancient West Asian Seals and Sealings" since 2025 Leading the BMBF eHeritage project "Annotated Corpus of Ancient West Asian Imagery: Cylinder Seals" (ACAWAI-CS, 2020-2023) Leading the BMBF eHeritage project "Concept for Digitization of Ancient Near Eastern Cylinder and Stamp Seals" (DigANES, 2017-2018) Dr. Roßberger is actively involved in academic communities: Member of the DFG Network "Archaeological Image Research: Limitations and Transgressions of Images" since 2025 Co-Chair of the NFDI4Objects Community Clusters "Objects as Information Carriers" since 2024 Editorial board member for "Visual Culture of Ancient Western and Central Asia" (Palgrave Macmillan) Co-organizer of multiple international conferences on ancient Near Eastern temple inventories and digital perspectives on seals and sealings
Prof. Martin Klingbeil is a theologian and biblical scholar affiliated with the Theologische Hochschule Friedensau , where he serves as Professor für Altes Testament . His research focuses on the Old Testament , Hebrew Poetry , Biblical Archaeology , and Ancient Near Eastern Iconography , often bridging textual analysis with material evidence. Klingbeil holds a D.Litt. from Stellenbosch University and has contributed extensively to peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. He is a co-editor of Khirbet Qeiyafa Excavation Reports and serves as Consulting Editor for Davar Logos . His work frequently examines the interplay between biblical texts and their archaeological contexts, particularly through sites like Khirbet Qeiyafa and Lachish . As an active member of academic societies such as the Society of Biblical Literature and American Schools of Oriental Research , Klingbeil has organized and presented at numerous international symposia. His editorial and fieldwork contributions underscore his dedication to interdisciplinary biblical studies.
Friederike Neumann is a Researcher at the Institute for Protestant Theology and Religious Education within Faculty IV - Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Oldenburg. She has held a permanent position since 2022 and has been affiliated with the university since 2014. Academic Education : Diploma in Protestant Theology (University of Göttingen, 2009), Doctorate (Dr. theol., 2016), Habilitation (2025, Old Testament). Her research focuses on the theological and literary history of the Old Testament , with particular emphasis on the Pentateuch , Psalms , and Jeremiah . She specializes in redaction criticism, intertextuality, and the formation of biblical Israel's conceptual identity. Her publications and lectures (e.g., at SBL and IOSOT conferences) explore themes such as the final redaction of the Psalter , Jacob-Laban narratives , and violence in Exodus . Key trends include analyses of liturgical theology, post-exilic influences, and geopolitical contexts in the Ancient Near East. Scientific Awards : DAAD scholarship (2006–2007) DFG fellowship 'Images of Gods – Images of God – Worldviews' (2009–2014) She supervises bachelor's and master's theses in Old Testament studies and contributes to archaeological projects (e.g., Tel Azekah excavation, 2018). Her teaching covers exegetical methods , Pentateuch , Psalms , and identity in the Old Testament .
Dr. Josephine Fechner is a researcher at the University of Göttingen's Seminar for Ancient Near Eastern Studies, specializing in Mesopotamian mythology, proverbial literature, and ritual practices. As coordinator of the DFG Research Group 2064 STRATA, she focuses on transmedial comparative analysis of underworld narratives and mythological demonology. Her work bridges textual studies with iconographic analysis, particularly examining the Apkallū figures and Dumuzi myth cycles. Research Focus: Mesopotamian mythological traditions, Akkadian/Sumerian proverbs, ritual hermeneutics Current Projects: Edition of Lamentations on Netherworld Demons; Analysis of the 7 Sages tradition Academic Affiliation: University of Göttingen (Faculty of Humanities) Her recent publications explore intertextuality in underworld myths, transformative ritual language, and human-animal encounters in proverbial texts. She actively contributes to international conferences including Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale and SOAS Cuneiforum, while teaching advanced seminars on Mesopotamian wisdom literature and comparative mythology.
Prof. Dr. Annette Zgoll is a Professor at the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Studies , Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, and a member of the Academy of Sciences in Göttingen (2010–present). She co-directs the interdisciplinary Collegium Mythologicum (2011–present) and leads the DFG Research Group 2064 STRATA (2016–present), focusing on mythological stratification and cross-cultural storytelling. Her research spans comparative mythology, hylistic theory, and the interplay between myth, ritual, and cultural transmission. Director of the Collegium Mythologicum (2011–present) Principal Investigator for DFG STRATA Research Group (2020–present) Editorial roles in the Mythological Studies series (De Gruyter, 2019–present) Her research interests include: myth as a polymorphous and polystratic Erzählstoff (narrative material), stratification analysis of mythological traditions, and hylistic methods for reconstructing myth variants across texts, images, and rituals. She specializes in comparative studies of Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman myths, particularly those involving celestial descent, underworld journeys, and divine-human interactions. Recent scientific awards include the Peregrinus Prize (2023) for innovative mythological research. She has organized international conferences like the First International Early Career Researchers’ Conference on New Approaches to Myths (2023) and co-edited volumes such as Was vom Himmel kommt (2021), analyzing sky-origin myths across ancient Mediterranean cultures. Teaching includes courses on Hittite language, comparative myth studies, and interdisciplinarity. She collaborates with institutions like Oxford University and the University of Helsinki, and her lab/team activities involve the Collegium Mythologicum and DFG STRATA Group , advancing transmedia and cross-cultural myth analysis.
Wiebke Kirleis is Professor for Environmental Archaeology and Archaeobotany at the Institute for Pre- and Protohistory, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU). She has held this position since May 2014 and was previously a junior professor at the same university from 2008 to 2014. She is actively involved in major interdisciplinary research projects, including the Cluster of Excellence ROOTS and the Collaborative Research Centre 1266 'Scales of Transformation', where she serves as co-speaker and technical platform speaker. PhD in Natural Sciences, University of Göttingen (2002) Diploma in Biology, University of Göttingen (1998) Studies in Botany, Anthropology, and Environmental History, University of Göttingen (1990–1998) Wiebke Kirleis' research centers on the interaction between humans and plants during the late Pleistocene and Holocene, with a focus on plant economy, domestication, agricultural development, and landscape transformation. Her work explores how wild and cultivated plants were used for nutrition, ritual, and technical purposes, and how agricultural innovations such as ploughing and manuring impacted Central European landscapes. She has a strong geographical focus on Northern and Central Germany, Southeastern Europe, the Near and Middle East, and Southeast and East Asia, particularly Indonesia. Her methodological expertise includes archaeobotany (analysis of charred and waterlogged plant remains), palynology (pollen and spore analysis from sediment cores), and anthracology (study of charcoal remains). Her recent research includes studies on broomcorn millet diffusion, early farming in Scandinavia and Russia, and plant use in Bronze Age settlements across Europe and Turkey. She leads and collaborates on numerous interdisciplinary projects, emphasizing the integration of botanical data into broader archaeological narratives. Her publications reflect a consistent trend in environmental archaeology, focusing on plant domestication, agricultural transitions, and human-induced landscape change. Keywords across her recent work include archaeobotany, palynology, Neolithic and Bronze Age subsistence, and environmental reconstruction. Her research spans subfields such as food security, cultural transmission of plant use, early monumentality, and socio-economic aspects of prehistoric agriculture. Board member, Cluster of Excellence ROOTS Co-speaker, CRC 1266 'Scales of Transformation' Speaker, ROOTS Technical Platform Board member, Johanna-Mestorf-Akademie Chair, Scientific Advisory Board, Dithmarschen Stone Age Park (since 2023) Full member, German Archaeological Institute (DAI) Elected member, Commission for Archaeology of Non-European Cultures (KAAK) Wiebke Kirleis has supervised numerous research projects funded by the DFG and other agencies, including the Graduate School 'Human Development in Landscapes'. She has advised students and collaborated internationally with institutions in Italy, Norway, Indonesia, and Australia. Her leadership roles in academic self-administration include serving on planning, budget, and equality committees at CAU Kiel. She is committed to science communication, having launched the digital exhibition 'Alles bleibt anders' and produced educational films on archaeobotany. She is also involved in mentoring female postdocs through the via:mento program. She leads the archaeobotanical component in the 'Superfood' module of the SFB 1266 digital exhibition and is actively involved in the ROOTS Cluster’s Subcluster 'Dietary ROOTS'. Her lab and research team operate within the Institute for Pre- and Protohistory, contributing to the university’s strong focus on interdisciplinary landscape archaeology.
Jens Kamlah serves as Professor of Biblical Archaeology and Director of the Institute of Biblical Archaeology at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Protestant Theology. Appointed full Professor in 2018 and Pro-Dean since 2025, he concurrently chairs the German Palestine Association (DPV) since 2012 and leads the German-Lebanese Tell el-Burak excavation project since 2001. His academic journey began with studies in Protestant Theology, Ancient Oriental Studies, Egyptology, and Pre-Protohistory at Mainz and Tübingen (1983-1990). He earned his doctorate from Tübingen in 1999 with research on the Zeraqon Survey and completed his habilitation at Kiel University in 2005 on Phoenician and Israelite temple cults. Kamlah's research synthesizes archaeological evidence with biblical exegesis to reconstruct Levantine religious and social history. His work prioritizes Phoenician archaeology, temple studies, and the interplay between material culture and textual sources in ancient Israel. He examines how agricultural practices, trade networks, and urban development shaped religious institutions across the Iron Age Levant. His publication record (2006-2016) reveals consistent focus on Phoenician temple architecture, Middle Bronze Age chronology, and cross-cultural exchange. Key themes include Tell el-Burak's stratigraphy, Sidon's regional economy, and comparative analyses of Levantine sanctuaries. His approach integrates radiocarbon dating, surface survey methodology, and iconographic studies to address historiographical gaps. Kamlah directs multiple major research initiatives including SFB 1070 'ResourceCultures' (agriculture and exchange networks), the DFG Phoenician trade network, and the Encyclopedia of Material Culture of the Biblical World. His institutional leadership extends to the German Archaeologists' Association board (2006-2016) and Tübingen's Equal Opportunities Committee since 2019. As Director of the Institute since 2010, he oversees excavations at Tell el-Burak and coordinates international collaborations through the Institute for Cultures of the Ancient Orient (IANES). His team integrates German, Lebanese, and international scholars in multidisciplinary studies of Phoenician harbor cities and Bronze Age settlement patterns.
James W. Watts is a Professor of Hebrew Bible and ancient Near Eastern textual traditions in the Department of Religion at Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences. He has been at Syracuse since 1999, serving as Chair of the Department of Religion from 2009-2015 and as William P. Tolley Professor in the Humanities from 2011-2013. Watts also served as Visiting Research Fellow at the Käte Hamburger Kolleg, Ruhr Universität Bochum from 2015-2016. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament from Yale University (1990) M.Div. and Th.M. in New Testament from Southern Seminary (1985-1986) B.A. in Philosophy from Pomona College (1982) Watts specializes in the literature and religion of the Hebrew Bible, particularly the Pentateuch, sacrifice, law, and narrative genres. His research explores ancient Near Eastern religious rhetoric, ritual theory, comparative scriptures, and iconic books. His work bridges textual analysis with ritual studies, examining how sacred texts function as physical objects within religious communities and how they acquire iconic status across cultures. His recent publications reveal a growing focus on the materiality of scripture, ritual performance, and the social power of sacred texts. Watts has increasingly examined how biblical texts, particularly Leviticus, have been used to construct social boundaries related to race, diet, and purity. His work connects ancient textual traditions with contemporary issues of social justice, censorship, and religious authority in digital contexts. Among his notable achievements: William P. Tolley Professor in the Humanities (2011-2013) Secretary-Treasurer of The Society for Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts (2010-present) Editor of the Equinox book series, Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts (2017-present) Chair of the Pentateuch Section of the Society of Biblical Literature (1998-2003) Watts has directed graduate studies in the Department of Religion (2006-2009, 2023-2025) and undergraduate studies (2000-2004). He has supervised numerous student research projects on iconic books, biblical ritual texts, normative texts, and scripturalization. His academic leadership extends to the Renée Crown Honors Program and the SU Humanities Council. Watts leads the Iconic Books Project, which analyzes the functions of scriptures in cross-cultural and trans-historical perspectives. This project has developed into the Society for Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts (SCRIPT), of which he serves as Secretary-Treasure. His work continues to explore the relationship between textual practices, ritual performance, and the social power of sacred texts.
Wiebke Meinhold is a Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Philology at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Humanities. Her career spans key roles in Assyriology, including scientific collaborations at institutions like the University of Geneva and Heidelberg Academy of Sciences. Education: MA in Assyriology, Semitic Studies, and Greek from Heidelberg and Leiden (2001) Doctorate: University of Leipzig (2006) Research focuses on cultural and religious history of the Ancient Near East, with specific attention to Mesopotamian deities, legal traditions, and social structures. Her work includes analysis of cuneiform legal texts from Nippur and studies on temple economies. Recent publications emphasize inheritance practices across Old Babylonian cities and the socio-economic role of prebends. She contributes to academic discourse through editorial work and participation in international conferences. Organizations: Member of Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft (DOG) and International Association for Assyriology (IAA) In university governance, she holds leadership roles as Executive Director of the Institute for Ancient Near Eastern Cultures (2021-2023, 2025+) and Equality Commissioner in the Faculty of Humanities (2025+).
Dr. Andreas Fuchs is an außerplanmäßiger Professor (Extraordinary Professor) at the Institute of Ancient Near Eastern Studies within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Tübingen, Germany. He has held this position since 2004, following his habilitation in Cultural Sciences at the University of Tübingen in 2004. His academic career includes previous positions as a scientific assistant at the University of Tübingen (1999-2004) and at Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena (1994-1998). His educational background includes: Studies in Assyriology, Arabic, and Ethnology at Georg-August-University Göttingen (starting 1980) PhD in 1993 Habilitation at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, University of Tübingen (2004) Professor Fuchs specializes in the Neo-Assyrian Period of Ancient Near Eastern history, with research focusing on royal inscriptions and letters, cultural history, historical topography, and military history of Ancient Western Asia. His work bridges philological analysis with historical and archaeological approaches to understand the political, military, and cultural dynamics of the Assyrian Empire. His expertise extends to the broader context of the Ancient Near East, including neighboring regions such as Anatolia, Iran, and Mesopotamia. His scholarly publications demonstrate consistent focus on military history, royal inscriptions, and political dynamics across the Neo-Assyrian period. Recent works examine communications systems in the Iron Age, the Medes and Mannea kingdoms, and the historical accuracy of Assyrian royal chronology. His research shows particular interest in how military organization, resource management, and communication systems contributed to imperial stability. He is an active member of the Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft (German Oriental Society) and participates in several major research projects, including the publication of texts from archaeological excavations at Tell Halaf (Syria) and Sirkeli-Höyök (Turkey), as well as contributing to the Collaborative Research Center "Resources" with his project on "Resource acquisition and empire building." Professor Fuchs is currently working on a comprehensive monograph on the Neo-Assyrian Empire and other scholarly works examining Assyrian dynasties and royal inscriptions.
PD Dr. Mathias Winkler is a Senior Lecturer in Biblical Theology / Old Testament at the Faculty of Catholic Theology, Ruhr University Bochum, where he has served as the interim chair for Old Testament studies since April 1, 2023. He is also affiliated as a Faculty Member with the Faculty of Catholic Theology at Universität Regensburg. His research interests are centered on Biblical Theology, Old Testament studies, and Biblical Hermeneutics, with a strong focus on Narrative Methods. A significant portion of his recent work applies Critical Masculinity Studies to the Hebrew Bible, exploring themes of masculinity in the patriarchal narratives of Genesis and the portrayal of male characters. His scholarship also delves deeply into the Book of Proverbs, examining its structure, intertextuality with the Solomonic narratives in 1 Kings, and its theological wisdom. Other key areas include the Book of Numbers, particularly the Nazirite vow and the role of the Levites, and the nature of divine revelation. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent trend of sophisticated literary and theological analysis. He frequently investigates the interplay between text, ideology, and social constructs, as seen in his work on masculinity. His articles also reflect a keen interest in textual details, such as the symbolism of hair or the structure of wisdom collections, and in the connections between the Old and New Testaments, as in his study of the testing of God in Exodus and 1 Corinthians. Dr. Winkler is an active scholar with a growing body of work, including two books and numerous articles in respected journals like Vetus Testamentum and Journal for the Study of the Old Testament . He can be contacted via email at mathias.winkler@ruhr-uni-bochum.de .
