Professor Max Deeg is a leading scholar in Buddhist Studies at Cardiff University , holding a personal chair since 2009. With a career spanning institutions in Germany, Austria, and the UK, his research focuses on transcultural Buddhist history from India to East Asia, Chinese Buddhist travelogues , and interreligious encounters in medieval China. He has held visiting positions at universities in Japan, Nepal, the US, and Germany, and currently directs the Centre for the History of Religion in Asia (CHRA) . PhD from University of Würzburg (1990) Dr. phil. habil. in Religious Studies (1998) Full Professor at University of Vienna (2002-2006) His research explores Buddhist narratives as tools for constructing religious identity, foundation myths in trans-Himalayan contexts, and terminology evolution in Chinese Buddhist translations. Recent publications analyze Indian Buddhist monasticism through Chinese sources and religious concepts like xin (trust) across Buddhist, Manichaean, and Christian traditions. Awarded the KHK Visiting Research Fellowship (2016) and a DAAD Scholarship (1986-87) , Prof Deeg contributes to editorial boards of major journals. He supervises PhD students and teaches Buddhist Studies , Life of the Buddha , and Chinese Buddhist Texts .
Hans Beck serves as Professor of Greek History at the University of Münster (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität) since 2018, with an additional appointment as Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Arts at McGill University. His academic career includes previous positions as Professor of Ancient History and Director of Classical Studies at McGill University (2005-2018), Heisenberg Fellow at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt (2004-2005), and Research Assistant at the University of Cologne (1997-2004). Beck earned his academic training through doctoral studies at the Universities of Erlangen, Canterbury, and Cambridge (1989-1996), followed by a fellowship at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, DC (2001-2002). His educational background reflects a strong international foundation in classical studies. His research spans multiple interconnected fields within ancient history, with particular emphasis on the history and culture of ancient Greece, historical geography of Greece, environmental studies of the ancient Greek world, political culture of the Roman Republic, and ancient historiography. Beck's work consistently explores themes of localism, federalism, and political structures across ancient societies, with notable contributions to understanding Greek city-states, regional identities, and comparative political systems. His approach often bridges geographical, historical, and cultural perspectives to examine how ancient communities organized themselves politically and maintained regional identities within larger frameworks. Analyzing his recent publications reveals a sustained focus on local political structures within broader contexts, particularly examining how Greek city-states maintained autonomy while participating in federal leagues. His work increasingly incorporates comparative approaches, connecting Greek political structures with those of Rome and even ancient China, reflecting his editorial work on cross-cultural studies. Beck demonstrates particular expertise in analyzing how physical landscapes shaped political organization and how religious practices reinforced regional identities. Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2018) Anneliese Maier Research Award from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (2014) Heisenberg Fellowship from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (2004) Doctoral scholarship from German Academic Exchange Service (1995) Doctoral scholarship from Hanns Seidel Foundation (1994) Beck has supervised numerous doctoral students including Jordan Christopher (2022), Chandra Giroux (2021), Wentian Fu (2020), Rebecca Robinson (2017), Alex McAuley (2015), and François Gauthier (2015), covering diverse topics from ancient Qin and Macedon to cult practices in ancient empires. His academic leadership extends to directing research projects B3-49 'Belonging in/to Lakonia' and B3-40 'Localism and Religion in Ancient Greece' within the Excellence Cluster focusing on 'Religious Diversity and Legal-Political Unity.' As head of the project 'Belonging in/to Lakonia' and 'Localism and Religion in Ancient Greece,' Beck leads interdisciplinary research teams examining archaeological and historical evidence from the Sanctuary of Apollo at Amyklai and its surroundings. His work integrates textual analysis with material culture studies, creating comprehensive approaches to understanding ancient regional identities and religious practices. Beck's leadership in these projects demonstrates his commitment to bridging traditional disciplinary boundaries in classical studies.
Hillard von Thiessen is a full Professor of Early Modern History at the Historisches Institut of Universität Rostock, where he has held the chair since Summer Semester 2013. He served as Dean of the Philosophischen Fakultät from Winter Semester 2018/19 to Summer Semester 2022 and was previously acting chair at Universität zu Köln (2007-2012) and Universität Rostock (2012-2013). Currently, he is also a Fellow at the Käte-Hamburger-Kolleg "Einheit und Vielfalt im Recht" at the University of Münster. Professor von Thiessen completed his Magister Artium in 1995 at Freiburg with a thesis on witch hunts in Freiburg (1632-1677), for which he received the Waldseemüllerpreis in 1997. He earned his doctorate in 2001 with research on Capuchin friars as a reform order between confessionalization and everyday culture. In 2007, he completed his habilitation at the University of Bern with a study on cross-border patronage and diplomacy between Spain and the Papal States during Pope Paul V's pontificate (1605-1621). His research focuses on European Early Modern History, particularly international relations, norm competition, corruption and patronage cultures in the pre-modern era, religiosity, and the political culture of Habsburg Spain. His work often employs actor-centered perspectives to examine how individuals navigated complex normative frameworks during the Early Modern period. Recent publications demonstrate his interest in ambiguity as a historical phenomenon and how societies managed competing values and norms. His scholarly output reveals a consistent trajectory examining power structures, diplomatic networks, and cultural frameworks in Early Modern Europe, with particular attention to the intersection of religious, political, and social norms. The publications show increasing sophistication in analyzing how ambiguity functioned as a productive force rather than merely a problem to be solved in Early Modern governance and social relations. Waldseemüllerpreis der Universität Freiburg (1997) Professor von Thiessen has supervised numerous doctoral candidates through his habilitation and professorial positions, though specific student names aren't listed in the available documentation. His research has been supported by prestigious grants including the Gerda-Henkel-Stiftung post-doc fellowship, THEORIA Kurt von Fritz Science Program funding from the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Ministry, and Swiss National Science Foundation support for collaborative research projects. His current research activities are centered at the Historisches Institut of Universität Rostock, with additional collaborative work through the Käte-Hamburger-Kolleg at the University of Münster, where he explores legal frameworks and norm competition in historical perspective. His ongoing monograph project "Das Zeitalter der Ambiguität" represents a significant contribution to understanding how Early Modern societies managed conflicting norms and values.
Prof. Dr. Eva Spies is a Professor for the Study of Religion with Focus on Africa at the University of Bayreuth within the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences . She holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Mainz and leads the Research Section Moralities in the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence (EXC 2052). Key Roles : Principal Investigator, Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) Vice Dean of Research Co-founder, German Association for the Study of Religion's Africa working group Research Interests span religious plurality, development cooperation, and transformative practices. She coined the concept of religious engineering to analyze how religious resources shape social/political worlds. Regional expertise in Niger/West Africa and Madagascar/Indian Ocean , with focus on: South-South mission Religion and pandemic response Intercultural hermeneutics Epistemological conflicts Material culture in development Projects : Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence (2025): "Religious engineering. The making of moralities, development and religion in Niger" Humboldt Research Hub (2021): "Fighting pandemics with religion?" (with Moi University and University of Zimbabwe) Education : PhD in Cultural Anthropology, University of Mainz
Dr. Sebastian Rimestad is a Research Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Religions , University of Leipzig. His work focuses on Orthodox Christianity, religious history of Eastern and Northern Europe, religious conversion, religion and politics in modern societies, and religious minorities in Europe. Current affiliation: University of Leipzig Education: Habilitation (2019), PhD (2011), MA in Religious Studies (2007) and Politics & IR (2004) Research interests include confessional identity formation in 18th-century Poland-Lithuania, religious conversion as political statement, and Russian Orthodox concepts of secularity. His work analyzes how religious identities have been shaped by external authorities and critiques of religious modernity. His scientific awards include the DFG Heisenberg Fellowship and Liselotte Kirchner Scholarship. He has taught courses on religious conversion and published extensively on Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe, Baltic states, and global contexts.
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.
Prof. Dr. Christoph U. Werner is the Chair of Iranian Studies at Otto-Friedrich-University Bamberg since 2019, following his 12-year professorship at Marburg University (2007-2019) and previous academic roles. He specializes in Iranian Studies with focus areas in social history , legal institutions , Shiite religious structures , and Persophone literary history . As a Research Dean of Humanities and Cultural Studies (2023-2025) Managing Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies (2021-2025) President of Societas Iranologica Europaea (2019-2023) , he leads major academic initiatives. His research spans Qajar-era legal contracts Waqf (endowment) systems Persian-Ottoman-Georgian historical interconnections Manuscript studies of Persian documents , often combining archival analysis with interdisciplinary approaches. Recent publications focus on 20th-century Persian cultural politics, early modern Persian-Ottoman interactions, and legal epigraphy. He collaborates extensively with institutions like the University of Oxford's Invisible East and DFG Priority Programme Transottomanica . His editorial work includes Orientalistische Literaturzeitung (2022-) Persimone blog (2022-) Bamberg University Press publications and multiple Iranian academic journals.
Dr. Fabian Schulz is a Senior Researcher in Ancient History at the University of Tübingen, where he works in the Department of History within the Faculty of Humanities. He leads a prestigious Junior Research Group under the Emmy Noether Programme of the German Research Foundation (DFG), titled 'Power and Influence: Influencing Emperors between Antiquity and the Middle Ages.' His academic profile also includes association with the Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 923 'Threatened Order - Societies under Stress' and active participation in the 'Tübingen Theosophy' research group. Previously, he contributed to the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities project on John Malalas' Chronicle and the University of Tübingen's DFG project 'East and West 400-600 AD.' Dr. Schulz earned his PhD in Classics from Freie Universität Berlin (2006-2010), where he also served as a teaching assistant. During his doctoral studies, he was a Pensionnaire étranger at the École Normale Supérieure Paris. Prior to that, he completed an MA equivalent degree in Classics at Freie Universität Berlin, with time spent as a visiting student at the University of Oxford (1999-2005). His early career included teaching Latin and Greek at a grammar school in Lübeck (2006). His research specializes in power structures and influence mechanisms in ancient societies, with particular focus on how advisors shaped imperial decisions in Late Antiquity. He has made significant contributions to understanding councils of elders in Archaic Greece (especially the Spartan Gerousie), Byzantine chronography (particularly John Malalas' works), and the complex dynamics between Eastern and Western Roman empires during the 5th and 6th centuries. His methodological innovation lies in applying modern sociological models of interpersonal influence to historical analysis of ancient political culture, bridging literary representation with political reality in pre-modern monarchical states. Young researchers award for 'Ratgeber, Experten, Manipulatoren: Einfluss als Machtfaktor und Diskursobjekt in der Antike' As principal investigator of his Emmy Noether project, Dr. Schulz has secured substantial research funding from the German Research Foundation. His collaborative work includes multiple edited volumes on Late Antique history and Byzantine chronography, reflecting his strong international scholarly network. He currently serves as a deputizing member (non-professorial academic staff) on the faculty board of Humanities at the University of Tübingen. His research often intersects with contemporary concerns about power dynamics, political influence, and historical memory, as evidenced by his work on video game representations of ancient history. Dr. Schulz is an active contributor to the online commentary project on John Malalas' chronicle, specifically editing sections of Book XVIII. His work frequently involves detailed textual criticism and analysis of historical sources, with particular attention to how narratives are transmitted and reinterpreted across different cultural contexts. His scholarly approach combines philological precision with broader historical and sociological perspectives.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Duve is a Director at the Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory and holds the Professorship for Comparative Legal History at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main. His research focuses on global legal history, particularly the interplay between secular and religious knowledge in the Iberian empires of the early modern period, and the method of legal history and comparative law. Director, Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory Professor of Comparative Legal History, Goethe University Frankfurt Co-editor of 'The School of Salamanca Working Paper Series' Duve’s research explores normative knowledge production, colonial law, and the glocalization of legal norms. He has led projects such as 'Glocalizing Normativities' and 'Mapping Conflicts in Iberian Worlds', emphasizing cross-cultural legal exchange and historical normativity regimes. His recent publications (2018–2025) address global legal history, transnational legal practices, and the role of canon law in colonial settings. Key themes include legal pluralism, indigenous rights, and the translation of legal norms across cultures, with methodological innovations in comparative and transnational legal studies. Duve collaborates extensively with international scholars and institutions, including the Max Planck Partner Group and the Oxford Handbook of Legal History. His work bridges European and Latin American legal traditions, offering critical insights into legal globalization and postcolonial legal analysis.
Zaur Gasimov is a Lecturer at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and currently serves as DAAD Departmental Coordinator and Co-Head at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Turkish-German University. He holds a habilitation in Modern History and Eastern European History, with a focus on Eastern European History, political science, and sociology. Education : B.A. in International Relations from Baku State University; M.A. from Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt; Doctorate in Eastern European history Research : Concentrates on Russian-Turkish relations, nationalism in Eastern Europe, cultural transfer processes, and historical narratives. His habilitation thesis analyzed Polish-Turkish anti-Soviet alliances. Publications : Authored monographs on Prometheism, Azerbaijani historiography, and Russification policies. Collaborated on comparative studies of cultural transfer and Ottoman-Russian entanglements.
Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of BonnGermany
Prof. Cornelia Richter is a Professor of Systematic Theology and Hermeneutics at the Protestant Theological Faculty of the University of Bonn since 2012. She serves as Chair of the Senate of the University of Bonn since 2024 and has held leadership roles such as Dean of the Faculty of Protestant Theology (2020–2024). Born in 1970, she earned her doctorate (summa cum laude) from the University of Marburg in 2002 and habilitation in 2010. Her research focuses on Philosophy of Religion, Hermeneutics, and Resilience in Religion and Spirituality, notably leading the DFG-funded project FOR 2686. She has held visiting professorships in Zurich and Giessen and contributed to theology through editorial roles in journals like International Journal of Philosophy and Theology . Her work bridges theology with interdisciplinary studies, addressing modern challenges like pandemic resilience and interfaith dialogue. Education: PhD (2002), Habilitation (2010) – University of Marburg Studies in Protestant Theology and Philosophy – Universities of Vienna and Munich Research Fellowship – Center for Subjectivity Research, Copenhagen (2003–2005) Research Interests: Her work explores hermeneutical approaches to religious meaning, resilience in crises, and the interplay between theology and modern challenges. Key areas include: - Critical analysis of resilience frameworks in theology and philosophy - Theological engagement with modern existential issues (e.g., hope, fear, powerlessness) - Interdisciplinary dialogue on religion’s role in human sciences. - Resilience studies in healthcare and pandemic contexts. Grants & Projects: DFG-FOR 2686 “Resilience in Religion and Spirituality” (2019–2022) Editorial leadership in multiple theological journals and book series Co-director of the Bonn Institute of Hermeneutics Labs/Teams: Department of Systematic Theology, University of Bonn; interdisciplinary research groups on resilience and theology.
Ruggero Vimercati Sanseverino is a Full Professor of Hadith Studies and Prophetic Tradition at the Center for Islamic Theology, University of Tübingen. His research spans Hadith transmission in Sunni and Shiite traditions Prophetic worship and Islamic imitation piety Dynamics of tradition and renewal in Islam Islamic spirituality and religious practices His academic journey includes a PhD from Aix-Marseille University (2012) and a Master’s from IREMAM/CNRS (2007). He has led projects like The Presence of the Prophet (DFG-ANR) and contributed to interdisciplinary dialogues on multireligious societies. The 15 most recent articles reflect his expertise in Hadith methodology Sufi spiritual traditions Prophetic hermeneutics Comparative Islamic studies Key collaborative works address interfaith dynamics and Islamic responses to secularization. He supervises PhD candidates and contributes to editorial boards, including the Theologie, Bildung, Ethik und Recht des Islam series at Nomos Verlag. His work bridges classical Islamic scholarship with contemporary theological challenges.
Onookome Okome is a Professor in the Department of English and Film Studies at the University of Alberta. He holds MA and PhD degrees from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Previously at the University of Calabar (1989-2002), he became a full professor in 2008. He is an External Fellow (FRESCO Programme, 2021-2025) and recipient of the Alexander Humboldt Research Prize (2010). His research focuses on African literature, cinema (especially Nollywood), postcolonial theory, and critical race studies. Education: MA and PhD from University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Professional affiliations include collaborations with institutions in Germany, the UK, and York University, Canada. He co-edited Popular Culture in Africa: The Episteme of the Everyday (2014) with Stephanie Newell and Global Nollywood (2013) with Matthias Krings. Research emphasizes African popular culture's role in understanding everyday life, with notable work on Karin Barber's legacy and Nollywood's cultural significance. Current projects include a book on Nollywood's textual and contextual dynamics. Teaching spans race and literature, postcolonial theory, and African cinema at graduate/undergraduate levels. Awards: Alexander Humboldt Research Prize (2010), Leverhulme Professorship (unspecified period). Collaborations include the "Expressive Cultures of the African Diaspora" project with York University researchers.
Hakan Özkan is a Privatdozent and Research Associate at the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Department of Middle Eastern Studies, University of Münster, where he has been working since 2007 in various capacities. He was awarded his Venia Legendi (Habilitation) in November 2019 for Arabic and Islamic Studies with his thesis 'History of Eastern Zajal – Dialectal Arabic Verse Poetry from the East of the Arab World.' His academic background includes a Franco-German doctorate completed in 2006 from Université de Provence and University of Cologne, supervised by Claude Audebert and Monika Gronke, with external reviewers including Wolfhart P. Heinrichs from Harvard University. His educational background includes: 2019: Venia Legendi for Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Münster 2002-2006: Franco-German Doctorate in Arabic Studies and Narratology (Université de Provence and University of Cologne) 1995-2000: Master of Arts in Islamic Studies, Oriental Languages and Literatures (University of Cologne) 2000-2001: Course program in Modern Standard Arabic and Syrian-Lebanese dialect at Institut Français d'Etudes Arabes de Damas Özkan's research focuses on premodern Arabic dialect poetry, particularly zajal and muwashshaḥ forms, narratology, prosimeter literature, socio-literary history, and diachronic dialectology. His interdisciplinary approach bridges linguistic analysis with literary criticism, examining how dialectal forms evolved within Arabic literary traditions across different historical periods and geographical regions. He has conducted extensive field research in Arab countries including Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Morocco, with particular emphasis on the historical development of poetic forms from the Mamluk through Ottoman periods. His publication history demonstrates consistent scholarly contributions to Arabic literary studies, with his 2020 monograph 'History of Eastern Zajal' representing a landmark study in the field. His recent work has expanded to include analyses of religious poetry praising the Prophet Muhammad in zajal form, wine poetry in Arabic literary traditions, and the integration of dialects into Arabic language teaching methodologies. His scholarly output spans monographs, critical editions, encyclopedia entries, journal articles, and book chapters across multiple languages including German, English, French, and Turkish. Among his academic recognitions: 2018: Second place on shortlist for W2 Professorship for Arabic Language and Translation Science, University of Leipzig 2008: Offered Junior Professorship at American University in Cairo (declined) 2007: Second place on shortlist for maître de conférence position at University of Nancy 2007: Official Qualification from National University Council (CNU) for positions as maître de conférence at French universities Özkan has served on numerous academic committees, including appointment committees for professorships in Sinology and Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Münster. He has been a juror for the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding in Doha and has served on the steering committee for the 'Translation for Dialogue' program of the Anna Lindh Foundation. His editorial work includes reviewing for Mamluk Studies Review, Die Welt des Islams, and Middle Eastern Literatures since 2012. His scholarly activities extend to linguistic fieldwork on Pontic Greek dialects in Turkey and organizing significant academic conferences including 'The Race Course of Literature – An-Nawāǧī and His Contemporaries' in 2018 at the University of Münster. His multilingual capabilities (Arabic, Turkish, German, French, English, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, and knowledge of Modern Greek) enable his comparative work across multiple linguistic and cultural traditions in the Mediterranean region.
Catholic University of Eichstätt-IngolstadtGermany
Prof. Dr. Isabelle Stauffer holds the Professorship for Modern German Literature at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt , where she also serves as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Literature and Deputy Director of the Center for Religion, Church, and Society in Change (ZRKG) . She co-leads the ZRKG Research Field III on "Religiosity in Contemporary Transformation Processes" and examines intersections of literature with gender/queer studies , postcolonial theory , and cultural history of gallantry . Studied at University of Zurich and Humboldt University Berlin Doctorate (2006) and Habilitation (2015) from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Previously held positions at Goethe University Frankfurt, Philipps University Marburg, and Saarland University Her research spans early modern to contemporary German literature , with specializations in intermediality (film, digital media), epistolary culture , and dandyism/fashion history . Current projects include organizing the 2025 IVG congress panel "Figures of Crisis – Crisis of the Figure" and editing the complete works of Aurora von Königsmarck. She has published extensively on topics including: Postcolonial transformations in early modern texts Religious discourse in contemporary literature Intermedia reflexivity in digital age narratives Queer performativity in historical and modern contexts Translation as cultural transfer mechanism Surface aesthetics in cinema and art
