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.
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.
Professor Martin Heimgartner is an Adjunct Professor of Church History at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg's Faculty of Theology, where he has served as a private lecturer since 2007 and as adjunct professor since 2014. He also works as a research associate at the Theological Seminary of the University of Zurich since 2009. His academic career spans multiple institutions including the Universities of Zurich and Basel where he completed his doctoral and habilitation work. Heimgartner's research focuses on Syriac Christianity, particularly the works of the East Syrian Patriarch Timotheus I (780-823), Christian-Muslim relations in early Islam, philosophy and theology of Syrian Christians, John Chrysostom, Greek and Syrian florilegia literature, and 2nd century Christian apologists. His scholarly work demonstrates deep engagement with primary sources through critical editions and translations of Syriac texts. His publication record shows consistent scholarly output with emphasis on Timotheus I's writings, with multiple monographs published through prestigious series like Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium (CSCO). His work bridges historical theology, textual criticism, and interreligious studies, particularly examining early Christian-Muslim dialogue. The articles reveal a progression from textual editions toward more thematic studies on theological concepts like Trinitarian doctrine in interreligious contexts. His scholarly contributions include numerous encyclopedia entries in major reference works such as Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart (RGG) and Der Neue Pauly, covering figures from early Christianity. He has also collaborated on editorial projects including a volume on Apollinarius. Notably, Heimgartner maintains a dual scholarly identity, combining theological research with musicology. His musicological editions, particularly for Cecilia Bartoli's Malibran project, demonstrate expertise in historical musical works from the 19th century, showing his interdisciplinary approach to historical scholarship across different cultural domains.
Prof. Dr. Gert Pickel is a Professor of Sociology of Religion and Church at the Institute for Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, Leipzig University. His roles include deputy spokesperson for the Competence Center for Right-Wing Extremism and Democracy Research, member of the Center for the Study of Religion, and advisory board member for the Academy of World Religions in Hamburg and the Hannah Arendt Institute at Dresden University of Technology. He heads the "Racism in Institutions" project network and co-directs the Leipzig branch of the Research Institute for Social Cohesion. Research focuses on sociology of religion , democracy , and political culture Current projects: German-Swiss study on religious/political collective identities, modern populism in Europe (East Germany), racism in institutions Research Interests span comparative sociology of religion (secularization, pluralization), political sociology (social capital, populism, radicalism), and integration of migrants in Germany. He explores how religion interacts with politics, addressing issues like euthanasia, abortion, and gender identities through empirical, theory-driven methodologies. Teaching covers religion in Germany/Europe, secularization processes, religion-politics dynamics, group-based prejudices, and intercultural comparisons. Courses are interdisciplinary (social sciences, humanities) with field trips to Central/Eastern Europe. Scientific Awards : No awards explicitly mentioned in the text. Grants and Projects : DFG-funded "Multiple Bible Uses in Late Modern Society" (2021-2024) BMBF-funded "Social Polarization and Radicalization" (2020-2024) EU-funded Jean-Monnet Centre (2020-2024) "InRa-Study" (2021-2024) on institutional racism Labs and Teams : Member of Research Academy Leipzig; co-leader of the Leipzig branch of the Research Institute for Social Cohesion; contributor to the Leibniz WissenschaftsCampus Eastern Europe–Global Area.
Dominika Tronina is an Associate Visiting Scientist at the Institute of Journalism and Communication Studies within the Department of Political and Social Sciences at Humboldt University of Berlin. Since 2020, she has served as a Research Associate for Comparative Democracy Research and Political Systems of Eastern Europe at both Humboldt University and the Center for Comparative Research on Democracy. Her research interests focus on right-wing and far-right social movements (particularly Anti-Gender/Anti-Feminism), Central and Eastern Europe, and political communication and social media. She has conducted research stays at prestigious institutions including the Scuola Normale Superiore/Centre on Social Movement Studies in Florence (April-June 2023) and Princeton University, NJ (September-October 2022). Her scholarly work examines the complex interplay between Eastern European perspectives and broader European narratives, with particular attention to how peace and prosperity discourses marginalize Eastern experiences. Her publications demonstrate expertise in analyzing political systems, social movements, and identity formation in Eastern Europe. Her academic background includes a Master's in Eastern European Studies (Sociology) from Freie Universität Berlin (2017-2019) with a study period at the University of Haifa, and a Bachelor's in Polish Studies and Sociology from the University of Potsdam (2013-2017) with a study period at the University of Warsaw. Her research trajectory shows consistent engagement with Eastern European political systems, with previous work experience at the Center for Eastern Europe and International Studies Berlin (2019) and the Berlin Social Science Center (2017-2018).
PD Dr. Philipp Niewöhner is a distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Vienna and Privatdozent at Göttingen University. His work focuses on Late Antique and Byzantine archaeology , particularly in Constantinople, Anatolia, and the Mediterranean . He has held significant roles including Associate Member at the Sapienza Centre for Late Antiquity, Director of Excavations at Miletus (Turkey) for the German Archaeological Institute, and Fellow at Dumbarton Oaks and Forschungskolleg Humanwissenschaften. His research spans architectural history, iconography, and provincial cultural diversity in early Christianity. Education: Doctorate (2004) and Master’s (2001) from Mainz University University studies at Heidelberg, Mainz, and Thessaloniki (Erasmus, 1997–2001) Research Themes: Byzantine architectural ornamentation and aniconism Iconoclast controversy and imperial symbolism Provincial vs. metropolitan Christian traditions Byzantine-Ottoman continuity and cultural exchange Article Trends: Analysis of Hagia Sophia ’s minimalist design Reinterpretation of the Trier Ivory as historical documentation Study of regional diversity in church architecture Examination of marble provenance and spolia practices Scientific Awards: DFG Project Funding for iconoclasm studies Gerda Henkel Foundation Scholarship (2006) William Golding Fellowship (2012–2014) Grants and Collaborations: Co-authored works with Anthony Cutler on Byzantine ivory carving Leadership roles in excavations and academic institutions Contributions to journals like Travaux et Mémoires and Dumbarton Oaks Papers
Detlef Pollack is a Senior Professor and Chair of Sociology of Religion at the Institute for Sociology, University of Münster. He has held this position since August 2022, following a distinguished academic career that includes serving as Professor of Sociology of Religion at the Westphalian Wilhelms University Münster from 2008 to 2022, and as Professor of Comparative Cultural Sociology at the Viadrina European University Frankfurt (Oder) from 1995 to 2008. Pollack has been a member of the board of the Excellence Cluster "Religion and Politics" at the University of Münster since 2023 and previously served as its deputy speaker (2019-2021) and speaker (2015-2018). Pollack's academic background includes a habilitation from Bielefeld University (1994) in Sociology, a doctorate in Sociology of Religion (summa cum laude) from Leipzig University (1984), and theological studies at Leipzig University (1976-1981). His academic journey reflects a deep engagement with both theological and sociological perspectives on religion. Professor Pollack's research focuses on religious change in Western and Eastern Europe and the USA, political culture in Eastern and Central Europe, GDR research, systems theory, and differentiation theory. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary sociological theory, particularly examining how religious institutions and practices adapt to modern social structures. He has made significant contributions to understanding secularization processes, religious pluralism, and the relationship between religion and modernity. Pollack's extensive publication record demonstrates consistent engagement with major debates in the sociology of religion. His recent work explores religious responses to global crises, religious fundamentalism, and the complex relationship between religion, politics, and national identity in contemporary Europe. His research often employs comparative methodologies, examining religious phenomena across different cultural and national contexts. Among his notable achievements are the Karl-Polányi-Preis from the Hungarian Sociological Society (2018), his fellowship at the Lichtenberg-Kolleg in Göttingen (2011), and his Max Weber Chair at New York University (2003). He has also been recognized with fellowships at Princeton University (1993) and the Wissenschaftskolleg Berlin (1996). Pollack actively contributes to academic discourse through his leadership roles in professional organizations, including the International Society for the Sociology of Religion (since 1995) and the Sociology of Religion section of the German Sociological Association (since 1994). His teaching portfolio includes seminars on postcolonial theory, Western modernity in times of global crisis, religious fundamentalism, secularization, and the relationship between religion and politics in Russia, Germany, and the USA.
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.
Prof. Dr. Stefan Esders is a Professor of Late Antiquity and Early Medieval History at the Friedrich Meinecke Institute , part of the Free University of Berlin . His scholarly work bridges Roman, Byzantine, and early medieval European history, with a focus on legal systems, oaths, and military structures. His research interests include: State formation and military organization across Rome, Byzantium, and the Frankish kingdoms. Legal history of oaths, loyalty, and conflict resolution (e.g., wergild and compensation). North Africa in late Roman and Vandal contexts, emphasizing cross-cultural interactions. Ethnic identity formation at imperial borders and Mediterranean cohesion (6th–9th centuries). Historiography and hagiographical narratives in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. His work spans the Gallia and Iberian Peninsula , analyzing the transition from Roman imperium to post-imperial regna. Notably, he explores vernacular legal practices and the role of religion in political identity. His scientific accolades include: Distinguished Fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2025/26). Corresponding Fellow at the Medieval Academy of America (since 2025). Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Tokyo (2024). Premio Anassilaos (2024) for interdisciplinary contributions. Member of the Academia Europaea (since 2021) and the Monumenta Germaniae Historica (since 2020).
Felix Imer is an Assistant Professor in Church History at Augustana University, Neuendettelsau, specializing in the reception of Luther in liberal theology and confessional studies. He is currently pursuing a PhD scholarship funded by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (since November 2022) with a focus on Martin Rade's Christian worldview and Luther's influence in Free Protestantism during the Empire. Research Interests: Luther research, Trinitarian and Christological disputes of the Early Church, Christianity in Late Antiquity to Early Middle Ages, and ecumenical theology (including Eastern Churches and Roman Catholicism). Publications: His 2020 work on Mariological aspects in Pope Francis's theology highlights interdisciplinary intersections between Protestant and Catholic theological frameworks. Memberships: Evangelical Union of Bavaria Luther Society Association for Reformation History Education: Completed Protestant theology studies at Augustana University of Neuendettelsau, Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana (San José), and Georg-August University of Göttingen. Passed the ELKB Theological Entrance Examination (2022).
Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of BonnGermany
Christoph Witzenrath is a Professor for Premodern Slavery and Strong Asymmetrical Dependencies at the University of Bonn's Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS). His research spans Eurasian history, focusing on nomadic-settled relations, slave trade, and state-dependent group dynamics. Education: Ph.D. in History, King’s College, University of London (1999–2005) M.A. in History and Political Science, University of Freiburg, Humboldt University, and Free University Berlin (1991–1998) Witzenrath's work interrogates the structural gaps between premodern states and dependent populations, comparing Eurasian systems to community-oriented African models. His transdisciplinary approach integrates legal, cultural, and political frameworks, emphasizing liberation narratives and asymmetrical dependencies. Key article themes include Muscovite-Ottoman interactions, Siberian expansion, and transcultural legitimacy. His award-winning monograph Cossacks and the Russian Empire (2009) explores frontier governance and rebellion dynamics. Scientific Awards & Funding: DFG Priority Program funding (2017–2020) King’s College London research studentship (1998–2001) Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (2007–2009) Shklar Fellowship at Harvard (2010) He has supervised 40 national/international lectures and mentored researchers like Turkana Allahverdiyeva and Stanislav Mohylnyi. As founding member of the Transottomanica project (2017–2020), he advanced mobility studies across Eurasia.
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.
Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of BonnGermany
Dr. Vitali Byl is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS), funded by a DFG Research Grant. Previously, he held part-time research roles at the University of Greifswald, including coordinating the Virtual University of the Baltic Sea Region and contributing to DAAD-funded projects on spatial data analysis and Belarusian forest sustainability. He earned his PhD from the University of Greifswald's IRTG 1540 program in 2021 with a thesis on witch trials in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. His academic career includes roles at Belarusian National Museums and fellowships from the Polish Government and New Europe College. His research focuses on early modern history, particularly race, slavery, and witchcraft in Eastern European contexts. Current projects explore African communities in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the intersections of proto-globalization, racial ideologies, and forced labor systems. His work bridges legal history, cultural studies, and transnational networks. Awards include the Konstanty Kalinowski Scholarship (2019–2020) and a Pontica Magna Fellowship (2018–2019). His publications span academic monographs, peer-reviewed articles on witch trials and ethnic minorities, translations of historical sources, and popular works on Belarusian heritage. He has contributed to documentaries, including consulting on Holocaust resistance films and producing cultural heritage films about Niasvizh.
Dr. Martin Illert serves as an Adjunct Professor (Apl. Prof.) at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg's Faculty of Theology, specifically within the Seminar for Eastern Church Studies. His academic journey includes a Doctorate (1997) and Habilitation (2015) in Eastern Church Studies, focusing on theological dialogues between the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and Orthodox Patriarchates since 1959. He has held teaching positions since 2014 and became a Privatdozent in 2016. Additionally, he was appointed an Adjunct Professor at the Lviv Theological Academy in 2016. Current roles include Programme Executive for the Faith and Order Commission at the World Council of Churches (Geneva) and teaching at the Ecumenical Institute Bossey since August 2024. Prior roles include leadership at the EKD's Department for Orthodoxy and Ecumenism (2012–2019) and editorial work for the Ecumenical Review (2014–2019). Research interests encompass Eastern Christian theology, ecumenical dialogues, patristics, and church history with a focus on Balkan and Slavic religious contexts. Major works include studies on John Chrysostom, Bogomilism, and bilateral Orthodox-Protestant dialogues. His awards include the Priest’s Cross from the Ethiopian and Serbian Orthodox Churches (2016), the Gold Medal from Yerevan State University (2017), and the Ehrenplakette from Arad University (2023). He has contributed to academic projects like the "Bogomilism in History and the Present" initiative funded by Bulgaria's Ministry of Education. Publications span monographs, edited volumes, and over 100 articles in journals like ThLZ , Eastern Church Studies , and Revista Teologia . Key projects include co-editing the Eastern Church Identities series and serving on editorial boards for theological journals.
Dr. Diliana Atanassova is a dedicated Coptic studies scholar currently serving as a Post-Doc researcher at the Göttingen Academy of Sciences, working on the Digital Comprehensive Edition and Translation of the Coptic-Sahidic Old Testament. Her academic journey spans multiple prestigious institutions including Macquarie University, University of Salzburg, and the Center for the Study of Eastern Christianity. Her research focuses on Coptic Bible, Coptic Literature, Coptic Manuscripts, and the Liturgy of the White Monastery in Upper Egypt, with particular expertise in Sahidic Coptic liturgical texts. She has made significant contributions to understanding the typika (liturgical directories) of the White Monastery, codicological analysis of Coptic manuscripts, and the liturgical practices of Southern Egyptian Christianity. Her extensive publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output since 2004, with particular emphasis on manuscript identification, liturgical text analysis, and the reconstruction of early Christian liturgical practices in Egypt. Her work shows a clear trajectory from specific manuscript analysis toward broader understanding of Southern Egyptian liturgical traditions. As Project Supervisor for the DFG-Project 'Die Hymnen in der koptischen Liturgie des Weißen Klosters in Oberägypten' and previous FWF-Projects, she has demonstrated leadership in major research initiatives. She has also served as a board member of the 'Corpus dei Manoscritti Copti Letterari' research project since 2009. Dr. Atanassova has taught Coptic courses at multiple institutions including Georg-August-Universität Göttingen and the Faculty of Catholic Theology at the University of Salzburg, contributing to the education of future Coptic scholars.
