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Irene Albers is a full Professor at Free University of Berlin's Department of Philosophy and Humanities, holding dual appointments at the Peter Szondi Institute for General and Comparative Literature and Institute for Romance Philology since 2004. She chairs both the Examination Board and Doctoral Committee for General and Comparative Literature, serves as Trustee of Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes since 2004/05, and has been Principal Investigator for the Friedrich-Schlegel Graduate School for Literary Studies and Cluster Languages of Emotion since 2007. Her research bridges comparative literature, anthropology, and visual culture with institutional leadership spanning editorial projects and international conferences. Her educational background includes: Born in Bremen (1967) Romance Studies, Philosophy, and German Studies at Universities of Tübingen, Tours, and Konstanz M.A. from University of Konstanz (1993) Ph.D. from University of Konstanz (1999) on literature and photography in Émile Zola, Proust, and Claude Simon Albers' core research examines literary anthropology through colonial/postcolonial lenses, focusing on French literary engagement with Africa, surrealism, and literature-photography intersections. She pioneered studies on Michel Leiris' ethnological poetics and Claude Simon's photographic techniques, extending to historical emotion research (anatomy of affects, body language) and romance novella traditions. Her work consistently challenges Eurocentric literary canons through primitivism critique and heteronomy aesthetics, emphasizing textual restitution and cultural reclamation. Recent publications (2018-2025) reveal a sharp turn toward colonial restitution ethics, particularly in oral literature provenance. Articles increasingly analyze literature as colonial loot, connecting French modernism with African/Caribbean contexts through collaborative projects with anthropologists like Eléonore Devevey. This trajectory builds from earlier surrealist studies to concrete frameworks for decolonizing literary scholarship, spotlighting institutional complicity in cultural appropriation while advancing symmetrized modernity revisions. Scientific awards include: Senior Fellow and Prize Winner of the Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz (2009) Albers supervises master's and doctoral students through dedicated AVL colloquia while securing major research funding as Principal Investigator for Friedrich-Schlegel Graduate School (2007-present) and Cluster Languages of Emotion (2007-2012). Her current DFG-funded project 'Literature as Colonial Loot?' with Andreas Schmid pioneers philological provenance research. Earlier, she contributed to Collaborative Research Center 511 'Literature and Anthropology' (Konstanz, 1999-2002) and DFG-funded conferences on Claude Simon. She leads the DramaNet research project and co-edits the 'machina' series at transcript Verlag since 2010. As board member (2007-2009) and deputy (2008-2012) of Cluster Languages of Emotion, she coordinates Area D 'Cultural Codings of Emotions'. Her Zukunftskolleg fellowship (2012-2013) and Marcel Proust Society collaborations underscore sustained engagement with literary anthropology networks.

• Comparative Literature
• Romance Literature
• Literary Anthropology
• +6 more

Alberto Cantera Glera is a Professor at the Institute of Iranian Studies within the Department of History and Cultural Studies at Freie Universität Berlin. His research focuses on Zoroastrian studies, Avestan language and literature, Iranian linguistics, and manuscript studies. He teaches courses on Young Avestan, Pahlavi, Zoroastrian rituals, and Iranian literature, with office hours held on Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. Professor Cantera Glera's research interests center on Zoroastrian religious practices, particularly the Long Liturgy, Avestan textual criticism, and the transmission of Zoroastrian texts through manuscript traditions. His work bridges linguistic analysis with religious studies, examining how ritual practices evolved from ancient to medieval Iran. He has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between oral performance and written transmission in Zoroastrian traditions, as well as the linguistic features of Avestan and Middle Persian texts. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on Zoroastrian ritual structures, particularly the Long Liturgy, with increasing attention to the relationship between textual manuscripts and ritual performance. The articles show progression from linguistic analysis of Avestan texts toward broader studies of ritual practice, sacred geography, and the historical development of Zoroastrian religious authority. His work demonstrates sophisticated integration of manuscript evidence with ritual theory and historical linguistics. PRIX ROMAN ET TANIA GHIRSHMAN 2021 Professor Cantera has supervised numerous PhD students including Nils Purwins, Stefan Härtel, Yusef Saadat, Jaime Porro, Soheil Delshad, and Xue Li. His research has been supported through various academic projects related to Zoroastrian manuscript studies and Avestan textual criticism, contributing significantly to the field of Iranian studies at Freie Universität Berlin.

• Zoroastrian Studies
• Avestan Language and Literature
• Iranian Linguistics
• +6 more

Dr. Carola Lorea is a Junior Professor at the Institute for Religious Studies, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Tübingen (since 2023) and former Senior Research Fellow at NUS's Asia Research Institute (2022-2023). Her work bridges religious studies, cultural anthropology, and digital humanities with a focus on South/Southeast Asian borderlands. PhD in South Asian Studies (2015, La Sapienza University of Rome) 2023 Habilitation Venia Legendi in religious studies and cultural anthropology Research centers on Matua traditions , Baul oral cultures , religion and pandemics , and sensory scholarship . She pioneered the CoronAsur research blog (2020) and leads the MANTRAMS project with ERC Synergy Grant (2023). Key contributions include: Digital Archive of Baul Songs (EAP1247 PI) Theoretical work on bricolage thinking in borderland communities Critical analysis of caste dynamics in post-Partition Andaman settlers Sonic approaches to religious studies Teaching includes courses on Religious Sounds (Tübingen 2024), Religion and South Asian Society , and Bengali language instruction. She founded the Digital Archive 'Songs of the Old Madmen' and co-edits volumes on global religious sound studies.

• Religion and Media
• Orality and Digital Humanities
• Religion and the Senses
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Diamantis Panagiotopoulos is a Professor of Classical Archaeology at Heidelberg University's Institute of Classical Archaeology, serving as its Managing Director since 2012. His academic foundation includes a doctorate from Heidelberg University (1996) and a habilitation from Salzburg University (2003), both focused on Aegean Bronze Age archaeology. Panagiotopoulos's research explores Aegean Bronze Age societies, with emphasis on seal practices, iconography, cultural interactions, and archaeological landscapes. His work integrates theoretical frameworks with material culture analysis to examine Minoan-Mycenaean administration, transcultural exchanges in the Eastern Mediterranean, and heritage preservation strategies. His publications reflect a strong trajectory toward computational methods in archaeology and interdisciplinary approaches, with recent articles leveraging digital tools for seal analysis and landscape modeling. Earlier works established foundations in ritual studies and cross-cultural encounters. Awards include fellowships from the German Archaeological Institute (DAI), DAAD, and DFG, recognizing his contributions to Bronze Age archaeology. He directs excavations at Koumasa (Crete) and co-leads the Heidelberg Corpus of Minoan and Mycenaean Seals.

• Aegean Bronze Age
• Cultural Interaction in Eastern Mediterranean
• Archaeological Theory
• +4 more

Wolfgang Mayer is a Professor for Performative Practice at the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart , teaching collaborative artistic processes. He co-founded the art group Discoteca Flaming Star (DFS) in 1998 with Cristina Gómez Barrio, focusing on performative works that challenge memory and institutional frameworks. 1990–1995: Studied at Academy of Fine Arts Munich 1996–1997: DAAD scholarship at School of Visual Arts NYC 2005–2006: Whitney ISP participant Mayer’s research integrates performative practice , body theory , and collaborative art . His works interrogate memory , feminist narratives , and public space dynamics through sculptures , performances , and experimental music . Recent projects like Momentum:synthesize.r (2024) and Love Any Out of (90 Seconds) End (2023) explore temporal structures and emotional labor . Scientific honors include: 2013 Fundacion Estrenos Grant 2006–2007 Pollock-Krasner Scholarship 1993 Salzburg Summer Academy scholarship He emphasizes non-formalized artistic development through Sound & Body modules, public space interventions , and critical response protocols . Mayer’s DFS collective has shown globally at institutions like The Kitchen , Whitney Museum , and Tate Modern , often collaborating with figures like Rita McBride and Jeremiah Day.

• Performative Practice
• Body Theory
• Poetics of the Performative
• +3 more

Dr. Alexander Heinemann is a Lecturer and curator at the University of Tübingen's Institute of Classical Archaeology. Previously, he held a lecturer position at Freiburg University (2006-2017) and participated in archaeological projects across Turkey, Greece, and Italy. His work centers on Roman state monuments, visual narratives, and classical reception studies. PhD in Classical Archaeology (Heidelberg, 2003) Magister Artium in Classical Archaeology (Heidelberg, 1999) Research focuses include Roman Imperial topography , Greek vase painting , and visual culture analysis . His monograph on Dionysian imagery and co-edited volumes on symposion culture and visual narration highlight interdisciplinary approaches. Recent publications analyze Roman imperial iconography, Hellenistic ivory art, and Dante's archaeological engagement. Key themes involve political symbolism , ritual practices , and artifact contextualization . Traveling Fellow, German Archaeological Institute (2004/5) Gerda Henkel Foundation Fellow (2003/4) Active in public outreach through exhibitions like 'Vom Trinken und Bechern' and collaborative editorial projects, he serves as co-founder of das Rollpodest platform for archaeological collections.

• Classical Archaeology
• Art History
• Visual Culture of Antiquity
• +3 more

PD Dr. Jens Wolff is a German theologian and researcher at the Faculty of Theology, University of Rostock . His work bridges image theory , cultural hermeneutics , and negative theology , with a focus on Lutheran theology and its intersections with literature and art . Education : Studied at Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle/Wittenberg, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. Academic Timeline : 1995–1998 Heidelberg Academy researcher, 1998–2002 assistant at Münster's Faculty, 2003 PhD, 2005 ordained pastor, 2009–2012 DFG project on Sigmund von Birken, 2012–2015 DFG project on Image Theory, 2015 habilitation. Wolff's research explores image and media theory through theological lenses, interrogating figurative knowledge , religious rhetoric , and intercultural hermeneutics . His work connects Baroque literature (e.g., Klopstock, Hamann) with contemporary philological and deconstructive methods , examining tensions between sacralization and secularization . His recent publications analyze the word of God as performative polysemy in Lutheran thought, death and utopia in Stefan Andres' work, and iconic anthropology in Reformation contexts. He co-edited the two-volume Bild und Tod (2016), a foundational text on image-death relations. Awards: Martin-Luther-Preis für den akademischen Nachwuchs (2005) for his dissertation on Metapher und Kreuz . Wolff's advising and collaborative work focus on interdisciplinary image studies , including DFG-funded projects and symposia like the Image and Sound conference (2014). He maintains links to institutions in Bratislava , Frankfurt , and Brazil .

• Image and Media Theory
• Cultural Hermeneutics
• Figurative Knowledge
• +6 more

Konstantin Voigt, Professor of Musicology II , serves at the University of Würzburg within the Faculty of Philosophy and Institute of Music Research. His research spans medieval Latin song traditions, music theory, notation systems, and digital humanities applications. He also explores 20th-century composers like Arnold Schoenberg and the reception of medieval music in popular culture. Current: Chair of Musicology II, University of Würzburg (2024–) Previous: Tenure-track Professor, University of Freiburg (2020–2024) Education: PhD (Würzburg), MA (Erlangen-Nürnberg), Musicology & Art History Voigt's research bridges premodern music history with digital methodologies, focusing on: Medieval Latin song structures (9th–13th centuries) Development of musical notation and visualization Digital editions as tools for manuscript analysis Intermedial relationships in postmodern composition Stefan George’s poetry in Schoenberg’s works His recent publications analyze scribal practices in Paris 1139 manuscripts and digital approaches to monophonic music. He co-leads the Weave Lead project on French music reception in Central Europe before 1350 and contributes to the Corpus monodicum digital edition. Collaborations include PD Dr. Hana Vlhova-Wörner (Prague) and institutions like the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis.

• Medieval Music History
• Latin Song Traditions
• Music Theory (Antiquity & Middle Ages)
• +7 more

Prof. Dr. Karin Polit is a full professor and head of the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the Asia-Orient-Institut, Faculty of Humanities, University of Tübingen. She has been in this position since April 2018 and is actively involved in research, teaching, and academic supervision. Her work is deeply rooted in ethnographic fieldwork in South Asia, particularly India. Education: B.A. in Anthropology, James Cook University, Australia (1998) Magister Artium in Anthropology (2001) Promotion (Ph.D.), University of Heidelberg (2006), topic: 'Ethnographic Reflections on Practices of Gender and Agency among Dalit Women in the Central Himalayas' Habilitation and Venia Legendi in Anthropology, University of Heidelberg (2015) Her research focuses on ritual, performance, gender, caste, medical anthropology, youth culture, and cultural heritage . She explores how global and local inequalities shape education, art, and resistance, with special attention to mental health, reproductive loss, and media in New Delhi and the Himalayas. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates ethnography, film, and sensory studies. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in ritual dynamics, embodiment, heritage politics, and youth agency in South Asia. Her work often examines how tradition and modernity intersect in religious festivals, political contexts, and personal identity. She frequently collaborates with scholars such as Prof. Gabriele Alex and Christiane Brosius. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Venia Legendi Award, University of Heidelberg (2015) Margarete von Wrangell Fellow, South Asia Institute (2014–2018) Fellow, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Advanced Study, JNU, New Delhi (2012–2013) Baden-Württemberg Certificate for University Didactics (since 2012) Prof. Polit has supervised numerous Master’s and PhD students, including Pallabi Roy and Gaurav Lamichhane, and has led research projects funded by the DFG and international networks like AROGYAM. She has also contributed to academic service through editorial roles and guest professorships at institutions in Germany, India, and the Netherlands. Her audiovisual work, including ethnographic films, enhances public engagement with anthropological knowledge. She leads the department's research on South Asian societies and continues to expand collaborative networks across Europe and South Asia.

• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology
• Ritual and Performance
• +12 more

Olia Lialina is a Professor for New Media and Art and Design Online at Merz Akademie, Stuttgart. Born in Moscow and active since the early 1990s, she is a pioneer of net.art, co-founder of the Geocities Research Institute, and curator of the One Terabyte of Kilobyte Age Archive. Her work explores digital folklore, the vernacular web, and human-computer interaction through artistic and theoretical lenses. Research Interests : Digital art, net.art theory, media archaeology, user-generated content, web preservation, and internet culture. Recent Articles : Focus on digital literacy, vernacular web practices, and critiques of UX design, with an emphasis on historical internet aesthetics and the evolution of user identity. Scientific Awards : Netbased Award 2018 for Self Portrait (Basel). Academic Service : Active in international conferences, juries (Female Artist Award 2021), and publications like Turing Complete User (2021) and Olia Lialina: Net Artist (2020).

• Digital Art
• Net Art
• Vernacular Web
• +4 more

Dr. Steffen Wittig is a research assistant in General Educational Science at the University of Kassel since 2017, affiliated with the College of Humanities (Fachbereich 01 Humanwissenschaften). He also serves as a lecturer at the University of Freiburg (Switzerland), Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, and FernUni Hagen. PhD in Educational Science (summa cum laude, 2016) Diploma in Educational Science (2011) with minors in sociology and psychology His research focuses on: Critique of educational theories and concepts Philosophy of education and democracy Game theory applications in pedagogy Discourse analysis of inclusion/exclusion dynamics Bildungsregime transformations (SARS-CoV-2 pandemic impact) Subjectivation processes in educational spaces Key publication themes from 2014-2023 include: Intersections between play theory and educational systems Democratic principles in pedagogical frameworks Deconstructive approaches to inclusion Psychoanalytic perspectives on learning spaces Hegemony and power structures in education Paradoxes of performance culture Professional engagements: Organized international conferences on educational theory Co-editor at Erziehungswissenschaftliche Revue Active member of DGfE (German Educational Research Association) Participant in global research networks (ITRA, GLOCER)

• Educational Theory Critique
• Philosophy of Education
• Democracy in Education
• +4 more

PD Dr. Markus Verne is an Acting Professor at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg. His career includes roles as Senior Academic Councillor (since 2014) and Academic Councillor (2006–2014) at the Chair of Social and Cultural Anthropology under Prof. Dr. Kurt Beck. He received his habilitation in 2014 with a thesis on Malagasy heavy metal culture and holds a PhD from the University of Bayreuth's Collaborative Research Center on African studies (2000–2006). Research focuses on West Africa (consumption patterns, economic ethnology) and Madagascar (ethnomusicology, popular culture), with thematic interests in cultural theory, popular music, consumption in scarcity, and ethnological aesthetics. He was a Marie Curie Fellow (2011/12) at UCLA and University of Bayreuth, examining Malagasy heavy metal and its cultural implications. Key publications include Heavy Metal in Madagascar (2014) and edited volumes on cultural astonishment. His work critiques contextualist approaches in anthropology and explores music's role in cultural expression. Awards include the Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship under FP7. Teaching and research activities emphasize fieldwork in Africa and interdisciplinary approaches to cultural studies. Current lab affiliations include the Institute for Social and Cultural Anthropology in Freiburg.

• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Ethnomusicology
• Popular Music Studies
• +5 more

Gerd Althoff is a distinguished Professor of Medieval History at the University of Münster, where he has served as Director of the Institute for Early Medieval Studies since 1997. He is actively involved in the Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics in Pre-Modern Cultures," leading research projects on religious categories of historical interpretation and the role of the Church in political decision-making. Previously, he held professorships at the universities of Bonn (1995) and Gießen (1990), establishing himself as a leading authority in medieval studies across German academia. Althoff's academic journey began with his Abitur at Amtsgymnasium Ibbenbüren in 1963, followed by studies in History and German Studies at the universities of Münster and Heidelberg (1965-1970). He earned his PhD from the University of Münster in 1974, served as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Freiburg/Breisgau (1974-1980), and completed his postdoctoral lecture qualification (Habilitation) at the same institution in 1981. His academic career spans over five decades, marked by significant contributions to medieval historiography. Professor Althoff's research focuses on the intricate dynamics of medieval power structures, particularly examining how rituals, symbolic communication, and conflict resolution shaped political authority in the Middle Ages. His work explores the interplay between religious and secular power, with special attention to the Ottonian and Salian periods of German history. He investigates how medieval societies conceptualized divine justice, royal authority, and the mechanisms of trust-building that maintained social cohesion. His approach combines meticulous archival research with theoretical frameworks from sociology and communication studies, offering fresh perspectives on medieval political culture. Althoff's extensive publication record reveals a consistent focus on how power was negotiated, displayed, and maintained through ritualized practices in medieval Europe. His recent works demonstrate growing interest in the religious dimensions of historical interpretation, particularly how medieval thinkers understood divine intervention in worldly affairs. The recurring themes across his scholarship include the fluid boundaries between church and state, the performative aspects of political authority, and the evolving structures of medieval governance. His comparative approach, examining both German and broader European contexts, has significantly advanced our understanding of medieval political culture. Research Prize of the University of Münster (2005) Throughout his career, Professor Althoff has supervised numerous doctoral students whose work reflects his diverse research interests, from political rituals to religious authority in medieval Europe. His leadership extends to major collaborative research initiatives, including serving as Spokesperson for the Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics in Pre-Modern Cultures" (2007-2011) and as co-initiator and speaker of Collaborative Research Centre 496 "Symbolic Communication and Social Value Systems from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution" (1997-2003). His international recognition is evidenced by invitations as Visiting Professor at prestigious institutions including the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris (1998) and the University of California, Berkeley (1995). As Director of the Institute for Early Medieval Studies at the University of Münster, Althoff has fostered a vibrant research environment focused on interdisciplinary approaches to medieval studies. His institute has been instrumental in advancing the field through graduate programs including "Written Culture and Society in the Middle Ages" and "Social Symbolism in the Middle Ages." The collaborative research culture he has cultivated continues to produce significant scholarship on medieval political, religious, and social structures.

• Medieval History
• Political Rituals
• Power Structures in the Middle Ages
• +5 more

Matthias Haake is a Research Fellow at the Department of Ancient History, Institute for Historical Sciences, University of Bonn. He specializes in the political cultural history of Hellenistic and Roman monarchy, social history of ancient philosophy, and Greek epigraphy. His work bridges cultural analysis with textual and inscriptional evidence. University of Bonn (since 2021, Heisenberg Fellowship) Eberhard Karls University Tübingen (2021–2024, Acting Professorship) His research examines: Hellenistic royal ideology , philosophical practices in Roman provinces , epigraphic documentation of societal structures , and supralocal sanctuaries as political arenas . He integrates literary and inscriptional sources to analyze how philosophy shaped elite identity and governance. Recent publications focus on: emperor image construction , Hellenistic biographies , and epigraphic traces of philosophical networks . Methodologically, he emphasizes interdisciplinary analysis of ancient texts and material culture. Heisenberg Fellowship (DFG, 2021–present) Editorship of Studies in Ancient Monarchies (since 2021) Contributions to Encyclopedia of Ancient History (2013) He contributes to editorial boards of journals including sehepunkte , Hormos , and Rivista Storica dell'Antichità , advancing discourse on ancient historiography and epigraphy.

• Political Cultural History of Ancient Monarchy
• Cultural and Social History of Ancient Philosophy
• Hellenistic Polis
• +3 more

Christiane Kruse is a Professor of Art History and Visual Cultures at the Muthesius University of Art and Design Kiel since 2011. She serves as the Managing Director of the Institute for Art, Design, Media (IKDM) since 2014 and previously held the Equal Opportunities Officer role until 2020. Education: Doctorate (Dr. phil.) at LMU Munich (1994) Habilitation at University of Konstanz (2002) with Venia Legendi Studies in Art History, Modern German Literature, and Medieval Studies (1983–1989) Research Interests span art history, visual cultures, image anthropology, media theory, and cultural studies. Her work explores the intersection of art, technology, and identity, with a focus on iconoclasm, gender representation, and sustainability in design. She investigates how visual media shape historical memory and contemporary discourse. Recent Publications address topics like contemporary iconoclasm, eco-art practices, and the role of masks in global visual cultures. Her edited works trace historical dialogues between art and science, religious imagery, and interdisciplinary approaches to image-making. Scientific Awards: Research Fellowship from Herzog August Library Wolfenbüttel (2007) Fellow at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (2010–2011) Other Roles include Visiting Professorships at Humboldt University Berlin (2013/14) and University of Karlsruhe (2004/05), Acting Professorships at TU Dresden and Braunschweig University of Fine Arts, and contributions to curatorial projects like documenta 13.

• Art History
• Visual Cultures
• Image Anthropology
• +5 more