Davide Torri

Davide Torri is a Lecturer and researcher specializing in shamanism, religious anthropology, and Buddhist studies. He holds a PhD from the University of Naples 'L'Orientale' (2009) and a BA/MA from the University of Venice 'Ca’ Foscari' (1999). His primary affiliation is with the University of Heidelberg, where he serves as a Post-Doc researcher and Lecturer within the Cluster of Excellence 'Asia and Europe in a Global Context'. From 2013 to 2017, he also held a Visiting Research Fellowship at the Käte Hamburger Kolleg.

• Education:
• PhD: 'Religions, Philosophies and Salvation Theories' (University of Naples 'L'Orientale', 2009)
• BA/MA: South Asian Religions and Cultures (University of Venice 'Ca’ Foscari', 1999)

His research focuses on shamanic practices in the Himalayas, the historical construction of 'shamanism' in Western scholarship, and intersections between Buddhism and indigenous traditions. Fieldwork spans Nepal, India, Mongolia, and China. He critiques Eurocentric concepts in religious studies and explores sacred landscapes, conflict dynamics, and human-environment interfaces.

Grants & Fellowships: His 2017-2018 KHK fellowship supported the project 'The Buddha and the Drum: Shamanism and Buddhism in the Himalaya'.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the University of Heidelberg's Cluster of Excellence, focusing on Asia-Europe comparative studies.