Hildegund Keul

Prof. Dr. Hildegund Keul is an Associate Professor of Fundamental Theology and Comparative Religious Studies at the Faculty of Catholic Theology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg. She serves as Head of the DFG research project 'Vulnerabilities. A Heterology of Incarnation in the Vulnerability Discourse' since August 2018 and co-founded the Research Group 'Vulnerability, Security and Resilience' in 2016. Her academic career spans over three decades, with significant contributions to theological discourse on vulnerability, mysticism, and gender studies.

Her research interests center on vulnerability studies, fundamental theology, comparative religious studies, mysticism, women's theology, and incarnation theology. Keul has developed a distinctive theological perspective that examines vulnerability not as weakness but as a fundamental human condition with transformative potential. Her work bridges systematic theology with contemporary social issues, particularly regarding power dynamics, gender relations, and institutional accountability.

Keul's publications reveal a clear trajectory from early work on medieval mystics like Mechthild of Magdeburg toward contemporary vulnerability discourse. Her most recent scholarship focuses on the intersection of theological anthropology with social issues like migration, sexual abuse in religious institutions, and pandemic responses. She approaches vulnerability as a 'heterology of incarnation'—a framework that reinterprets Christian theological concepts through the lens of human vulnerability.

Among her notable awards are the Mystik-Medien-Preis der Theophrastus-Stiftung (2008), the Karl-Rahner-Preis für Theologische Forschung (2003), and the Preis der Unterfränkischen Gedenkjahrstiftung für Wissenschaft (1994). Her academic journey includes habilitation in 2002 with the thesis 'Die Mystik der Begine Mechthild von Magdeburg – eine Genealogie des Fließenden Lichts der Gottheit' and promotion in 1992 with distinction 'summa cum laude'.

Keul has been actively engaged in public discourse through media appearances, interviews, and commentary on contemporary issues. Her recent work addresses the Catholic Church's handling of abuse cases, gender dynamics in religious institutions, and theological perspectives on the pandemic. She has taught courses on 'The Historical Jesus and the Christ of Faith' and 'Vulnerability - a Curse? Resilience - a Blessing?' in recent semesters, demonstrating her commitment to integrating research with teaching.