Ilka-Elisabeth Rau

Ilka-Elisabeth Rau is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Baltic and Scandinavian Archaeology (ZBSA) in Schleswig, Germany, and serves in public relations for the Cluster of Excellence ROOTS, which investigates social, environmental, and cultural connectivity in historical societies. Her academic background includes museum education and coordination of large-scale research programs.

Education:

• 1998–2004: Studied ethnology, prehistory and early history, and English philology at the Universities of Bonn and Münster
• 2004: Master's degree in Ethnology

Her research spans Archaeology, Baltic/Scandinavian studies, port archaeology, and cultural history, with emphasis on societal transformations and maritime networks. Publications reflect an evolution from museum-focused refugee studies (2008–2009) to maritime archaeology (2017).

She has held significant roles:

• Coordinator of DFG Priority Programme 1630 'Ports from the Roman Empire to the Middle Ages' (2014–2018)
• Communications Platform staff for Cluster of Excellence ROOTS (2021–present)

No scientific awards are documented. She contributes to teams at ZBSA and ROOTS, leveraging training in science management and conflict resolution from the DFG-funded Center for Science Management.