RESEARCH CENTRE FOR RELIGION AND TRANSFORMATION IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY, UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA

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The societal and political developments in recent years show that religion as a topic of public discourse is still of great importance. The role of religion, especially in public space, is discussed controversially. Therefore, societies can only be analyzed if religious structures and theological categories are taken into account. Inversely, changes within religious traditions can only be understood if their social context is reflected.

 

Starting with April 1st 2018, the University of Vienna installed the interdisciplinary Research Centre "Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society" (in short: RaT) in order to continue the work of a Research Platform founded in 2010. RaT investigates the reciprocal relations between religion, religiousness and transformation processes within contemporary societies.

 

The leadership of the Centre is entitled to: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Kurt Appel (Speaker); Univ.-Prof. Dr. Sieglinde Rosenberger (Deputy-Speaker), Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gerhard Langer and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Lukas Pokorny (Co-Deputy-Speakers).

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MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS AND RESULTS

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Publications

• The seven issues of our Open Access Online Journal J-RaT (“Journal for Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society”) are available at: https://religionandtransformation.at/publikationen/journal-j-rat/

• Our print series “Religion and Transformation in Contemporary European Society” comprises currently 16 volumes: https://religionandtransformation.at/publikationen/rat-reihe/

• We entertain a blog on current issues and send a regular Newsletters about our research activities

• Our members contribute to the public debate in diverse media

 

Events

We organize conferences, workshops, guest lectures on contemporary transformations in society and religion, in cooperation with representatives of religious communities and stakeholders. Some of our upcoming events are:

• International Conference: Interreligious Dialogue in Context - A European Comparison. Organized by Karsten Lehmann in cooperation with RaT. October 17-19 2019.

• Workshop Vienna Circle and Religion, organised by Elisabeth Nemeth and Esther Ramharter, the Institute for Vienna Circle the Vienna Circle Society and RaT. October 25 2019.

 

Interdisciplinarity

Membership of 35 renowned researches from seven faculties and 14 departments of the University of Vienna (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Islamic Theology, Jewish, Islamic and Religious Studies, Social and Cultural Studies, Law, Philosophy, Educational Research)

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Internationality

More than 200 researchers from 75 international universities contributed to our activities; our members regularly participate in international conferences.

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