Networking 2025

At this networking conference held from May 19 to 22, 2025, established researchers as well as early-career scholars from 12 European countries and 15 universities met in Passau to network and present their current projects.

Memory culture, identity and religion

Networking with participants from 15 european countries

For years, interest in memory culture, religion, and memory theory has been increasing. This is also reflected in the European research landscape, especially in the humanities and cultural studies. According to a press release, established researchers as well as early-career scholars from eleven European countries and 15 universities met at a networking conference in Passau to network and present projects and ideas in the fields of memory, identity, and religion.

The conference was organized by Prof. Dr. Huebenthal, PD Dr. Benedikt J. Collinet (Chair of Exegesis and Biblical Theology); Prof. Dr. Christian Handschuh (Professorship for Church History and Christian Identities); and Prof. Dr. Thomas Wünsch (Chair of the History of Eastern Europe and its Cultures).

According to the different disciplines and research fields, the conference included contributions from digital humanities, biblical studies, reconciliation work, memory culture, memory theory, and much more. Besides getting to know each other, the most important outcomes, according to the press release, included deepening international study programs, enhancing the perception of Passau as a networking platform for future projects, and clarifying the potential for future joint research and teaching in the Greater Europe area.

“Networks from Spain to Georgia, from Ireland to Romania show how important Central Europe’s bridging position is to truly make theological as well as humanities and cultural studies research borderless. In this sense, the conference is also a contribution to sustainable peace work through cross-cultural collaboration,” said Prof. Dr. Sandra Huebenthal.

Project ideas range from oral history research to confessional European identities, from classic projects to summer schools, and from research cooperation to partnerships in the development of structures and degree programs.

The conference was funded by PICAIS – Passau International Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies.