The research platform "Religion and Transformation in Contemporary European Society" was founded at the University of Vienna in 2010. After completion of the first period, an international evaluation team decided to extend its work until March 2016. In April 2016 the platform was able to start its third period, running for a further two years (until March 2018). With the purpose of gaining a global perspective, the research platform was renamed into

"Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society"

After another international evaluation, the University of Vienna transformed the platform into a research centre on April 1, 2018. Since then the research centre has been continued in this form.