"Religion and Transformation"
brings together research on religion at the University of Vienna and makes it internationally visible. The centre currently involves around 80 researchers from 9 faculties and 14 disciplines (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Islamic theology, Jewish Studies, Islamic Studies and Religious Studies, Social Sciences, Law and Cultural Studies, History, Philosophy and Education, Astrophysics and Evolutionary Biology).
Since our founding in 2010, we explore the reciprocal relationship between religion, religiosity and transformation processes in contemporary global contexts. The RaT research centre considers itself an academic contribution to a dialogue between the large religious traditions on the one hand and religion and the secular world on the other.
News
Upcoming Events
19.02.26: ‚es ereignet sich aber / Das Wahre‘: Hölderlin und die Wahrheit der Dichtung. Philosophische Lektüren zwischen Adorno und Heidegger
Tagung: 19.-21.02.2026: Patterns of Violence in the Passion Narratives and Their Ancient Contexts
23.-25.02.2026: 14. Deutsch-Österreichische Kirchenrechtstagung: ZUKUNFT DER KIRCHE IN DER SÄKULAREN GESELLSCHAFT
20.-21.03.26: Workshop: Paul Tillichs Vorlesungen über "Religion und Kultur" (Harvard 1955/56)
Publications
Here you can find an overview of the latest scientific publications of the research centre. This includes our journal JRAT, the Supplementa belonging to the journal and the RaT book series:
New Issue: JRAT 11 (2/2025): Charisma, Popularity, Power: Grace, Religions and Belief throughout History until the Present (Open Access)
edited by Rüdiger Lohlker and Nikola Pantić
New Issue: RaT Series Volume 40: Breaking Boundaries in Theology. In Conversation with Roger Haight SJ (Open Access)
edited by Andreas Telser, Annette Langner-Pitschmann, Barnabas Palfrey, Sebastian Pittl, and Sibylle Trawöger
New Issue: RaT Series Volume 37: Neutraler Staat? Interdisziplinäre Perspektiven auf die Autonomie von Religion, Kunst und Wissenschaft
edited by Stefan Hammer, Andreas Kowatsch, Astrid Mattes, and Jakob Helmut Deibl
New Issue: JRAT-Supplementa Volume 5: Human. A Reality Put to the Test
by Pierangelo Sequeri. Open Access
Most recent open access articles published "in advance":
- Yoram Margalioth: Bridging the Divide. A Case Study in Regulating Faith-Based Financial Institutions
- Thomas Mark Németh: Easten Catholic Churches in Europe – Suggestions for Interdisciplinary Approaches to Their History, Present Situation, and Theology
- Alisha Saikia: Doll Artists and their Dolls. Animators and the Animated
- Fabian Völker: Dharmischer Diktator oder erleuchtete Kommunen? Buddhistische Herrschaftslegitimation zwischen Tradition und Innovation
To access more articles currently published "in advance", click here.
RaT Features
In this category, we present a selection of recent books and projects by our members. Currently:
Rüdiger Lohlker: Geschichte des islamischen Denkens über Herrschaft. Facultas 2025
Zekirija Sejdini (ed.): Forum Islamisch-Theologische Studien (1/2025)
Milja Radovic: Reframing Faith in Balkan Documentary Film. History and Religion in Yugoslav Space. New York: Routledge 2025.