Religion and Transformation in Austria

Austria, and especially its capital, Vienna, is bustling with religions. Yet the religious field is still largely uncharted. In order to deal with this great religious diversity, the researchers in this research cluster aim to explore the religious panorama in Austria, both historically and in the present. Particular attention is paid to non-mainstream religiosity, i.e. the religious traditions/life-worlds beyond German-speaking Roman Catholicism. The affiliated scholars employ a wide range of historical, social-scientific, and comparative methods. The results of their research are disseminated through the peer-reviewed book series Religion in Austria, published annually by Praesens.

Individuals and institutions contributing to this cluster

Research projects and publications in this cluster

Research Projects
  • FWF (Austrian Science Fund) Project: Projekte Glocal Buddhas: Exploring the Interplay of East Asian Buddhism and Globalization in Austria and Italy
  • FWF (Austrian Science Fund) Project: Narratives of Migrating Minorities: Muslims and Jews as similar "Others"

For further information see: https://rw-ktf.univie.ac.at/en/research/funded-research/

Publications
  • The Religious Studies book series "Religion in Austria", edited by Lukas K. Pokorny and published so far in nine volumes (2012–2024) by Praesens Verlag. Volume 10 is due in late 2025.
  • Pokorny, Lukas K. 2024. "Austria." In Laurence Cox, Ugo Dessì, and Lukas K. Pokorny, eds. 2024. East Asian Religiosities in the European Union: Globalisation, Migration, and Hybridity. Paderborn: Brill Schöningh, 13–29.
  • Pokorny, Lukas K. 2023. "Exploring East Asian Religiosity in Austria: Current State, Desiderata, and Challenges." Interdisciplinary Journal for Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society, 9 (1): 233–249.
  • Pokorny, Lukas. 2022. "Ostasiatische Traditionen [East Asian Traditions]." In Karsten Lehmann and Wolfram Reiss, eds. Religiöse Vielfalt in Österreich. Baden-Baden: Nomos, 355–369.
  • Pokorny, Lukas. 2021. "Japanese Buddhism in Austria." Journal of Religion in Japan, 10 (2–3): 222–242.