How did forms of belonging develop in ancient Greece, and which role did Amyklaion play as a central hub in Laconia? Historian Hans Beck's Research project, “Belonging in/to Laconia. An archaeohistorical study on the Sanctuary of Apollo at Amyklai and its surroundings”, at the Cluster of Excellence “Religion and Politics” explores this question. The subject of the study is the hill of Agia Kyriaki, 5 km south of Sparta, which has long been associated with the ancient cult center of Apollo Amyklaios. The research complements excavations that have been taking place on site for more than 20 years. Read more

In her research at the Cluster of Excellence, political philosopher Franziska Dübgen, head of the project “Articulations of the ‘political’ in contemporary postcolonial contexts of north and sub-Saharan Africa”, deals with innovative concepts of the political, her focus here being primarily on concepts that political philosophy and political theory have developed in recent decades in and with regard to Africa. In this interview, she talks about her project at the Cluster of Excellence, the potential for learning between North and South when it comes to dealing with global challenges, and the debate on postcolonialism.  Read more

Indonesia is one of the most diverse countries in the world – geographically, socially and religiously. With over 17,000 islands and more than 270 million inhabitants, the archipelago faces particular challenges, while at the same time playing an increasingly important role in regional and global contexts. In an interview about her research on Indonesia, religious scholar and Protestant theologian Simone Sinn from the Cluster of Excellence talks about past and present conflicts, the country’s colonial history, and the role of religion in the Indonesian constitution. Continue