Past Worlds and Modern Questions - Cultures Across Time and Space

The TRA Present Pasts takes an interdisciplinary approach to the research of past cultural, political, social and economic constellations embedded in a broad geographical context and historical depth. Its work focuses on the interaction of contemporary challenges and processes and comparable phenomena in the past. The knowledge about the functioning of cultures generated by such a historical-comparative approach can lead to a better understanding of the present.

The interdisciplinary approach of the TRA Present Pasts and its research fields heritage and communication seek to combine the different traditions and structures of the various cultures of research present at the University of Bonn. In particular, it seeks to effect the networking of the "minor subjects". The holdings of the university collections function as a research infrastructure, integrating the various disciplinary approaches involved in TRA 5 in historical and contemporary contexts and processes.

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© Bialek/Uni Bonn
Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.
© Unsplash

About us

Organisation, goals, team

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.
© Markus Winkler on unsplash

Research

Research profile, topics, projects, Professorships

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.
© Jordan Ladikos on unsplash

Offers

Events, funding, newsletter

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.
© Fabio Bracht on unsplash

Network

Members, partners

Our members are professors, postdoc researchers and PhD students of all Faculties and of central scientific research institutions.

Benefit from our network and funding opportunities!

Our transdisciplinary Professorships in the Global Heritage Lab

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© GHL
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© Gregor Hübl/Uni Bonn

Critical Museum and Heritage Studies Jun.-Prof. Dr. Julia Binter

Julia Binter joins the Global Heritage Lab. Her transcultural research opens new collaborations to the natural sciences and theologies.

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© Julia Binter

The Global Heritage Lab

The Global Heritage Lab emerges as a central hub for heritage and museum-related research and operates as a transdisciplinary laboratory hosted by the TRA Present Pasts.

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© TRA Present Pasts

Humboldt-Fellow Prof. Dr. Sophia Labadi

Sophia Labadi is Professor of Heritage at the University of Kent and is extending the GHL for one year with a Humboldt Fellowship.

Notice Board

Have an event overview with our digital 'notice board'.

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© TRA Present Pasts
Press releases
Ages and Wonders in P26 : University of Bonn holds ceremony to open new House of Knowledge and Research
The University of Bonn has formally opened P26, its House of Knowledge and Research, in the heart of the city center. Short for “Poststraße 26,” it is a place where research, teaching and the general public can now come together. In the future, the rented building—a former department store—will house two University museums, the Global Heritage Lab and the University’s Infopunkt information desk. P26 will open its doors to the public on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Gustavo Politis Wins Humboldt Research Prize
The Argentinian archaeologist Professor Gustavo Politis is to receive a research prize from the Humboldt Foundation. Among other things, the researcher is studying the early settlement of the Americas. Professor Carla Jaimes Betancourt from the Department of Anthropology of the Americas at the University of Bonn had put his name forward for the €60,000 award. The pair are now stepping up their collaboration.
Immersing Ourselves in New Worlds: Where Theology Meets Cognitive Research
What happens when we look at a late antique image? In what order does our gaze wander over the individual elements? Where does it linger? What bodily reactions do such images or early Christian narratives trigger in us? Attempts to answer questions like this are going well beyond merely interpreting early Christian works. A research project embarked on by the University of Bonn together with the University of St Andrews is now bringing Ancient Studies and Cognitive Science together. One key theme is immersion, a concept usually associated more with the world of gaming. 
A Transdisciplinary Win
A team of University of Bonn researchers wins a funding competition conducted by the Life and Health transdisciplinary research area.

Contact

Avatar Alings

Dr. Kim Alings

Strategic Development and Quality Assurance

Speaker

Prof. Dr. Matthias Becher

Department of History

Prof. Dr. Karoline Noack

Department of Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology

Discover more

The six Transdisciplinary Research Areas

The six Transdisciplinary Research Areas (TRAs) create areas for exploration and innovation in research and teaching at the University of Bonn.

Research Profile

Top-Level Research. The University of Bonn has stood for top-level research for over 200 years.

Research Funding

The Research and Innovation Services of the University of Bonn support you in all questions concerning your third-party funded projects.

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