"Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society"

brings together research on religion at the University of Vienna and makes it internationally visible. The centre currently involves around 70 researchers from 8 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, 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

January 31st, 2026: Online Book Launch and Discussion: JRAT Supplementa Volume 5

„Modernity values human dignity and autonomy, but its commitment to self-realization is unsustainable and neglects the common good, which is lost in the ›anonymity‹ of technology and economics. Lost are both truly creative individuality and productive social relationships. Sequeri examines contradictions in our ›common humanity‹: the power of desire, the excesses of tragedy, modalities of cooperation, and the manifestations of diversity […].“ (excerpt from the book cover)

The Research Centre RaT and the Catholic Theological Society of America cordially invite all interested parties to the presentation of the latest volume in the JRAT Supplementa series, published in open access: “Human. A Reality Put to the Test” (Brill/Schöningh 2025) by Pierangelo Sequeri, translated by James M. Crowley.

Starting with a presentation of the book by the author (Istituto di Giovanni Paolo II, Rome), the event also includes a response by Prof. emeritus Anthony J. Godzieba (Villanova University, Pennsylvania), followed by a discussion with the audience.

Moderated by: Kurt Appel and Noemi Call.

Organized in cooperation with the Catholic Theological Society of America.

Link to the publication (Open Access): https://brill.com/display/title/62121

 Upcoming Events

 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: 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: JRAT-Supplementa Volume 5: Human. A Reality Put to the Test 

by Pierangelo Sequeri. Open Access

New Issue: RaT Series Volume 38: Religious and Non-Religious Narratives on Migration. Interdisciplinary Perspectives

edited by Regina Polak, Aybiçe Tosun, and Ansgar Jödicke

 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

Link to the publication

Zekirija Sejdini (ed.): Forum Islamisch-Theologische Studien (1/2025)

Link to the publication (full access)

Milja Radovic: Reframing Faith in Balkan Documentary Film. History and Religion in Yugoslav Space. New York: Routledge 2025.

Link to the publication.