About research

Through its Centre for Religious Studies (CRS), the Groningen faculty carries out multi- and interdisciplinary research into ancient and living religions. Research focuses on the philology, literature, iconography, history, philosophy, anthropology and theology of these religions. In recent years, interdisciplinary research has concentrated on the nature and function of tradition in the practice and identity of religions and other life view traditions. These are the cultural systems by which people give meaning and direction to their actions. The history and authority of those systems, and their capacity to adapt and renew in response to social processes in the wider culture, may serve as paradigm examples of other traditions.

1. Jewish and Christian Traditions
2. Religion, Representation and Power
3. Meaning, Tradition and Change

The research of the first two groups is additionally supported by four institutes:

1. Qumrân Institute
2. Institute of Indian Studies
3. Institute for the Iconography of Religions 
4. Institute for Christan Cultural Heritage

which have extensive collections of images and other documentary material at their disposal (see Research Institutes).

Over the last six years (1999 - 2004), the (tenured) staff of CRS spent nearly 50 full time equivalents on research. The CRS staff, post-docs and PhD- students produced a total of some 575 academic publications, 29 dissertations, nearly 200 professional publications, 211 review articles and 76 popularising publications.