Research

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• ATS: Multimediales Lehr- und Lernmaterial zum Alevitentum: Bedarf, Entwicklung und Anwendung [Multimedia teaching and learning material on Alevism: demand, development and application]

  The first steps towards the academic training of Alevi religious education teachers worldwide were taken with the introduction of the "Teacher Training for Alevi Religious Education" at University of Education Weingarten in 2011 and the partial Bachelor's degree programme "Alevi Religion" at the University of Hamburg in 2015. These degree programmes, which were implemented for the first time in German-speaking countries, are still in the phase of basic academic and didactic development. In addition, subject-specific certification and further training courses have been offered throughout Germany by the Alevi umbrella organisation (AABF) for several years.

  Alongside the introduction of Alevi religious education (ARU) in currently eight federal states at over 100 schools, these achievements mark an important milestone in the academic institutionalisation of Alevism. However, in addition to the opportunities, they also bring with them a multitude of challenges in the systematic processing of teaching and learning materials.

  The research project therefore focuses on the development of multimedia teaching and learning material on Alevism, which is theologically reflected and prepared in terms of religious and media education. This target group-specific material will be accessible via a specifically created website and is primarily aimed at university lecturers in teacher training, teachers and pupils. However, it is also intended to offer all other interested parties a condensed and comprehensible approach to the topic of Alevism through an AI-based library.

  The project is based on the view that educational institutions in Germany's immigration society can make an important contribution to recognising religious and cultural diversity in an appreciative manner and integrating it on an equal footing. For this reason, particular attention is paid to promoting interreligious dialogue, diversity skills, an understanding of democracy, civic engagement and an examination of current social discourse in addition to religious content when designing the teaching and learning materials on Alevism.

  This project is led by Prof. Dr. Handan Aksünger-Kizil and Dr. Miriam Grabenheinrich. Initial start-up funding comes from the professorship's appointment funds and is supported by the professorship for Religious Education at the University of Hamburg.

  Project duration: 2024-2027
• ATS: Gelebte Religion in alevitischen Gemeinden in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz [Living religion and religious education in Alevi communities in the DACH region]

  The project explores the question of which religious content and which religious knowledge is passed on with the help of which oral, written and performative sources in Alevi communities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

  Following the principle of mixed methods, a) participant observation, b) guided interviews, c) video recordings, d) online questionnaires with young people and so-called e) "action days" in Alevi Cem houses will be carried out. In this context, a survey will be conducted at selected locations to collect written and audiovisual sources in the form of audio, video and image recordings, as well as artifacts from family traditions, in order to ideally make them available for basic research and the training of religious education teachers.

  The project is led by Prof. Dr. Handan Aksünger-Kizil and is currently financed from the professorship's appointment funds. Further information on the project can be found in the linked PDF file (in German).

  Project duration: 2023-2028
• ATS: Alevitischer Religionsunterricht und Digitalisierung in Europa: Grenzen, Chancen und Erwartungen [Alevi Religious Education and Digitalisation in Europe: Limitations, Opportunities and Expectations]

  The world's first Alevi religious education (Alevitische Religionsunterricht, ARU) was taught in Berlin in 2002/03. The idea and the associated further training of Alevi religious education teachers were developed through the initiative of the Alevi Cem houses on the district and national level.

  Within the framework of this project, an initial inventory of Alevi religious education (ARU) in German-speaking countries is to be drawn up and, in a second step, a working platform (Cloud/SharePoint) is to be provided. The aim is to exchange different methods, possibilities and developments in learning and teaching religious knowledge through theological, pedagogical, social, sociological and anthropological approaches in a digital environment. The transparency of the ARU on this digital platform can promote socio-political expectations regarding the integration and identity policies of Alevis in the countries where they live. By incorporating social media and digital interaction, this project can also contribute to the ARU's digital teaching. 

  This project is led by Prof. Dr Handan Aksünger-Kizil and Dr. Deniz Coşan Eke. Initial start-up funding will come from the appointment funds of the professorship, and in the further run third-party funding is to be acquired

  For further information please visit the website of the project (in German).

  Project duration: 2022-
• ATS: Digitale Edition und Übersetzung einer Buyruk-Handschrift [Digital Edition and Translation of a Buyruk Manuscript]

  Even though the transmission of religious knowledge in Alevism was primarily oral and through ritual acts, there are nevertheless a considerable number of written sources. As part of the project, a historical, Ottoman-language Buyruk manuscript will be transcribed and translated into German, which will appear in a digital version with commentary. The transcription has already been done and the translated version should be available by the spring of 2021. This project is led by Prof. Dr. Handan Aksünger-Kizil and Dr. Cem Kara. Start-up funding for the project will come from the professorship's appointment funds. In addition, further third-party funds are to be raised.  

  Project duration: 2019-
  

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• ATS: Bestandsaufnahme und Systematisierung [...] zur Qualifikation religiösen Personals in alevitischen Gemeinden in Deutschland [Inventory and systematisation [...] of religious personnel in Alevi communities in Germany]

  As part of the research expertise "Bestandsaufnahme und Systematisierung von Erfahrungen, Erwartungen und Empfehlungen zur Qualifikation religiösen Personals in alevitischen Gemeinden in Deutschland" [Inventory and systematisation of experiences, expectations and recommendations for the qualification of religious personnel in Alevi communities in Germany], we are looking for interviewees for qualitative interviews.

  In each city (Berlin, Hamburg, Mannheim, Stuttgart, Hannover and in the Ruhr area) five to six Alevi clergy (Dede and Ana) as well as Alevi lay people (Talip) are to be interviewed.

  The project, led by Prof. Dr. Handan Aksünger-Kizil, is funded with 25.000 euros by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Germany. Dr. Deniz Cosan Eke is employed as a research assistant in the project. 

  You can find more information in the article linked here.

  Project duration: 2020-2022