Directors of the Doctoral Studies Programme 60 - Theological Studies and Research on Religion

As of 1 October 2023, the doctoral studies programmes of the Faculty of Protestant Theology and the Faculty of Catholic Theology will be merged into a new, overarching DSPL 60 "Theological Studies and Research on Religion". At the request of the rectorate, the structure of the new DSPL will thus be aligned with the structure of the Vienna Doctoral School of Theology and Religious Studies VDTR, and various theologies and disciplines concerned with research on religion will be brought together in one DSPL.

Next info date: 16. April 2024, 9.30-11h

On Tuesday, 16 April 2024 from 9.30-11.00 a.m. we will introduce you to the DSPL 60 "Theological Studies and Research on Religion" and the Vienna Doctoral School of Theology and Research on Religion VDTR. You will have the opportunity to talk to the staff of the StudyServiceCentres and the coordinator of the Doctoral School and ask questions. The programme is primarily aimed at people who have just started their doctoral studies or are not yet members of the VDTR. However, all other doctoral students are of course also very welcome!
Location: Schenkenstraße 8-10, HS 1, 5th floor

What's new?

For doctoral students, this does not change very much, as the responsibilities remain unchanged almost everywhere:

The members of the new DSPL 60

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Langer

Gerhard Langer is Professor of Jewish Studies and as of 01 Octobre 2023 Director of the Vienna Doctoral School of Theology and Research on Religion VDTR as well as Director of the newly established Doctoral Studies Programme 60.

His main research interests are:

  • Jewish cultural history in antiquity
  • Rabbinical literature
  • Reception-historical studies of biblical texts
  • Treatment of Jewish tradition in German-language literature
  • Jewish-Christian "encounter" (cultural transfer, etc.)

Gunter Prüller-Jagenteufel is Professor of Theological Ethics, member of the Vienna Doctoral School of Theology and Research on Religion VDTR and Vice-DSPL of the DSPL 60.

His main research interests are:

  • Intercultural and intercontextual dimensions of ethics.
  • Anthropology and theological ethics
  • Ethics in the context of a communicative theology

Prof. Dr. Christian Danz

Christian Danz is Professor of Systematic Theology AB and Deputy Director of the Vienna Doctoral School of Theology and Research on Religion and Deputy Director of the DSPL 60.

  • Fundamental Theology
  • Dogmatics (doctrine of God, Christology, Pneumatology)
  • Reformation theology
  • History of theology in the 19th and 20th centuries
  • Ethics (human rights)
  • Theology of religions
  • Philosophy of religion

Prof. Dr. Markus Tiwald

Markus Tiwald is Professor of New Testament and Deputy Director of the Vienna Doctoral School of Theology and Research on Religion VDTR and Vice-DSPL of DSPL 60. He was the founding director of VDTR from 01.07.2021 - 30.09.2023.

His main research interests are:

  • The parting of the ways between Judaism and Christianity.
  • Jewish-Christian dialogue
  • Contextualizing the theology of Jesus and Paul in early Judaism
  • Questioning the origins of Christianity and the "historical" Jesus
  • Theology of Paul and the Q source ("Logienquelle")