Past = Future in Perfect

TRA Present Pasts: Past Worlds and Modern Questions - Cultures Across Time and Space

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The TRA Present Pasts works to overcome the eurocentric view of history through the transdisciplinary study of past cultural, political, social and economic constellations and their specific forms of communication. By developing new concepts of heritage and related practices we can better understand our own present day and ensure that we leave behind a sustainable legacy for future generations.

Research

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About Us

Learn about our hard facts!

Projects

Learn more about ongoing funded TRA Present Pasts projects!

Offers

Seed funding - Networking - Events. Find out about our offers here!

News from the TRA

  Notifications

Most successful University in the competition, having received eight Clusters of Excellence
A huge success for the University of Bonn: today, all six of the University of Bonn's existing Clusters of Excellence were selected for further funding in the nationwide Excellence Competition. In addition, both newly applied Bonn cluster initiatives will receive funding from the federal and state governments. This means that Bonn will be represented by a total of eight clusters in the coming funding period - more than at any other university in Germany.
Fashion, Identity and Dependencies
The University of Bonn’s Global Heritage Lab is hosting not one but two exhibitions that explore colonialism in its impact, consequences and resulting enmeshments. The exhibitions are open until October 12 at P26.
Childhood 1500 years ago uncovered
What did babies eat 1500 years ago? International researchers led by the University of Bonn and the Nova University of Lisbon reconstructed the diet of children in Roman and medieval Portugal using state-of-the-art isotope methods to answer this question. The results have been published in the journal “Scientific Reports”. 
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.

Highlights and Announcements

Get Involved in the TRA

As a member of the TRA, you can access funding opportunities, take part in events and build new networks. 

Our Members

Our members are independent researchers from all faculties and central institutions, from PhDs to postdocs to professors. Together, they conduct research on current debates and related phenomena from the past.

Join us!

TRA members benefit from regular funding opportunities and the chance to network beyond disciplinary borders.

Meet our Researchers

Inter- and transdisciplinary research actively pursued at the University of Bonn and is promoted across faculty boundaries. The faces of the TRA Present Pasts are our Argelander Professor and the numerous dedicated researchers.  

TRA Present Pasts Spokesperson

Prof. Dr. Matthias Becher

TRA Present Pasts Spokesperson

Prof. Dr. Karoline Noack

Joint Fellow BCDSS and TRA Present Pasts

Prof. Dr. Sophia Labadi

Contact

Avatar Alings

Kim Alings

TRA manager | Strategic Development and Quality Assurance Unit

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Transdisciplinary Research Areas

Spaces for innovation in research and teaching - these are the six transdisciplinary research areas at the University of Bonn.

University of Excellence

Since summer 2019, we have been one of eleven German Universities of Excellence. Read more about our research profile and our future concept.

Research Funding

Research and Innovation Services at the University of Bonn will support you in all matters relating to your externally funded project.

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