Memory Studies

Memory Studies is an international and interdisciplinary convergence field. It addresses – broadly speaking – the interplay of past and present in sociocultural contexts. Memory Studies is interested in the social shape of individual memory as well as in the collective generation of past, present, and future.

The planned Forschungsfeld/Research Field Memory Studies reflects the vibrant interdisciplinary work of the Frankfurt Memory Studies Platform (FMSP), which was founded in 2011 by Astrid Erll. As an official Research Field of the FZHG, the FF Memory Studies will continue the FZHG’s support for the research activities of the FMSP and provide a designated space for its research work. The FMSP is a well-established and internationally recognized platform that exceeds the work of a single Studiengruppe alone. Because of this, we are proposing to establish Memory Studies as a designated research field of the FZHG, while retaining the Studiengruppe as part of this field. The FF Memory Studies will support the ongoing work of the FMSP.

The FMSP brings together people and projects from history, sociology, literature, arts, media studies, psychology, and other relevant disciplines in a dialogue about memory. It wants to shape the future of memory studies by developing and discussing new research questions and new methodologies. FMSP is led by Astrid Erll and Hanna Teichler.