New chair for the German study center in Venice: Barbara Kuhn at the helm!

New chair for the German study center in Venice: Barbara Kuhn at the helm!

Prof. Dr. Barbara Kuhn from KU was elected as the new chairwoman of the German Study Center in Venice. She has held the position of deputy chairwoman since 2021, while Prof. Dr. Albrecht Cordes was her predecessor. At the 2025 annual meeting, Cordes was elected Kuhn's deputy.

The German Study Center in Venice was founded in 1972 and is an interdisciplinary institution dedicated to promoting academic work and projects on the history and culture of Venice and its former territories. Duel research projects can be found in a wide variety of disciplines. These include Byzantine studies, art and architectural history, literature, art and music studies, as well as Jewish studies and contemporary history. One focus is on supporting young scientists.

Research opportunities and scholarships

The center awards scholarships to young scientists and artists who deal with topics related to Venice. Two long-term scholarships for a period of six to twelve months are currently advertised for the 2025/2026 academic year. The application deadline for this is April 30, 2025. You can also submit applications for short-term scholarships at any time, which can last up to five months.

Applications should be sent directly to Prof. Dr. Barbara Kuhn. Required documents are a completed personal form, a CV and a detailed research plan. In addition, two expert reports in German must be enclosed, which explain the applicant's qualifications and the importance of the project.

Cultural engagement

In addition to awarding scholarships, the German Study Center organizes international conferences, lectures and concerts that enable deep cultural exchange. An interdisciplinary course takes place once a year. The center has a reference library with more than 14,500 volumes as well as a special print collection on Venetian research topics. It is also the publisher of three renowned scientific book series: Venetiana, Quaderni and Studi.

The center is mainly financed through the budget of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media. This ensures the sustainable funding of research into the history and culture of Venice and its former territories. The center itself is located in the Palazzo Barbarigo della Terrazza on the Grand Canal, a striking location that underlines the cultural relevance of Venice.

Barbara Kuhn, who works at the Chair of Romance Literature I at the KU, specializes in Italian-language literature from the Middle Ages to the present. Her extensive experience gained in various roles, including her role on the Scientific Advisory Board of the German Study Center, will undoubtedly contribute to the further development of the institution.

For further information about the research scholarships and the center's activities, please refer to the German Study Center website  here.

For details on awarding scholarships, the information on is also worth reading  this page.

Since research on Venetian history and culture is of great importance, the center represents an indispensable part of academic life and contributes to increasing intercultural exchange.