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New research network in Regensburg: Remembering beyond hegemony!
The international research network “Margins of Memory” at the University of Regensburg researches non-hegemonic cultures of memory.
New research network in Regensburg: Remembering beyond hegemony!
On May 7, 2025, the University of Regensburg a new international research network entitled “Margins of Memory: Cultures and Politics of Non-Hegemonic Remembrance” was presented. This initiative aims to develop new interdisciplinary frameworks and terms in memory research, particularly with regard to marginalized groups and their memories. The timing of the network's presentation was deliberately timed before the annual commemorations for the end of the Second World War, which take place on May 8th.
The network runs for two years and focuses on four central work packages. These are:
- Theorizing Margins of Memory
- Agencies, Silences, Trauma
- Sites of Memory activism
- (Dis)Locations of Memory: Temporalities and Geographies of Belonging
Interdisciplinary collaboration
The members of the network consist of twelve researchers at different career levels. The project speakers are Dr. Tatiana Klepikova from the University of Regensburg and Dr. Volha Bartash from the Westphalian Wilhelms University of Münster. Other members include Dr. Tigran Amiryan, Dr. Philipp Bernhard and Professor Dr. Nishani Frasier.
A special highlight of the network will be participation in the 9th meeting of the Memory Studies Association (MSA) in Prague, which will take place from July 14th to 18th, 2025. Professor Dr. Kateřina Králová from Charles University in Prague, also active in the network, will organize the meeting.
The research network addresses the challenges and opportunities that arise from examining the memory cultures of marginalized groups. The perception and construction of these memories occurs at different levels and in different contexts, which requires analytical diversity. A central goal is the pluralization of theoretical and methodological approaches in memory research.
Research focus and methodology
The network's topics range from the analysis of oral and written memories to the study of non-verbal memories, art and performances. The focus here is on the cultures and politics of non-hegemonic memory, such as EuropeAmerica reported. The analytical framework that is developed provides a tool for examining the cultures of memory in Europe, America, Africa and Australia from the 19th century to the present day.
A key topic of the network is the so-called securitization of memory and the associated memory wars, which often affect marginalized groups. This asset-specific research is supported by digital participation from network members from different parts of the world.
By promoting dialogue between different disciplines and offering a platform for those interested, “Margins of Memory” will become an important part of future memory research. The interdisciplinary approach is necessary to better understand the complex constructs of memory and forgetting.
In the last two decades, the scientific discussion of the topic of memory research, also with regard to Latin America, has expanded significantly. The workshop of the “Interdisciplinary Network for Latin American Memory and Memory Research – MemoriAL” in December 2017 shows the methodology discussion and research into the challenges in memory studies H-Soz cult. These events help to develop innovative approaches and promote exchange between researchers, which is particularly valuable for the “Margins of Memory” network.