Men's research starts in Münster: New ways to clarify roles!

Men's research starts in Münster: New ways to clarify roles!

On April 22, 2025, the University of Münster will ceremoniously open a new “Workplace for Critical, Interdisciplinary and Interreligious Research on Masculinity” (AKIIM). The event will take place in the university's castle in lecture hall S1 at 6:15 p.m. This new facility is led by Prof. Dr. Mouhanad Khorchide and Dr. David Koch, both from the Center for Islamic Theology (ZIT), and receives support from Prof. Dr. Michael Tunç from the Catholic University of Social Affairs Berlin. The aim of the position is to promote a deeper understanding of the role of men in various social contexts.

The initiative to found the AKIIM comes against the background of increasing Islamist tendencies and religious fundamentalism. This requires a critical examination of images of masculinity, especially in relation to the radicalization of young men by self-proclaimed Islam preachers in social networks. The institutional efforts aim to develop teaching materials for Islamic religious education and prison pastoral care in order to promote social integration and rehabilitation. A particular focus is on father work, which aims to create new and progressive role models.

Men's studies in transition

In recent decades, men's studies have developed into a complex and multidisciplinary scientific field. As the bpb reports, sociologically oriented gender studies, which focus on the social construction of masculinity, dominate in German-speaking countries. This discipline emerged over the last 30 years from feminist discourses that called for a critical examination of patriarchal structures.

The replication study by Rainer Volz and Paul Zulehner shows that masculinity has modernized, but at the same time shows tensions and the persistence of traditional structures. Men often show helplessness in critical life situations, even when they try to maintain masculinity through tried and tested coping patterns. These complex dynamics are the result of social changes that also affect the distribution of roles between the genders.

An interdisciplinary approach

The concept of hegemonic masculinity, developed by R.W. Connell, plays a central role in men's studies. Connell distinguishes different practices of masculinity, including hegemonic, complicit, subordinate and marginalized masculinities. These theories are also relevant for research in the new workplace, which aims to investigate the social conditions of masculinity and their effects on the realities of life. This also includes the question of how the global capitalist economy influences the formation of masculinities and why it is necessary to move away from one-sided hierarchy models.

In addition, research on masculinities has become more important in recent years, particularly in areas such as socialization, family, health, violence and gender roles. As the University of Paderborn notes, masculinity is not viewed in isolation; Rather, it manifests itself differently in different areas of life and requires a differentiated analysis.

The upcoming position at the University of Münster will be about shedding light on this complexity of masculinities while at the same time promoting positive, progressive representations of masculinity. The opening of the AKIIM marks a significant step in the critical examination of masculinity and its social role, especially in the context of religion and social challenges.