Honoring the Loss of Thomas Großbölting: Proposing a Prize for Interreligious Studies
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Have you heard about the proposal to establish an award in honor of the late Thomas Großbölting, the renowned historian who unfortunately perished in a tragic train accident earlier this year? The red-green coalition is pushing for this tribute, suggesting the creation of a prize or scholarship to recognize remarkable achievements in interreligious and religious studies research.
On February 11, the academic world was shaken as Thomas Großbölting, a 55-year-old scholar, lost his life in a gruesome train collision that took place in Hamburg. Travelling from Hamburg to Munich, the ICE crashed into a heavy truck carrying railway tracks at a level crossing, leaving 25 passengers injured amidst the chaos.
Thomas Großbölting was the managing director of the Academy of World Religions and the director of the Research Institute for Contemporary History at the University of Hamburg. His work significantly contributed to the advancement of contemporary history and religious studies research within the Hanseatic city, earning him notable public recognition through his exploratory studies on addressing sexualized violence within church contexts. Most recently, he was deeply involved as a specialist in the discussions surrounding renaming the Hamburg Tropical Institute, in association with Bernhard Nocht.
Sadly, the research community in Hamburg and beyond has suffered a devastating loss with Thomas Großbölting’s demise. SPD science expert Philine Sturzenbecher stated that the proposal for the city parliament session aims to honor his work and encourage research in his primary areas of focus – contemporary Hamburg history and religious studies.
Michael Gwosdz, leader of the Green faction, emphasizes that this gesture signifies more than just a tribute to a fallen colleague. "We believe it is important to honor his memory and ensure that socially relevant research continues to receive due attention in the future," he says. To this end, they wish to establish an award for outstanding research in interreligious and religious studies.
Stay tuned for more updates on this potential award and the impact it could have on future research in the field. Rest assured, Thomas Großbölting’s legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and the groundbreaking work he pursued in the realm of religious studies.
- The proposal for an award in memory of Thomas Großboëling includes a focus on interreligious and health-and-wellness research, specifically mental health, considering his significant contributions to addressing sexualized violence within church contexts.
- As initiatives for science and health-and-wellness advance, the community policy should prioritize mental health research and wellness programs, additionally incorporating interreligious studies, reflecting Thomas Großboëling's groundbreaking work and the impact it continues to have on academic research and society.
