The Institute of Classical Studies (IAW) encompasses a remarkable range of research activities, grounded in a combination of specialized fundamental research, individual projects, and collaborative research initiatives. This diversity is further strengthened by interdisciplinary and cross-epochal cooperation—an outstanding characteristic in both national and international comparison, which benefits young scholars already during their studies and into their postgraduate education.

Through their fundamental research, the members of the IAW distinguish themselves as recognized specialists in their respective fields. The research strength of the individual departments—reflected, among other things, in the substantial acquisition of third-party funding—provides a solid foundation for the development of inter- and transdisciplinary collaborative projects. These are initiated not only within the broad spectrum of disciplines at Johannes Gutenberg University, but also on a regional, national, and even international scale.

With regard to its numerous collaborative research projects, the Institute benefits from a wide-ranging network of partnerships with non-university institutions and research consortia. Equally important are the national and international contacts and research networks in which the individual disciplines are embedded, as Classical Studies belong to a field where the international nature of research has always been both a prerequisite and a defining principle.
Excavation campaigns, archaeological surveys and restoration work, research collaborations with antiquities authorities, museums, theaters, and research institutions, as well as a wide variety of academic colloquia, are vivid expressions of this international and cooperative engagement.

A list of current research consortia and cooperation partners can be found here:

Thanks to the numerous research projects, working groups and discussion forums, there are a wide variety of opportunities to support young researchers, ranging from involvement in current research and projects to internal and interdisciplinary exchange and (inter)national networking. The variety of topics for doctoral dissertations is therefore broad. In addition, two Research Training Groups and a graduate school offer ideal funding opportunities in the field of ancient studies in Mainz:

Here you can find all current dissertation projects at the IAW sorted by working group.