CV:
Born in Frankenthal (Germany) in 1959. Studied Protestant theology, Islamic, Semitic and Jewish studies in Kiel, Jerusalem, Berlin and Heidelberg. 1986 1st theol. exam; 1988 2nd theological exam; 1988-89 field research in Egypt. 1990-1996 executive secretary of the College for Orthodox Students of the Protestant Church in Germany / EKD (Erlangen). 1996 dissertation on "The Renewal in the Coptic Orthodox Church" (Heidelberg). 1996-2001 pastor in the church and religious instruction at a primary school (Langen). 2001-2004 member of the research project "The Representation of Christianity in Mainly Islamic Countries". 2005 habilitation thesis (2nd Phd) "The Representation of Christianity in Egyptian School Textbooks" (Rostock). 2005-2007 Protestant chaplain in a high-security prison in Diez and Ass. Prof. in history of religions - religion and society (University of Rostock). Since August 2007 chair for studies of religions at the Protestant Theological Faculty of the University of Vienna (Austria)

Research focus:
Religions and education in the Middle East (Islam, Oriental churches, minorities in Islamic context), application oriented studys of religions, management of religious diversity in state and public institutions, ethics of religions