Utrecht Forum for Memory Studies – The Utrecht Forum for Memory Studies offers an interdisciplinary platform for researchers working in the field of cultural memory who share a common concern with: developing new ways of exploring the transnational and trans-medial dynamics of cultural memory in a globalising world; exploring the complex history of memory cultures; the role of memory practices in (international) conflict and in conflict resolution.

Cultural History – Cultural History is an interdisciplinary groups at the History department: participating scholars are trained as historians, but also as archeologists, philologists, journalists and philosophers, even as physicists. The group critically reflects on methods, taking a special interest in the Digital Humanities in research and didactics in secondary education. They focus on such themes as modernity, Europe, empire, gender, race, citizenship, the body, public history, history of science & humanities, and the theory and history of History as an academic discipline.

Political History – Is a group researchers and teachers who, despite the variety of our thematic specialisms, are all equally interested in investigating the complexities of society’s political past in all its dimensions, and in using that investigation to better understand the present. From early modern Europe to modern Indonesia, from individual politicians to mass social movements, they study a range of past political actors in diverse arenas, consistently asking, “What individuals, groups, and institutions have the power to shape society, and how and why do they do that?”

Religious Matters – Religious Matters consists of a multidisciplinary team of senior and junior researchers who engage in the study of religion from backgrounds in anthropology, (art) history philosophy and religious studies. The research program is made possible thanks to the NWO-Spinoza Prize and the Academy professor prize awarded to Birgit Meyer by the Netherlands Foundation for Scientific Research (NWO) and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). This team studies the complex configurations of religious coexistence by focusing on religious matters such as things (especially buildings and images), food, bodies and texts as entry points. By doing so, they also seek to further develop concepts and methods for the study of religion from a material angle.

Dutch Centre for Intangible Heritage – The Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage (KIEN), based at the Netherlands Open Air Museum in Arnhem, coordinates the implementation of the 2003 UNESCO Convention in the Netherlands. It promotes, safeguards, and increases the visibility of living traditions, such as crafts, rituals, and social practices, by managing the National Inventory and supporting communities in preserving their heritage. The Knowledge Centre works on knowledge development for the practice of safeguarding intangible heritage. The Centre initiates activities directed at preservation, management and development of the intangible cultural heritage in the Netherlands. It advises the authorities on intangible cultural heritage and stimulates the debate on this subject. The Centre pursues an active media policy for the benefit of raising awareness of the significance and the value of intangible cultural heritage. In addition, the Centre strengthens the sector and guides communities in their growth to safeguarding their intangible cultural heritage.