News

We mourn the loss of our colleague, BIGSAS Senior Fellow and IAS member, Prof. Dr Ulrich Berner (1948–2026).

From 1986 to 2013, Ulrich Berner held the Chair of Religious Studies at the University of Bayreuth, thereby establishing the subject at the University. He was closely associated with the University’s African Studies and, through his work at BIGSAS and the Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies, influenced and inspired numerous young scholars who today represent the field of Religious Studies, with a focus on Africa, both nationally and internationally.

We will greatly miss his wisdom and expertise, as well as his calm and ever-inquisitive nature.

Our deepest sympathies go, in particular, to his family.

The funeral service will take place on 3 September at 1 pm at the Gottesackerkirche at Bayreuth City Cemetery.