Church practice in the GDR: Implementation of a digital research environment for the provision and integration of sources and research data

The situation of the churches in East Germany requires dedicated scholarly examination: Due to the “enforced secularity” of the GDR dictatorship, it is necessary to theologically process the experiences and concepts of the past and their effects up to the present day. Reflective studies on actors such as those involved in ministry and other services, conscientious objectors (Bausoldaten), or “troublemakers,” as well as their institutions, meetings, and printed materials, are largely lacking so far. The research potential also lies in addressing current, nationwide questions such as declining church membership, the church’s self- and external positioning within such a (post-)secular society, and more.

To curate, structure, and sustainably make existing knowledge accessible to researchers and the public, an online portal is needed that aligns with the requirements of scholarship, data, and research questions, as well as standards for publishing structured, linked (open) data in the field of Digital Humanities. Such a system will be provided within the framework of the project and enriched with knowledge about church practices in the GDR.

The project ended on 31 March 2024.