Welcome to the Obama Institute
for Transnational American Studies!
The Obama Institute for Transnational American Studies at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz offers a dynamic and wide-ranging program in both research and teaching for all students interested in topics related to the Americas in a global context.
With a special focus on interculturality, transnationalism, and interdisciplinarity, our expertise lies in the fields of Early American Studies, Indigenous Studies, Life Writing/Life Sciences, Political & Intellectual History, Film & Media Studies, Religion and American Culture, and Materiality.
Contact
Obama Institute for Transnational American Studies
University of Mainz
Jakob-Welder-Weg 20
55128 Mainz
Germany
+49 6131 39-22357
+49 6131 39-29097
Email
Stirling Magazines and Periodicals Research Group Spring 2026
On April 22, 2026, Oliver Scheiding, Sabina Fazli, and Frank Newton will present current research at the Stirling Magazines and Periodical Research Group.
read moreCall for Papers – “We Hold These Truths”? 250 Years Later đź—“
Call for Papers We Hold These Truths'? 250 Years Later Student Conference (June 19-20, 2026)  We are pleased to announce the upcoming student conference “'We Hold These Truths'? 250 Years Later,“ hosted by graduate students of the Obama Institute for Transnational...
read moreFeb 5 – Exhibition “Exploring Graphic Fiction” đź—“
Feb 5, 2026 – 16:00-18:00Fakultätssaal, 01-185 (Philosophicum) Exhibition "Exploring Graphic Fiction" Spätestens nach Art Spiegelmans Comic-Roman Maus über den Holocaust (seriell veröffentlicht zwischen 1980 und 1991) ist Graphic Fiction ein ernstzunehmendes Genre...
read moreOI Expert Contribution to ZDF’s Terra X History “Amerikas Rechte im Wandel: Die Geschichte einer Radikalisierung ” đź—“
Watch Professor Axel Schäfer contribute his expertise to this ZDF Terra X History short episode from Jan 11, 2026 below or on our video page. https://youtu.be/t8KAolpnL2A?si=GEwZmAaHVdQqx8Yk
read moreJan 28-30 – Ausstellung: Ein unendlich dunkles Erbe / Jan 29 – Gespräch mit Prof. Dr. Jens Temmen und Fotograf Lewis Bush (in English) 🗓
"Ein unendlich dunkles Erbe"Gespräch mit Prof. Dr. Jens Temmen und Fotograf Lewis Bush (in English) Podiumsgespräch und Führung durch die Ausstellung (in englischer Sprache) Donnerstag, den 29. Januar 2026, 18.00 Uhr Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur |...
read moreJan 28 – TPC Workshop XVI: Magazines and Mobility 🗓
Magazines and Mobility (Workshop XVI) Research Group "Transnational Periodical Cultures" Jan 28, 2026, 10am - 4pmGermersheim CampusRoom A.119 Please find below the program for workshop XVI on “Magazines and Mobility”. You can download the flyer here. For further...
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