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

May 22-24 – Conference: Metamorphoses in Contemporary Literature 🗓

Conference Metamorphoses in Contemporary Literature May 22-24, 2025 Fakultätssaal, Philosophicum I (Jakob-Welder-Weg 18) Organized by Berenike Jakob, Carolin Jesussek, and Franziska Rauh We are delighted to invite you to the conference...

June – Workshop/Lecture Series: Transpacific Literary Perspectives 🗓

Workshop Series with Lectures Transpacific Literary Perspectives June 11-13,June 16-18, andJune 25-27, 2025 Please see the poster for further information and details on registration and topics.Registration for workshop sessions via e-mail to Sandra Meerwein. Lectures...

May 5 – Guest Lecture “From German Scientific Forestry to Healthcare: Seeing the Narrative Forest for the Trees” 🗓

Danielle Spencer(Columbia University, New York) From German Scientific Forestry to Healthcare: Seeing the Narrative Forest for the Trees May 5, 2025, 12:00-14:00, 00.212, Philosophicum II (Jakob-Welder-Weg 20) Danielle Spencer is the author of Metagnosis:...

Obama Institute Joins the American Studies Network 🗓

The Obama Institute for Transnational American Studies proudly joins the American Studies Network as member institution. We are looking forward to participating in the network's activities and encourage our students and faculty to keep an eye out for upcoming...

Mar 14 – Exhibition “Young Adult Fiction” 🗓

Mar 14, 2025 – 10:00-14:00Philosophicum II – room 02.102 Exhibition "Young Adult Fiction" Developed from student projects during the American Studies Graduate Seminar 522 "Young Adult Fiction," this exhibition shows how creative, diplomatic, and inspiring young adult...

Jan 31 – Guest Lecture “Back to the Future: Reflektionen zu den Übertragungen von zwei antirassistischen Romanen der 1920er Jahre” 🗓

Peter Höyng(Emory University) Back to the Future:Reflektionen zu den Übertragungen von zwei antirassistischen Romanen der 1920er Jahre Jan 31, 2025, 12:15-13:45, 00.212, Philosophicum II (Jakob-Welder-Weg 20) Zusammen mit einem Kollegen hat Peter Höyng zwei Romane...