# University of Innsbruck. Department of Contemporary History

> In order to introduce contemporary history as an independent subject area in research and teaching, the University of Innsbruck founded the Department of Contemporary History in 1984.

**Wikidata**: [Q107548652](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107548652)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/university-of-innsbruck-department-of-contemporary-history

## Summary
The University of Innsbruck's Department of Contemporary History is a research and teaching institute established in 1984 to advance the study of modern historical events as an independent academic discipline. Located in Innsbruck, Austria, it operates under the University of Innsbruck and serves as both a university institute and a dedicated research center. The department contributes significantly to scholarly understanding of 20th and 21st-century history through education, publications, and archival work.

## Key Facts
- Founded in **1984** by the University of Innsbruck to establish contemporary history as an independent academic field.
- Officially known also as **Institut für Zeitgeschichte der Universität Innsbruck**.
- Located in **Innsbruck**, Austria; coordinates: latitude **47.264**, longitude **11.3845**.
- Classified as both a **university institute** and a **research institute**.
- Part of the **University of Innsbruck**, one of Austria’s leading universities.
- Maintains websites in **German** and **English**: [https://www.uibk.ac.at/zeitgeschichte/index.html](https://www.uibk.ac.at/zeitgeschichte/index.html).
- Identified in international databases with identifiers such as:
  - ISNI: **0000000122009303**
  - GND ID: **2132828-6**
  - VIAF ID: **167980113**
  - Library of Congress Authority ID: **n94021198**

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Department of Contemporary History at the University of Innsbruck founded?
A: It was founded in **1984** to introduce contemporary history as an independent subject area within research and teaching.

### Q: What is the official name of the department in German?
A: Its full German title is **Institut für Zeitgeschichte der Universität Innsbruck**.

### Q: Where is the department located?
A: The department is located in **Innsbruck**, Austria, and is part of the larger University of Innsbruck campus.

## Why It Matters
The Department of Contemporary History plays a vital role in preserving and interpreting recent historical developments, particularly those relevant to Central Europe and Austria. By focusing on the post-World War II era up to current times, it addresses politically sensitive topics like National Socialism, the Cold War, migration, memory studies, and democratization processes. As a hub for interdisciplinary dialogue between historians, political scientists, sociologists, and cultural theorists, the department supports rigorous academic inquiry into complex societal transformations. Through its public lectures, conferences, and collaborations with museums and archives, it bridges academia and broader civic engagement, contributing to informed discourse about the past’s influence on present-day issues.

## Notable For
- Being among the first institutions in Austria to institutionalize **contemporary history** as a distinct academic field.
- Hosting extensive **archival collections** and oral history projects documenting Austrian and European 20th-century experiences.
- Publishing influential works and journals that shape **historical scholarship** across German-speaking regions.
- Offering advanced training programs that attract students and researchers from around the world.

## Body

### Founding and Institutional Role
The Department of Contemporary History was created in **1984** by the University of Innsbruck to promote the systematic study of modern historical periods—particularly the 20th century—as a separate academic domain. Prior to this, such topics were often integrated into general historical curricula without focused attention. The establishment marked a shift toward specialized research and teaching in areas including post-war reconstruction, totalitarian regimes, decolonization, and social movements.

### Academic Classification and Structure
As classified by authoritative sources such as Wikidata and international identifier systems, the department functions simultaneously as a **university institute** and a **research institute**. This dual classification reflects its commitment to both undergraduate and graduate instruction as well as high-level scholarly investigation. It offers courses ranging from seminars on specific historical themes to methodological training in source criticism and digital humanities tools used in contemporary historical analysis.

### International Recognition and Identifiers
The department has been cataloged globally using standardized identification systems:
- **ISNI**: 0000000122009303
- **GND ID**: 2132828-6
- **VIAF ID**: 167980113
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n94021198
These identifiers facilitate cross-referencing in global academic networks and ensure consistent recognition in bibliographic citations and collaborative research initiatives.

### Location and Facilities
Situated in **Innsbruck**, the capital city of Tyrol in western Austria, the department benefits from proximity to major Alpine-European cultural and intellectual centers. Coordinates: **latitude 47.264**, **longitude 11.3845**. The physical location allows access to regional archives, libraries, and memorial sites critical to studying Central European history. Additionally, the multilingual environment enhances accessibility for international scholars and visiting fellows.

### Digital Presence and Language Accessibility
The department maintains a bilingual online presence in **German** and **English**, reflecting its outreach goals beyond German-speaking audiences. Website: [https://www.uibk.ac.at/zeitgeschichte/index.html](https://www.uibk.ac.at/zeitgeschichte/index.html). This platform provides information on ongoing research projects, staff profiles, course offerings, and upcoming academic events.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File