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

Nov 26 – Obama Lecture with Obama Dissertation Prize & Galinsky Prize 🗓

Nov 26, 2026 – 10.00-ca. 12.15 – Obama Lecture – Fakultätssaal (Philosophicum, 01-185) Please join us for our annual Obama Lecture on Thanksgiving, where we will highlight outstanding work in Transnational American Studies and show appreciation for the work of young...

Nov 10 – Guest Lecture: Freedom, Slavery and Urban Development in the Northern British Atlantic World, 1660-1760 🗓

Guest Lecture by Andrew Wells (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel) Freedom, Slavery and Urban Development in the Northern British Atlantic World, 1660-1760 Nov 10, 2026, 4:15-5:45 pm, room P 103 (Philosophicum) England’s imperial expansion after the chaos of the...

Nov 9-10 – Workshop Series on U.S. Urban History and Urban Studies with Professor Alan Lessoff 🗓

Workshop Series U.S. Urban History and Urban Studies Nov 9-10, 2026 Workshop SessionNov 9, 4-6 pm, 02.102 (Philo II, Jakob-Welder-Weg 20)This workshop session will endeavor to place U.S. arguments over urban sprawl within transnational trends in and debates over urban...

Nov 5-6 – CRC Workshop “Quantification and Human Differentiation” 🗓

International Workshop Quantification and Human Differentiation Nov 5-6, 2026 organized by Dr. Anja-Maria Bassimir and Prof. Dr. Axel Schäfer In this workshop, we will examine the historical processes of quantification and the creation of statistical individuals and...

Nov 2 – CRC Lecture: Dan Bouk “The Statistical Lives of Elbertie Foudray” 🗓

CRC Keynote Lecture Dan Bouk (Colgate University, Hamilton, NY) The Statistical Lives of Elbertie Foudray Nov 2, 2026 – 18:15 – 01-721, GFG, Jakob-Welder-Weg 12

Direct Exchange – Info Sessions 2026 for Programs in 2027/28 🗓

On Nov 10 the Obama Institute will hold an info session on its Direct Exchange programs. Please join us in room P 2 (Philosophicum) for more information about the exciting exchange opportunities! Nov 10, 18:00-19:30P 2 (Philosophicum) Please find all details about the...