The Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies (CEMS) promotes the study of Mediterranean historical, philosophical, religious, imperial, and literary traditions. Its members, academic events, and research projects pursue diverse topics, ranging from ancient Greek philosophy to modern Turkish literature. Through its activities, the Center aims to foster innovative research on the region and, moreover, to sustain a community of students and scholars engaged in common intellectual pursuits. Currently, CEMS is hosting two Austrian Science Fund (FWF) projects: Rhetorical Thought in Byzantium (11th–14th c.), led by Baukje van den Berg, and Bridging Worlds: The Mobility of Translators and the Transmission of Greek Knowledge in Latin Europe (1050–1350), led by Péter Tamás Bara.
CEMS offers students the opportunity to join the Center as members and to participate in the Advanced Certificate Program (EMS). Additionally, CEMS provides a number of student research grants each year for field work and language study.
In terms of teaching, CEMS faculty currently offers a non-degree specialization in Eastern Mediterranean Studies under the auspices of the Department of Historical Studies.
All CEU students with a research interest pertaining to the geographical, chronological, and thematic scope of CEMS are strongly invited to request membership of the center and become eligible for the center’s research & travel grant scheme.