 In order to intensify international contacts, FIIT set up seven well equipped work spaces in the building in Heidelberg's historic center. This was an important step in creating the Scholars in Residence Program. FIIT is further planning to arrange biweekly meetings of scholars in residence, which would also include select doctoral students from Heidelberg. Although the program has not been launched officially, scholars from China, India, Israel, Korea, South Africa, Hungary and the U.S.A. have already benefited from FIIT's offer.   Dr. Oded Lipschits (Tel Aviv University) and
Dr. David S. Vanderhooft (Boston College): "During the autumn and winter 2006-2007 we worked many hours in our office in the FIIT collating data we had collected about Aramaic seal impressions from the Persian era province of Judah. The FIIT afforded an ideal location for us to argue over the correct interpretation of the data. We benefited immensely from the chance to work together in a world-class research institute, supported too by Heidelberg's Theological Department, with a generous host Prof. Dr. Manfred Oeming, and to prepare the first draft of our book (The Yehud Stamp Impressions: A Corpus of Inscribed Impressions from the Persian and Hellenistic Periods in Judah. Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2011)."
 Dr. Wilson Paroschi (BATS, São Paulo, Brazil):
"Spending my one-year postdoctoral leave in Heidelberg was extremely rewarding. The facilities provided by the FIIT made everything much easier. The study room was comfortable, well-equipped, and its location, at the heart of the Altstadt and only a few steps from the theological library, could hardly be more convenient; from its window, I still had an inspiring view. More than that, however, all the people there were remarkably helpful. The end-product of my research was a full-scale introduction to the discipline of textual criticism (my second book on the subject), which included treatment of the most important recent methodological and hermeneutical developments."  Dr. Dirk Smit (Stellenbosch University, South Africa):"It is difficult to imagine a more ideal setting to spend research time than the FIIT in Heidelberg. On the one hand, one thinks of the beautiful building with its wonderful setting, garden and views, the efficient infrastructure and helpful assistants, the quiet, peaceful offices. During my visit there during 2010/ 2011 it was a joy to walk down the cold and (still) quiet street – and make myself at home before the computer, looking out of the window in the direction of the Neckar. On the other hand, one thinks of the vibrant academic atmosphere in Heidelberg, the colleagues from the different seminars and disciplines, the interesting postgraduate students, the wonderful library collections, informal discussions and the regular opportunities to meet other scholars passing through as well, from many places, disciplines and backgrounds. As a stimulating intellectual and enjoyable cultural experience, the FIIT in Heidelberg is strongly recommended – as a place to read, think, imagine, write, but also to network, meet, converse, and celebrate friendship."
 Dr. William Schweiker (Professor of Theological Ethics, Director of The Institute for the Advanced Study of Religion, The University of Chicago):
"It is a great honor and intellectually invigorating to participate in the work of the FIIT. Located in the midst of one of the world’s greatest Universities near the Theology faculty and also the heart of the beautiful old city in Heidelberg, the FIIT is an ideal place for scholarly work. The range of programs as well as state-of-the-art facilities enables cutting edge interdisciplinary religious and theological scholarship among scholars from around the world. For me, the FIIT is the model for the direction that scholarship must take in our global age." |
Scholars in Residence 
