Esther Maria Meyer (PhD Cand)

Esther Maria Meyer possesses a diverse academic background spanning both Protestant and Catholic theology. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Protestant Theology at the Faculty of Theology, Basel, where she also engaged in auxiliary research roles, notably in church history and systematic theology/ethics. Additionally, she pursued studies in Catholic Theology at the Faculty of Theology, Freiburg i.Br., broadening her perspective within the theological domain. Meyer’s academic journey also includes a stint as a visiting researcher at the Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide and auxiliary roles at the Karl Barth Archive. Currently, she is undertaking doctoral studies in Practical Theology at the University of Basel under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Andrea Bieler, where her research interests lie at the intersection of intercultural ecumenism and practical theology.

Meyer’s research focuses on the intersection of intercultural ecumenism and practical theology, particularly examining the dynamics of church space-sharing among diverse congregations. She explores the theoretical and practical implications of intercultural-ecumenical partnerships that emerge from shared church spaces, with a keen interest in understanding the theological and practical underpinnings of these partnerships. Her work contributes to the existing scholarship on ecumenical church centers and partnerships while employing ethnographic research methods to deepen understanding and introduce new heuristics.

Meyer’s research employs an ethnographic iterative case study approach, shaped by the challenges and dynamics inherent in intercultural-ecumenical partnerships. She investigates the negotiation processes within congregations, the significance of congregational identity, and the utilization of worship spaces. Employing concepts such as the special turn and conviviality, Meyer delves into the historical and theological dimensions of church space-sharing, emphasizing the evolution of worship spaces and the micro-practices of belonging. Her analysis incorporates observation protocols, conversation transcripts, and other qualitative data to elucidate phenomena, practices, and theological perspectives within intercultural-ecumenical partnerships.