The Department of History's research covers a wide range of topics, from the beginnings of the colonial era to contemporary history in various regions of Latin America. All of these topics are linked by an interest in global historical perspectives and transnational and transregional interdependencies with other regions of the world. In Prof. Dr. Stefan Rinke's Research Colloquium of Latin American History, Master's students, doctoral students, postdocs and numerous guest researchers discuss the latest research on the history of Latin America.

General focal points include Research on Memory, Circulation of Knowledge, Globalization, Governance, New Ethnic Studies and Temporalities of Future. Department members are currently conducting research in three large externally funded projects, each led by Prof. Dr. Stefan Rinke:"Interaktive Erinnerungen an die Colonia Dignidad. Eine chilenisch-deutsche Kooperation zur historischen und kulturellen Aufarbeitung"(iECD); the International Research Training Group, 'Temporalities of Future' (DFG); and "Self-testimonies of Jews after the return from Latin America to Berlin" (Einstein Foundation Berlin).

This research is carried out in close cooperation with partner institutions, particularly in Latin America (International Cooperations). Events, that take place in these contexts, along with numerous current and completed dissertation projects and concluded external projects, complement the research programme and reflect the diversity of the Department of History's core areas of work.