Almut-Barbara Renger works on myths, legends, idols, and icons. Areas of research include: theory of genres, poetology, and narratology; theory of fairy tales and myths; religion and philosophy in Greco-Roman antiquity, from the archaic age to late antiquity; sociological theory; history of science; and “the classical tradition” (reception of antiquity in literature, fine arts, and film). Secondary focus in the Institute for the Scientfic Study of Religion at the Freie Universitaet  Berlin: representations of ancient religion and philosophy in new religious movements; gender studies in the fields of literature and religion; and Western reception of Buddhism in theory, literature, and film.

Since 2009 member of the Cross Sectional Group V. Research topic: “Genealogy in Religions and Cultures of Antiquity.”