Dr Heidi Mehrkens

Biography

I completed my degree in Modern History, Medieval History and Law at the Technical University of Braunschweig. As a lecturer (2005-2012) I gathered experience in teaching and researching modern European history, with a particular interest in the fields of political cultural history, military history, the history of monarchies and the history of the media in the long nineteenth century.

Between 2012-2016 I worked as a research fellow at the University of St Andrews, before joining Aberdeen's School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History for the AY 2016-17.

Prizes and Awards

AUSA and University of Aberdeen Excellence Awards 2021: Best Personal Tutor

Research Overview

I am a researcher and teacher in European modern history and particularly interested in political cultural history, military and media history as well as the history of the monarchy in the long nineteenth century.

From 2012-2016 I worked as a research fellow with the AHRC-funded research project “Heirs to the throne in the Constitutional Monarchies of Nineteenth-Century Europe (1815-1914)”, based at the University of St Andrews. Together with Frank Lorenz Mueller I have edited two volumes on royal heirs in European monarchies. I am currently writing a book on succession and heirs to the throne in the constitutional political systems of Prussia, France and Great Britain (1815-1914).

Another exciting field of research is the cultural history of nineteenth-century warfare and politically motivated violence. My doctoral thesis on the Franco-Prussian war 1870/71 formed part of the DFG-funded research project “France and Germany at War (18th–20th centuries)” led by Professor Ute Daniel (TU Braunschweig) and Professor Gerd Krumeich (Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf).

Teaching Responsibilities

Participates in or teaches the following modules:

Level 1           Making History

Level 1           Europe in the 20th Century

Level 2           Birth of Modernity

Level 2           The Face of Battle

Level 2           Global Empire in the Long Nineteenth Century

Level 3           Thinking History

Level 3           Acts of Terror: Violence and Authority in 19th Century Europe

Level 4           Special Subject: European Constitutional Monarchies in the Long 19th Century

Level 4           History in Practice

Level 4           Undergraduate History Dissertation

Level 5           Research Preparation in Historical Studies