I am a social and economic historian with a broad expertice in the history of material culture, consumption and early modern globalisation, rural society, social inequality, familiy and social networks, and a strong interest in the implementation of digital methods in historical research. 

Since 2016 I am assistant professor (Juniorprofessorin) of Modern History and Social History at the University of Münster. Since June 2024 I am a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Urban History, University of Antwerp.

In addition to my own research, I am involved in the scientific community and in science communication. I am network chair for Material and Consumer Culture at the European Social Science History Conference (ESSHC), and representative for Central Europe on the management committee of the European Rural History Organisation (EURHO). I am also on the scientific advisory board of the Rural History Yearbook and a specialist editor of ‘Lifestyle and Social Change’ and ‘Economy’ for the Encyclopedia of Modern Times Online.

I have written expert reports and reviews for the German Research Council, the IEG Leibniz Institute for European History, the Fritz Thyssen Foundation, the Herzog August Library Wolfenbüttel, the Czech Science Foundation, and international journals such as the Economic History Review, Social Science History, History of Retailing and Consumption, Eighteenth-Century Studies, Geschichte und Region, Journal of Historical Network Research and The History of the Family. I am involved in public outreach, giving public lectures for a broad audience and contributions to academic blogs such as the Blog für Alltagskultur.

I am a first generation academic, single mum of two and an enthusiastic scientist. In addition to academic and care work, I love to spend time in nature, and I am passionate about theatre and textile art.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2122-0734 

Full CV

Bluesky: @christinefertig.bsky.social