Barbara Wittmann

Barbara Wittmann is Assistant Professor of European Ethnology with a focus on Intangible Cultural Heritage at Otto-Friedrich-University Bamberg, where she has held a junior professorship since 2022. She is affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies and actively contributes to the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in European Ethnology, as well as interdisciplinary research in cultural heritage preservation. Her academic background includes a doctorate (summa cum laude) from the University of Regensburg (2020), a Master’s in Comparative Cultural Studies from Regensburg and Lucerne, and earlier training as a church painter.

Her research spans a wide range of fields, including agro-food studies, environmental anthropology, intangible cultural heritage, medical anthropology, and multispecies studies. She investigates cultural dimensions of intensive livestock farming, food culture, gender medicine, and rural identities, often combining historical analysis with ethnographic fieldwork. Her recent publications and conference contributions reveal a strong thematic focus on the moral positioning of farmers, the cultural construction of illness (especially ME/CFS), and the interplay between tradition and sustainability in rural and food practices.

Her recent scholarly output reflects a deep engagement with socio-ecological challenges, particularly in agriculture and health. She critically examines how cultural narratives shape perceptions of factory farming, dietary choices, and medical systems, while also exploring pathways for more sustainable and equitable practices. Her work bridges academic research with public discourse through media appearances and policy-relevant contributions.

• Research Award of the Faculty of Linguistics, Literature and Cultural Studies, University of Regensburg (2022)
• Sponsorship Award of the Bavarian Academy of Rural Areas (2020)
• Young Scientist Award of the German Society for Agricultural History (2016)

Barbara Wittmann is actively involved in academic service, including co-editing the Journal for Empirical Cultural Studies, serving as spokesperson for the Commission for the Cultural Analysis of the Rural, and as a member of the Expert Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage of the German UNESCO Commission. She has supervised student research and taught courses on food culture, heritage, and rural studies. She has also conducted fieldwork in refugee accommodations and farming communities, demonstrating a commitment to engaged, ethical research. Her work is supported by fellowships such as her residency at the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society.