David Freis

Dr. David Freis serves as Akademischer Rat (Academic Counselor) at the University of Augsburg's Faculty of Medicine, where he leads the Department of History of Medicine within the Institute for Ethics and History of Health in Society. His scholarly work bridges historical analysis with contemporary ethical considerations in medicine, making significant contributions to the field of Medical Humanities.

His research focuses on multiple interconnected areas including contemporary history of medicine, medical future concepts and utopias, and the history of medical technologies and media in the 20th century. He has particular expertise in digitalization and telemedicine history, examining how communication technologies have transformed medical practice. His work also explores the interfaces between medical, media, and technology history, the history of medical science since the 19th century, and the history of psychiatry and psychotherapy with special attention to Jewish contributions.

Analysis of Dr. Freis's recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a consistent thematic focus on how medical institutions and technologies have envisioned and shaped healthcare futures. His work demonstrates how historical perspectives on medical utopias and technological innovations provide crucial context for understanding current healthcare challenges and developments, particularly in German contexts.

• Förderpreis des Fachverbands Medizingeschichte (2019)
• William Bynum Prize of the Journal Medical History (2017)
• Nachwuchspreis 2015/2016 of the German Society for the History of Neurology (2017)
• Promotionsstipendium des Europäischen Hochschulinstituts, Florenz (2014-2015)

Before joining the University of Augsburg, Dr. Freis was a research assistant at the University of Münster (2015-2021). He completed his doctoral studies at the European University Institute in Florence after earning his M.A. with distinction in history, political science, and gender studies from Ruhr University Bochum. He is actively engaged with professional organizations, serving on the board of the Society for the History of Sciences, Medicine and Technology (GWMT) and participating in the European Association for the History of Medicine and Health.