Mechthild Dreyer

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Mechthild Dreyer is a Professor of Medieval Philosophy and its Impact at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, specializing in the history of medieval philosophy, metaphysics, and the scientific doctrines of antiquity. She previously served as head of the Department of Early Philosophy History. Her research focuses on the origins of philosophical thought in the Middle Ages, the rationality of knowledge, and the edition of medieval philosophical manuscripts.

Education & Career:

• 1974–1980: Studied Catholic Theology, Philosophy, and Pedagogy at University of Bonn
• 1984: PhD in Philosophy (University of Bonn)
• 1995: Habilitation in Philosophy (University of Bonn)
• 1999–2021: Full Professor of Medieval Philosophy at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
• 2021–2023: Scientific Director of the Competence Center for Studies and Career at RPTU

Research Interests:

• History of medieval philosophical thought
• Metaphysical systems from antiquity to modernity
• Epistolary culture of medieval scholars
• Interdisciplinary approaches to medieval knowledge systems

Publications & Awards:

• Recipient of the 1997 Prize of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences
• Leading editor of the Buch der Briefe der Hildegard von Bingen (DFG-funded project)
• Authored/co-authored over 150 scholarly works on medieval philosophy and theology

Labs/Teams: Leads the Hildegard von Bingen Letters Project and collaborates with the Kant and Schopenhauer research centers at Mainz.