Monika Springberg

Dr. Monika Springberg is a Research Associate at the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Münster, where she has been employed since 2009. Previously, she served as a lecturer at the same institute from 2000 to 2005 and worked in private sector management from 2006 to 2008. She holds a Master of Arts (1989) and Doctorate (1998) in Islamic Studies from the University of Münster, with supplementary studies in Romance Studies, Ancient History, and Modern History, including research visits to Ain Shams University (Cairo) and the University of Cádiz.

Her research focuses on three interconnected domains:

• Material culture of the Islamic world: Examining artifacts and daily objects to understand sociocultural practices
• Quran manuscripts from South Asia: Investigating textual transmission and material aspects of Islamic scriptures
• History of Islamic South Asia: Analyzing historical developments across the Indian subcontinent

Her publications demonstrate consistent scholarly engagement with Islamic material culture and historiography. Early works focused on pre-Islamic Arabian history and garment traditions, while recent editorial projects explore intercivilizational dynamics. A notable progression toward contemporary issues of conflict and coexistence is evident in her 2022 edited volume.