Christine Johnson

Christine Johnson is an Associate Professor of History at Washington University, specializing in Renaissance Germany and early modern European history. Her research focuses on knowledge production, power dynamics, and identity formation during periods of intellectual and religious upheaval. She holds a PhD and MA from Johns Hopkins University and a BA from Macalester College.

• Education:
• PhD in History, Johns Hopkins University
• MA in History, Johns Hopkins University
• BA in History, Macalester College

Johnson’s work examines how knowledge and power shaped responses to European expansion, particularly in German contexts. Her book The German Discovery of the World (2008) analyzes German interpretations of global exploration. Current research explores the intersection of nationalism and empire in the Holy Roman Empire (1440–1556). Her publications span topics like vernacular histories, cartography, and Reformation-era cultural exchanges.

Her articles address themes such as Renaissance travel narratives, economic networks, and the role of geography in identity. Recent courses include interdisciplinary seminars on globalization, political thought, and the Reformation.

• Awards:
• Kluge Fellowship (2009)
• Faculty Research Grant (2005)
• DAAD Dissertation Fellowship (1996–1997)

Professor Johnson advises students on early modern European history and has led projects in global empires, religious reformations, and medical history. Her work bridges historical methodologies with interdisciplinary approaches, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cultural, political, and intellectual developments.