Holger Afflerbach

Professor Holger Afflerbach is a distinguished scholar of Modern European History at the University of Leeds, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures, where he holds a professorship in the School of History. His academic career spans multiple prestigious institutions including Heinrich-Heine-Universität Duesseldorf where he completed his PhD and Habilitation, and Emory University where he served as DAAD Professor of Modern German History from 2002-2006.

His research interests focus on German, Italian and Austrian history of the 19th and 20th centuries, with particular expertise in the military history of both World Wars, international relations in Europe since 1870, and naval and Atlantic history. Professor Afflerbach has established himself as a leading authority on World War I history, with groundbreaking work on German strategy, leadership, and the possibility of alternative war outcomes.

His extensive publication record includes six authored books, eight edited volumes, and over 150 scholarly articles and chapters. His most notable works include 'On a Knife Edge: How Germany Lost the First World War' (2022), 'The Art of Defeat: A History of Surrender' (2013), and 'The Purpose of the First World War: War Aims and Military Strategies' (2015). His research demonstrates a consistent focus on military decision-making, leadership during crises, and the complex interplay between political and military strategies in times of conflict.

Professor Afflerbach's scholarly contributions have been recognized through prestigious fellowships including Senior Fellow at the Historische Kolleg in Munich (2012/13) and membership at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton (2014/15). He has supervised numerous postgraduate students including Eileen Palma, Neil Blenkinsop, and Matthew Hough, and continues to shape the next generation of historians specializing in military and European history.