Horst Carl

Prof. Dr. Horst Carl is a Professor of Modern History (Early Modern Period) at the Justus Liebig University Giessen since 2001. He is a Deputy Spokesperson of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC/TRR) 138 "Dynamics of Security" and has led subprojects on hostage situations and Landfrieden (peace agreements). His work bridges constitutional history, violence studies, and cultural memory in early modern Europe.

• Education: Studied history, philosophy, and German studies in Bonn and Tübingen (1978–1984); received his doctorate from the University of Tübingen (1989); habilitated at Tübingen (1998).

Research Interests: Focus on cooperative organizational forms in late medieval and early modern constitutional history, nobility self-assertion during transitional periods (1500 and 1800), early modern occupation dynamics, mentalities linking religion and war experiences around 1800, and cultures of violence in premodern societies. His work also explores peace-building in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Article Trends: His publications emphasize security dynamics (e.g., Landfrieden, securitization practices), military history (mercenary systems, logistics, Habsburg regiments), and cultural memory (violence, media events). Comparative frameworks often link European regions and epochs, analyzing how institutions and societies navigated crises.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Schiller Prize of the City of Marbach (2003)
  • Doctoral scholarship from the German National Academic Foundation
  • Research Fellow at FRIAS (Freiburg) (2011/12)

Labs/Teams: Key roles include Spokesperson and Deputy Spokesperson of the CRC/TRR 138 "Dynamics of Security" (2014–2021), member of the DFG research group "Violent Communities" (2009–2016), and leadership in the International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture at Giessen (2006–2011).