Karin Hausen

Prof. Karin Hausen is a renowned historian and pioneer in women’s and gender history within the German-speaking academic landscape. She held the position of Professor of Economic and Social History at the Institute of History, Technische Universität Berlin (1978–1995), and later served as Founding Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Women’s and Gender Studies in the Department of Philosophy at TU Berlin (1995–2003). Her work has been widely recognized, earning her the Order of Merit of Germany and the Louise Schroeder Medal from the State of Berlin, alongside the honorary title of City Elder of Berlin in 2016.

Her academic journey includes studies in history, sociology, and German philology across multiple institutions, notably Berlin, Marburg, Münster, Paris, and Tübingen, culminating in a doctorate from Freie Universität Berlin in 1969. Her research interests span women’s history, gender studies, and their intersections with economic and social structures, particularly in a German context. She co-edited L’Homme: European Journal for Feminist History for over 17 years, contributing to the global discourse on feminist historiography. While no specific grants or advisees are listed, her leadership in founding the interdisciplinary Center underscores her commitment to mentorship and institutional development in gender studies. Her work has shaped academic frameworks for understanding gender dynamics in historical contexts, emphasizing empirical rigor and interdisciplinary collaboration.