Katja Patzel-Mattern

Prof. Katja Patzel-Mattern is a Professor of Economic and Social History at the University of Heidelberg’s Department of History, leading the History of Childhood and Care research group. She currently serves as Vice-Rector for Innovation and Transfer, focusing on knowledge and technology transfer between academia, industry, politics, and society. Her academic career includes roles as Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy (2019–present), Senate spokesperson (2019–present), and Equal Opportunities Commissioner (2017–2019).

Education:

• Habilitation in History, University of Konstanz (2007)
• Doctorate in History, University of Münster (1998)
• Studied History, Political Science, and Journalism at Universities of Münster and Barcelona (1989–1994)

Research Interests: Prof. Patzel-Mattern’s work bridges economic and social history with transcultural perspectives, emphasizing gender studies, queer contemporary history, and the history of care systems. She explores intersections of childhood, migration, and societal structures in European contexts.

Awards & Scholarships:

• Gerda Henkel Foundation (2005–2006)
• Dr. Meyer-Struckmann Foundation (2001–2005)
• German Academic Scholarship Foundation (1995–1998)

Administration & Leadership: She held leadership roles such as Deputy Managing Director of the Centre for European History and Cultural Studies (2012–2014) and contributed to academic governance across multiple committees. Her advocacy includes gender equality initiatives and institutional policy reform.

Professional Networks: She serves on councils for the House of History Baden-Württemberg, the Baden-Württemberg Economic Archive, and co-edits the series Perspektiven der Wirtschaftsgeschichte. Active in the Arbeitskreis Historische Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung and Queer Contemporary History Network.