Klaus-Bernward Springer

Klaus-Bernward Springer serves as Professor of Medieval and Modern Church History at the Philosophical and Theological University of Münster since 2016, concurrently holding leadership roles as Managing Director of the Institute for Research into the History of the Dominican Order in German-speaking Areas (IGDom) and archive employee for the Dominican Province Teutonia in Cologne.

His academic formation includes:

• Doctorate in Catholic Theology from Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (1998)
• Habilitation in Church History of the Middle Ages and Modern Times at University of Erfurt (2011)
• Studies in Philosophy and Catholic Theology at Mainz University and St. Peter's College Glasgow (1982-1988)

Specializing in Church History with emphasis on Medieval and Modern periods, Springer's research centers on the Dominican Order's institutional development, Reformation-era religious transformations, and regional ecclesiastical histories of Erfurt and Mainz. His work integrates monastic studies, inquisition procedures, and the interplay between religious orders and secular authorities across German-speaking territories.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on Dominican historical networks, Meister Eckhart's ecclesiastical context, and regional church histories during pivotal transition periods. The research demonstrates methodological integration of archival archaeology, liturgical manuscript analysis, and institutional history within broader European religious frameworks.

Professor Springer maintains active editorial leadership as member of the Advisory Board for Archivum Fratrum Praedicatorum (Rome) and editorial board for Sources and Research on the History of the Dominican Order in the German-Speaking World. His third-party funded research positions, including a 1990-1992 project at Mainz University, demonstrate sustained external research support.

As Managing Director of IGDom since 2014, he oversees comprehensive research into German-speaking Dominican history through archival projects, publication initiatives, and international scholarly collaboration centered at the Cologne archive facilities.