Maria Rentetzi

Maria Rentetzi is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), holding the Chair of Science, Technology and Gender Studies. She earned her PhD in Science and Technology Studies from Virginia Tech and has held prestigious positions including Lise Meitner Fellow of the Austrian Science Fund and Silverman Professor at Tel Aviv University. Her work has been recognized with the Gutenberg-e Prize and an ERC Consolidator Grant (770548).

Education

• PhD in Science and Technology Studies, Virginia Tech, USA
• MA in History of Science and Technology, National Technical University of Athens
• Undergraduate in Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Her research focuses on the history of radioactivity, gender and science, science diplomacy, and the cultural history of tobacco. Recent publications explore topics such as nuclear standardization, radiation safety, and gendered material culture. She serves as an ERC Ambassador and edits the Science Diplomacy book series.

Scientific Awards

• Gutenberg-e Prize, American Historical Association
• ERC Consolidator Grant (HRP-IAEA, 770548)
• Lise Meitner Fellow, Austrian Science Fund

She is actively involved in international science diplomacy initiatives and will spend 2025–26 as a science diplomacy fellow at Aarhus Institute for Advanced Studies. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary policy implications, particularly in nuclear safety and gender equity in STEM.