Michael Grünbart

Michael Grünbart is a Professor of Byzantine Studies at the University of Münster, directing the Institute of Early Medieval Research and the Institute of Byzantine and Neo-Hellenic Studies. His research focuses on Byzantine cultural history, epistolography, and political dynamics. He holds leadership roles in academic organizations like the Deutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur Förderung Byzantinischer Studien (DAFBS).

Education:

• Habilitation, LMU Munich (2009)
• PhD, University of Vienna (2000)
• Studies in Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, Classical Philology, and Numismatics, University of Vienna (1988–1992)

Research Interests: Grünbart explores Byzantine letter collections, political representation, and material culture. His work highlights how communication networks and material objects shaped medieval Mediterranean societies. Recent projects include 'Deathscapes in the Eastern Mediterranean' and 'Kairos und Krisis' on military decision-making.

Awards: Recipient of the Heinrich Hertz-Stipendium (2012). His publications span monographs like Macht und Präsenz der Buchstaben im byzantinischen Alltag (2021) and edited volumes on Byzantine networks and cultural encounters.

Grants and Advising: Supervised doctoral theses on topics like 'Deathscapes' and 'Herrscherbuße in Byzanz.' Active in interdisciplinary projects funded by DFG and the Cluster of Excellence 'Religion and Politics.'

Labs/Teams: Leads research groups at the Centre for Eastern Mediterranean History and Culture (GKM) and collaborates with institutions in Turkey and Cyprus.