Susan Broomhall

Susan Broomhall is Professor of Early Modern Studies at the Australian Catholic University (ACU), affiliated with the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry and leading the Gender and Women's History Research Centre within the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences. She is a prominent historian with a research focus on gender, emotions, and global encounters in the early modern period.

Her research expertise lies in early modern studies, with a particular emphasis on women and gender, religious and mission studies, emotions in past cultures, historical science and knowledge practices, material culture, and cultural contact. Her current projects delve into the role of gender in the Dutch East India Company, natural resource management, the Joseon Korean court, and the history of wartime sexual violence.

Her recent publications and media articles reflect a consistent trend in exploring the agency, influence, and experiences of women in historical contexts, from elite figures like Isabella d'Este and Catherine de' Medici to lesser-known individuals. Her work often bridges academic research with public engagement, examining themes of power, emotion, and cultural exchange.

• Fellow, Australian Academy of the Humanities (FAHA), 2012
• Fellow, Royal Historical Society (FRHistS)
• CHASS Australia Prize for Distinctive Work, 2017
• Frank Watson Prize for the Best Book in Scottish History, 2015-16
• Society for the Social History of Medicine Essay Prize, 1999
• Bibliographical Society of Australia and New Zealand Essay Prize, 1997

Susan Broomhall is a Full HDR Supervisor at ACU and has led numerous significant research projects funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), the Swedish Research Council, and the Academy of Korean Studies. She has also served on various editorial and advisory boards, including for the ARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions. Her public engagement includes creating short films and podcasts for the State Library of Western Australia and contributing to exhibitions at institutions like the Mauritshuis in The Hague.