Ulrich Pfister

Ulrich Pfister is a Full Professor of Social and Economic History of Modern and Contemporary Times at the University of Münster, Germany. He holds leadership roles in research projects such as the Cluster of Excellence 2060 (Religion and Politics), focusing on religious communities as economic networks and the intersection of speculation, contract, and religion. His academic journey includes habilitation from the University of Zurich (1991), a Dr. phil. (1984), and degrees in history, sociology, and economic history from Zurich (1981).

• Education:
  • Habilitation in General and Swiss Modern History, University of Zurich (1991)
  • Doctorate (Dr. phil.), University of Zurich (1984)
  • Licentiate in History, Sociology, and Economic History, University of Zurich (1981)
• Research Foci: Quantitative economic history, rural social history, and the interplay between religion and economic development.

His research examines topics such as pre-industrial economic crises, demographic transitions, and the impact of state formation on market integration. Notable contributions include studies on German unification’s economic effects and the role of guilds in proto-industrialization.

Grants & Projects:

• Leading the Cluster of Excellence 2060 projects B3-7 and B3-8 since 2019.
• DFG-funded research on market contacts of aristocratic estates and Fleißrevolution (Diligence Revolution).

Awards: Opus magnum Award from VolkswagenStiftung (2011).

Teams/Labs: Collaborates with institutions like the Institute for Economic and Social History and co-edits publications on global economic history.