Ute Frietsch

Dr. Ute Frietsch is a historian of science specializing in historical alchemy and the philosophy of science. She currently holds a research position at the Herzog August Library Wolfenbüttel, where she leads a German Research Foundation (DFG) project on Robert Fludd's alchemical concepts. Previously, she has held academic positions at Humboldt University of Berlin (as a private lecturer since 2009), Technical University of Braunschweig, University of Münster, and Medical University of Vienna. Her scholarly career has been primarily supported by competitive DFG grants, including multiple "Own Position" awards that have enabled her to lead independent research projects.

Dr. Frietsch's research focuses on the history and philosophy of science, particularly historical alchemy from cultural, media, and epistemological perspectives. Her work examines how alchemical knowledge was produced, transmitted, and materialized in early modern Europe. She investigates the intersections between alchemy, art, and book production, with special attention to figures like Robert Fludd and Paracelsus. Her research also explores the relationship between humanities and natural sciences, gender studies in science, and French philosophy and epistemology. Recent publications reveal a growing interest in the material culture of alchemy, examining how theoretical concepts were transformed into physical objects through collaboration between authors, artisans, and publishers.

Dr. Frietsch's scholarly contributions include significant monographs such as "Epistemischer Wandel: Eine Geschichte der Alchemie in der Frühen Neuzeit" (2024) and "Häresie und Wissenschaft" (2013), as well as edited volumes like the special issue "Alchemy and the Early Modern University" for Ambix (2021). Her work spans multiple disciplines, connecting history of science with art history, book history, and gender studies.

As an educator, Dr. Frietsch has taught courses on the history of science at multiple German universities. Her teaching reflects her research interests, emphasizing the cultural and material dimensions of scientific knowledge production. She has supervised graduate students and contributed to academic programs in cultural studies and philosophy of science.

Dr. Frietsch is an active member of several scholarly organizations including the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry (SHAC), the Gesellschaft für Geschichte der Wissenschaften, der Medizin und Technik (GWMT), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Philosophie.