51cg

Dr Heidi Mehrkens

Dr Heidi Mehrkens
Dr Heidi Mehrkens
Dr Heidi Mehrkens

M.A., Dr. Phil., TU Braunschweig

Lecturer

Accepting PhDs

51cg
Email Address
heidi.mehrkens@abdn.ac.uk
Telephone Number
+44 (0)1224 272466
Office Address

School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History

Crombie Annexe

Meston Walk

King’s College

Old Aberdeen

AB24 3FX

Room: 111

School/Department
School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History



Biography

I completed my degree in Modern History, Medieval History and Law at the Technical University of Braunschweig. As a lecturer (2005-2012) I gathered experience in teaching and researching modern European history, with a particular interest in the fields of political cultural history, military history, the history of monarchies and the history of the media in the long nineteenth century.

Between 2012-2016 I worked as a research fellow at the University of St Andrews, before joining Aberdeen's School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History for the AY 2016-17.

Memberships and Affiliations

Internal Memberships
  • Director of Communications (DHPA) 2018-2021
  • Communications Champion (DHPA) 2018-2021
  • UoA International Study Centre Link Tutor (DHPA) 2019-present
  • PLTHE and DTOC admission board (DHPA) 2018-present
  • Co-curricular learning (STAR / Leadership Training) steering board (DHPA) 2018-2021  
  • Senior Personal Tutor (DHPA) 2021-2022, 2023-present
  • Interim Undergraduate Programme Coordinator (History) 2020 (Jan-July) and 2023 (Aug-Dec)
  • First Year Coordinator (History) 2017-2019, 2021-2022, 2023-present
  • Work placement organisation (History) 2017-2019
  • Personal Tutor (History) 2016-present
  • Communications Lead (History) 2017-2021
External Memberships

I represent the Aberdeen History department at the History UK Steering Group (2020-present) and am a member of the History UK Working Group "Employability" (2023).

Prizes and Awards

AUSA and 51cg Excellence Awards 2021: Best Personal Tutor (winner)

AUSA and 51cg Excellence Awards 2022: Best Personal Tutor (shortlisted)

AUSA and 51cg Excellence Awards 2023: Most Inspiring (shortlisted)

Research

Research Overview

I am a researcher in European modern history with a particular interest in cultural historical approaches and the history of emotions.

I am able to supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students looking to research within the following areas:

  • history of European constitutional monarchies 
  • political and media history of nineteenth-century Europe
  • military history, cultural history of warfare and war experience
  • history of acts of terror and politically motivated violence

Research Areas

Accepting PhDs

I am currently accepting PhDs in History.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your research ideas further.

History

  • Supervising
  • Accepting PhDs

Research Specialisms

  • European History
  • Military History
  • French History
  • International History
  • Modern History

Our research specialisms are based on the Higher Education Classification of Subjects (HECoS) which is , published under the licence.

Current Research

I am currently working on a monograph on succession in the constitutional monarchies of Prussia, France and Great Britain (1815-1914). 

I am also researching the history of the duchy of Brunswick 1815-1840 and its court and the connections between European monarchies and their military in the long 19th century. 

Past Research

I recently explored British concepts of military heroism and fame.

Collaborations

My doctoral thesis on the Franco-Prussian war 1870/71 formed part of the DFG-funded research project “France and Germany at War (18th–20th centuries)” led by Professor Ute Daniel (TU Braunschweig) and Professor Gerd Krumeich (Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf).

From 2012-2016 I worked as a research fellow with the AHRC-funded research project based at the University of St Andrews. Together with Frank Lorenz Mueller I edited two volumes on royal heirs in European monarchies.  

Supervision

My current supervision areas are: History.

I am currently lead PhD supervisor for a project on the gendered history of post-WW1 performance magic.

Teaching

Teaching Responsibilities

I am coordinating a number of undergraduate courses, including:

 

HI1027: Making History

HI2025: The Face of Battle: Historical Perspectives on Warfare

HI306B: Serving the Nation: The Military and Society in 19th-Century Europe

HI357A: Acts of Terror: Violence and Authority in 19th Century Europe

HI401D: Special Subject: Restorations and Innovations: Europe 1815-1848

HI4023: Special Subject: European Constitutional Monarchies in the Long 19th Century

HI4516: Undergraduate History Dissertation

 

Level 5 and Postgraduate

Dissertation and research supervision

 

PhD Supervision

Current lead supervisor for a project on the gendered history of post-WW1 performance magic.

I am currently second supervisor for several PhD research projects, including on military history (Napoleonic era and WW1).