M.A., Dr. Phil., TU Braunschweig
Lecturer
- 51cg
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- 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
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- 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
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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
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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.
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
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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).
- Publications
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Edward (David) Prince of Wales: Monarchy and Motorcars
Non-textual Forms: Web Publications and Websites- [ONLINE]
- [ONLINE]
Prince Wilhelm of Prussia: The unwanted successor
Non-textual Forms: Web Publications and Websites- [ONLINE]
- [ONLINE]
Ferdinand-Phillipe d'Orleans: The Prince, the President and the Cholera
Non-textual Forms: Web Publications and Websites- [ONLINE]
- [ONLINE]
Sinngeschichten: Kulturgeschichtliche Beiträge für Ute Daniel
Böhlau. 336 pagesBooks and Reports: BooksDécrire la guerre: les correspondants allemands et la campagne 1870-1871
1870 - De la guerre à la paix: Strasbourg - Belfort. Belot, R. (ed.). Editions HermannChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: ChaptersLudwig Friedrich Freiherr von Münchhausen (1809-1814)
Die Braunschweiger Bürgermeister: von der Entstehung des Amtes im späten Mittelalter bis ins 20. Jahrhundert. Steinführer, H., Böhler, C. (eds.). Appelhans, pp. 329-332, 4 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: ChaptersWilhelm Albrecht Christian Freiherr von Mahrenholtz (1808)
Die Braunschweiger Bürgermeister: von der Entstehung des Amtes im späten Mittelalter bis ins 20. Jahrhundert. Steinführer, H., Böhler, C. (eds.). Appelhans, pp. 325-328, 4 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: ChaptersL’occupation militaire de 1870-1871 vue par les Anglais
Le Temps des hommes doubles: Les arrangements face à l'occupation, de la Révolution française à la guerre de 1870. Chanet, J., Crépin, A., Windler, C. (eds.). Presses Universitaires de Rennes, pp. 85-105, 21 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: ChaptersRevue d’histoire du XIXe siècle: L’espace du politique en Allemagne au XIXe siècle
Société d'Histoire de la Révolution de 1848. 240 pagesBooks and Reports: BooksWebsite 'Heirs to the Throne in the Constitutional Monarchies of Nineteenth-Century Europe (1815-1914)': http://heirstothethrone-project.net/
Non-textual Forms: Web Publications and Websites- [ONLINE]
