Working group on childhood history(ies)

In recent years, historical research into childhood has received an enormous boost and has visibly developed in terms of topics, concepts and methods. Childhood history is now well on the way to becoming a firmly integrated part of historical research in German-speaking countries, having been viewed with suspicion as a marginalised area. And for good reason: research into childhood(s) makes it possible to write general history in all its forms and facets.

However, what is lacking in the German academic landscape is a sustainable network of childhood historians and academics from other disciplines who deal with the history of childhood. In order to facilitate such networking and thus create a forum for the discussion of childhood history issues, especially across thematic, epochal and regional historical boundaries, a ‘Arbeitskreis Kindheitsgeschichte(n)’ was founded in 2023. The initiators include Friederike Kind-Kovács (HAIT), Martina Winkler (CAU Kiel), Lena Jur (University of Marburg), Julia Reus (University of Bayreuth) and Susanne Quitmann (LMU Munich). The aim of the working group is to intensify cooperation between childhood historians and researchers at German universities and research institutions in the coming years.

If you are interested, please send an email to: kindheitsgeschichte@gmail.com