Professorship of Environmental and Technological History

The teaching of environmental and technological history extends across different historical periods, with a particular focus on the modern Anthropocene. Local and Indigenous perspectives on ecological and technological transformations are systematically incorporated. Through regional and transcontinental excursions, as well as through research-based teaching, science comics and exhibitions, extracurricular sites of learning and research - such as museums, archives and nature parks - are actively integrated into the curriculum.

Within the framework of global and (post)colonial environmental and technological history, research focuses on the interrelations between humans, environments, animals, and pathogens. Current projects in colonial history examine human-wildlife interactions, agrarian colonialism and its long-term consequences, as well as the emergence of zoonotic diseases resulting from transformations of ecological systems. This work is carried out through interdisciplinary collaborations within the Environmental Humanities and in partnership with the Natural and Life Sciences.

Since the winter semester 2023/24, Professor Stephanie Zehnle, Ph.D. has held the Chair of Environmental and Technological History at the University of Passau. The members of her team serve as your primary points of contact.
Detailed information regarding the contact and consultation hours of individual staff members is available here.