Institute
Welcome to the website of the Institute for Economic and Social History!
Economic and social history is a genuinely interdisciplinary research area, to be understood both as a sub-discipline of historical research and as a transdisciplinary historical economic and social science.
As a historical social science it is characterized by the critical use and reflection of the methods and theories of economics, demography, sociology and many disciplines in business studies to explore the economic and social dimensions of the past. As such, it can be understood as central to a socio-economic teaching and research program. At the institute, we are mainly dedicated to research and teaching on long-run developments in the world economy and individual economies as well as on banking and financial history.
A special organizational section of our institute is dedicated to business history. Our Philosophy Division goes beyond the interdisciplinary agenda of economic and social history and engages in research and teaching on, among other things, the conditions and limits of knowledge as such. Additionally, our division for research on university history explores, in close cooperation with the University Archives, the history of this university itself within the wider context of university history research.
Some recent news from the institute and its staff:
Research Seminar Series
Seminar for Economic and Social History/Socioeconomics Research Seminar on
Juan Pablo JULIÁ (University of Gothenburg)
The Political Consequences of Trade Shocks and Tariffs: Evidence from Argentina, 1912-1938
24th March 2026
17.00-18.30 Uhr
D4. 3.106
For questions on the seminars please contact organizers Wilfried Kisling and Markus Lampe
Attendance is free and uncomplicated for everyone who is interested. Just visit us at WU in building D4 - Campus Map
Room D4.03.106 is on the third floor of building D4. The main entrance is up the stairs to the left and ahead as you look at restaurant Baschly. On the third floor, room 106 is immediately to the left as you enter.
Research Seminar Series
Seminar for Economic and Social History/Socioeconomics Research Seminar on
Richard BLUHM (University of Stuttgart)
"Political violence and radicalization: Evidence from the French Revolution" (with Gerda Asmus-Bluhm, Raphaël Franck, & Raphael H. Heiberger)
26th May 2026
17.00-18.30 Uhr
D4. 3.106
For questions on the seminars please contact organizers Wilfried Kisling and Markus Lampe
Attendance is free and uncomplicated for everyone who is interested. Just visit us at WU in building D4 - Campus Map
Room D4.03.106 is on the third floor of building D4. The main entrance is up the stairs to the left and ahead as you look at restaurant Baschly. On the third floor, room 106 is immediately to the left as you enter.
Research Seminar Series
Seminar for Economic and Social History/Socioeconomics Research Seminar on
Esther SAHLE (University of Copenhagen)
Why you should stop using Protestantism as a predictor for human capital formation
16th June 2026
17.00-18.30 Uhr
D4. 3.106
For questions on the seminars please contact organizers Wilfried Kisling and Markus Lampe
Attendance is free and uncomplicated for everyone who is interested. Just visit us at WU in building D4 - Campus Map
Room D4.03.106 is on the third floor of building D4. The main entrance is up the stairs to the left and ahead as you look at restaurant Baschly. On the third floor, room 106 is immediately to the left as you enter.