Dr Anna Maerker

Biography

Dr Maerker pursued undergraduate studies in physics and history of science at the University of Regensburg. She received an MPhil in History and Philosophy of Science from Cambridge University, and an MA/PhD in Science & Technology Studies from Cornell University. Before joining King’s Dr Maerker has held posts as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin, and as a Senior Lecturer at Oxford Brookes University.

Research interests and PhD supervision

• The material and visual culture of medicine and science since the eighteenth century
• The history of expertise
• Science, the state and the public in historical perspective
• Performance and commodification in medicine and science

Dr Maerker's research focus is on the material and visual culture of medicine and science since the eighteenth century. In particular, she is interested in the role of collections, museums, and models, for the circulation of knowledge and for the relationship between experts and the public; the history of anatomical models; performance and commodification in medicine and science. Her current research investigates the creation of a global market in anatomical models in the nineteenth century.

Dr Maerker welcomes research students with an interest in:

• Medicine and science, c. 1700-1900
• The history of museums and collections
• The history of experts and publics
• The visual and material culture of medicine and science
• Public history
• Science and Technology Studies (STS)

For more details, please see her full research profile.

Expertise and public engagement

I frequently collaborate with museums and collections. Collaborations include consultancy for the Wellcome Collection’s “Exquisite Bodies” exhibition; content development for the Science Museum’s website “Brought to Life”, and for the Hunterian Museum’s showcase on “Model Anatomy”. I engage with a wide range of audiences through public events such as academic stand-up comedy “Bright Club”  and the Congress for Curious Peoples.  

Other activities include:

• Associate Editor, Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science
• “Public History” seminar series, Institute of Historical Research (IHR): Co-convenor, with Alix Green (University of Hertfordshire), John Tosh (Roehampton University), Judy Faraday (John Lewis Partnership), Tim Boon (Science Museum).
• “History of Pre-Modern Medicine”, Wellcome Library seminar series: Co-organiser, with Elma Brenner (Wellcome Library), Sandra Cavallo (RHUL), John Henderson (BirkbeckUL) Colin Jones (QMUL, convenor), William MacLehose (UCL), Christelle Rabier (LSE), Patrick Wallis (LSE), Ronit Yoeli-Tlalim (Goldsmiths).