Norbert Retkes

PhD Candidate in Austrian History, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Philosophy and History at the University of Innsbruck, Austria

 

Greetings from the Austrian Alps, Norbert here! 

Have you ever wondered why the world around you looks the way it does? This seemingly simple question has guided me since my childhood in Hungary and led me to study History and Geography Education at the University of Innsbruck. Following the completion of my Master’s degree, I began my doctoral studies at the Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies in March 2026. I am honored to join the Wirth Institute at the University of Alberta as the 2026/2027 Austrian Doctoral Research Fellow. 

Academically, my main interest lies in Austrian history conceptualized as spatial history, with a focus on the Habsburg Monarchy and its successor states, particularly during the long 19th century. Thematically, I am fascinated by the history of European colonialism and imperialism, as well as historical tourism research from interconnected and regional history perspectives. 

In my research, I have worked extensively with travelogues and guidebooks. Far from being mere practical travel companions, these texts shaped perceptions, generated mental imagery, and influenced how people understood their world. At the same time, they reflect the political, social, economic, and cultural developments of entire regions, offering multifaceted answers to why the world looks the way it does. In my Master’s thesis, I examined the historical and tourism development of spa towns and regions in the former Lands of the Hungarian Crown. For this comparative study, I traveled through Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia to visit different archives, institutions and collect various historical sources. Last year, I also participated in an Erasmus+ program at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, examining archival collections on European history within an international group of scholars. My doctoral project investigates the historical evolution and function of the German-speaking Royal Law Academies across the Habsburg territories during the 18th and 19th centuries. Framed through the lens of New Imperial History, these institutions offer compelling insights into the transformation of state structures at the intersection of power, administration, and education. Both symbolically and practically, they acted as bridges between the central government in Vienna and the peripheral regions, serving as spaces where statehood was continuously negotiated among diverse actors. A major highlight of my time in Edmonton will be working with the historic library of the Viennese Juridical-Political Reading Association. I can't wait to explore this extraordinary collection of contemporary holdings and revolutionary pamphlets from 1848/1849 on site. 

Beyond academic research, I have played a leading role in school-based projects and workshops for young people focused on civic education and education for sustainable development. In the field of history education, I specialize in teaching National Socialism and the Holocaust in Austria (with a particular focus on out-of-school learning sites and digital cultures of remembrance). 

Outside research and teaching, I love traveling and exploring the world around me with open eyes and ears. I truly enjoy inspiring conversations and shared experiences with people from all over the world. I am also a big fan of good coffee and great food, perhaps a pleasant habit from my previous experience in the hospitality industry. In my free time, I love being active outdoors (hiking, mountain biking, or skiing), though quiet moments in nature are just as important for me to recharge. 

Thank you for reading! I am very excited to become part of the Wirth community and look forward to meeting you soon at UAlberta or somewhere else around the world!