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Dr. Britta Frede, former substitute Professor at the Chair Islamic Studies at the University of Bayreuth (April 2022 to March 2025) and postdoctoral researcher of the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, has been honored by the Cluster of Excellence "Understanding Written Artefacts" at Universität Hamburg for her outstanding academic contributions. The recognition includes a six-month research fellowship and a research award with an accompanying award ceremony featuring a public award lecture on her research on female scribes in the Sahara.

As of 1 June 2025, Dr. Frede has taken up her awarded fellowship as Guest Professor for Gender in Manuscript Studies at the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC) in Hamburg. The guest professorship supports scholars working on gender and intersectionality in manuscript cultures through research, teaching, and mentoring.

This distinction recognizes Dr. Frede’s innovative work on gender dynamics in Islamic scholarly traditions and manuscript cultures. Her fellowship at CSMC marks a significant milestone in interdisciplinary research, connecting African Studies, Islamic Studies, and Gender Studies.

The award ceremony will take place on Tuesday, 1 July 2025, at 6:15 PM CEST at the CSMC in Hamburg and will feature Dr. Frede’s Award Lecture, entitled: “Why Should We Be Interested in Women’s Contribution to Islamic Scholarly Culture?” In her lecture, Frede will highlight the often-overlooked roles of women as authors, teachers, and scribes in the local Arabic manuscript culture, particularly in the hassaniyyaphone Sahara. The lecture will be held in a hybrid format and is open to the public with prior registration (register here).

Dr. Britta Frede Guest Lecture: “Why Should We Be Interested in Women’s Contribution to Islamic Scholarly Culture?

Date: Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Time: 18:15–20:00 CEST
Venue: Warburgstraße 26, Hamburg & online

Register here