Heather Perry

My historical specialty is the history and culture of the First World War; however, I focus more broadly on the study of German and European History, the History of Medicine and the Body, and the History of War and Society.  In particular, I enjoy researching how warfare has impacted society, culture, medicine, and science in European history from the late nineteenth century through 1945.  My publications discuss WWI Germany, the history of disabled veterans, and the development of rehabilitation medicine and artificial limb technology, history museums, health exhibitions, and John Dillinger. I am currently working on two projects: The first examines food, gender, and civilian health during the First World War; the second examines the internment of enemy aliens in WWI America.  I teach courses on Modern German history, History of the First World War, Medical History, War and Medicine, and Epidemics.

Fall 2024 Office Hours:

Pronouns: She/Hers

Research Interests

Modern Germany; History of Medicine and War; World War I; Disabled Veterans; Disability Studies– History & Policy; gender, technology, and the body.

My research focuses on the impact of war on medicine, population health, and public policies. My first book examines how the First World War transformed disability medicine and policy in Germany.  I am currently working on several projects:

Feeding War: Nutrition, Health, and National Belonging in Germany, 1914-1924 examines nutrition, public health and the national foodscape during and after Germany’s WWI experience.  I published an essay related to this research in my second book.

Appalachia in the Trenches looks at civilian internees in WWI America–and especially the Carolinas.  I showcase some of this research in a related Digital Humanities Project: Carolina in the Trenches. (carolinainthetrenches.org)

Education

Ph.D., Indiana University

M.A., Indiana University

B.A., Vanderbilt University