Inger Leemans examines historical themes that cut across the individual, the cultural and the social. Her focus is the early modern period (1500 to 1850). She has studied pornography and the radical Enlightenment, emotions in an economic context (e.g. on the stock market), and the unexplored history of smell, among other things.
Leemans is not afraid to make original choices, both in her research subjects and in her methods. She is one of the pioneers of the digital humanities, embraces expert knowledge from many different disciplines, and combines micronarratives and macronarratives. Leemans uses history to reflect on contemporary norms. Her spirit of openness also allows her to discuss sensitive issues.
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