1981-1987: Studied Classical Philology, History and Educational Science at the Universities of Hamburg and Constance
1988: State examination and master's degree in Constance
1990: Doctorate
1993: Habilitation
Since 1988: Teaching at University College London (1988/89) and the Universities of Constance (1989-1994), Heidelberg (1994/95), Greifswald (1994-1997) and Munich (since 1997)
Since 1994: Calls to the Universities of Greifswald 1994, Munich 1997, Heidelberg 2004 (declined)