I am a historian of 'bugs and drugs' and work as an Associate Professor (chargé de recherche) for the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM). Based at the Paris CERMES3 Unit, I research the history of microbial environments, disease surveillance and control, and pharmaceutical innovation and regulation. 

Since completing my DPhil at the University of Oxford in 2015, I have authored four books on the history of antibiotics in food production (Pyrrhic Progress, 2020), animal welfare science and activism (Bearing Witness, 2021), typhoid and public health (Typhoid, 2022), and a co-authored graphic novel on typhoid in Edwardian Dublin (Fear & Fever, 2024). I have also published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and commentaries on history and biomedicine.

Public & policy engagement are important to me. My research has informed policy reports on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), public health surveillance, drug innovation, and adverse effect compensation. In 2023, I was asked to serve as expert witness on public health systems and pandemic preparedness for the UK COVID-19 Inquiry. Since 2017, I have co-curated two multi award-winning exhibition projects on the history of penicillin (Back from the Dead) and typhoid (Typhoidland), advised on radio and theatre plays (Dangerous Visions: Culture, BBC Radio 4), authored media articles, and appeared on TV & radio (In Our Time: Bacteriophages, BBC Radio 4; Coronavirus Explained, Netflix).

Prior to my INSERM post, I held positions as a Martin Fellow (postdoc) at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford (2015-2019) and as a tenured Wellcome Trust University Award Lecturer at University College Dublin (2020-2024). 

I hold an honorary fellowship at the Oxford Vaccine Group and am a scientific board member of the European Association of the History of Medicine and Health (EAHMH) and the Pharma Pollution Hub. 

My bluesky handle is: @Kirchhelle.bsky.social