Mátyás Mervay – historian, freelance writer, and researcher. (Magyarul)
Combining a unique cultural background, and an unusual set of languages, I offer quality services with academic rigorousness and an accessible approach. My top priority as a public historian and writer is for my clients to feel confident and satisfied with the work I deliver. Be it a magazine article or historical consulting, complex international research, or your family’s history – you can rely on me. A native Hungarian, a proud ex-resident of Tianjin City, China, and a relative novice New Yorker, I am happy to work with you in any continent and timezone.
What I Do
History Consulting
Freelance writing
Freelance Research
Public Talks
Languages I Work With
English
Mandarin Chinese
Italian
Dutch
Hungarian
German
Russian
Czech
Professional Experiences
Adjunct Instructor at New York University (New York)
(2018 – 2020)
Taught undergraduate courses in the disciplines of history and anthropology. Facilitated students’ discussions based on content strategy and regularly evaluated their performance in both classroom and online (remote instruction) settings. Improved students’ engagement, leading them to successful exam results.
Reviewer & Content Proofreader at Various Clients (New York; China; Hungary)
(2019 – 2020)
Reviewed academic monograph for a high-impact peer-reviewed journal; conducted content review for architectural history volume; prepared (digitized & proofread) primary sources for scholarly publication.
Freelance Researcher & Writer at Print & Online Magazines (Hungary; China)
(2013 – 2020)
Conducted international biographical research in various Chinese archives on a contract with a Hungary-based literary journal. The project resulted in an accessible, non-academic article on refugee artists, thatwas widely read by a broader audience.
Wrote numerous articles in a concise, accessible style for different magazine-audiences, introducing and explaining complex historical processes.
History Consultant at Főnix Medical Resort (Hungary)
(2013 – 2020)
Working on multiple contracts for a medical castle resort conducted genealogical and biographical researches and wrote studies of 7-10,000 words about the lives and careers of former owners of the property. Initiated a series of exhibitions based on the abovementioned studies.
Education
Ph.D. in East Asian and Modern European History – exp. 2022
New York University, New York, United States
Master of Modern and Contemporary Chinese History – 2017
Nankai University, Tianjin, China
Certificates in Chinese Language and Culture – 2014
Nankai University, Tianjin, China
Bachelor of Arts in History and East Asian Cultures – 2012
Eötvös Lóránd University, Budapest, Hungary
Matyas Mervay // Mervay Mátyás 