Birgit Nennstiel studied architecture with a focus on building archeology and heritage conservation at the Technische Universität Berlin. She gained a doctorate with her research on the possibilities and limitations of reconstructing the two large timber buildings  – the principia and the praetorium – of the Augustan military camp at Marktbreit.

From 2001 to 2007 she was involved in public relations and scientific communication at the German Archaeological Institute (Berlin) and received a travel grant from the DAI in 2003-2004.

From 2009 to 2019 Birgit Nennstiel was responsible for public relations and scientific communication of the Topoi Cluster of Excellence and was a member of the cluster's board from 2012 to 2019.

Since 2020, Birgit Nennstiel has been involved in the science communication of the Berliner Antike-Kolleg.