@classmethod
def _get_fields(cls):
    """
        Aggregates all available fields and their types from the class itself and its superclass
        (assuming it is a configuration as well).

        Returns:
        --------
        - dict
            Mapping from field names to types.
        """
    annotations = {}
    if hasattr(super(), '_get_fields'):
        annotations = {**annotations, **super()._get_fields()}
    if hasattr(cls, '__annotations__'):
        annotations = {**annotations, **cls.__annotations__}
    return annotations
