Professional Historians in Public
Old and New Roles Revisited
In recent decades, public interest in history has surged, presenting both opportunities and challenges for professional historians. This volume explores how historians adapt to evolving public demands and the impact on their professional practices, values, and identities. It features a diverse array of case studies highlighting historians applying their expertise beyond academia, with contributions covering Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Europe. The book is organized into five sections. The first critically examines historians who have diverged from mainstream academic norms by integrating political partisanship or social engagement into their work. The second section addresses the challenges historians face when presenting their expertise in legal contexts, such as courtrooms. The third section discusses how policy-driven demands and political interventions affect the historical profession. The fourth section explores the opportunities and challenges presented by the rise of digital media. Finally, several authors propose normative standards to better meet new demands and establish role models for historians engaged with the public. This work is aimed at historians and academics interested in the public application of history.
