About

What is History Communication?

“The explosion of media formats in the 21st century has necessitated that the history profession cultivate communicators who can share historical scholarship with non-experts, generate support for historical research and inform policymakers, and the public, across these emerging channels. Historians are becoming specialists who are up-to-date on the latest technologies and digital platforms, are engaging public speakers, speak concisely, communicate in plain English without abstraction, have proficiency with blogs, infographics and video production, etc., and have professional networks within political, journalistic, film, television and other influential circles. History Communicators ensure that academic scholarship remains relevant to American life and that historians have a seat at the table during important conversations where history is invoked.

History Communicators operate at the edge and intersection of new historical scholarship and the constantly-evolving world of communicating it to the public in order to keep history  relevant in the 21st century. They are part digital humanists, part content strategists, part marketers, part historians, part bloggers/journalists, part YouTubers, and part lobbyists. Most importantly, they are deeply committed to the field of history, conversant in emerging scholarship and disciplines, and embedded within universities, museums, archives, national parks, libraries, historic sites, and Federal, state and local governments. History Communicators use their enthusiasm for history and their 21st century skills to make an important contribution to the field.”

(www.historycommunication.com/origins)

History Communication Lab

The History Communication Lab seeks to support students and faculty in the work of translating historical research for public audiences. To take history beyond academic essays, we provide work stations with software and equipment, as well as training through coursework and programming.  Schedule time in the lab, check out upcoming programming, and learn about opportunities to take History Communication courses at Wayne State.

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Academic Opportunities

Resources