Public Historian vs. Academic Historian: What’s the Difference?

Exploring the Paths: Public Historian and Academic Historian

Are you passionate about history and thinking about pursuing a career in this fascinating field? If so, you may have come across two prominent roles: the public historian and the academic historian. At first glance, they may seem similar, but they fulfill distinct roles within the broader landscape of historical studies. Understanding the differences can help you make informed decisions about your academic and career pursuits.

Defining Public Historians and Academic Historians

Both public historians and academic historians play vital roles in preserving and interpreting history, but their approaches and audiences differ significantly. Here's what sets these two paths apart:

• Public Historians: Public historians work to bring history to the general public. They often have careers in museums, cultural institutions, historical sites, archives, and even in media or consulting. Their goal is to make history accessible, engaging, and relevant to diverse audiences.
• Academic Historians: Academic historians focus on scholarly research, teaching, and publishing. Their work primarily targets academic audiences, including other historians, researchers, and students. They are often employed in universities and colleges as professors or researchers.

Key Differences Between Public and Academic Historians

When considering a career as a public or academic historian, it's important to understand the nuances of their responsibilities and how they engage with history. Here is a breakdown of the major differences:

1. Purpose and Mission

Public historians aim to make history approachable and engaging to the public. They may create exhibits, write interpretive materials, or develop programs aimed at wide and diverse audiences. Their work impacts community understanding of historical events and themes.

Academic historians are focused primarily on advancing historical knowledge through in-depth research and analysis. They contribute to academia by producing books, journal articles, and other scholarly works that critically analyze and interpret historical evidence.

2. Audience

The audience for public historians includes the general public, school groups, policy makers, and even tourists. Their work is inclusive, often designed to appeal to people of all ages, backgrounds, and knowledge levels.

On the other hand, academic historians cater to a more specialized audience. This typically includes students, fellow historians, and experts within the scholarly community. Their work is rooted in academic rigor and contributes to the broader intellectual discourse.

3. Work Environments

Public historians often work in settings such as museums, historic landmarks, government agencies, non-profit organizations, or even private companies. Their roles may involve collaboration with marketing teams, designers, or event planners to engage audiences.

Academic historians usually find their place in academic institutions like colleges or universities. They spend a significant amount of time in archives, libraries, or classrooms. Their primary focus is research, writing, and teaching.

4. Skills and Training

While both roles require a deep understanding of historical methods, public historians may need additional skills in project management, public speaking, event planning, and even digital media. The ability to simplify complex ideas for non-specialists is a crucial aspect of their role.

Academic historians, on the other hand, lean heavily on research skills, academic writing, and teaching expertise. Publishing in peer-reviewed journals and contributing to historical academia are core aspects of their career.

5. Career Goals

If your goal is to stimulate public interest and help communities connect with their heritage, a career as a public historian can be fulfilling. It allows you to immerse yourself in dynamic environments and witness the direct impact of your work on people’s understanding of history.

For those who are driven by a passion for research and academia, becoming an academic historian offers the opportunity to delve into complex historical questions and contribute to the field’s intellectual growth. Teaching can also be a meaningful way to inspire the next generation of historians.

Commonalities Between Public and Academic Historians

Despite the differences, public and academic historians share some foundational similarities:

• A passion for history and a commitment to preserving the past.
• Strong research skills and an understanding of historical sources.
• The ability to critically analyze historical evidence and place it within broader contexts.
• Both roles can require advanced degrees—such as a master’s degree or a Ph.D.—depending on career goals and employer expectations.

Mapping Out Your Educational Path

If you’re considering a career as either a public or academic historian, your educational journey will likely start with a bachelor’s degree in history or a related field. From there, additional specialized training can help you prepare for these distinct career paths:

• Public Historians: Pursue courses or certifications in public history, museum studies, or digital history. Internships and practical experience at cultural institutions are highly valuable.
• Academic Historians: Focus on advanced degrees such as a master’s or doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in history. Academic historians often specialize in specific time periods, geographic regions, or historical themes.

Determining Which Path Aligns With Your Goals

Choosing between public and academic history depends largely on your interests, strengths, and career aspirations. Ask yourself questions like:

• Do you enjoy engaging with the public and making history accessible to broader audiences?
• Are you passionate about research and publishing original historical work?
• Do you prefer working in non-academic environments or within the structure of a university?
• What impact do you want to have on people’s understanding of history?

By aligning your career choice with your personal goals and talents, you can embark on a fulfilling journey in the historical field.

The Impact of Your Decision

As a prospective student, recognizing the differences between public and academic historians can help you make an informed decision about your education and career. Whether you choose the dynamic world of public history or the intellectually stimulating realm of academic history, both paths offer opportunities to shape how we understand and value the past.

Ultimately, history plays a crucial role in society, and your work—whether as a public or academic historian—can inspire others to learn from the past and make informed choices for the future.