How do I find a historian to hire full time?

February 27, 2009 12:23 PM

Where do historians look for jobs?

My law office is interested in hiring some historians but we don't have the first idea where to advertise the position. Any ideas? Our ideal candidates would each hold advanced degrees in different human right conflicts (i.e. the Rwandan genocide, or Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge), and would be willing and able to dig through essentially cold cases to document those abuses, write reports on those results, and testify in court. We don't care right now which conflict. It could be a bit more broad than a specific conflict (i.e. could be modern Rwandan or Cambodian history). The person wouldn't need to have post-graduate experience, although we'd prefer it.

We've tried pslawnet and other public interest type job postings, and have gotten some great results, but we do feel like we should have many more applications given the economy, the salary, and the job description. We're clueless. Any advice?

posted by semacd to work & money (12 comments total)

My first thought was The Chronicle of Higher Education.
posted by rtha at 12:50 PM on February 27

You probably want to advertise in professional journals devoted to history in general as well as specific and contemporary studies for the regions in question. These are some pretty specific background requirements you have.
posted by dhartung at 12:53 PM on February 27

In fact, on second thought, you may be better off hiring a recruiter who can help you solidify what you need and then identify academically appropriate candidates.
posted by dhartung at 12:54 PM on February 27

History PhDs shouldn't be hard to find. I imagine that if you email the job description to the chairs and/or graduate advisors of multiple university history departments, asking them to forward it to their masters and doctoral students, you'll soon be swimming in applications.
posted by amelioration at 12:59 PM on February 27

The Chronicle of Higher Ed (above), Inside Higher Ed, and Perspectives on History, the journal of the American Historical Association, are probably good places to advertise. The AHA is the largest organization of historians in America.
posted by Toekneesan at 1:14 PM on February 27

I'm a historian. Presuming that you're located in the USA (it's not clear from your post or your profile), we look for jobs in the following places: Perspectives, the monthly newsletter of the American Historical Association, and its associated website; the H-Net Job Guide; the Chronicle of Higher Education; and smaller disciplinary newsletters and listservs.

As amelioration notes, you can write to chairs and graduate program directors of universities with graduate programs, but do a bit of research first about their specialties.

You're not going to find candidates whose degrees are in a particular conflict; what you might find is, for instance, a South Asian historian who has specialized in modern Cambodia. But you should be able to find candidates who have researched conflicts as the subject of a thesis or dissertation, or as a part of their dissertation.

When you advertise, be clear about whether the position is full- or part-time, whether it will involve a limited term contract or long-term employment, and what languages you expect the successful candidate to read (and, if necessary for on-site research, speak).

Send me mefi mail, or email to [e-mail], if you'd like more specific advice.
posted by brianogilvie at 1:18 PM on February 27

I don't think you need a historian. I think you need a policy researcher or development expert. Or a peace and conflicts specialist. You should get in touch with the universities in your region. That would be the best place to go.
posted by anniecat at 1:44 PM on February 27

In addition to historians, a lot of political science people are also focusing on modern conflict, particularly this kind of human rights conflict.

For instance, of our four recent job talk candidates at my department, one is currently working on modern Sudan and the Darfur conflict, and a second has done work with the International Criminal Tribunal, and a third has done work on women's rights in post-conflict Rwanda, all under the rubric of 'political science.'
posted by foodmapper at 2:08 PM on February 27

Might I suggest a librarian?
Many librarians also hold a second graduate degree, or a librarian with a relevant undergrad degree and a strong background/personal interest in the specific issues might just do the trick! To recruit a librarian, advertise at the local universities, and do a Google search for "library job listings" and you will get several options. If you real money to spend on recruiting, (and they pay makes relocating worthwhile) don't forget to contact the American Library Association and place ads in the larger newspapers.
posted by coollibrarian at 2:37 PM on February 27

H-Net has a weekly job guide with job opportunities from across the humanities. You could cover most of these alternative fields people are suggesting with the list.

The web address is here: http://h-net.org/jobs/
posted by mrmojoflying at 4:20 PM on February 27

There are people out there who get PhDs in Conflict Analysis and Resolution who might be more useful to you if you are interested in multiple conflicts. The program at GMU springs to mind- their career services section has a job newsletter that posts positions similar to the one you describe.
posted by Mouse Army at 5:35 PM on February 27 [1 favorite has favorites]

As several posters have already suggested, it really does sound like you're after a Politics or International Studies grad., rather than an historian. Perhaps a graduate of a programme like this one at Queen's University, Belfast?
posted by Sonny Jim at 6:05 PM on February 27