The book explores how perceptions of historical time influence responses to historical injustices and the ethics surrounding them. It argues that traditional historical concepts of time align more closely with the perspectives of perpetrators rather than victims, highlighting a critical gap in historical analysis. By examining this dynamic, the author invites a reevaluation of how history is understood and taught, emphasizing the need for a more victim-centered approach to historical narratives.
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.
