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Founded in 1982, the World History Association, through its global community of scholars, educators, and students, nurtures, encourages, and promotes the study of world history as borders disappear, interactions on the globe increase exponentially, and global understanding becomes essential to human future on this planet.
Matteo Ricci, Kunyu Languo Quanto, 1602, commissioned by the Wanji Emperor (Kano Collection, Tohoku University Library, Sendai, Japan)
Welcome to the World History Association
Please join us! To register for this webinar, please use this link.
This is the third n a lively series of webinars sponsored by the World History Association. All are welcome to attend any or all of these sessions.
· On October 27 at 3 pm, we are featuring Harvard University professor Sven Beckert who will be talking about his recent book Capitalism: A Global History, winner of the 2026 Jerry H. Bentley book prize from the WHA.
· On November 10 at 7 pm, we will welcome Geraldine Heng of the University of Texas at Austin and Bradley Phillis of Appalachian State University discussing “Early global studies today: what we’re doing, why, and how you can be part of our projects.”
All times are Eastern.
To register for any of these webinars, please use this link.
We're in Pittsburgh in 2027 for our annual conference. This one is a do-not-miss event. The Call for Papers is public now! Whether you are a graduate student with dreams of pursuing a career in this field, a scholar who has much to say about your own research as well as where it fits in the bigger picture of the field, or an educator who would like to think deeply about how to present world history in 2027, you are going to want to be there.
Stay tuned for details. Please join us for a fulfilling experience, with intellectual exchange, collegial schmoozing and interaction, mentoring, and an opportunity to take stock of where we are in 2027.
Apply for prizes and scholarships to support your work
Deadlines are approaching SOON!
- Apply for the WHA/Phi Alpha Theta Prize for undergraduate and graduate papers written in the 2026 calendar year: due January 1, 2027
- Apply for the Bentley Book Prize (for books published in 2026): due February 1, 2027.
NEW! "Collecting in the Colonies: Hidden Histories of British Science, 1660-1838" curricular module now available from H/21
This module, originally authored by Libi Sundermann, explores the hidden connections between British scientific advancement, imperial expansion, and the transatlantic slave trade during the early modern period (1660–1838). Whose knowledge and labor built modern science? Collecting in the Colonies invites your students to trace how the Royal Society's rise was tied to Britain's slave trade and empire — and to recover the enslaved and free African contributors whose expertise was neglected, ignored, or forgotten, building skills in primary-source analysis and reading against the grain along the way.
Beginning with the founding of the Royal Society, it examines the ways that the development of “Western science” was deeply interconnected with empire and slavery, while foregrounding the often-overlooked contributions of enslaved and free people of African descent, whose expertise, skills, and labor made British collecting and natural history possible. The module also introduces students to the “reading against the grain” methodology, and the ways this skill can help to uncover historically marginalized voices, while also connecting this history of exclusion to contemporary efforts to decolonize scientific institutions today.
Featuring four lessons plus material to incorporate prior to the module, “Collecting in the Colonies” offers educators an innovative and engaging focus that does a deep dive into a critically important aspect of world history.
The World History Association is proud to partner with H/21 to make this important work widely available.
WHA members address the civic value of world history
Consider the current state of World History education. Schools across the United States--from K-14 to colleges and universities--are facing challenges from everything from local school boards constraining what they do to funding cuts that have led to cancelling courses, closing departments, and questioning the importance of robust history education and scholarship at their institutions. Whether it's schools electing to focus on US history, state history, or exclusively some narrowly defined version of western civilization (as opposed to rich programs that expose young people to the wider world and its critical important history and interconnectivity) OR the elimination of area studies' programs, global initiatives, or interdisciplinary studies, it's coming from the same place: a questioning of the value of a deep understanding and appreciation of world history. We recently explored this in a virtual panel discussion on the "Civic Value of World History." Click "learn more" below to watch the recording of this session.
Discounted access to celebrated world history teaching materials for members
Coming soon! Members will be able to access the celebrated innovative curricular materials created by WHA member Bram Hubbell at Liberating Narratives thanks to a 40% discount.
This opportunity is available only to WHA members, one of many member benefits the WHA offers. Join us!
Support the WHA's advocacy of
world history-related issues
We have just spoken out about the US Department of Education's plan to rescind regulations related to the Fulbright and Title VI programs. That's just the latest in the WHA"s role in advocating for issues of deep concern to our members. Please take a look at what we are up to.
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