Opportunities for History Students
Undergraduate History students have many opportunities to share their work in print and at conferences; to compete for prizes, grants, and fellowships; and to gain valuable career experience with jobs and internships. Check out "Active Opportunities" below to see open contests and calls for applications, and explore "Past and Future Opportunities" to learn more about the kinds of publications, conferences, positions, and competitions available to History students. These lists are updated semi-regularly, but you can always search H-Net Announcements for the newest opportunities. (Search "undergraduate" and filter by the type of announcement.)
Undergraduate History Journals
Does your final paper deserve a wider audience? Below is a selection of journals that publish undergraduate historical research. These descriptions have been adapted from the journals’ websites. Before submitting anything to these journals, you should read their websites and submission guidelines carefully! Journals do not republish work, so many journals will ask you to let them know if your work is under consideration by another publication. Keep in mind that if your paper is accepted, you should be willing to commit to an editorial review process (~1-2 months) during which the journal will prepare the paper for submission, and may ask you for revisions or edits. This is all part of the scholarly process – and a great thing to include on your resume or CV!
Archive: University of Wisconsin Undergraduate Journal of History, University of Wisconsin
Any original historical works will be accepted for review by the editorial board of ARCHIVE. We encourage submitting scholarly papers, seminar research papers, articles, book reviews, and historical essays of reasonable length (40 pages or less double-spaced) by any undergraduate student.
Website: https://uwarchive.wordpress.com/
Contact/submissions: uwarchive.hist@gmail.com
Clio’s Scroll: The Berkeley Undergraduate History Journal, UC-Berkeley
Clio’s Scroll, the Berkeley Undergraduate History Journal, is published twice yearly by students of the Department of History at the University of California, Berkeley. Founded in 1981, Clio’s Scroll has published over thirty issues. The journal aims to provide undergraduates with the opportunity to publish outstanding historical work. The journal publishes articles by undergraduates and recent graduates of any university, so long as the submissions are historical in nature. The editors look for articles that contribute to historical knowledge with new content and original interpretations. Research papers between 20-50 total pages (including title page and bibliography) from all universities, history courses, and historical areas of focus are welcome. No previously published articles are accepted. If your paper is under review by another journal, we ask that you let us know in your email.
Website: https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~clios/
Contact: cliosscroll@gmail.com
Crimson Historical Review, University of Alabama
The Crimson Historical Review is an undergraduate, peer-reviewed, research journal, staffed by undergraduate Honors students and History Majors. Submissions are welcome from all majors, but must deal with an historical topic. Submissions must be based on original, primary source research that engages with extant scholarship. Submissions must have been written in an undergraduate class or in a faculty-supervised independent study for credit, and must have the support of a faculty member. The Review publishes two issues yearly and submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Proposals for themed and guest-edited issues are welcome. Please see the website for complete submission guidelines.
Website: https://crimsonhistorical.ua.edu/
Contact: crimsonhistorical@ua.edu
Columbia Journal of History, Columbia University
The Columbia Journal of History is an independent, peer-reviewed undergraduate research publication that promotes intellectual inquiry and recognizes outstanding historical literature on diverse subjects. Our Executive Board reviews student submissions from history departments across the United States and abroad, and selects about 10% of submissions for inclusion in each biannual edition. Our Editors welcome the submission of historical research papers produced in seminars, upper-level electives, independent study and/or thesis programs. Papers can be short or long (5–7,000 words are recommended, however, there is flexibility at the discretion of Editors), and may feature polemical, topical, theoretical, or archival approaches.
Website: https://www.columbiahistoryjournal.com/
Contact: contact@columbiahistoryjournal.com/
Ezra’s Archives, Cornell University
Ezra's Archives is a publication put forth biannually by the Cornell Historical Society. This journal, launched in the Spring of 2011, showcases stellar examples of undergraduate research in the field of history. In the Fall of 2011, Ezra's Archives expanded to accept submissions from undergraduates at other universities. All papers considered for publication in the journal Ezra’s Archives must feature original research utilizing primary source materials, and should be between 10 and 35 pages in length.
Website: https://history.cornell.edu/ezras-archives
Contact: ezrasarchives@gmail.com
Gateway History Journal, Washington University at St. Louis
The Gateway History Journal provides undergraduate students an opportunity to demonstrate their exceptional history research, analysis, and writing. We produce one annual issue showcasing the five best pieces of undergraduate scholarship that we receive. The Editorial Board prides itself on reviewing and publishing a diversity of submissions. The Gateway accepts submissions from all universities and does not impose topical or temporal restrictions. Papers must be between 10-35 pages in length (double-spaced), NOT including footnotes and works cited page(s). The call for submissions is typically issued in January and submissions are generally due in February; the journal is generally published in May.
Website: https://history.wustl.edu/gateway-history-journal
Contact: gatewayhistoryjournal@gmail.com
Georgetown Journal of History, Georgetown University
The Georgetown Journal of History is an online, academic publication dedicated to showcasing the best historical research by undergraduate students throughout the country and abroad. In partnership with the Georgetown University History Department and the Phi Alpha Theta Historical Society, the Journal is spearheaded by an Editorial Board of undergraduate and graduate students. Each editor is responsible for reading submissions, editing, and working with authors to create a final product of the highest publishable quality. Every article published by the Journal undergoes a months-long process of editing and rewriting, all in the aim of presenting the best undergraduate historical scholarship available today. We publish undergraduate history research covering all regions and eras. Submissions are open to all majors, but must be historically oriented.
Website: https://georgetownhistoryjournal.org/
Contact: GeorgetownHistoryJournal@gmail.com
History Matters: An Undergraduate Journal of History, Appalachian State University
History Matters is an undergraduate history journal that is published annually on this website by the Department of History at Appalachian State University. The journal is edited by undergraduates with the help of a faculty board. We strongly prefer papers that are between 10 and 20 pages with double spacing and 1" margins. We will usually ask authors to expand papers under 10 pages, but will consider papers over 20 pages in their original form. We require at least three primary sources and at least half a dozen secondary sources. Generally, one source per page is not a bad rule of thumb, but this is not a requirement. A greater number of primary sources may allow for fewer secondary sources. We welcome historical research from all fields.
Website: https://historymatters.appstate.edu/
Contact: historymatters@appstate.edu
Journal of Undergraduate International Studies, University of Wisconsin
The Journal of Undergraduate International Studies (JUIS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison invites reflections on a wide range of academic and creative disciplines—from art to economics—from contributors worldwide. They seek to publish the best undergraduate work across the country related to international themes and topics including, but not limited to: international conflict and resolution, environmental issues, economics, development and trade, global security and international health. Submission deadlines come in the fall and spring. Submissions generally range in length from 5 to 20 pages. Submissions must not have been published in any other publication. Recent graduates are also eligible to submit their work.
Website: http://juis.global.wisc.edu/
Contact: juis@iris.wisc.edu
Michigan Journal of History, University of Michigan
The Michigan Journal of History is a student-run organization seeking to publish undergraduate papers in an online journal and with limited circulation paper copies. Our aim is to encourage students to pursue their passion for history by providing them a chance to become published historians. Online editions of the journal are published annually near the end of the Winter Semester. Author must be an undergraduate student or have graduated within the past semester; papers must be between 10 and 30 pages in length (please do not submit papers single spaced); graded and have received a grade of B+ or above; and have a historical theme.
Website: https://michiganjournalofhistory.com/
Contact/submissions: umhistoryjournal@gmail.com
Past in Process: The Undergraduate Historical Studies Journal at the University of Texas at Austin, UT-Austin
Past in Process is a peer-reviewed historical studies journal led by undergraduates at the University of Texas at Austin. Past in Process is not the traditional undergraduate research journal. Our focus is on making undergraduate research more accessible via our journal and accompanying online platform, Past in Posts. We take submissions of any length focused on historical studies. This includes content written for classes, thesis work, or independent study.
Articles that are 800 to 2000 words in length will be considered for online publication on Not Even Past and Past in Posts. Articles that are greater than 2000 words in length will be considered for print publication in Past in Process. Book and film reviews will be considered for online publication on Not Even Past and Past in Posts.
Website: https://www.pastinprocess.org/
Contact: pastinprocess@gmail.com
Report: West Point Undergraduate Historical Review, United States Military Academy at West Point
Report is a biannual undergraduate historical journal published in the fall and spring by cadets in the History Department of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Any undergraduate author may submit an original article to be considered for publication in Report: West Point Undergraduate Historical Review, provided he or she owns the copyright to the work being submitted or is authorized by the copyright owner or owners to submit the article. All undergraduate history articles on any subject are eligible for publication.
Website: https://www.westpoint.edu/academics/academic-departments/history/history-journal
Contact/submissions/additional info: https://digitalcommons.usmalibrary.org/report/
Synthesis: An Undergraduate Journal of the History of Science, Harvard University
Synthesis encourages undergraduate students from any college to submit research papers and essays that relate to the history of science. As the only nationally recognized history of science journal designed by undergraduates for undergraduates, we publish outstanding student papers from seminars, upper-level electives, independent study and thesis programs. Although we will consider submissions of any length, the majority of published pieces range from 5000 to 7000 words (20 to 25 double-spaced pages), excluding references. We are accepting submissions on a rolling basis and would love to hear from students in all disciplines who have written essays with relevance to understanding the history of science, medicine, or technology in society.
Websites: https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/synthesis | https://hsharvardsynthesis.wixsite.com/synthesis/about
Contact: hsharvardsynthesis@gmail.com
Tufts Historical Review, Tufts University
The Tufts Historical Review is one of the leading principally-undergraduate academic journals of history in the United States. The Editorial Board seeks outstanding articles – between 2,500 and 8,000 words – that explore yearly themes from a diverse array of perspectives. Submissions are generally due in January each year.
Website: https://ase.tufts.edu/pandp/historicalreview/index.html
Contact: tuftshistoricalreview@gmail.com
Undergraduate Journal of Humanistic Studies, Carleton College
The Undergraduate Journal of Humanistic Studies is a peer-reviewed academic journal that promotes undergraduate research in the humanities and social sciences. Our goal is to present papers that bring to light new narratives and fresh points of view. Highlighting work that challenges dominant perspectives, the UJHS serves as a forum for contributors and readers to reconsider their position within the context of their society. In the spirit of the liberal arts, the UJHS is a multidisciplinary journal that accepts submissions from a broad range of subjects, demonstrating how student research can contribute to a variety of fields. Students from any undergraduate academic institution, including those who have graduated within the past year, may submit papers. Students must choose only ONE paper they would like to submit for the upcoming issue. While there is no page limit, there is a maximum suggested length of thirty pages.
Website: https://www.carleton.edu/ujhs/
Contact: ujhs@carleton.edu
Vanderbilt Historical Review, Vanderbilt University
The Vanderbilt Historical Review is a student-run, undergraduate journal of history that works in close collaboration with our Phi Alpha Theta chapter. We strive to provide a forum that promotes the discussion of history and help showcase the exceptional work of students from all over the world. Ideal article submissions are between 2500 and 8500 words; please refrain from submitting theses that are significantly longer than 8500 words. For book reviews, the preferred word count is 750-2500 words. They may cover any topic that directly focuses on the past, or the past as we interpret it today. Submitted reviews must be of academic publications (preferably by a university press) published within 5 years of the submission deadline.
Website: https://www.vanderbilthistoricalreview.com/
Contact: vanderbilt.historicalreview@gmail.com
Yale Historical Review, Yale University
We welcome works from any institution, on any historically relevant topic. Papers must have been written for an undergraduate class or undergraduate supervised independent study for credit (Recent graduates may submit work written prior to graduation). Graded papers must have received the equivalent of an A. Submissions must be at least twelve double-spaced pages long. There is no limit to the length.
Website: https://www.yalehistoricalreview.org/
Contact/submissions info: yalehistoricalreview@gmail.com | https://www.yalehistoricalreview.org/howtogetinvolved/