Comments on: Who is our audience?

By: Caroline Ford

Caroline Ford — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 04:50:05 +0000

Michael Ondaatje’s suggestion that Steven Spielberg is the most influential or well-known American Historian right now (apologies to Michael, I can’t remember his precise wording) spoke volumes to me. Events which provoke public interest in history, whether they be films such as Lincoln, TV shows, online resources (eg in the many examples provided by Lisa Murray), heritage places, historical fiction books or commemorative events such as Anzac Day and Australia Day, provide powerful opportunities for historians to engage with a broader audience (which come with their own thrills and risks, as Graeme Davison and others have discussed). Many of those who would rather watch a Spielberg film than read an academic book might also be open to broadening their understanding of history. And anyway, most history is already taking place outside of the academic sector. Input by historians with a greater insight into the complexities and intriguing elements of that past can only enhance the public debate.

As a historian working in government, I was also really excited by some of the online initiatives Lisa Murray discussed, and by their potential to reach such large and diverse audiences. Great to see the City of Sydney leading the way in digital history.

By: Yvonne Perkins

Yvonne Perkins — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 22:08:07 +0000

Great post! There was so much to reflect on from this session. Sandra Pires’ session reminded me of the power of film, a medium which I have not yet explored. It was good to hear that historians are being innovative in telling stories about the past and encouraging informed public debate.

By: Emma Dortins

Emma Dortins — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:33:54 +0000

Thanks Francesca, well worth a blog post that session, definitely one of the most exciting things at the conference. Lisa Murray did a great job of showing what public historians can do to engage people in history.

By: Katherine Knight

Katherine Knight — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 02:03:51 +0000

Very many thanks for this summary, Francesca – very interesting indeed. It is certainly relevant to my own experience of promoting my book Passion Purpose Meaning – Arts Activism in Western Sydney. I am learning to make very different preparation for each audience I address (mostly non-academic), to use humour and local references and to continue to promote current and future developments through social networking. I hope, of course, that I am disturbing general and media stereotypes about western Sydney, but my interpretations won’t go unchallenged.
Thanks again, Francesca