Historians have the right to expect that discussion of their historical work will be conducted in a civil manner, free from harassment and intimidation. That right is violated by those who target scholars online, especially via social media, with hate speech; online threats; doxing, trolling, and cyberattacks; and other forms of harassment.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead our Guide\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n The AHA, other professional associations, and organizations that advocate for free expression may be able to offer advice and support. We encourage AHA members facing threats, harassment, or institutional retaliation to contact our executive director<\/a>. The AHA may be able to provide advice, facilitate connections, or draft a letter or statement of support.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail the AHA\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n In addition to the AHA and other professional associations, the following organizations and networks may be able to provide support:<\/p>\n American Association of University Professors<\/a>, including campus and state affiliates and the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom<\/a><\/p>\n Expert Voices Together<\/a><\/p>\n Faculty First Responders<\/a><\/p>\n Foundation for Individual Rights in Education<\/a><\/p>\n Freedom of the Press Foundation<\/a><\/p>\n Researchers Support Consortium<\/a><\/p>\n Scholars at Risk<\/a><\/p>\n The AHA is a member of the Scholars at Risk network.<\/em><\/p>\n Nina M. Flores, “Tweets, Threats, and Censorship: Campus Resources to Support Faculty Through Incidents of Targeted Harassment,<\/a>” (National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement<\/em>, 2025).<\/p>\n Lily Hay Newman and Matt Burgess, “How to Protect Yourself From Phone Searches at the US Border<\/a>,” (Wired<\/em>, 2025).<\/p>\n Presidents’ Alliance, Resources on Higher Education and Immigration<\/a><\/p>\n Scholars at Risk, Academic Freedom Media Review: US Bulletin<\/a><\/p>\n Viktorya Vilk, “What to Do If You’re the Target of Online Harassment<\/a>,” (Slate<\/em>, 2020).<\/p>\n In light of continuing threats to the historical discipline, academic freedom, and freedom of speech, the AHA has established the Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Freedom to help the AHA use its authority to convene historians from many institutional backgrounds and other scholars and practitioners with relevant expertise to aid the Association in its work with affiliated societies and other scholarly associations to advocate collectively for academic freedom.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n American Lesson Plan: Teaching US History in Secondary Schools<\/a> <\/em>(2024)<\/p>\n Statement on Standards of Professional Conduct<\/a><\/em> (2023)<\/p>\n Statement on Right to Engage in Collective Bargaining<\/a><\/em> (2022)<\/p>\n Improving the Status of Non-Tenure-Track Faculty: Recommendations for History Departments<\/a> <\/em>(2020)<\/p>\n Statement on Employing International Faculty<\/a><\/em> (2018)<\/p>\n Statement of Support for Academic Freedom<\/a> <\/em>(2016)<\/p>\n Report of the AHA Committee on the Rights of Historians<\/a> <\/em>(1974)<\/p>\n AHA Congressional Briefing, The Federal Government & Academic Freedom in Higher Education<\/a> (2024)<\/p>\n AHA Online, History Behind the Headlines: The Role of the Bible in the Founding of the United States and Religious Mandates in Public Schools<\/a> (2024)<\/p>\n AHA Online, Don’t Say Gay, Stop WOKE, Banned Books, and Anti-Trans Laws: Teaching Through the Backlash<\/a> (2023)<\/p>\n\n\t\t\tYou Are Not Alone\t<\/h3>\n
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AAUP<\/h5>\n
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Expert Voices Together<\/h5>\n
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FIRE<\/h5>\n
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Freedom of the Press Foundation<\/h5>\n
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Institute for Strategic Dialogue<\/h5>\n
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PEN America<\/h5>\n
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PERIL<\/h5>\n
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Researcher Support Consortium<\/h5>\n
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South Asia Scholar Activist Collective<\/h5>\n
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