What skills does a historian need?

A historian needs 36 essential skills including history, source criticism, historical methods, periodisation, scientific research methodology. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace historian jobs?

The AI disruption score for historian is 24/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Public Administration & LegalLegal, social and cultural professionalsISCO 2633

historian

Historians research, analyze, interpret, and present the past of human societies. They analyse documents, sources, and traces from the past in order to understand the past societies.

About historian

As a historian, you will dedicate yourself to understanding and interpreting the human past through rigorous research and critical analysis. Your work involves examining historical documents, primary sources, and archaeological evidence to construct narratives about past societies and their development. You will employ scientific research methodologies and specialized historical techniques including source criticism and periodization to validate your interpretations. Beyond research, you will disseminate your findings to academic communities through scholarly publications, conference presentations, and teaching. Historians play a vital role in helping society understand its roots and providing evidence-based perspectives on contemporary issues. This career offers intellectual engagement with meaningful questions about human civilization and the opportunity to contribute new knowledge to your discipline.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a historian.

Historical Research and Source Analysis

Conduct original historical research using primary and secondary sources
Analyze recorded sources and documents using critical evaluation methods
Apply source criticism techniques to validate historical evidence
Examine archaeological and material culture evidence

Methodology and Periodization

Apply scientific research methodology to historical investigations
Use periodisation frameworks to structure historical narratives
Develop and refine research questions and hypotheses
Manage and organize research data for long-term accessibility

Academic Writing and Dissemination

Draft scientific and academic papers presenting research findings
Prepare technical documentation and research reports
Present research at academic conferences and scholarly meetings
Disseminate results to the scientific community and wider audiences

Professional Engagement and Collaboration

Interact professionally in research and academic environments
Collaborate with colleagues in interdisciplinary research projects
Contribute to academic peer review and editorial processes
Build and maintain professional networks with other researchers

Research Funding and Impact

Apply for research funding and grants to support investigations
Develop strategies to increase the impact of science on policy
Engage in knowledge transfer activities with non-academic audiences
Evaluate and demonstrate the societal value of historical research

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (36)

historyhistoryThe discipline that studies, analyses, and presents the events of the past related to humans.source criticismsource criticismProcess of classifying various informational sources into different categories such as historical and non-historical, or primary and secondary, and evaluating those sources on the basis of their conte...historical methodshistorical methodsThe methods, techniques, and guidelines that historians follow when researching the past and writing history, such as the use of primary sources.periodisationperiodisationThe categorisation of the past into defined blocks of time, called time periods, in order to make researching history easier.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationdraft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationDraft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.manage research datamanage research dataProduce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be fami...analyse recorded sourcesanalyse recorded sourcesAnalyse recorded sources such as government records, newspapers, biographies, and letters in order to uncover and interpret the past.interact professionally in research and professional environmentsinteract professionally in research and professional environmentsShow consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.disseminate results to the scientific communitydisseminate results to the scientific communityPublicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.operate open source softwareoperate open source softwareOperate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.do historical researchdo historical researchUse scientific methods to research history and culture.evaluate research activitiesevaluate research activitiesReview proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.demonstrate disciplinary expertisedemonstrate disciplinary expertiseDemonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, re...increase the impact of science on policy and societyincrease the impact of science on policy and societyInfluence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable datamanage findable accessible interoperable and reusable dataProduce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessar...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.apply for research fundingapply for research fundingIdentify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.apply scientific methodsapply scientific methodsApply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesapply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesApply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsi...promote open innovation in researchpromote open innovation in researchApply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.publish academic researchpublish academic researchConduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achiev...promote the transfer of knowledgepromote the transfer of knowledgeDeploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry o...think abstractlythink abstractlyDemonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.mentor individualsmentor individualsMentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific n...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.develop professional network with researchers and scientistsdevelop professional network with researchers and scientistsDevelop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovation...integrate gender dimension in researchintegrate gender dimension in researchTake into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...manage open publicationsmanage open publicationsBe familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and ins...synthesise informationsynthesise informationCritically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.conduct research across disciplinesconduct research across disciplinesWork and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.communicate with a non-scientific audiencecommunicate with a non-scientific audienceCommunicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of...

Optional (35)

conservation techniquesconservation techniquesThe procedures, instruments, techniques, materials and chemicals used in conservation and archiving.SanskritSanskritThe Sanskrit language.archaeologyarchaeologyThe study of the recovery and examination of material culture left behind from human activity in the past.art historyart historyThe history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.Ancient GreekAncient GreekThe Ancient Greek language.African studiesAfrican studiesAcademic field dealing with interdisciplinary studies of the African continent from an historical, social, legal, political, economic, or cultural approach. Its diversity and the relationship of Afric...LatinLatinThe Latin language.museum databasesmuseum databasesThe tools and processes involved in working with museum databases.geographygeographyThe scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth. It explores the soc...cultural historycultural historyField that combines historical and anthropological approaches for recording and studying past customs, arts, and manners of a group of people taking into account their political, cultural, and social ...search historical sources in archivessearch historical sources in archivesSearch archives in order to find the sources needed for historical research.compile library listscompile library listsCompile exhaustive lists of books, magazines, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects.create collection conservation plancreate collection conservation planCreate a comprehensive, high-level overview conservation plan for the collection.write research proposalswrite research proposalsSynthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the ...consult iconographic sourcesconsult iconographic sourcesAnalyse images in order to describe past societies, customs, and cultural movements.assess conservation needsassess conservation needsAssess and list the needs for conservation/restoration, in relation to current use and planned future use.provide tourism related informationprovide tourism related informationGive customers relevant information about historical and cultural locations and events while conveying this information in an entertaining and informative manner.teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.archive documentation related to workarchive documentation related to workSelect relevant documentation related to the ongoing or complete work and take steps to archive it in a way that ensures its future accessibility.interview peopleinterview peopleInterview people in a range of different circumstances.determine authorship of documentsdetermine authorship of documentsDetermine the author of a document by comparing signatures and handwriting through handwriting analysis.teach historyteach historyInstruct students in the theory and practice of history and historical research, and more specifically in topics such as history of the Middle Ages, research methods, and source criticism.develop scientific theoriesdevelop scientific theoriesFormulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.escort visitors to places of interestescort visitors to places of interestBring tourists to places of interest such as museums, exhibitions, theme parks or art galleries.supervise projects for the conservation of heritage buildingssupervise projects for the conservation of heritage buildingsSupervise protection and restoration projects of cultural heritage. Use your expertise to make sure the project runs smoothly.manage tourist groupsmanage tourist groupsMonitor and guide tourists ensuring positive group dynamics and address areas of conflict and concern where they occur.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.provide technical expertiseprovide technical expertiseProvide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.study a collectionstudy a collectionResearch and trace the origins and the historical significance of collections and archive content.document interviewsdocument interviewsRecord, write, and capture answers and information collected during interviews for processing and analysis using shorthand or technical equipment.maintain museum recordsmaintain museum recordsKeep museum records current and in conformity with museum standards.advise on historical contextadvise on historical contextAdvise on the historical context of a production, including historical facts, and contemporary styles.conduct public presentationsconduct public presentationsSpeak in public and interact with those present. Prepare notices, plans, charts, and other information to support the presentation.reconstruct modified documentsreconstruct modified documentsDecipher and reconstruct the content of modified of partially destroyed documents.paleographypaleographyThe study of handwriting and its processes and forms to decipher, interpret and transcribe ancient manuscripts and handwriting styles from different historical periods.