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Mission statement

Applied History entails a broad range of practices in which researchers bring historical research to bear on current affairs, translate social issues into historical research questions, and formulate policy advice and interventions based on their research. Currently, researchers are working on this across the entire spectrum of RICH: within NWA projects, commissioned research, and the Journal of Applied History whose editorial office is also based here. Moreover, all of us at RICH are at least challenged to consider the possible social impact, significance and translation of our research when submitting research proposals (in what is known as the knowledge utilization section). The expertise in applied history is also reflected in our education programme, especially in a series of master's programs with a distinct labor market profile, and in the minors.

Framework

The RICH research group Applied History provides a framework to bring this expertise together by strengthening mutual exchange and embedding RICH-wide. Knowledge utilization plays a central role in current and future science policy, both nationally and at a European level. Joining forces is essential for the Humanities to convincingly highlight the added value of our disciplines – and our capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration. The current practice is all too often one of individually reinventing the wheel (How do I substantiate the added value of my research? With which social parties do I work? Which practices and methods do I use to shape knowledge utilization and application?), or of ad hoc partnerships. The research group provides the framework for an exchange of best practices, building and expanding common social networks under the banner of RICH, and formulating a convincing story about the added value of our expertise and skills.

Handbook

The research group also aims to offer a framework for discussion about applied history in the classroom. It is the intention of the research group to discuss the development of an Applied History Handbook.

Key publications

• Jelle van Lottum, “Structuur en empathie: de geschiedenis van arbeidsmigratie naar Nederland in vergelijkend perspectief” (pdf, 2,2 MB). Inaugural lecture, uu77, 20 May 2022.
• Harm Kaal and Jelle van Lottum, “,”&�Բ�����;Journal of Applied History 3:1-2 (2021), 135-154.
• Carla Hoetink and Harm Kaal, Doordacht digitaliseren. Digitalisering doordacht. Resultaten van een onderzoek naar het parlementaire debat over digitaliseringsvraagstukken, 2009-2019 (Nijmegen 2020). Research report (pdf, 516 kB) commissioned by the Temporary Committee on the Digital Future.