Setting Research Agendas


I believe that research in world history can proceed at a more rapid rate and in more useful directions if it is coordinated by formal discussions of research agenda, in which an appropriate range of scholars identify the topics of greatest current importance and seek to gather resources for research on those topics.


"Research Agenda in World History: Past and Present Choices". In this paper, presented at the 2005 WHA conference in Morocco, I review past choices and future options in selecting research emphases in world history.



"World History: Next Ten Years". Along with H. Parker James, I led in organizing this March 2004 conference, intended to help set an agenda for research, teaching, and institutional growth in world history.



The World History Center, founded in 1994, had a ten-year period of activity in research, graduate education, multimedia development, curriculum-writing, and professional development in world history. It is hoped that other institutions will arise to continue its work.