Core Issues Briefing Series - Fall 2026 - Webinar Bundle
- Registration Closed
Overview
Now, more than ever, a constantly evolving landscape is testing the history field. Rather than try to piece together information and tools from disparate sources on topics ranging from workforce challenges to polarization to disaster preparedness, AASLH is now pleased to offer the Core Issues Briefing Series, a set of webinars offering consolidated access to the latest research, insights, and guidance on how to respond to the history sector’s most pressing issues. Join your fellow practitioners for five weeks of once-a-week, hour-long webinars that will help you strengthen your institution, your staff and volunteers, and your programs and services.
Details
DATE: October 7, 14, 21, 28, and November 4, 2026
TIME: 3:00 - 4:00 pm EASTERN (Remember to adjust for your time zone)
COST: $100 members/$205 nonmembers
ACCESS: You will be provided with instructions on how to access the live event upon registration.
Weekly Details
Week 1 - Engaging Younger Generations at History Organizations – October 7, 3pm ET
An enduring challenge for nearly every history organization or site is engaging younger generations. As debates about history and democracy gain intensity, serving these audiences—which signify the future visitors, donors, history practitioners, voters, policymakers, and civic leaders of our society—becomes even more crucial. Meanwhile, younger generations are hungry for information about “how we got here” to shape their understanding of the past and participation in the present. Luckily, there’s an organization dedicated to strengthening ties between youth and history organizations: Made By Us. Attendees to this webinar will hear directly from Made By Us leadership about research and insights that can help history organizations more effectively appeal to and serve youth audiences.
Speaker: Caroline Klibanoff, Made By Us
Week 2 - Understanding the U.S. History Workforce – October 14, 3pm ET
Who works in the history field today? What backgrounds and experiences do they represent? How are they compensated? And how do they feel about their work? >span class="NormalTextRun SCXW94857806 BCX0" data-redactor-span="true"> more sustainable institutions through this clearer, more complete picture of the people who power the history sector.
Speaker: John Marks, AASLH
Week 3 -
Doing History in Polarized Times – October 21, 3pm ET
Political and cultural divisions in America today pose great challenges to the history field. While research shows that there is actually broad public support for a full and accurate portrayal of American history, basic disagreements persist. In an increasingly challenging landscape, how can our field navigate disputes about the past, build on areas of consensus, and strengthen the history field? This webinar will explore recent research and tested strategies to help history practitioners work more effectively in today’s fractious discourse.
Speaker: John Marks, AASLH
Week 4 - Disaster Preparedness for History Organizations and Sites – October 28, 3pm ET
How do you prepare for the worst at your history organization or site? Given increasing extreme weather conditions and other calamities, disaster planning has never been more important. While every history institution is susceptible to disasters of some kind, properly preparing for such events can promote more effective recovery. Attend this webinar to gain a deeper understanding of the risks an organization should consider and how to mitigate them.
Speaker: Bethany Hawkins, AASLH
Week 5 - Understanding the U.S. History Sector – November 4, 3pm ET
America’s history sector is vast, unique, and vital. Using AASLH’s National Census of History Organizations as a primary foundation, attendees to this webinar will learn the ins and outs of the U.S. history sector—its parameters, key characteristics, and top pain points—as well as insights into audience trends. Attendees will gain information to help strengthen their institutions and make the case for importance of the history community to varied stakeholders.
Speaker: John Marks, AASLH
Learning Outcomes: Webinar series participants will learn:
- Research, data, insights, and techniques for navigating the most urgent topics facing the history community.
- How to leverage information shared in the course to strengthen advocacy efforts, guide institutional planning, and support history work at the local, state, and national level.
Who should attend this series?
This series is relevant to practitioners of all levels at history organizations of varied scopes, sizes, and locations with an interest in gaining key knowledge, insights, and techniques about the field’s most urgent issues and how to respond to them. No prior knowledge is necessary.
Recording and Captioning
We will record this event. Captioning is provided for the live event.
Having issues registering? Please contact [email protected]
Please note AASLH's Notetaking Tools Policy: During webinars and online courses, the use of any AI notetaking tools such as meeting assistants is prohibited to ensure the confidentiality and security of the discussion. Our sessions are automatically recorded and transcribed for participants. AI tools will be removed from events by AASLH staff if they appear. Please contact us at [email protected] if you need to use AI tools for accessibility reasons.
