Policies and Documents of the Association

• Organization, Jurisdiction, and Operation of Association Divisions and Committees (updated 2021)

  The following is a brief overview of the Divisions and committees of the Association. This survey is divided into seven parts. Part I deals with Council and its three Divisions, and the remainder of the report describes the Association’s elected and appointed committees (categorized as elected and permanent, prize and award, fellowship, grant, standing, and ad hoc).

• Affiliation with the American Historical Association (updated 2017)

  Currently, over 150 history-oriented organizations are affiliated with the AHA. The Association’s goal in establishing this broad network of organizations is to promote collaboration and communication across the history community.

• AHA Member Forum Guidelines (Updated 2024)

  The AHA Member Forum supports the exchange of ideas and information between members of the Association. When posting on the Member Forum, members are expected to adhere to the guidelines.

• Annual Budget and Operating Reserve Policy (2021)

  The annual budget and use of the operating reserve should adhere to guidelines set forth in the Annual Budget and Operating Reserve Policy.

• Annual Meeting Guidelines (updated 2021)

  Since the first annual meeting in 1884, yearly gatherings of the AHA have provided an opportunity to share new findings in every field of study, exchange information about the state of the discipline, and engage in professional development.

• Annual Meeting Location Policy (updated 2017)

  The AHA Council sets policy for finding locations for future annual meetings.

• Annual Meeting Media and Recording Policy (updated 2018)

  Those interested in recording or covering the AHA annual meeting can find important policies here.

• Code of Professional Conduct at Officially Sanctioned AHA Activities (2023)

  The AHA annual meeting and other officially sanctioned AHA activities are convened for the purposes of professional development and scholarly and educational interchange in the spirit of free inquiry and free expression.

• Conflict of Interest Policy (2012)

  Historians should take this policy into account when determining possible conflict of interest in professional or public obligations.

• Diversity in AHA Nominations and Appointments (updated 2017)

  Criteria for elected and appointed office within the AHA must be consistent with the goals and purposes of the Association. The AHA can only function as the umbrella organization for the profession if it brings together and represents historians from all work settings and in all chronological, geographical, and topical specializations, across gender and color lines.

• Endorsement of Historical Projects Policy (2003)

  The American Historical Association has two forms of involvement in worthy historical projects that sponsors can request. The first is recognition, and the second is participation or endorsement

• Endorsements Policy (2021)

  When the AHA is asked to "endorse" or "support" a campaign or project initiated by others, the Association will normally decline such formal endorsement unless the Association or its designated member(s) have had some role in creating or participating in the evolution of that initiative.

• Exhibits, Advertisements, Mailing List Rentals, and Sales Policy (updated 2017)

  The American Historical Association has the responsibility as well as the right to exercise control over the content of its publications in order to fulfill its legal obligations, as stated in its Act of Incorporation to act “in the interest of American history and history in America.”

• Investment Committee Statement of Responsibilities (updated 2019)

  The main responsibility of the Investment Committee is to provide a strategic framework for the investment of AHA's financial assets and to monitor the work of our investment managers.

• Investment Objectives and Guidelines (2023)

  It is the intention of the AHA to allow the investment manager full discretion within the scope of these mutually agreed upon investment guidelines.

• Oversight of American Historical Review (2016)

  This document aims to clarify the purpose and methods of oversight of the American Historical Review (AHR). It synthesizes information in governing documents about roles and responsibilities, and it adds a statement of principles of oversight.

• Policy on Revoking Prizes and Awards (2019)

  The AHA Council reserves the right to revoke prizes and awards at its discretion, pursuant to the policy outlined herein.

• Policies and Procedures for Considering Amicus Brief Requests (2020)

  The AHA may consider requests for endorsing amicus briefs that coincide with the AHA's Guiding Principles for Taking a Public Stance. Such requests may be submitted by members of the Association, litigants, or other scholarly associations.

• Policy Regarding the Changing of Authors' Names in AHA Publications (2021)

  On request of the author, the AHA will update author names in the digital version of publications, including articles in the American Historical Review and Perspectives on History and content written for the AHA website.

• Prizes Policy (updated 2021)

  Through our numerous awards, grants, and fellowship programs, the Association recognizes and supports a wide variety of notable historical work, following the policies outlined here.

• Professional Division Adjudication of Complaints Policy (updated 2023)

  Since 2003 AHA no longer invites or adjudicates formal complaints relating to violations of its Statement on Standards of Professional Conduct.

• Resolution Supporting Scholars off the Higher Education Tenure Track (2019)

  On December 10, 2019 the AHA adopted a resolution in support of scholars off the higher education tenure track and expressed its commitment to support, encourage, and engage the thousands of history scholars currently working off the higher education tenure track in a variety of settings.

• Travel Policy (2024)

  Participants attending AHA events who plan to request reimbursement for travel expenses should make their own travel arrangements in accordance with the following guidelines.