Name: Josie Vine, Ph.D.

University Affiliation: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Position: Senior Lecturer, School of Media & Communication, Journalism Program

1. In her book, Thinking About History, historian Sarah Maza describes history as a multifaceted concept, and one of the definitions she provides is that history is “what the present needs to know about the past.” How do you define history? 

I think I would define history as the stories we remember and tell each other, which, in an allegorical sense, guide our collective values and beliefs, norms and practices. But we can also question and interrogate these stories—look for other interpretations of the same event—so we can question and interrogate the appropriateness of our own ways of seeing and ways-of-doing. 

This then means that we each have a duty to record and reflect upon current events, so they evolve into the history of the future. 

The AEJMC History Division is pleased to once again offer its mentorship program this year and we’re seeking participants. Prior mentors and mentees have found the program highly beneficial, with many choosing to continue their relationships informally after their year has ended. The program is very loosely structured. It’s up to the mentee and mentor to determine what works best for them.

If you’re looking for help with your teaching (ex: assignment ideas, classroom management tips, prepping a new class), research (ex: what journals/conferences to target, feedback on a potential journal/conference submission), or career (ex: tenure & promotion, searching for jobs, work/life balance), sign up as a mentee. Whether you’re a grad student, assistant professor, associate professor, or other, our division’s mentorship program is open to you.