[SIGCIS-Members] Possible coordination re AHA Call for papers

[James Cortada]

I find this all interesting, as I smile.  I have been an AHA member since
1969 and have published about a dozen books on technology and computing
history with the kinds of presses whose books are reviewed in the AHR:
Oxford, Princeton, MIT, and Columbia but the AHR never reviewed them.  So,
you are right the AHR has a loooong way to go to catch up with topics
engaging more people some times than are subscribers.  Besides technology
topics there is the related subject area of information's history, but we
can leave that for another day. So, let's help wherever possible.  Jim
Cortada

On Mon, Mar 30, 2026 at 3:07 PM Dag Spicer via Members <
members at lists.sigcis.org> wrote:

> Hi Peter,
>
> Sounds great!
>
> If you like, take a look at the *AHR History Lab* webpage (link below) to
> get an idea of what they’re about / take a deeper dive into why they’re
> doing this outreach:
>
> "The History Lab launched in March 2022 as an experimental space driven by
> a single question: how can the AHR help reimagine the practice of history
> in the 21st century?  The kinds of field-shaping interventions our authors
> make in the Lab involve collaborative projects designed to showcase
> transformative approaches to new methods and fields in history, to
> reinvigorate more familiar realms of historical study and to expand the
> public facing reach of our historical practices."
>
> Source:
> https://www.historians.org/news-publications/american-historical-review/ahr-history-lab/
>
> So it sounds like their CFP is really about how we think AI* will change
> the practice of history.*
>
> I’m an AHA member and have to say that AI is a huge stretch for their
> membership. Just look at past issues of AHR for articles and book reviews.
> There is basically nothing on the history of technology, computing, or
> science. Incredible scholarship, of course, but not centered on many of our
> concerns. That will be a challenge and an opportunity for writers.
>
> AHA’s motto is also CHM’s “unofficial” motto: “Everything Has a History.”
>
> :_)
>
> All the best,
>
> Dag
> -----
> Dag Spicer
> Senior Curator
> Computer History Museum
> Editorial Board, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing
> ACM History Committee
> 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd.
> Mountain View CA  94043
>
> “History is a vast early warning system.”
> — Norman Cousins, American journalist (1915-1990).
>
> Join our Mailing List here: https://info.computerhistory.org/subscribe
>
>
> On Mar 30, 2026, at 11:18 AM, Meyer, Peter - BLS via Members <
> members at lists.sigcis.org> wrote:
>
>
> The AHA call is exciting.  Thank you, Paul Ceruzzi, for alerting us.
>
> I have in mind to submit a proposal.   My angle would be from economic
> history.  I see similarities in the technological histories leading up to
> other breakthroughs, and the economic histories that follow them. The AI
> “shock” will match some of those.  Economists writing about AI do make
> historical comparisons, and they’re not bad (I think), but sometimes they
> are too compressed or shallow.
>
> I like the idea of a little coordination and mutual education.  Perhaps
> SIGCIS folks could have a joint video conversation in April or May to
> discuss potential submissions, get a sense of the idea landscape, and
> coordinate or coauthor if there is overlap.  I will be happy to set up such
> a call, or attend if someone else organizes it.  Anyone freely contact me
> if interested.
> —
> *Peter B. Meyer*
> Research Economist
> U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
> U.S. Department of Labor
>
> *From:* Members <members-bounces at lists.sigcis.org> *On Behalf Of *James
> Cortada via Members
> *Sent:* Sunday, March 29, 2026 9:31 AM
> *To:* Ceruzzi, Paul <CeruzziP at si.edu>
> *Cc:* sigcis <members at sigcis.org>
> *Subject:* [External Email] Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Call for papers,
> American Historical Association
>
> I agree.  Can we ask our SIGCIS leaders to call the editor of the American
> Historical Review and discuss putting some structure around this interest
> by the AHA so it doesn't just publish haphazardly whatever someone wants
> to?  Jim Cortada
>
> On Sun, Mar 29, 2026 at 8:09 AM Ceruzzi, Paul via Members <
> members at lists.sigcis.org> wrote:
>
> I saw this call from the AHA for papers about Artificial Intelligence..
> Many of the topics suggested have been well-covered by members of SIGCIS,
> but perhaps the AHA membership is unaware of our (your) work.
>
>
> https://www.historians.org/news-publications/american-historical-review/how-to-submit/ai-in-historical-perspectives/?_zs=noama&_zl=gfLu4
>
> Paul Ceruzzi
>
> --
> James W. Cortada
> Senior Research Fellow
> Charles Babbage Institute
> University of Minnesota
> jcortada at umn.edu
> 608-274-6382
>
> .
>
> *CAUTION: *External email. Beware of links & attachments.
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-- 
James W. Cortada
Senior Research Fellow
Charles Babbage Institute
University of Minnesota
jcortada at umn.edu
608-274-6382
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