Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon is a visiting scholar with the First Federal Congress Project, Washington, DC. She lives in Vienna, Virginia, and has been a member since 2003.

Website: http://kathleenbartolonituazon.com

Alma maters: PhD, George Washington University, 2010; MPhil, George Washington University, 2006; MCP (Department of City and Regional Planning), MS (Department of Forestry and Resource Management), University of California, Berkeley, 1984; MLIS, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1973; BA, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1972

Fields of interest: political and popular culture of the early American Republic, early presidency, evolution of executive power, popular sovereignty and public opinion in the early American Republic

When did you first develop an interest in history?
My interest in history stems from reading a biography of George Washington and having a nagging feeling that I was not getting a full picture of what was really going on during that time. The more I explored and read about the early Republic, the more I realized that I not only wanted to immerse myself in the scholarship, I also wanted to contribute to that scholarship.

What projects are you currently working on?
I have recently finished my book on the presidential title controversy, For Fear of an Elective King: George Washington and the Presidential Title Controversy of 1789 (Cornell, 2014). My new project examines the presidency’s place within a popular sovereignty, the evolution of executive power in the early constitutional era, George Washington’s understanding of popular sovereignty, and his regard for the people and public opinion during his presidency.

Is there an article, book, movie, blog etc. that you could recommend to fellow AHA members?
Hamilton is an easy answer. I saw it last July and enjoyed it immensely. The musical begins touring nationally later this year, so it will be easier to see by a larger part of the country.

Liz Covert’s Ben Franklin’s World is a great history podcast and a fun Facebook group.

99 Percent Invisible is another excellent podcast.

What do you value most about the history profession?
The collegiality of my fellow historians

Why have you continued to be a member of the AHA?
I value the quality of the American Historical Review, and also I wish to support the links and communication among historians that the organization supports.

Other than history, what are you passionate about?
Birdwatching, hiking, music, gardening, my family, and Star Trek. Live long and prosper!

AHA members are involved in all fields of history, with wide-ranging specializations, interests, and areas of employment. To recognize our talented and eclectic membership, AHA Today features a regular AHA Member Spotlight series.

This post first appeared on AHA Today.