Published Date

June 9, 2024

Resource Type

AHA Standards and Guidelines, For Departments

AHA Topics

Academic Departmental Affairs, Professional Life

Adopted by AHA Council, June 1996. Revised January 5, 2017; June 9, 2024.

The American Historical Association opposes the use of hiring criteria that discriminate against qualified candidates on the basis of age. The use of such criteria at any stage in the search and hiring process is unprofessional and illegal. Furthermore, by eliminating well-qualified candidates simply because of age, search committees lose valuable opportunities to enrich their institutions. No one should be denied the opportunity to pursue a career in history because of their age.