Responsibility and the Public Historian: How historians can use short-form media to combat misinformation
A year ago I created a TikTok account out of pure curiosity.
Okay, let’s be honest, I was looking for a way to disconnect, and this short-form app with sleeping puppies and catchy dance breaks seemed like the ticket.
I had never planned on becoming a content creator. I was happy to merely scroll my For You Page as the algorithm worked its magic by supplying me with art, travel, and comedic content that suited my interests.
Then one night it happened…
While scrolling my FYP a video caught my eye. This particular post with over 1 million views aimed to prove that all ancient women understood submission, and furthermore, that the idea of a woman leading with strength was a new concept. I couldn’t let this go, and a comment did not seem to suffice my need to scream from the rooftops! I posted my first TikTok debunking this myth and woke up the next morning to 200,000 views. “Oh no…” I thought to myself, “What do I do now?”
I was new on the Public History scene, recently back in higher education after an eight-year break and writing freelance articles that compared cycles in history with the polarized political atmosphere in the United States. Was this random post at 9pm on a Tuesday a fluke? Or was there an audience for short-form history content?
Turns out “HistoryTok” is not only a carved niche, but it is also widely popular, with several history focused creators reaching over one million followers. Professors and enthusiasts alike try to catch your attention for an average of 42 seconds (according to Statista March 2023) to bring you content about the past through archaeology, historical research, and short-form documentary style content.
This broad public access means information can become more accessible and approachable to viewers, but it also leaves room for sensationalism and debunked historical narratives to thrive in pursuit of lucrative content. Because of this, it can seem daunting for historians and archaeologists to produce factual and researched posts that can compete with misinformation. The balancing act between entertainment and education is not a fundamental module in our humanities courses. Let alone the knowledge on how to defend against attacks when presenting researched history dismantles popular views and interpretation. Even so, the growing need for responsible history content is growing, and more academics are feeling the pull to bridge the gap and join public historians in creating engaging public facing content. While there is no guidebook (yet) on how to do this, here are three ways to equip yourself on the road to self-produced and researched content creation:
- Cite Reputable Sources:
Just like in academic writing, short-form history content requires reputable referenced material and will vary depending on your format. When presenting educational content on an historical event or figure, at least three reputable and accessible sources should be minimum. While aiming to keep your audience engaged it may not seem prudent to cite them directly in your video, but as a creator you should be ready to provide them willingly when asked. If your sources are behind a journal paywall, be sure to give context of the article and why it was used in your research. Since there is no peer review when making social content, having a reputation for using and citing sources helps provide accountability as well as showcases your goal of producing factual content.
On this note, because we are all human, be prepared to be wrong! When a historian is presented with information that turns out to be reputable and correct, amending with humility is always key to building your reputation as a trusted historical source. - Condense your information in a way that is accessible:
TikTok decides who to push your content to. While you may end up on the FYP of peers and colleagues, your informative content will overwhelmingly be shown to those who do not possess prior knowledge to the presented topic. The top comment I receive is “If only I had been told this in high school!” Nothing excites me more than being able to open communication regarding navigation tools and ancient mathematicians (my research focus). This is where entertainment and education meet. While another article could go into the details of high production value for short-form content, a new creator can truly rely on excitement about what they are teaching! Your enthusiasm will be infectious and will help spark the interest of your audience. Keeping your audience intrigued also requires some knowledge in how to summarize your research. This is not a lecture hall, and most are on short-form media apps to disconnect; condensed enthusiastic content is key. - Create an atmosphere that encourages curiosity:
Whether you are an academic entering a public facing role, or a seasoned public historian, the goal of providing short-form educational content should always be to lessen the haze of elitism. One reason sensationalist content thrives is because these stories often seem more accessible and exciting. Viewers will often approach the role of historian or archaeologist in two ways:
1. You are Indiana Jones in the flesh or 2. You are an elitist who doesn’t believe the public can understand your knowledge and research.
Both create a narrative of being unapproachable and can make your work appear inaccessible. Several of my colleagues have expressed that dismantling these notions is a hurtle for all forms of public access media (podcast, YouTube, Reels…).
As a creator you must be prepared for humble patience as you earn the trust of your viewers. This is greatly helped by creating an online persona that is not only approachable, but familiar. Be thoughtful in your presentation to not talk at your viewers but with them. This is done by showing your general excitement as mentioned prior, but also creating a space where your viewers feel safe to ask questions! TikTok allows you to answer comments in video format, creating a wonderful way to engage with your following and show a willing presence to answer questions big and small. As you form a community of trusted mutuals, deferring questions to those who may have more experience in a topic is another way to showcase anti elitism and gives a chance for conversations to spread across the HistoryTok community. Creating curiosity and community can help combat sensationalist content and can equip you with a sound reputation should you decide to combat misinformation directly.
Short-form history content can be fun and engaging, but it must be done with responsibility and due diligence both in your content, and behind the scenes. When equipped with a game plan and a solid foundation of research, you can reach a community that is willing and waiting to learn.
Alexandria is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Humanities Guild, an organization that aims to equip underrepresented students and professionals to succeed in public facing roles through community, outreach, and education. She is also a public history writer, and content creator. You can follower her at @AlexandriaArtifact
