Australians retain a strong appetite for their own history, yet many historians are being discouraged from publishing books that would reach local readers. According to new research from UNSW, 83% of Australians believe history is relevant to society today, but only 57% feel they know much about it. While podcasts and social media have boosted history education, books remain a primary vehicle for in-depth historical storytelling and often serve as the foundation for other media, including radio interviews and literary festivals.
Publishing Pressures Favor International Markets
Despite a healthy market for Australian history among local readers, many history books written by Australian academics are not found in local bookshops. Elizabeth Weiss, nonfiction publisher and digital publishing director at Allen and Unwin, noted a “public respect” and “public interest” in history. However, a new survey by the Australian Historical Association of 223 members—including historians, researchers, students, and publishers—reveals that universities increasingly favor high-impact journal articles over books, and there is a bias toward international publishers over Australian ones.
The study found that many academics feel pressured to publish with “international” university presses, typically American or British, which results in books priced well above the average reader's budget—sometimes exceeding A$200—and rarely available in local bookshops. One young scholar with an award-winning book from a top Australian academic press reported that an anonymous assessor for an Australian Research Council application questioned their “choice of publisher,” urging them to consider “more prominent international academic presses.”
Impact on Historians and Readers
This pressure to chase international prestige often forces historians to forgo local audiences. “When I signed a contract with an Australian university press, my then Head of Department said, ‘That’s a shame. An Australian publishing a book about Australian history with an Australian press betrays a lack of ambition,’” one early career historian told researchers. Another noted that they only felt able to publish with an Australian press because they already had a continuing position.
The trend reflects the rise of the “enterprise university” since the 1990s, where international publishing is seen as a marker of prestige and helps improve university rankings, which in turn attract high-fee-paying international students. However, this comes at the cost of making historical research inaccessible to the Australian public that funds it.
Value of History Books
Books remain a crucial medium for historical storytelling, allowing historians to present complex narratives and interpret sources. “Even in a changing digital world, the book remains the most enduring and compelling form of storytelling,” one survey respondent said. Another called it “the finest expression of the historians’ art.” Books also inform documentaries, films, podcasts, museum exhibitions, and school curricula, amplifying their influence beyond the page.
Early and mid-career historians expressed concern about the conditions for publishing books. While committed to the book format, they face increasing workloads and precarious employment, making sustained research and writing difficult.
Missed Opportunities for Universities
The shift in publishing culture is seen as a missed opportunity for universities to engage with the public and demonstrate their value. By prioritizing inaccessible publications, universities undermine their social license and fail to contribute to the vibrant public culture essential for a democratic society. As one respondent put it, the “cultural cringe” identified by Arthur Phillips in 1950 is still alive in Australian universities, where local publishing is undervalued.
