Welcome flair applicants! This is the place to apply for a flair – the colored text you will have seen next to some user's names indicating their specialization. We are always looking for new flaired users, and if you think you have what it takes to join the panel of historians, you're in the right place!
For examples of previous applications, and our current panel of historians, you can find the previous application thread here, and there is a list of active flaired users on our wiki.
A flair in /r/AskHistorians indicates extensive, in-depth knowledge about an area of history and a proven track record of providing great answers in the subreddit. In applying for a flair, you are claiming to have:
Expertise in an area of history, typically from either degree-level academic experience or an equivalent amount of self-study. For more exploration of this, check out this thread.
The ability to cite sources from specialist literature for any claims you make within your area.
The ability to provide high quality answers in the subreddit in accordance with our rules.
For a more in-depth look at how applications are analyzed, consult this helpful guide on our wiki explaining what an answer that demonstrates the above looks like, as well as this META thread which provides some analysis of the application process.
To apply for a flair, simply post in this thread. Your post needs to include:
Links to 3-5 comments in /r/AskHistorians that show you meet the above requirements, and of which at least three were posted in the last six months.
The text of your flair and which category it belongs in (see the sidebar). Be as specific as possible as we prefer flair to reflect the exact area of your expertise as near as possible, but be aware there is a limit of 64 characters.
One of the moderators will then either confirm your flair or, if the application doesn't adequately show you meet the requirements, explain what's missing. If you get rejected, don't despair! We're happy to give you advice and pointers on how to improve your portfolio for a future application. Plenty of panelists weren't approved the first time.
If there's a backlog this may take a few days but we will try to get around to everyone as quickly as possible.
"I'm an Expert About Something But Never Have a Chance to Write About It!"
Some topics only come up once in a blue moon, but that doesn't mean you can't still get flair in it! There are a number of avenues to follow, many of which are dealt with in greater detail at the last section of this thread.
Expected Behavior
We invest a large amount of trust in the flaired members of /r/askhistorians, as they represent the subreddit when answering questions, participating in AMAs, and even in their participation across reddit as a whole. As such, we do take into account an applicant's user history reddit-wide when reviewing an application, and will reject applicants whose post history demonstrate bigotry, racism, or sexism. Such behavior is not tolerated in /r/askhistorians, and we do not tolerate it from our panelists in any capacity. We additionally reserve the right to revoke flair based on evidence of such behavior after the application process has been completed. /r/AskHistorians is a safe space for everyone, and those attitudes have no place here.
Quality Contributors
If you see an unflaired user consistently giving excellent answers, they can be nominated for a "Quality Contributor" flair. Just message the mods their username and some example comments which you believe meet the above criteria.
Revoking Flair
Having a flair brings with it a greater expectation to abide by the subreddit's rules and maintain the high standard of discussion we all like to see here. The mods will revoke the flair of anybody who continually breaks the rules, fails to meet the standard for answers in their area of expertise, or violates the above mentioned expectations. Happily, we almost never have to do this.
Additional Resources
Before applying for flair, we encourage you to check out these resources to help you with the application process:
I'd like to apply for flair. The area I'm most knowledgeable about is the Holocaust and the Second World War generally.
In multiple parts I've answered a question about how Germans came to terms with the Holocaust after the war.
I've also answered a question about the relative ability of the Polish Army at the outset of the Second World War.
Also, a question about what happened to the Jews of Minsk.
Hello!
I firstly want to thank /u/commiespaceinvader for encouraging me to apply and //Georgy_K_Zhukov for his citation of one of my answers.
I am currently getting my M.A. in history at the University of Arizona, with plans to stay in the program and pursue my Ph.D there as well. I am an expert on the history of modern Spain. My thesis work primarily deals with the early nineteenth century but my training as a modern Spanish historian gives me expertise in both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. For my flair (should you choose to grant me one), you can just put Modern Spain- 19th and 20th century.
Links to answers: The Spanish transition to democracy
Regional nationalisms in the nineteenth century The follow-up answer includes sources
Hello all. I posted in the flair thread last week but I think that thread was closed soon after (or something). Cut and paste:
Hello, fellow historians. I have been ordered to seek flair, and here I am. My almost-finished doctorate involves the Athenian Elite under the Democracy, but I secretly like the Romans more! I might suggest Republican Roman Political and Social History.
On the governing of Roman towns in Italia, featuring naughty Capua and a follow-up.
A difficult question involving those wacky Mamertines and Messana.
The Roman [subprime mortgage crisis] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4pba6b/did_ancient_economies_have_recessions/)-- sort of.
Egypt and the Late Republic, with follow-up on Roman Imperial Egypt. And, related, on the killing of Pompeius in Egypt.
Some background on the Roman idea of a situation coming down to the triarii. The person asking deleted their account, but whatever -- I love that phrase. Plus, Livy.
Finally, some bibliographic suggestions for the Roman Economy.
Hello, I'm a fourth year PhD candidate in medieval history and can confirm my university details and faculty information on PM.
My expertise is Medieval Gender and Sexuality (dissertation focused on the development of lay conceptions of masculinity and manhood in the late eleventh and early twelfth century) and here are the last four comments I contributed for you to consider for flair. If you dislike them I am sure I can try again with more. Thanks for your time!
Edit: Added another contribution on medieval borders.
Hi! I'd like to apply for a blue flair (European History) in the Military Orders and Late Medieval British Isles. I'm a PhD student researching the Knights Hospitaller in late medieval Britain and Ireland.
I've answered the following questions specifically on the military orders:
About Templar mythology and the Order's suppression
On life as an Orthodox Greek in the Hospitaller state on Rhodes
On medieval battlefield medicine and whether the Hospitallers acted as battlefield medics
And these more generally on the medieval period, with a focus on Britain and Ireland:
About the value of medieval forest land
I'd like to apply for flair. Within the subset of European History.
My main area of interest so far is Italian Fascism with specific attention to the figure of Mussolini. I would therefore apply for: 'Mussolini and Italian Fascism' or something similar.
I have posted on the subject and here are some examples:
Hi there! I'd like to apply for a blue flair (European History) in Fifth-Century Athens (I really like the phrase "golden age of Athens," but it's kind of fallen by the wayside). I'm a Classics grad student with a newly minted BA.
Three longer answers:
And two slightly briefer answers:
I would like to apply for flair within the subset of European history. My main expertise is in "Early Modern England & Convict Labor". I have posted the following responses:
On King James VI's Daemonologie
On the nature of the Diggers movement
On why the West Indian and Canadian colonies did not join the American War for Independence
Edit: I no longer wish to apply for flair, thank you.
Hi guys. I'd like to apply for flair in the area of "Asian History", specializing in "Imperial & Early Modern China | Chinese Ethnicity". These are my relevant responses:
On the assimilation of Manchu culture in Qing and Republican China.
On the treatment of ethnic minorities in Imperial China
On the technology and economics of the Han Dynasty
On the origins of the national identity of China
On the interactions between Han Chinese and Qing China
On the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests
On political cannibalism in Guangxi Province, China during the Cultural Revolution
On the construction of the Great Wall.
My favorite topic to discuss (and one I repeatedly have responded to) is Chinese ethnicity. Most of my answers involve the Qing, but I always try to highlight trends leading into Early Modern China. Thanks for the consideration!
If possible I'd like to apply for the flair (or rather reapply, since I was a flaired user a long time ago on a previous account, /u/Giambattista_Vico) "History of Modern Political Thought", with the white religion and philosophy colour.
I'm currently in the later stages of a rather eclectic PhD on technology and catastrophe in socialist and fascist political thought in 19th-20th century Europe and Japan (which originally started off as an attempt at grappling with socialist revisionism), and I also teach papers on the history of political thought 1700-present.
Example answers on my current account (disparate contexts but all related to modern political thought)
Longer answers:
Shorter answers:
Hello,
I'd like to apply for red flair on the "Salem Witch Trials" which has been my research area for 5 years. I've answered a variety of questions on the subject.
Here I explain what happened- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4weceb/what_actually_happened_during_the_witch_trials_in/
Here I discuss the causes- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3lu1t0/why_did_the_salem_witch_trials_start/
Here I cover sources on the trials- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4zjzft/what_are_some_good_resources_to_look_up_some/
And here I consider the hypothetical of how someone would be accused- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4vu16w/im_a_young_woman_in_salem_1692_how_likely_is_it/
I'm an ABD Ph.D student in Theology specializing in Patristic and Medieval theology with a minor area in 19th century German philosophy/theology. I'd be glad to prove my university affiliation via PM. My dissertation is on the Latin reception and critique of Nestorianism. I don't think I've posted here before, but I'd be glad to start helping.
I would like to apply for flair on "Medieval and Early Modern Christianity | Intellectual History".
On the differences between modern Roman Catholic liturgies and those in Rome in 1000AD.
On when the Roman Catholic church developed fee-for-service practices.
[On the English Reformation prior to the break with Rome.] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/52epq4/what_was_the_reformation_and_protestantism_in/d7k27fe)
On Martin Luther's doctrine of justification and views on good works.
All right. So I didn't actually think I am good enough for a flair but a couple of flaired users pushed for me to apply, so here's my application:
I'd like to apply for a Sengoku Japan flair, either as an Asian flair or a Military flair.
My answers:
Castle sieges in the Sengoku
Japanese Castle Towns during a siege
Here are some other answers. I personally think are not actually the best, but they're good enough for here or so I'm told.
[Why Kobayakawa got the important flank at Sekigahara] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4rvebf/given_doubts_about_his_loyalty_why_was_kobayakawa/)
Why did Tokugawa Ieyasu kept changing his name
Why did Akechi Mitsuhide turn on Oda Nobunaga - though more of a "he didn't do it for these reasons"
Now I want to put a big note here. I have a bachelors in general history and a minor in (East) Asian Studies, with no specialization. A lot of my answers, many not related to Japan, are taken from my textbooks, or just interested readings.
There's a lack of quality sources in English on the details of the Sengoku. Being able to read Japanese means I can go one deeper. However I don't have a Japanese university paywall login, and not being in Japan I am relying on Google (a lot of Japanese organization and enthusiasts helpfully put relevant sections or entire copies of primary sources up), Kindle, and UBC's Asian Studies collection when I can go there. So my answers might not be the most up-to-date research-wise. I for one knows the people at Samurai Archives Podcasts do a lot better job than I can (maybe someone should invite them over). I totally understand if this disqualifies me or if I just get a Quality Contributor flair.
I'd like a flair that says 'Southeast Asian Archipelago in the Early Modern Era.'
Edit: On second thought, no, because I know very little about the Philippines and a few other places (e.g. Brunei). Idk what the flair should be then - any suggestions?
I would like to apply for the flair of Economic History.
Here are the relevant responses,
[On paying for New Deal] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5dq5aj/how_was_the_new_deal_payed_for/da6uox4/)
On the reason for Gorbachev's reforms in Soviet Union
[On whether there has existed a Socialist country with liberal democracy] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5erp78/have_there_ever_been_any_socialist_states_that/daew4t5/)
On the Cuban Special Period (1991-1996)
On Cuban domestic economic policy and their consequences
On the economic situation in Britain before Thatcher
On whether economic policy by Hoover and Coolidge caused the 1930's Depression
On economic relationship between Japan and the United States post World War 2
Thanks for your consideration.
Hi,
I would like to apply for a flair that's something along the lines of 'History Of Psychology' in addition to my current flair (hey, if anyone wants me to explain why exactly Jimi Hendrix might have thought manic depression was a frustrating mess, I'm your man). I'm a tutor in a history of psychology subject at the tertiary level, and have answered some questions on the topic in this sub recently:
Thanks!
It has been suggested I apply for flair. This would be firmly in the "Other" category - text something like: "Pulp Studies & H. P. Lovecraft". My specialty is pulp fiction and late-19th/early-20th century genre fiction, with a focus on H. P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, and the rest of the Weird Tales crowd, although that has taken me into some strange waters - history of occultism for the period, views on race and sexuality in the 20s and 30s, etc. I don't have a degree in history, but I wrote the academic non-fiction work Sex and the Cthulhu Mythos (2014, Hippocampus Press) and compiled the index in Collected Letters of Robert E. Howard - Index and Addenda (2015, Robert E. Howard Foundation Press), as well as a number of articles and essays. I'm currently working on another book looking at race and prejudice related to those subjects, and have a pretty good library of specialist literature on the topics. As far as my contributions:
On Native American motifs in 20th century American genre fiction
On Nazis and the Occult (with a focus on the narrative tropes that have proliferated in pop culture)
And I like to throw in on the Friday Free-for-Alls, with stuff like:
A lot of these have to do with exploring the world that Lovecraft, Howard, et al. lived in, the context of their times, and how it influenced their fiction (and through them, the history of the genre.
I'd like to apply for a red flair on the [American Civil War].
In this reply and its follow-up, I overview my thoughts on the historiography
I explore the rationale behind and debate around battle tactics in the Civil War here:
I've dug into some very interesting primary sources in the Eastern Theatre here:
and here:
I describe the failure and impact of the Peninsula campaign here:
Here and in follow ups, I expound on the situation and impact of the Gettysburg campaign:
Hi Mods! I wondered if you wouldn't mind de-flairing me? All the time I've been flaired I've been under the illusion that I know enough about my specialty to warrant it but I don't know enough.
I'm not as well versed as others in things like source criticism and historiography and I have a problem with the idea that because something is "accepted" that means it's "right" (depending on the school of thought that one uses to help analyse sources, which could be flawed in itself) which is a big part of the historical method.
I like history but I am no historian.
Hi, I'm an Australian PhD student in Ancient History, and I'd probably describe my area of "expertise" (perhaps an exaggerated claim...) as "Mid to Late Republican and Early Imperial Roman Warfare". I'm new here and I don't really expect to be granted flair for just turning up and having read a few books, but I thought I'd try anyway. I'm happy enough to even be considered for now. I've always enjoyed writing and reading responses to historical questions on the net and while I've lurked here for a while I've decided it's probably the best place I can find for this sort of thing.
Here's three answers which also include a couple of replies:
The ability of Roman legionaries to kill in battle
[The large size of migratory tribal armies faced by Rome and Roman military logistics] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4ro7u9/how_did_tribal_cultures_field_armies_larger_than/)
On Roman manpower and their ability to field large armies
EDIT: [Another one on the Macedonian phalanx's defense against missile fire] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4rv9cs/i_remember_reading_somewhere_that_the_pikes_of/)
Thanks for your consideration.
Hi, I'd like to apply for flair on "The British Empire, 1815-Present," if possible.
Here's a discussion on The Suez Crisis, its importance, and Australian reactions.
Here's one on the British and co-operation with Indian Elites.
And here's one from yesterday on measuring the benefits (or lack thereof) of empire to the average Briton.
As a bonus, to prove that when details are necessary I go deeper into the literature than I usually do in primary responses, a discussion on the Post-War Boom in the US, and how much was attributable to Europe's destruction.
Hi, it's PapiriusCursor again, this time with my named spelled correctly! I was hoping you could transfer my flair to this much more historically accurate account, so I can shut the other one down. Apologies for the inconvenience!
Hello, I'd like to apply for flair on the North American Presidents.
Here's a discussion of Calvin Coolidge's role in the Great Depression: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/537o0g/how_much_blame_does_calvin_coolidge_deserve_for/d7qq4kt
Another regarding security at the White House under Grover Cleveland: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/50yvm3/what_was_security_like_at_the_white_house_prior/d780blt
A string of answers discussing George Washington and early US politics: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5106at/what_was_the_domestic_and_international_reaction/d78b3cv
A discussion of Reagan and Iran-Contra: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4o4etn/why_wasnt_reagan_charged_with_treason_for_his/d49o53f
A discussion of HW Bush's reputation: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4o4qaw/how_do_historians_generally_view_george_hw_bush/d49p5u1
And a discussion of John Adams' presidency: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4ob2l7/why_was_john_adams_considered_a_bad_president/d4b4u50
If possible, I'd also like to be considered for 'History of Religion' flair, specifically in ancient religions:
A discussion of Zoroastrianism with a follow-up answer: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4oklbk/whats_special_about_zoroastrianism_how_does_it/d4djdmt
Discussion of the history of Bible translations (of debatable relevance): https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4ohkdv/why_is_the_king_james_version_of_the_bible/d4crwrz
A brief answer on Iranian Christians (also of debatable relevance, I'll admit): https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4uw4na/why_are_there_no_iranian_christians/d5twqq5
And a discussion of the syncretistic elements of Islam under Muhammad: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4mbw9b/would_mohammed_have_read_some_of_the_early_texts/d3uo8hs
I would like to apply for flair. My specialty is Disease in the Modern and Ancient World with my thesis in a MA program covering disease rates in the Civil War. I have presented at several conferences as an undergraduate on the topic of disease both Modern and Ancient. I will be publishing a paper on Germ Theory early next year as a graduate student. Here are my more pertinent contributions: *My Work On Graveyards *Civil War Medicine Thread *On Early Slavery
We ask that top level replies be Applications for Flair. If you have any questions about flair, the process itself, or anything else related, please respond to this stickied post only.
Hi,
I would like to apply for flair in Medieval History, specifically the Crusades and early medieval Spain. I have a Master of Arts in Medieval History. My knowledge base covers the entire period but my Masters Thesis specifically addressed Said's orientalism historiographical theory of creating community identity based on the identity of your enemies or "the other." I also took a really in depth course on medieval gender and power theory as well. My post history is all over the board when commenting on medieval posts:
Here I discussed the relationship between monarchs and papal authority.
Here I discussed the religious/folk culture of medieval laity.
Here I discussed the validity of television period dramas (The Tudors/Borgias/Reign/etc) depicting the rampant lack of monogamy in court life.
I would like to apply for the flair "Imperial Roman Society and Identity"
Hello mods!
I would like to request flair for "Classical and Medieval Mediterranean History" in the European History section. Here are some post examples:
Palmyra's rebellion against Rome
Byzantine and Ottoman demographic changes
As always, thanks for all of your work! This is an awesome subreddit, and I hope that I can contribute to keep it that way!
Hello there!
I'm looking to get a flair for the Late Hapsburg Empire. I'd have to beg some measure of forgiveness considering I only have two examples. But questions relevant to my subject seldomly come up and I can't seem to find any others I've answered at this time.
However; I am quite open to discussion and if anyone reviewing this application sees it fitting; I am open to any questions or concerns they may have. Thanks!
Examples: 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5hq9tb/franz_ferdinand_and_hungarians/db3b8pb/
I would like to apply for a flair in "Carthage || Ancient Mediterranean Religion"
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/580cu8/how_were_sacked_cities_restarted/d8wtez5/
Thank you.
Hi, I'd like to apply for a flair.
My area of knowledge is Politics and Military Conduct in Europe and North Africa in the Second World War, and the Second World War in general.
I answered a question here about Anglo-French relations in WW2, specifically relating to De Gaulle, in the hope it might provide context to his later actions: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4padm4/why_did_charles_de_gaulle_veto_the_uks_entrance/
Here I answered a question on French resistance in WW2 and why it was less effective than Russian resistance: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4yurun/is_it_true_that_the_soviets_offered_much_more/
Here I answered a question on the concentration camps, not my area of knowledge, but I had some information to provide context on recruitment in the concentration camps: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4y1vqa/why_did_germans_become_concentration_guards_and/
I answered a question on civilian casualties in North Africa here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4uzzxn/how_large_were_the_civilian_casualties_in_africa/
And I answered a question on the significance of the North African front in WW2 here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/4s34ls/was_the_north_africa_campaign_a_significant/
My knowledge is growing all the time due to my acquisition of more and more sources and I feel that my most recent answer reflects that, and I feel I could improve on my older answers, and prove that I can if need be. I'm also looking to answer more questions now I have set up an ifttt account so I can be notified when WW2 questions are asked.
Thanks for your time.
Hey there :)
I would like to apply for "World War 2 in Western Europe", preferably in the blue of European History. I have in the past answered questions mainly focussed on World War 2 and its consequences, in regards to Switzerland, Germany and (Vichy) France.
I would like to give the following replies for consideration:
I would like to apply for a flair "Early Modern SE Asia".
Thanks!
I'd like to apply for a Tan Flair, on "Eastern, Central and Southern Asia"
Here I explain the difference between Choson and Hanguk ( I buggered Hanguk a bit but was corrected by a reader ): https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/514fem/north_and_south_koreas_terms_for_korea_as_a_whole/d79e572
Here I discuss the history of the Russian Empire and its relationship and rule of the Turkic/Tatar territories: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/513q7u/what_good_it_did_to_soviet_union_that_it_had_the/d79kbp2
Here I discuss the Buddhist Crisis, the South Vietnamese genocide of Buddhists and the US's role: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/516d8k/loaded_question_i_know_but_using_a_modern/d79s8ml
Islamic Conquest of India: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/51cylw/what_can_you_tell_me_about_the_muslim_empire/d7b3pjt
Tienanmen Square and the failure to reform the Communist Party: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/51dnd2/why_was_the_fall_of_communism_in_1989_bloodless/d7b6clu
I understand if my answers aren't of sufficient quality, but if so, please let me know why and how I can make them of better quality.
