PhD in History - Atlantic World History in Nashville United States | Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University stands as one of America's top 20 research institutions, featuring a vibrant and diverse History Department. A particularly innovative focus within Vanderbilt's faculty research and graduate programs is Atlantic World History. Students pursuing a major or minor in this field will explore extensive scholarship examining the interconnected histories of European, Native American, and African civilizations. Under the guidance of our Atlantic World specialists, candidates refine their dissertation topics and proposals during their third year of study.

Starting in their initial semester, we urge our doctoral candidates to immerse themselves in professional activities including archival research, academic networking, collaborative initiatives, securing grants, and scholarly publishing. Digital humanities training is also emphasized, with students contributing to projects like the Slave Societies Digital Archive, the Manuel Zapata Olivella Collection, and Enslaved: Peoples of the Historic Slave Trade.

Our graduate students have shared their findings at major conferences worldwide, including gatherings hosted by the American Historical Association, Conference on Latin American History, Brazilian Studies Association, and other prominent organizations. In recent years, they've earned distinguished honors such as Fulbright scholarships, Social Science Research Council grants, and fellowships from the American Council for Learned Societies. Their research spans numerous countries including Angola, Brazil, Cuba, Germany, Ghana, and Sweden.