FAQ

What is The Whole Past?
The Whole Past is an independent, digital-first world history initiative exploring the connections that have shaped societies across regions, centuries, and borders. We are especially interested in histories that move beyond narrow national and Eurocentric frameworks.

What does “World History, Fully Seen” mean?
It reflects our interest in looking at the past through a wider lens. The Whole Past brings different regions, communities, objects, ideas, and historical experiences into the same conversation rather than treating any one part of the world as the natural centre of history.

Is The Whole Past affiliated with Harvard University?
The Whole Past was developed within the Harvard ecosystem and is an independent initiative by its students. It is not an official programme, department, or publication of Harvard University.

Who can contribute?
We welcome pitches and submissions from students, researchers, scholars, practitioners, independent writers, and people approaching history from other disciplines. Formal academic credentials are not required.

Do I need to be a historian?
No. We care about rigorous research, thoughtful argument, accurate sourcing, and strong writing. Contributors may come from history, archaeology, anthropology, international relations, literature, art history, law, area studies, or entirely different fields.

What kinds of work do you publish?
The Whole Past publishes essays, historical features, object histories, archival and primary-source pieces, visual histories, maps, interviews, book and exhibition essays, and comparative or connected histories.

Do you only publish non-European history?
No. Europe is an important part of world history. Our aim is to move away from treating Europe as the automatic centre of historical narratives and toward a fuller account of the many regions, societies, and connections that have shaped the world.

Do submissions have to be academic?
No. Work should be well researched and intellectually rigorous, but we prefer clear, engaging writing for an intelligent general audience over unnecessarily academic language.

Are contributors paid?
Yes. The Whole Past offers honoraria for selected published contributions and commissioned work. Rates may vary depending on the format, length, and scope of a piece, and payment terms are agreed with contributors before publication.

Does The Whole Past commission writers?
Yes. We commission a limited number of contributions during each editorial cycle. We also welcome unsolicited pitches and submissions, and selected unsolicited work may be offered an honorarium upon acceptance.

Can I submit previously published work?
We generally prefer original work that has not previously appeared elsewhere. If a piece has been published or adapted from earlier work, please let us know when submitting it.

Can I use AI when preparing a submission?
AI may be used for limited support such as brainstorming or proofreading, but we do not accept substantially AI-generated work. Authors remain responsible for the originality, accuracy, sourcing, and argument of everything submitted under their name.

How are pieces selected?
Submissions are considered on the strength of their research, originality, writing, relevance to our editorial focus, and contribution to a broader understanding of world history. Submission does not guarantee publication.

How long does review take?
We aim to respond as promptly as possible, although response times may vary by editorial cycle and submission volume.

Can I join The Whole Past without writing an article?
Yes. We may periodically open opportunities in research, editing, visual history, mapping, archival work, design, and other collaborative areas. Current opportunities will be shared on our Join Us page.

Can scholars or organisations collaborate with The Whole Past?
Yes. We welcome conversations around commissioned research, scholar interviews, digital exhibits, archival projects, educational work, and other collaborations aligned with our mission.

How can I get in touch?
For submissions, commissions, collaborations, or general enquiries, contact thewholepast@gmail.com