The American Historical Association formed a committee in the spring of 2014 with the charge of analyzing how working conditions for contingent history faculty affect educational quality in the classroom as well as quality of life; and to respond to these findings with specific and cost-conscious recommendations addressing working conditions, institutional culture, and student learning. More specifically, the following five tasks were given:

  • Examine existing data about contingent and adjunct faculty

  • Survey how working conditions for contingent faculty affect educational quality and quality of life

  • Offer specific and cost-conscious recommendations to address working conditions, institutional culture and student learning

  • Consider how the AHA might work with other scholarly societies to develop national strategies for these issues

  • Propose a research agenda for the future