Julie Hawks is a public historian and oral historian specializing in the social and cultural history of late nineteenth- and twentieth-century America. She holds a Ph.D. in history from American University in Washington, D.C. Her work examines memory, material culture, and the ways power and persuasion shape how the past is recorded, preserved, and interpreted.

Julie’s public history experience includes community-based research and oral history initiatives with American University’s Humanities Truck, as well as museum leadership as manager of the Stanly County Museum at the Stanly County Public Library in Albemarle, North Carolina. Her work emphasizes ethical oral history practice, collaborative storytelling, and making historical knowledge accessible to public audiences.

Before entering academia, Julie worked for many years in the software and publishing industries, experience that informs her approach to digital preservation, project management, and public-facing historical work.