Thomas Zimmer

Today is officially my last day at Georgetown.

After 18 years of teaching history, and 12 years as a full-time professor in Germany and the U.S., it is the end of my university career.

I will now try to make it as an independent writer and commentator - which is exciting and terrifying. I hope y’all stick with me.

May 31, 2025 at 1:06pmIvory for iOS
Show threadThomas ZimmerMay 31, 2025
I’ll probably explain the situation and how I got to this point a little more in the newsletter soon. Right now, I’m in the middle of the chaos that comes with moving my family across the Atlantic (my work visa is tied to my position at Georgetown…) while both my wife and I have to figure out new careers and new lives.
Show threadThomas ZimmerMay 31, 2025
I couldn’t even tell you exactly how many short-term contracts and appointments I’ve cycled through: I crossed into the double digits many years ago. At age 42, and as the father of two little children, I am simply not willing to do that anymore, to keep chasing academic jobs and ask my family to just come along.
Show threadThomas ZimmerMay 31, 2025
We have decided that be best chance to make it work for us as a family, as we are not willing to place my academic pursuit above all other aspects of life, is for me to change course and go independent, to start relying on my public-facing work, my writing, in order to contribute my share.
Show threadThomas ZimmerMay 31, 2025
I’m a first-gen academic from a tiny Catholic village in rural southwest Germany. I was proud of getting a PhD, the chance to be a historian for a living, to work and learn with students. It felt light years away from where/how I grew up. I thought this was going to be my life. Now I have to figure out a new one.
Show threadThomas ZimmerMay 31, 2025
I’ll need a few weeks to sort through the chaos of moving / changing careers, to prepare (legally, logistically) the new personal and professional life. And then I can only hope that enough people are interested in what I have to say - even if it comes from a *former* professor.
Show threadThomas ZimmerMay 31, 2025
This is the most anxious I’ve felt in my adult life - everything feels so uncertain. But I am also excited to be able to properly focus on my writing and other public-facing work: the newsletter, the podcast, a new book project(!), and hopefully a chance to write for outlets whose work and mission I admire.
Show threadThomas ZimmerMay 31, 2025

If you want to work with me, have me write for you, please reach out! And if you are interested, please subscribe to my newsletter, Democracy Americana, which will remain the home base for all my work (although likely at a different platform soon).

I mean this sincerely: I am grateful for all your support. Onward!

https://thomaszimmer.substack.com

Democracy Americana | Thomas Zimmer | Substack

Reflections on American democracy and its discontents. Click to read Democracy Americana, by Thomas Zimmer, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.

Show threadAndrew ShieldsMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history A while back, you said you couldn’t offer paid subscriptions due to your visa status. As soon as you can, I will be sure to subscribe (on Substack or Ghost or wherever you end up).
Show threadSarahATXMay 31, 2025
@AndrewShields @tzimmer_history same!
Show threadThomas ZimmerMay 31, 2025
@purplelotus13 @AndrewShields That is indeed the plan (likely on Ghost), starting probably September 1. And I so appreciate your support!
Show threadDannyboyguymanMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history @purplelotus13 @AndrewShields thank you for not letting suckstab take a share of my subscription. I hope you can persuade other historians and rational observers to also switch to ghost.
Show threadMartin Schröder 🇺🇳May 31, 2025

@tzimmer_history

@purplelotus13 @AndrewShields

Show threadKat O’BrienMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history wishing you and your family all the very best! I appreciate your work.
Show threadJörg VolbersMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history
Good luck! I've also switched career, albeit not so early; I had to turn 50 to realize it's enough. It felt great to stop hunting these research grants, even though I miss teaching.
Show threadJeri DanskyMay 31, 2025

@tzimmer_history Glad to see the "different platform soon" since, for ethical reasons, I don't subscribe to anything on Substack.

Best wishes for this new life you're embarking on!

Show threadCookiefiendMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Best of luck!
Show threadAlexander KarnJun 1, 2025

@tzimmer_history

Thomas, you are one of the leading lights here. The way you navigate between past and present is both inspiring and enlightening. I’m
sorry that #highered couldn’t offer you the stability and security you deserve. I’ll be looking out for your next moves, and eager to learn more about your book project.

Show threadThomas ZimmerJun 1, 2025
@xankarn That is so kind of you to say. I am very grateful!
Show threadNonya BidnissMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Congratulations! Going back to Germany? I wish I was...
Show threadRob ChristopherMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Best wishes! It can't be easy to upend your whole life but that's exactly what makes it possible to grow and do new things.
Show threadDr. Tineke D'HaeseleerMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Good luck! I recognise that - left academia 2 years ago and no regrets! (I just got tenure but it did not spark joy)
I found the best possible job for me at a non-profit, awesome colleagues and I keep learning new stuff. And I get to read about medieval China for fun still, on my train commute 😁
The transition was scary for all the reasons you mention, but we can do this, academics can figure stuff out!
There is genuinely good stuff in the post-ac life, welcome on this side 🙌🏻
Show threadVanessa KopplinMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Almost the same here... I can understand what that means for non-academic children. Thank you for sharing and once again drawing attention to the precarious conditions in academia. Good luck and let us be part of your journey, which will surely open up new opportunities for others.
Show threadyuhasz01May 31, 2025

@tzimmer_history

Good luck my friend. I enjoy your writings and commentary. You have a particular "voice" to offer readers.

Being an academic "gypsy" was not for me either, many years ago. Lots of work, not enough time for research article writing. Non-tenured positions are just gig work really.

Show threadStefan MagnussenMay 31, 2025

@tzimmer_history

So relatable! i'm 40 years, also a firstgen and have 2 sons (5, 3) - and I recently came to the same conclusion.

All the best on your new paths!

Show threadThomas ZimmerMay 31, 2025
@smagnussen And good luck to you too!
Show threadStefan MagnussenJun 3, 2025

@tzimmer_history

Thanks!

Show threadAndrew ShieldsMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history I hope the chaos ends up going as smoothly as possible. I look forward to hearing about your future plans in the newsletter. Take care and good luck!
Show threadMastodon MigrationMay 31, 2025

@tzimmer_history

Vaya con Dios, Thomas.

Looking forward to seeing where this journey takes you.

Show threadLisaHMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history You will be great and successful and hopefully happier too!
Show threadBodhipaksaMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history All the best with this change of direction!
Show threadAnnaMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history we're definitely sticking with you :) very best wishes for the move!
Show threadClimate Jenny 2.1May 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Hope all goes very well! Will keep following!
Show threadAndrew LeaheyMay 31, 2025

@tzimmer_history

Best of luck to you, I'll be following along and sticking with you.

Show threadKaren E. Lund 💙💛May 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Best wishes for whatever lies ahead! Keep us posted!
Show threadDisplay NameMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history very passive voice. I'll be honest, since I knew about your visa situation (as you mentioned in your podcasts before) I was curious about the limits of your free speech on the expanding fascism in this country. I'm originally from Turkey and know how authoritarian governments treat academics. I was worried but also happy to see someone so outspoken even when so vulnerable. It was better when your voice was from inside the US as a white male immigrant. I hope you soon find an outlet that amplifies your voice in the US from inside the country to the mainstream. America needs to hear what we're up against.
Show threadRalf StubnerMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Best of wishes!
Show threadAxel H. HornsMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Is this move linked to Trump/MAGA?
Show threadThomas ZimmerMay 31, 2025
@axelhorns The end of my university career is not - but the move away from America is indeed.
Show threadStargeezer SmithMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history
Good luck on your new venture. I would think that this is a fertile time for historians.
Show threadManVsXerox: Resistful DingusMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Best of luck!
Show threaddasgrueneblattMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history 🍀💚
Show threadChris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸May 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Sounds exciting and terrifying!! Good luck to you!!
Show threadEdwin G. May 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history @chris
Best wishes!
Show threadSerhat TutkalMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Job insecurity and general instability in academia in addition to a growing anti-intellectualism within the academic institutions make me consider exploring other alternatives too, so I perfectly understand your situation. Hope that you'll be happier and this'll also be better for your intellectual activities. Best of luck!
Show threadKShorMay 31, 2025
@tzimmer_history Best of luck to you, my friend, on this exciting (nerve-wracking) next step in your career. Komm gut daheim (if you’re going to Germany), enjoy the summer and let us all know where to subscribe in the autumn.
Show threadKaty SwainMay 31, 2025

@tzimmer_history Ah! That's why you've been quiet lately.

Best of luck. I recommend your work to others at every opportunity, as you're the only commentator who really deeply understands what's going on. For that reason, I do hope paywalling isn't part of the plan; what you have to say is too important to lock up.

A book is overdue, and a guaranteed bestseller, and I shall be first in the queue for a signature when you're touring the antipodes.

Show threadquadrivial, tall and grayingJun 1, 2025
@tzimmer_history good luck!
Show threadBG McKay (Brian) 🇨🇦Jun 1, 2025
@tzimmer_history May your families transition to your new life be smooth
Show threadDemocracy Matters Jun 1, 2025

@tzimmer_history

Great good luck!