Thomas ZimmerMay 31, 2025

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.

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 Zimmer

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.

May 31, 2025 at 1:26pmIvory for iOS
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!