Dr. Trish Kahle, Assistant Professor of History at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), has won the prestigious Merle Curti Award for Best Book in Social History. Her debut work, Energy Citizenship: Coal and Democracy in the American Century, earned the honor from the Organization of American Historians (OAH).
The book, published by Columbia University Press, offers a powerful and unique retelling of American democracy. Dr. Kahle focuses on coal miners and their struggle for political recognition in the United States. She highlights how these workers shaped energy policy and democratic practices from the ground up.
Presented at the 2025 OAH Conference on American History, the award celebrates Dr. Kahle’s commitment to telling stories from the perspective of ordinary people. “In this book, I treated the political thought and activism of workers with the seriousness usually given to politicians,” Dr. Kahle explained. “This approach reveals something new about America’s political and energy history.”
The OAH award committee praised Energy Citizenship as a major achievement. The judges noted how the book “reframes American political history” by placing coal miners at the center. They said the work shows how miners moved from society’s margins to become “powerful energy citizens.”
Dr. Kahle’s book combines multiple themes: social struggle, labor movements, energy transition, and political activism. It draws from rich historical sources, including union records, government documents, newspapers, and personal stories. According to the committee, the book delivers a compelling and insightful narrative.
The book also exposes the harsh realities of life in coal communities. It recounts the risks of underground labor, the damage to communities, and the human cost of energy production. Yet, it also tells a story of strength, resistance, and democratic action.
In addition to winning the Merle Curti Award, Energy Citizenship was also a finalist for the 2025 Hagley Prize in Business History.
This honor comes during GU-Q’s 20th anniversary year, making it even more significant. It highlights the university’s support for cutting-edge research and its dedication to global impact.
