David Christian

David Christian is an American scholar and historian whose studies focus on the emergence of a global narrative of world history. His works have contributed significantly to both the knowledge and understanding of global history.

Christian is a recognized authority on the origins of the modern world, having authored or co-authored six books and numerous articles on the topic. His most notable works are Maps of Time, Origin Story, and Big History: The Big Bang, Life on Earth, and the Rise of Humanity. In each of his works, Christian weaves a compelling story that connects global history, explaining how it has shaped today's world. By using storytelling to link history and the present, Christian has made connections between global events, such as the world wars, to the development of many of today's cultural and economic phenomena, such as globalization and world trade.

Christian's primary contribution to the scholarship of world history and global studies comes through his work in Big History. The Big History project, which he founded, seeks to explain the complexity of global history since the Big Bang in a manner that's understandable to lay readers. By connecting the big picture to the details of everyday life, Christian has made Big History one of the most popular and successful global education initiatives of today. His book, Big History: The Big Bang, Life on Earth, and the Rise of Humanity, is considered a landmark work in the field and has become one of the foundational texts of Big History study.

Christian's work in Big History and global history has earned him numerous awards and accolades from leading organizations such as the National Geographic, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the John D. and Catherine T. Rockefeller Foundation. He has been an adjunct professor at several universities, including the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is involved in a number of international projects and initiatives. Most recently, Christian founded the Big History Institute at Macquarie University in Australia to bring teachers, students, and scholars together to further explore the narrative of global history.

Throughout his career, David Christian has been a dedicated advocate for the study of global history, culture, and politics. By providing accessible and engaging books and presentations, he has helped open up the world of history and global studies to greater numbers of readers and learners. In doing so, he has presented the epic sweep of the world's past in an illuminating light, one that brings an increased appreciation and understanding of the stories of the human experience.