Who is Brendan Thomas from Jeopardy?

Brendan Thomas steps onto the Jeopardy stage with a professional identity rooted in history, regional storytelling, and community engagement. Based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, he identifies strongly as an Ozarker, a connection that shapes both his academic work and the way he approaches public history. His career blends traditional scholarship with an emphasis on sharing knowledge beyond academic circles. By focusing on the Ozarks and the broader American West, he contributes to conversations about regional identity, landscape, and the stories that shape community life. His work demonstrates a commitment to bridging scholarly research with public audiences who might not typically engage with academic history.

His approach to historical storytelling is marked by accessibility. Brendan works to translate complex research into narratives that resonate with readers, students, and community members. Whether examining environmental issues, Indigenous histories, or political relationships between people and land, he aims to present these subjects with clarity and care. This perspective reflects his belief that history should not remain confined to textbooks, journals, and conferences. Instead, it should serve as a tool that helps people understand the places they come from and the systems that affect their lives.

Professional Roles in Editing, Teaching, and Public History

In September twenty twenty-five, Brendan became the Assistant Director at the University of Arkansas’s Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History. This role allows him to help preserve firsthand accounts and local experiences across Arkansas. The center’s mission involves capturing the stories and memories of individuals throughout the state, and Brendan contributes to shaping how these narratives are recorded, archived, and shared with future generations. His work there extends the reach of public history, ensuring local voices remain part of the historical record.

He also teaches as an Adjunct Instructor at NorthWest Arkansas Community College. His teaching reflects the depth of his academic training, covering subjects tied to environmental history, public history, Indigenous studies, Latin America, and the American West. His earlier positions, including Managing Editor at Wiley and editorial roles at the University of Oklahoma Press, gave him experience in manuscript preparation, editorial project management, and copyediting. These responsibilities trained him to navigate the demands of scholarly publishing, where precision, structure, clarity, and coordination are essential. Before these positions, he amassed research experience as a Research Assistant for the University of Oklahoma’s Western History Collections, contributing to archival projects that further strengthened his foundation as a historian.

A Scholar with Deep Academic Training

Brendan’s academic experience is wide-ranging and supported by years of rigorous research. He is a PhD candidate in American History at the University of Oklahoma, where he specializes in several overlapping fields: environmental history, public history, Latin American history, and Native American and Indigenous studies. His dissertation examines artificial lakes and political ecology in rural America, a topic that merges environmental change with social and political dynamics. This work highlights his interest in how built landscapes transform local communities and natural environments over time.

Before beginning his doctoral studies, he earned an MA in History from the University of Oklahoma, where he continued refining his research and teaching skills. He previously completed a BA in History and Native Studies at William and Mary, where he participated in student groups and maintained strong academic performance. His academic journey has required extensive work in archives, engagement with large research collections, collaboration with writers and scholars, and the management of book reviews and editorial projects. Collectively, these experiences demonstrate a scholar who understands the full lifecycle of historical knowledge, from primary sources to public interpretation.

Life Beyond Academia and a Strong Outdoor Identity

Brendan’s interests outside his academic and professional work reflect a deep appreciation for the natural world. An avid outdoorsman, he spends much of his free time mountain biking, running, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and kayaking. These activities keep him connected to the landscapes that often inspire his research. His time outdoors also reinforces his appreciation for environmental histories and the long-term relationships between people and the places they inhabit.

His broader work experience includes roles in outdoor retail, survey research, teaching assistance, and historical interpretation. These roles added breadth to his understanding of public interaction, customer communication, and educational outreach. Across all areas of his life, Brendan maintains strong ties to the historical community and continues building his professional network. With more than three hundred connections on LinkedIn, he engages regularly with colleagues, editors, historians, and students who follow his work across multiple platforms. His growing presence reflects a well-rounded scholar dedicated to both the academic study of history and its broader public application.

Background Summary and Profile Table

Brendan Thomas brings to Jeopardy a blend of scholarly expertise, editorial experience, regional pride, and a passion for public storytelling. His work continues to span multiple disciplines and audiences, making him a compelling contestant with a strong intellectual foundation.