Is the word 'humanist' used for people who study the humanities? I've only ever heard it in the context of humanism. Not saying it's wrong, I'm genuinely wondering
It's a relatively uncommon usage but yes, it can just mean people who work in humanities fields. After all, the modern fields of history, literature, etc. trace their genealogies directly back to Renaissance humanism so it makes sense. Sometimes it's used in a self-aware way to refer to both at the same time, as in this profile of Anthony Grafton of Princeton, so far as I know the sole contemporary owner of a Renaissance book wheel:
Here in Europe we call "Humanities" what you may address as "Liberal Arts". Therefore yes, "humanist" is fine, but uncommon, especially in the US.
I'd say it's the kind of word a... Humanist would use, since it's the more philologically correct.
Interesting to note that here in Italy the thing is reversed. While "umanismo" and "umanista" are broadly used, "arti liberali" is less common, while still correct.
http://www.princeton.edu/paw/archive_new/PAW06-07/11-0404/fe...