Laura Locke Estes
@lblestes.bsky.social
Assistant Professor at Pepperdine | writes on Syriac Christian exegesis, early Islam, and construction of religious identity
Sometimes I wonder if the overwhelming scale of #SBLAAR25 is worth it. But then I go to a panel on a topic tangential to my work but w/presenters who are just good thinkers & writers & question-askers, head back to my room, and bang out 750 words for a paper I'd been struggling with for weeks.
November 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Sometimes I wonder if the overwhelming scale of #SBLAAR25 is worth it. But then I go to a panel on a topic tangential to my work but w/presenters who are just good thinkers & writers & question-askers, head back to my room, and bang out 750 words for a paper I'd been struggling with for weeks.
If you’re at #SBLAAR25 and looking for a hearty breakfast/brunch, let me recommend Thornton’s. Huge portions, reasonably priced for a place walking distance from the conference center, quick service, and generous with the coffee refills.
November 21, 2025 at 3:01 PM
If you’re at #SBLAAR25 and looking for a hearty breakfast/brunch, let me recommend Thornton’s. Huge portions, reasonably priced for a place walking distance from the conference center, quick service, and generous with the coffee refills.
People grouse about colonoscopy prep, but honestly, the week before when you cut all the healthy fibrous veggies and whole grains and have a good excuse to eat nothing but meat, cheese, pasta, and dessert is pretty top tier.
November 6, 2025 at 7:04 PM
People grouse about colonoscopy prep, but honestly, the week before when you cut all the healthy fibrous veggies and whole grains and have a good excuse to eat nothing but meat, cheese, pasta, and dessert is pretty top tier.
Fall break means my university inbox is at zero, so no one is allowed to email me for the rest of the day.
October 13, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Fall break means my university inbox is at zero, so no one is allowed to email me for the rest of the day.
My 2yo is learning the Lord's Prayer and somehow got it into his head that the line is "deliver us from people," and you know what kid? fair enough.
August 21, 2025 at 2:56 AM
My 2yo is learning the Lord's Prayer and somehow got it into his head that the line is "deliver us from people," and you know what kid? fair enough.
Is there a pdf of the 2025 SBL/AAR program available?
I find the new online program book less convenient to navigate than a good, old-fashioned CTRL+F.
I find the new online program book less convenient to navigate than a good, old-fashioned CTRL+F.
August 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Is there a pdf of the 2025 SBL/AAR program available?
I find the new online program book less convenient to navigate than a good, old-fashioned CTRL+F.
I find the new online program book less convenient to navigate than a good, old-fashioned CTRL+F.
Looking forward to seeing how many of the 18 year olds who lapped me on the track this morning are in my classes today!
August 19, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Looking forward to seeing how many of the 18 year olds who lapped me on the track this morning are in my classes today!
New achievement unlocked
(if I ever say I want to go back to school again, please give me a good shake)
(if I ever say I want to go back to school again, please give me a good shake)
August 12, 2025 at 3:24 PM
New achievement unlocked
(if I ever say I want to go back to school again, please give me a good shake)
(if I ever say I want to go back to school again, please give me a good shake)
Well, we somehow managed to win the academic lottery—my spouse will be moving into a tenure track role at Pepperdine this fall!
Feeling super proud and super lucky.
Feeling super proud and super lucky.
August 8, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Well, we somehow managed to win the academic lottery—my spouse will be moving into a tenure track role at Pepperdine this fall!
Feeling super proud and super lucky.
Feeling super proud and super lucky.
Using a tablet and e-pen to offer feedback on writing is such a game changer, and I can’t believe I’ve waited so long to get on board. All sorts of ways to annotate that reviewer mode in word just can’t replicate.
August 4, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Using a tablet and e-pen to offer feedback on writing is such a game changer, and I can’t believe I’ve waited so long to get on board. All sorts of ways to annotate that reviewer mode in word just can’t replicate.
A high schooler just complimented the way I was wearing my shirt, so either she was making fun of me or move aside Gen Z, Gen Alpha is bringing back the French tuck.
July 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
A high schooler just complimented the way I was wearing my shirt, so either she was making fun of me or move aside Gen Z, Gen Alpha is bringing back the French tuck.
The other Dr. Estes’s robes are here! Totally customized and look great, with/slight differences between his and mine noticeable only side by side
If you’re a PhD student looking for a more reasonable alternative but want your school’s colors instead of generic black, check out Cap and Gown Direct!
If you’re a PhD student looking for a more reasonable alternative but want your school’s colors instead of generic black, check out Cap and Gown Direct!
July 18, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The other Dr. Estes’s robes are here! Totally customized and look great, with/slight differences between his and mine noticeable only side by side
If you’re a PhD student looking for a more reasonable alternative but want your school’s colors instead of generic black, check out Cap and Gown Direct!
If you’re a PhD student looking for a more reasonable alternative but want your school’s colors instead of generic black, check out Cap and Gown Direct!
Greater love hath no man than this, that he do an LAX drop-off for his friends.
July 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Greater love hath no man than this, that he do an LAX drop-off for his friends.
Vacation = reading time = finally getting around to @andytobo.bsky.social’s contribution to the Elements series. First chapter is a lovely, accessible summary intro to recent approaches to ethnicity that I wish I’d had to assign to students in my Ancient/Medieval Christianity class last semester!
July 9, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Vacation = reading time = finally getting around to @andytobo.bsky.social’s contribution to the Elements series. First chapter is a lovely, accessible summary intro to recent approaches to ethnicity that I wish I’d had to assign to students in my Ancient/Medieval Christianity class last semester!
It looks like I'll be in Durham for a workshop in December. Right now the plan is to fly in via Edinburgh, make my way down the coast with a stop at Lindisfarne, then spend a few extra days sightseeing.
What must I be sure to see/do/eat in Northern England?
What must I be sure to see/do/eat in Northern England?
July 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
It looks like I'll be in Durham for a workshop in December. Right now the plan is to fly in via Edinburgh, make my way down the coast with a stop at Lindisfarne, then spend a few extra days sightseeing.
What must I be sure to see/do/eat in Northern England?
What must I be sure to see/do/eat in Northern England?
Reposted by Laura Locke Estes
Me to Disney.
July 2, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Me to Disney.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that if you're waiting for reviewer feedback it WILL come in the day before you leave for a vacation.
July 2, 2025 at 8:28 PM
It is a truth universally acknowledged that if you're waiting for reviewer feedback it WILL come in the day before you leave for a vacation.
I'd love to hear from folks who teach online courses to learn how you're creating assessments and discouraging cheating.
It's always been harder online, but in the last two years it's just seemed impossible. I've liked picking up an extra course in the summer, but it's been so discouraging lately.
It's always been harder online, but in the last two years it's just seemed impossible. I've liked picking up an extra course in the summer, but it's been so discouraging lately.
June 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I'd love to hear from folks who teach online courses to learn how you're creating assessments and discouraging cheating.
It's always been harder online, but in the last two years it's just seemed impossible. I've liked picking up an extra course in the summer, but it's been so discouraging lately.
It's always been harder online, but in the last two years it's just seemed impossible. I've liked picking up an extra course in the summer, but it's been so discouraging lately.
Doctoral regalia has gone up even MORE since I defended (now nearly $1200 after tax!!), so spouse has decided to take a gamble and use one of the knock off custom regalia providers for 1/3 of the price.
I'll compare to my robes in 6-8wks and be back with links if they turn out well!
I'll compare to my robes in 6-8wks and be back with links if they turn out well!
June 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Doctoral regalia has gone up even MORE since I defended (now nearly $1200 after tax!!), so spouse has decided to take a gamble and use one of the knock off custom regalia providers for 1/3 of the price.
I'll compare to my robes in 6-8wks and be back with links if they turn out well!
I'll compare to my robes in 6-8wks and be back with links if they turn out well!
Ah, closing day for Malibu Little League, when all the teams and coaches are named and recognized and you realize one of the other AA teams was coached by a guy who played in the majors for 12 years.
June 7, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Ah, closing day for Malibu Little League, when all the teams and coaches are named and recognized and you realize one of the other AA teams was coached by a guy who played in the majors for 12 years.
Spent the first hour of my workday on a three-way phone call with insurance/hospital billing, so there goes any chance of getting anything else done today.
(0/10 would recommend having a kid break a leg out of state)
(0/10 would recommend having a kid break a leg out of state)
May 30, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Spent the first hour of my workday on a three-way phone call with insurance/hospital billing, so there goes any chance of getting anything else done today.
(0/10 would recommend having a kid break a leg out of state)
(0/10 would recommend having a kid break a leg out of state)
Did I just spend two hours trying to read a medieval catena manuscript? Yes.
Am I any closer to answering the original question that brought me to said ms? No.
(If they find me dead in my office, tell them the medieval Greek scribes and their infinite ligatures and abbreviations did me in)
Am I any closer to answering the original question that brought me to said ms? No.
(If they find me dead in my office, tell them the medieval Greek scribes and their infinite ligatures and abbreviations did me in)
May 29, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Did I just spend two hours trying to read a medieval catena manuscript? Yes.
Am I any closer to answering the original question that brought me to said ms? No.
(If they find me dead in my office, tell them the medieval Greek scribes and their infinite ligatures and abbreviations did me in)
Am I any closer to answering the original question that brought me to said ms? No.
(If they find me dead in my office, tell them the medieval Greek scribes and their infinite ligatures and abbreviations did me in)
It's the first time I'll stay at a conference hotel instead of camping out on a friend's couch in Boston for #SBLAAR2025. Do we have a favorite hotel?
May 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
It's the first time I'll stay at a conference hotel instead of camping out on a friend's couch in Boston for #SBLAAR2025. Do we have a favorite hotel?