Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
@mauracunningham.bsky.social
She/her. China historian and writer in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Also reader, knitter, Phillies/Flyers fan, road tripper.
https://mauracunningham.org/
https://mauracunningham.org/
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
Finally dropped the Nuzzi episode
www.patreon.com/posts/olivia...
www.patreon.com/posts/olivia...
January 29, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Finally dropped the Nuzzi episode
www.patreon.com/posts/olivia...
www.patreon.com/posts/olivia...
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
I think if Bruce Springsteen is writing protest songs about it, you can say for sure that an issue has cut through.
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 9:05 PM
I think if Bruce Springsteen is writing protest songs about it, you can say for sure that an issue has cut through.
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
The #AAS2026 Program Committee has selected three late-breaking sessions for the conference program. Learn more and add them to your personal schedule now!
https://www.asianstudies.org/conference/late-breaking-sessions/
https://www.asianstudies.org/conference/late-breaking-sessions/
January 28, 2026 at 6:30 PM
The #AAS2026 Program Committee has selected three late-breaking sessions for the conference program. Learn more and add them to your personal schedule now!
https://www.asianstudies.org/conference/late-breaking-sessions/
https://www.asianstudies.org/conference/late-breaking-sessions/
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
New #AsiaNow post: JAS Editor Joseph Alter discusses how increased use of AI has led to more submissions to the journal (almost 800 in 2025!) and also prompted him to think about the relationship between an author and their work.
https://www.asianstudies.org/the-journal-of-asian-studies-and-ai/
https://www.asianstudies.org/the-journal-of-asian-studies-and-ai/
The Journal of Asian Studies and AI - Association for Asian Studies
By Joseph S. Alter It is difficult to exaggerate the impact of AI on academia in general and on scholarly publishing in particular. Tools such as ChatGPT and Claude have made it possible for anyone to turn free-floating information into what looks like knowledge using a combination of real and artificial intelligence. There are many […]
www.asianstudies.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:20 PM
New #AsiaNow post: JAS Editor Joseph Alter discusses how increased use of AI has led to more submissions to the journal (almost 800 in 2025!) and also prompted him to think about the relationship between an author and their work.
https://www.asianstudies.org/the-journal-of-asian-studies-and-ai/
https://www.asianstudies.org/the-journal-of-asian-studies-and-ai/
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
Death of an Indian tech worker: A wave of suicides and widespread AI-fueled layoffs reveal a workforce under extreme pressure
Death of an Indian tech worker
A wave of suicides and widespread AI-fueled layoffs reveal a workforce under extreme pressure.
restofworld.org
January 27, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Death of an Indian tech worker: A wave of suicides and widespread AI-fueled layoffs reveal a workforce under extreme pressure
"What China's Thinking," an interesting new long-form interview column from the @chinabooksreview.com team, launches with Yi Liu talking to Chengdu-based blogger and bookstore owner Zhang Feng.
Zhang Feng on China's New Media | China Books Review
The prolific social media blogger explains how censorship works in the era of WeChat, and talks us through a changing media landscape, in our new column on the biggest ideas out of China.
chinabooksreview.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:45 PM
"What China's Thinking," an interesting new long-form interview column from the @chinabooksreview.com team, launches with Yi Liu talking to Chengdu-based blogger and bookstore owner Zhang Feng.
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
Out today: THE CROWN'S SILENCE
I'm delighted to share that my new book is officially out! It traces the British monarchy's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and colonial slavery over hundreds of years. Please buy a copy, tell your library, & spread the word. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
I'm delighted to share that my new book is officially out! It traces the British monarchy's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and colonial slavery over hundreds of years. Please buy a copy, tell your library, & spread the word. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
January 27, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Out today: THE CROWN'S SILENCE
I'm delighted to share that my new book is officially out! It traces the British monarchy's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and colonial slavery over hundreds of years. Please buy a copy, tell your library, & spread the word. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
I'm delighted to share that my new book is officially out! It traces the British monarchy's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and colonial slavery over hundreds of years. Please buy a copy, tell your library, & spread the word. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
A government can only go to war against its citizens if it can afford to ignore them. The road to Minneapolis ran through the gilded line-up beside Trump at Inauguration. Oligarchy is the timely topic this Fri/Sat at an amazing event, details here @ucirvine.bsky.social
sites.uci.edu/forum/
sites.uci.edu/forum/
January 27, 2026 at 8:52 PM
A government can only go to war against its citizens if it can afford to ignore them. The road to Minneapolis ran through the gilded line-up beside Trump at Inauguration. Oligarchy is the timely topic this Fri/Sat at an amazing event, details here @ucirvine.bsky.social
sites.uci.edu/forum/
sites.uci.edu/forum/
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
We are still seeking potential Conference Mentors for #AAS2026 in Vancouver—advanced scholars are invited to apply by this Friday, January 30!
https://bit.ly/CFM-2026
https://bit.ly/CFM-2026
January 27, 2026 at 2:02 PM
We are still seeking potential Conference Mentors for #AAS2026 in Vancouver—advanced scholars are invited to apply by this Friday, January 30!
https://bit.ly/CFM-2026
https://bit.ly/CFM-2026
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
btw, this bit of wisdom is very true for any kind of creative endeavor, not just writing.
thank you for reminding us that trying times mean that we need to be extra careful to also feed our souls w/ what bring us joy, & that even tiny morsels can be enough to keep us going
thank you for reminding us that trying times mean that we need to be extra careful to also feed our souls w/ what bring us joy, & that even tiny morsels can be enough to keep us going
ok i wrote a little pep talk for everyone who isn't writing right now but wants to be <3 1000wordsofsummer.substack.com/p/for-when-y...
For When You Feel Like You Can't Write
Think about the little things.
1000wordsofsummer.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:34 AM
btw, this bit of wisdom is very true for any kind of creative endeavor, not just writing.
thank you for reminding us that trying times mean that we need to be extra careful to also feed our souls w/ what bring us joy, & that even tiny morsels can be enough to keep us going
thank you for reminding us that trying times mean that we need to be extra careful to also feed our souls w/ what bring us joy, & that even tiny morsels can be enough to keep us going
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
During your time in Vancouver during #AAS2026, a can't-miss field trip is a visit to the UBC Museum of Anthropology to see the permanent collection and a special exhibit, "Entangled Territories: Tibet Through Images."
https://moa.ubc.ca/
https://moa.ubc.ca/
January 26, 2026 at 9:00 PM
During your time in Vancouver during #AAS2026, a can't-miss field trip is a visit to the UBC Museum of Anthropology to see the permanent collection and a special exhibit, "Entangled Territories: Tibet Through Images."
https://moa.ubc.ca/
https://moa.ubc.ca/
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
There's a lot to discuss this week, so let's get to it: events in Minneapolis, the second first year of Trump, revisionist history at the President's House, plus other stories. Oh, and a whole section of China links, as usual.
Weekly Wanderings: January 25, 2026
WHAT A WEEK We’ve truly made the final transition from news cycle to news tornado. As the number of links below indicate, I spent way too much time every evening sitting on my couch doom-scrolling …
mauracunningham.org
January 25, 2026 at 4:34 PM
There's a lot to discuss this week, so let's get to it: events in Minneapolis, the second first year of Trump, revisionist history at the President's House, plus other stories. Oh, and a whole section of China links, as usual.
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
In case anyone was wondering how it’s going over on American Girl doll Instagram
January 25, 2026 at 10:21 PM
In case anyone was wondering how it’s going over on American Girl doll Instagram
There's a lot to discuss this week, so let's get to it: events in Minneapolis, the second first year of Trump, revisionist history at the President's House, plus other stories. Oh, and a whole section of China links, as usual.
Weekly Wanderings: January 25, 2026
WHAT A WEEK We’ve truly made the final transition from news cycle to news tornado. As the number of links below indicate, I spent way too much time every evening sitting on my couch doom-scrolling …
mauracunningham.org
January 25, 2026 at 4:34 PM
There's a lot to discuss this week, so let's get to it: events in Minneapolis, the second first year of Trump, revisionist history at the President's House, plus other stories. Oh, and a whole section of China links, as usual.
Weekly Wanderings: January 25, 2026
WHAT A WEEK We’ve truly made the final transition from news cycle to news tornado. As the number of links below indicate, I spent way too much time every evening sitting on my couch doom-scrolling on Bluesky. I need to do less of that, but it’s hard not to feel…
WHAT A WEEK We’ve truly made the final transition from news cycle to news tornado. As the number of links below indicate, I spent way too much time every evening sitting on my couch doom-scrolling on Bluesky. I need to do less of that, but it’s hard not to feel…
Weekly Wanderings: January 25, 2026
WHAT A WEEK We’ve truly made the final transition from news cycle to news tornado. As the number of links below indicate, I spent way too much time every evening sitting on my couch doom-scrolling on Bluesky. I need to do less of that, but it’s hard not to feel an obligation to read and to witness. I want to be an informed citizen.
mauracunningham.org
January 25, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Weekly Wanderings: January 25, 2026
WHAT A WEEK We’ve truly made the final transition from news cycle to news tornado. As the number of links below indicate, I spent way too much time every evening sitting on my couch doom-scrolling on Bluesky. I need to do less of that, but it’s hard not to feel…
WHAT A WEEK We’ve truly made the final transition from news cycle to news tornado. As the number of links below indicate, I spent way too much time every evening sitting on my couch doom-scrolling on Bluesky. I need to do less of that, but it’s hard not to feel…
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
This guy is climbing Taipei 101 and not stopping at Din Tai Fung? Outrageous.
January 25, 2026 at 1:47 AM
This guy is climbing Taipei 101 and not stopping at Din Tai Fung? Outrageous.
As if there weren't enough happening already: @billbishop.bsky.social sent out a special edition of Sinocism last night with news of the PLA's confirmation that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are in big, big trouble.
PLA purges intensify: Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli under investigation
The rumors were true. Zhang Youxia, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Liu Zhenli, member of the Central Military…
sinocism.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:45 PM
As if there weren't enough happening already: @billbishop.bsky.social sent out a special edition of Sinocism last night with news of the PLA's confirmation that Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are in big, big trouble.
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
The reporting I've seen from @startribune.com over the last few days is a great endorsement of the need for quality local journalism, which is suffering from fiscal setbacks across the country.
January 24, 2026 at 11:24 PM
The reporting I've seen from @startribune.com over the last few days is a great endorsement of the need for quality local journalism, which is suffering from fiscal setbacks across the country.
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
Vigil for Alex Pretti in S. Minneapolis - changing “Who keeps us safe? We keep us safe!”
January 24, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Vigil for Alex Pretti in S. Minneapolis - changing “Who keeps us safe? We keep us safe!”
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
If the US can abolish USAID, we can sure as shit abolish ICE.
January 24, 2026 at 6:09 PM
If the US can abolish USAID, we can sure as shit abolish ICE.
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
Just wrote to my Democratic senators, urging them to vote no on the funding bill that would enable ICE to continue kidnapping and murdering citizens on city streets across America.
ICE must be defunded and disbanded if the United States is going to survive this constitutional crisis.
ICE must be defunded and disbanded if the United States is going to survive this constitutional crisis.
January 24, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Just wrote to my Democratic senators, urging them to vote no on the funding bill that would enable ICE to continue kidnapping and murdering citizens on city streets across America.
ICE must be defunded and disbanded if the United States is going to survive this constitutional crisis.
ICE must be defunded and disbanded if the United States is going to survive this constitutional crisis.
Reposted by Maura Elizabeth Cunningham
From this moment forward (and before, but clearly now):
-If you work for ICE.
-If you vote for money for ICE.
You are complicit. This is the gestapo. You're on the wrong side. You can't pretend not to know.
-If you work for ICE.
-If you vote for money for ICE.
You are complicit. This is the gestapo. You're on the wrong side. You can't pretend not to know.
January 24, 2026 at 5:07 PM
From this moment forward (and before, but clearly now):
-If you work for ICE.
-If you vote for money for ICE.
You are complicit. This is the gestapo. You're on the wrong side. You can't pretend not to know.
-If you work for ICE.
-If you vote for money for ICE.
You are complicit. This is the gestapo. You're on the wrong side. You can't pretend not to know.