Merle Eisenberg
@merleeisenberg.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of History, Oklahoma State University.
PhD, Princeton University
Middle Ages & Late Antiquity | Pandemics & Plague | Environmental
Podcast: Infectious Historians @ infectioushistorians.com
Also: Arsenal | Mets | Vikings | UConnWBB
PhD, Princeton University
Middle Ages & Late Antiquity | Pandemics & Plague | Environmental
Podcast: Infectious Historians @ infectioushistorians.com
Also: Arsenal | Mets | Vikings | UConnWBB
Pinned
How Mediterranean Economies Were Shaped in the Early Middle Ages
The clichéd image of the premodern Mediterranean economy is stagnation until the twin forces of capitalism and Industrial Revolution kick-started growth an
doi.org
My review article, "How Mediterranean Economies Were Shaped in the Early Middle Ages" in the American Historical Review is out. This was a lot of fun and I try to make sense of 500+ years of recent economic histories. Find it: doi.org/10.1093/ahr/.... 1/
As a high schooler downtown on 9/11, this looks very cool as an article and resonates both because I saw the dust at the time and for months afterward along with knowing people who are sick. Also reached the stage where events in my life are history. Guess I'm officially "old." 🤷♂️
My article on toxic ecologies post-9/11 now available open access in the latest issue of Environmental Humanities @dukepress.bsky.social Dust as both sacred and toxic. Inspired by Elena del Rivero's art, situated between exposure and containment
#STS #envhum #envhist #histstm
#STS #envhum #envhist #histstm
Gathering Dust | Environmental Humanities | Duke University Press
read.dukeupress.edu
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
As a high schooler downtown on 9/11, this looks very cool as an article and resonates both because I saw the dust at the time and for months afterward along with knowing people who are sick. Also reached the stage where events in my life are history. Guess I'm officially "old." 🤷♂️
Lots of reading and grading to do today before Thanksgiving, so instead I'll just re-watch key moments of the Arsenal game from Sunday for the 10th time.
a close up of a man 's face with his hands folded and a crowd behind him .
Alt: a close up of a man 's face with his hands folded and a crowd behind him .
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Lots of reading and grading to do today before Thanksgiving, so instead I'll just re-watch key moments of the Arsenal game from Sunday for the 10th time.
Reposted by Merle Eisenberg
Reposted by Merle Eisenberg
What an amazing day for Arsenal and for Eberechi Eze. Incredible for him in any context, but with his history, his journey, it's just really, really special.
Also a massive win, and a statement/fuck off win in this title race after the results yesterday
Huge day, lots of fun to be had after this!
Also a massive win, and a statement/fuck off win in this title race after the results yesterday
Huge day, lots of fun to be had after this!
November 23, 2025 at 6:29 PM
What an amazing day for Arsenal and for Eberechi Eze. Incredible for him in any context, but with his history, his journey, it's just really, really special.
Also a massive win, and a statement/fuck off win in this title race after the results yesterday
Huge day, lots of fun to be had after this!
Also a massive win, and a statement/fuck off win in this title race after the results yesterday
Huge day, lots of fun to be had after this!
Reposted by Merle Eisenberg
Spurs game plan more or less worked ... until it didn't.
Merino's pass for the first goal is superb, and we stretched them well for the second which allowed that chance to develop for Eze. What a moment for him.
In a great position now, but clearly they'll do something different 2nd half.
Merino's pass for the first goal is superb, and we stretched them well for the second which allowed that chance to develop for Eze. What a moment for him.
In a great position now, but clearly they'll do something different 2nd half.
November 23, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Spurs game plan more or less worked ... until it didn't.
Merino's pass for the first goal is superb, and we stretched them well for the second which allowed that chance to develop for Eze. What a moment for him.
In a great position now, but clearly they'll do something different 2nd half.
Merino's pass for the first goal is superb, and we stretched them well for the second which allowed that chance to develop for Eze. What a moment for him.
In a great position now, but clearly they'll do something different 2nd half.
Was just using their archives last summer and a great place to work. Will miss being able to visit, but hopefully finds new people who can visit from the midwest.
The American Numismatic Society’s collections of coins will be relocating from Manhattan to the spacious campus of the Toledo Museum of Art. The $20 million plan, to be completed in 2028, would make possible its long-harbored vision of a state-of-the-art money museum.
After 167 Years in New York, a Priceless Coin Collection Heads to Toledo
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Was just using their archives last summer and a great place to work. Will miss being able to visit, but hopefully finds new people who can visit from the midwest.
Reposted by Merle Eisenberg
The New School is now a place where students cannot major in History, Anthropology, Sociology, Global Policy & International Affairs, Global Studies, Urban Studies, or Environmental Studies. And more pauses, closures, and mergers coming down the pike this week. The future is uncertain.
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The New School is now a place where students cannot major in History, Anthropology, Sociology, Global Policy & International Affairs, Global Studies, Urban Studies, or Environmental Studies. And more pauses, closures, and mergers coming down the pike this week. The future is uncertain.
Alright I'll list out what I've read and been reading in case anyone is interested. Given that I serve as Chair of the Faculty Budget Committee I started with that side of the ledger so: Dean Smith, University Finances and How University Budgets Work. Pretty dry, but very important. 1/
Alright let me try this ask again: what should I read about how higher ed works to continue my learning?
Trying to build up knowledge and maybe start a discussion group (locally? online?) for academics working in the field, but don't research higher ed. Read lots of Chris Newfield, lots of finance/budget books, other books from Hopkins on Critical University Studies. What else should I read/add?
November 17, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Alright I'll list out what I've read and been reading in case anyone is interested. Given that I serve as Chair of the Faculty Budget Committee I started with that side of the ledger so: Dean Smith, University Finances and How University Budgets Work. Pretty dry, but very important. 1/
How do I turn myself into a (temporary) sovereign country and get money for all my costs going up?
New Argentina just dropped.
Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán says the U.S. will provide a “financial shield” as he struggles to win reelection
Meanwhile Trump President said last week “I don’t want to hear about affordability” as health care premiums explode & food/energy prices rise.
Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán says the U.S. will provide a “financial shield” as he struggles to win reelection
Meanwhile Trump President said last week “I don’t want to hear about affordability” as health care premiums explode & food/energy prices rise.
November 10, 2025 at 11:10 PM
How do I turn myself into a (temporary) sovereign country and get money for all my costs going up?
Alright let me try this ask again: what should I read about how higher ed works to continue my learning?
Trying to build up knowledge and maybe start a discussion group (locally? online?) for academics working in the field, but don't research higher ed. Read lots of Chris Newfield, lots of finance/budget books, other books from Hopkins on Critical University Studies. What else should I read/add?
November 10, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Alright let me try this ask again: what should I read about how higher ed works to continue my learning?
Trying to build up knowledge and maybe start a discussion group (locally? online?) for academics working in the field, but don't research higher ed. Read lots of Chris Newfield, lots of finance/budget books, other books from Hopkins on Critical University Studies. What else should I read/add?
November 9, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Trying to build up knowledge and maybe start a discussion group (locally? online?) for academics working in the field, but don't research higher ed. Read lots of Chris Newfield, lots of finance/budget books, other books from Hopkins on Critical University Studies. What else should I read/add?
Nice! Give a listen to Sarah's just published book! I'm obviously biased, since she is a great friend and colleague, but worth a listen to learn about her book.
Sarah Griswold, Resurrecting the Past: France's Forgotten Heritage Mandate - @cornellupress.bsky.social, September 2025
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
@newbooksnetwork.bsky.social with Miranda Melcher
newbooksnetwork.com/resurrecting...
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
@newbooksnetwork.bsky.social with Miranda Melcher
newbooksnetwork.com/resurrecting...
Resurrecting the Past by Sarah Griswold | Hardcover | Cornell University Press
In Resurrecting the Past, Sarah Griswold shows how the Levant became a crucial front in a post-1918 fight over the French past—a contingent and contradictory but always hard-charging struggle over...
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu
November 5, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Nice! Give a listen to Sarah's just published book! I'm obviously biased, since she is a great friend and colleague, but worth a listen to learn about her book.
Reposted by Merle Eisenberg
Comfortable enough in the end.
Second goal was really lovely from Trossard and Merino, the third made it safe, so we could make changes.
4 from 4 in the CL so far this season, 0 goals conceded, 12 scored. And with the players we're missing, that shouldn't be taken for granted.
Momentum.
Second goal was really lovely from Trossard and Merino, the third made it safe, so we could make changes.
4 from 4 in the CL so far this season, 0 goals conceded, 12 scored. And with the players we're missing, that shouldn't be taken for granted.
Momentum.
November 4, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Comfortable enough in the end.
Second goal was really lovely from Trossard and Merino, the third made it safe, so we could make changes.
4 from 4 in the CL so far this season, 0 goals conceded, 12 scored. And with the players we're missing, that shouldn't be taken for granted.
Momentum.
Second goal was really lovely from Trossard and Merino, the third made it safe, so we could make changes.
4 from 4 in the CL so far this season, 0 goals conceded, 12 scored. And with the players we're missing, that shouldn't be taken for granted.
Momentum.
Great conversation on "Foreign Healthcare Workers" with Eram Alam (Harvard). We talked about how immigration, especially from South Asia, has been how the US has historically addressed doctor shortages. Relevant for immigration debates going on now! Listen: infectioushistorians.com/2025/08/29/f...
Episode 141 – Foreign Healthcare Workers with Eram Alam, Infectious Historians
Marian Devotion and Plague in Late Medieval Italy with Bianca Lopez Episode 134 - March 7, 2025 Bianca Lopez (Southern Methodist University) joins the...
infectioushistorians.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Great conversation on "Foreign Healthcare Workers" with Eram Alam (Harvard). We talked about how immigration, especially from South Asia, has been how the US has historically addressed doctor shortages. Relevant for immigration debates going on now! Listen: infectioushistorians.com/2025/08/29/f...
Reposted by Merle Eisenberg
Not much of a second half but we did more than enough in the first half to deserve it.
Great 1st 45 from Gyokeres, and thought Declan Rice was everywhere for Arsenal in the second.
3 points.
Clean sheet.
Job done.
Great 1st 45 from Gyokeres, and thought Declan Rice was everywhere for Arsenal in the second.
3 points.
Clean sheet.
Job done.
November 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Not much of a second half but we did more than enough in the first half to deserve it.
Great 1st 45 from Gyokeres, and thought Declan Rice was everywhere for Arsenal in the second.
3 points.
Clean sheet.
Job done.
Great 1st 45 from Gyokeres, and thought Declan Rice was everywhere for Arsenal in the second.
3 points.
Clean sheet.
Job done.
I spend many days dithering about essays that I want to write (or do write) instead of my research to write. Anyone figure out a good balance of doing both want to share?
October 31, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I spend many days dithering about essays that I want to write (or do write) instead of my research to write. Anyone figure out a good balance of doing both want to share?
Reposted by Merle Eisenberg
Good second half from Arsenal.
Two lovely open play goals ("should backheels be allowed?!!). MLS assist for Ethan is lovely, but a great flick from Merino in the build-up.
Saka off the bench to score. Youngsters did well. Another clean sheet.
Solid night's work.
Two lovely open play goals ("should backheels be allowed?!!). MLS assist for Ethan is lovely, but a great flick from Merino in the build-up.
Saka off the bench to score. Youngsters did well. Another clean sheet.
Solid night's work.
October 29, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Good second half from Arsenal.
Two lovely open play goals ("should backheels be allowed?!!). MLS assist for Ethan is lovely, but a great flick from Merino in the build-up.
Saka off the bench to score. Youngsters did well. Another clean sheet.
Solid night's work.
Two lovely open play goals ("should backheels be allowed?!!). MLS assist for Ethan is lovely, but a great flick from Merino in the build-up.
Saka off the bench to score. Youngsters did well. Another clean sheet.
Solid night's work.
Definitely worth a read as today's article on university management, research, and costs: www.chronicle.com/article/rese...
Research Is the U. of Chicago’s Lifeblood. Its Board Is Killing It.
A great university could be reduced to a shell of its former self.
www.chronicle.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Definitely worth a read as today's article on university management, research, and costs: www.chronicle.com/article/rese...
I approve of this mix up of UConn WBB and Arsenal: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
WNBA star Bueckers enjoys Arsenal win
Dallas Wings' star Paige Bueckers watched Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at the Emirates.
www.espn.com
October 26, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I approve of this mix up of UConn WBB and Arsenal: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Reposted by Merle Eisenberg
Oooof - that was hard work, but exactly the kind of game you have to be able to grind out if you want to win the title.
Maybe a bit of a hangover from midweek, but Eze had the moment of quality to earn three points.
With Man City and Liverpool both losing, this was a really big win.
Maybe a bit of a hangover from midweek, but Eze had the moment of quality to earn three points.
With Man City and Liverpool both losing, this was a really big win.
October 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Oooof - that was hard work, but exactly the kind of game you have to be able to grind out if you want to win the title.
Maybe a bit of a hangover from midweek, but Eze had the moment of quality to earn three points.
With Man City and Liverpool both losing, this was a really big win.
Maybe a bit of a hangover from midweek, but Eze had the moment of quality to earn three points.
With Man City and Liverpool both losing, this was a really big win.
Yesterday a post on German higher ed, so today a post on UK higher ed. Worth a read in full for parsing of policies, which (ironically?) is a key skill set of humanities/social sciences that is not valued since it cannot be quantified.
So I've been reading the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. There's some good things in there. But when it comes to universities there's very little to cheer. The situation is very tough and will get worse. The last chance to preserve what we've got has passed. Let me explain why. (1/?)
October 25, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Yesterday a post on German higher ed, so today a post on UK higher ed. Worth a read in full for parsing of policies, which (ironically?) is a key skill set of humanities/social sciences that is not valued since it cannot be quantified.
Well worth the read, especially for US based medievalists, to get a sense that the lack of jobs and the slow deterioration of medieval studies as a global problem. Do what you can individually, but also build networks and communities.
My blog post with the ADAM network has now been published. It's about precarity, the future of small subjects, and communal approaches to academic work. I hope it will resonate with some. #IchBinHanna #KleineFaecher #SkandiRetten
difficultmedieval.com/2025/10/23/h...
difficultmedieval.com/2025/10/23/h...
Hard Times and Trial Approaches: Old Norse-Icelandic Studies Between Precarity and the Future
Dr Rebecca Merkelbach reflects on her keynote speech at the most recent Saga Conference. Held every three years, Saga Con is the most important meeting of Old Norse scholars, bringing together acad…
difficultmedieval.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Well worth the read, especially for US based medievalists, to get a sense that the lack of jobs and the slow deterioration of medieval studies as a global problem. Do what you can individually, but also build networks and communities.
Reposted by Merle Eisenberg
Absolutely fantastic second half, and that's a great result against top quality opposition.
Brilliant set-piece to crack the game open, amazing assist from MLS for Martinelli's goal, and great to see Gyokeres get his brace. He needed those goals, regardless of how they went in!
A v positive night
Brilliant set-piece to crack the game open, amazing assist from MLS for Martinelli's goal, and great to see Gyokeres get his brace. He needed those goals, regardless of how they went in!
A v positive night
October 21, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Absolutely fantastic second half, and that's a great result against top quality opposition.
Brilliant set-piece to crack the game open, amazing assist from MLS for Martinelli's goal, and great to see Gyokeres get his brace. He needed those goals, regardless of how they went in!
A v positive night
Brilliant set-piece to crack the game open, amazing assist from MLS for Martinelli's goal, and great to see Gyokeres get his brace. He needed those goals, regardless of how they went in!
A v positive night
Great work below looking at K-12 education and well worth a read. If you want some more, take a look at this piece from @daveaddison.bsky.social and me from a few months back: jacobin.com/2025/05/capi.... Now to replace it? No easy answer here, but I'd go with thinking structurally with taxes. 1/
October 20, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Great work below looking at K-12 education and well worth a read. If you want some more, take a look at this piece from @daveaddison.bsky.social and me from a few months back: jacobin.com/2025/05/capi.... Now to replace it? No easy answer here, but I'd go with thinking structurally with taxes. 1/
Reposted by Merle Eisenberg
A tough day, but three points at a ground where we've taken just one in the previous two seasons.
Like Newcastle away and West Ham at home, we're up on points from these fixtures last season.
Saka the stand-out player for me today, and Trossard with another important goal.
Top of the league!
Like Newcastle away and West Ham at home, we're up on points from these fixtures last season.
Saka the stand-out player for me today, and Trossard with another important goal.
Top of the league!
October 18, 2025 at 6:36 PM
A tough day, but three points at a ground where we've taken just one in the previous two seasons.
Like Newcastle away and West Ham at home, we're up on points from these fixtures last season.
Saka the stand-out player for me today, and Trossard with another important goal.
Top of the league!
Like Newcastle away and West Ham at home, we're up on points from these fixtures last season.
Saka the stand-out player for me today, and Trossard with another important goal.
Top of the league!