Emily Swafford
@elswafford.bsky.social
Historian and administrator. Asst Dean-ing at Rackham Graduate School. Sort-of-sane cat mom and avid reader of not-too-scary murder mysteries. Sometime choral singer. Views my own. Ann Arbor, MI. she/her.
Pinned
Emily Swafford
@elswafford.bsky.social
· Jun 27
Sharing, for no reason, the photo of a child-sized handprint on a brick on the Lawn at UVa. Taken last year at my 20-year reunion. So proud and grateful to the students who looked for it, found it, and made sure others could know about it, too.
Reposted by Emily Swafford
After 11 years of midwifery in her home country of Ghana, Rackham and University of Michigan School of Nursing Ph.D. candidate Theresa Norpeli Lanyo decided to pursue her doctoral degree to address some of the barriers to adequate prenatal care.
Learn more: https://myumi.ch/pV469
#WeAreRackham
Learn more: https://myumi.ch/pV469
#WeAreRackham
January 13, 2026 at 6:13 PM
After 11 years of midwifery in her home country of Ghana, Rackham and University of Michigan School of Nursing Ph.D. candidate Theresa Norpeli Lanyo decided to pursue her doctoral degree to address some of the barriers to adequate prenatal care.
Learn more: https://myumi.ch/pV469
#WeAreRackham
Learn more: https://myumi.ch/pV469
#WeAreRackham
I am so excited to read these columns!!
The column itself will be about my messy travels through the archives as I try to better understand what higher education looks like when in service of a multiracial democracy
January 13, 2026 at 6:51 PM
I am so excited to read these columns!!
Reposted by Emily Swafford
#CfA #Postdoctoral #Fellowships 2026-27
📌 10 months #Fellowships beginning on 1 September 2026 | in #Beirut | for applicants with a doctoral degree | focus on #Research in #Humanities and #SocialSciences | organised by #OIBeirut
📅 1 March 2026
🔗www.orient-institut....
📌 10 months #Fellowships beginning on 1 September 2026 | in #Beirut | for applicants with a doctoral degree | focus on #Research in #Humanities and #SocialSciences | organised by #OIBeirut
📅 1 March 2026
🔗www.orient-institut....
January 13, 2026 at 2:42 PM
#CfA #Postdoctoral #Fellowships 2026-27
📌 10 months #Fellowships beginning on 1 September 2026 | in #Beirut | for applicants with a doctoral degree | focus on #Research in #Humanities and #SocialSciences | organised by #OIBeirut
📅 1 March 2026
🔗www.orient-institut....
📌 10 months #Fellowships beginning on 1 September 2026 | in #Beirut | for applicants with a doctoral degree | focus on #Research in #Humanities and #SocialSciences | organised by #OIBeirut
📅 1 March 2026
🔗www.orient-institut....
Reposted by Emily Swafford
In 2026, we invite you to appreciate America’s history & celebrate the semiquincentennial by exploring Library collections through exhibitions & special programming. https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/library-of-congress-celebrates-america-s-250-years/s/f24d73a1-2beb-4ca8-bbb7-49ebc3f65145?loclr=blsky
Library of Congress Celebrates America’s 250 Years
Throughout 2026, the Library of Congress invites all Americans to further appreciate the nation’s history by exploring the Library’s collections and expertise through exhibitions and programming.
newsroom.loc.gov
January 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM
In 2026, we invite you to appreciate America’s history & celebrate the semiquincentennial by exploring Library collections through exhibitions & special programming. https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/library-of-congress-celebrates-america-s-250-years/s/f24d73a1-2beb-4ca8-bbb7-49ebc3f65145?loclr=blsky
Reposted by Emily Swafford
Women's History Internships @ Smithsonian in museum admin; advancement; comms; or digital. $1200/wk stipend+ travel to/from DC. 6/8 - 8/7/26. Apply NOW (deadline = 2/12 OR first 200 applications) Open to U.S. college students/recent college grads, 18 yrs of age or older & have 3.0 or higher GPA.
Internships
Intern with us for an opportunity to contribute to our national effort to share a diversity of women's stories from the past and present.
womenshistory.si.edu
January 13, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Women's History Internships @ Smithsonian in museum admin; advancement; comms; or digital. $1200/wk stipend+ travel to/from DC. 6/8 - 8/7/26. Apply NOW (deadline = 2/12 OR first 200 applications) Open to U.S. college students/recent college grads, 18 yrs of age or older & have 3.0 or higher GPA.
I’ve been telling folks that I have hope as a historian, because we know that all is contingent, nothing is predetermined. We have the agency we find and analyze in our historical actors. But this piece gave some shape to that belief—we can build the state we want live with.
"The wall looks permanent until the day it comes down." Read this. You'll be glad you did.
The Wall Looks Permanent Until It Falls
On the optimism of preparation in a time of democratic decay.
data4democracy.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:44 PM
I’ve been telling folks that I have hope as a historian, because we know that all is contingent, nothing is predetermined. We have the agency we find and analyze in our historical actors. But this piece gave some shape to that belief—we can build the state we want live with.
Reposted by Emily Swafford
This is a wonderful illustration of the many ways we rely upon a functioning, competent government every day. We might miss it when its gone.
if you want a long read that involves udders, a hot air balloon, and some extremely dubious data on egg prices, the story I’ve been working on for the last few months where I tried to single-handedly take on every government function myself is now online! www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
I Tried to Be the Government. It Did Not Go Well.
My five-month quest to monitor the weather, track inflation, and inspect milk for harmful microorganisms
www.theatlantic.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:27 PM
This is a wonderful illustration of the many ways we rely upon a functioning, competent government every day. We might miss it when its gone.
Reposted by Emily Swafford
Had to research this. One thing I learned was that if you use airplane mode on your cell phone, it can't be tracked. We didn't have cell phones in the 60s. But also have hard copy maps with routes and emergency escape options. Know your rights. www.aclu-wa.org/protest-cent...
Protest rights and safety - ACLU of Washington
A center to access information on staying safe and knowing your rights when protesting.
www.aclu-wa.org
January 12, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Had to research this. One thing I learned was that if you use airplane mode on your cell phone, it can't be tracked. We didn't have cell phones in the 60s. But also have hard copy maps with routes and emergency escape options. Know your rights. www.aclu-wa.org/protest-cent...
Reposted by Emily Swafford
Academics - if you are expert in the history of the fourth amendment, today is a day you could pitch your favorite news outlet with a piece about it. If you're interested, do a little writing, then email me lollardfish at gmail and I'll give you some free op-ed coaching.
What’s this old thing
January 12, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Academics - if you are expert in the history of the fourth amendment, today is a day you could pitch your favorite news outlet with a piece about it. If you're interested, do a little writing, then email me lollardfish at gmail and I'll give you some free op-ed coaching.
The calmness she responds with makes me think of the training sit-in participants would undergo during the civil rights movement. To keep your head in such a disorienting and threatening situation is such an achievement.
First of all, good for her for calmly standing her ground and ignoring all the empty threats -- "we're gonna put you in the car and ID you!" -- until these goons give up and slink away.
Second, the irony of masked agents of the state with no name plates demanding *other* people identify themselves?
Second, the irony of masked agents of the state with no name plates demanding *other* people identify themselves?
This woman is harder than goddamn steel dealing with these goddamn thugs. I want her to be my neighbor.
January 12, 2026 at 9:09 PM
The calmness she responds with makes me think of the training sit-in participants would undergo during the civil rights movement. To keep your head in such a disorienting and threatening situation is such an achievement.
Reposted by Emily Swafford
😬
January 12, 2026 at 4:09 PM
😬
Reposted by Emily Swafford
When I come to the office midwinter, the sun is just coming up and this view to the southeast over Minneapolis gives me a little hope that the light returns, spring will come.
Tough times in this city, under attack from our government, so maybe you need this view too.
Tough times in this city, under attack from our government, so maybe you need this view too.
January 12, 2026 at 1:28 PM
When I come to the office midwinter, the sun is just coming up and this view to the southeast over Minneapolis gives me a little hope that the light returns, spring will come.
Tough times in this city, under attack from our government, so maybe you need this view too.
Tough times in this city, under attack from our government, so maybe you need this view too.
Reposted by Emily Swafford
🗃️
I curate the history series at public media's trade journal Current. We're looking for pieces on the history of NPR, PBS and its affiliates, with some space to imagine public media's future. We accept academic articles repurposed for wide readership. Plus, we pay. Please circulate!
Rewind: The Roots of Public Media
This series features scholars of media history looking back at both familiar and lesser-known chapters in public broadcasting’s evolution. “Rewind” is presented in partnership with the Radio Preservat...
current.org
January 11, 2026 at 9:53 PM
🗃️
Reposted by Emily Swafford
I would say the inflation/conflation of pubs is the part that is most worrying. Definitely should not be listed as peer-reviewed but I don't know if this is the norm in business schools with internal pubs. Still, there are no higher ed journals AND I can't even find quality business journals.
A blistering critique of UVA’s presidential search process that also raises some serious concerns about Beardsley’s resume. That guy has got to go.
augustafreepress.com/news/vanishi...
augustafreepress.com/news/vanishi...
How UVA’s presidential search missed what took us an hour to find
Inside Higher Ed frames the controversy surrounding Scott C. Beardsley's appointment as the University of Virginia's president.
augustafreepress.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:00 PM
I would say the inflation/conflation of pubs is the part that is most worrying. Definitely should not be listed as peer-reviewed but I don't know if this is the norm in business schools with internal pubs. Still, there are no higher ed journals AND I can't even find quality business journals.
Reposted by Emily Swafford
This seems to strongly suggest that the incoming president of UVA doctored his CV to the edge of outright dishonesty, and that the most recent changes came months before Jim Ryan was forced, as if they were made in anticipation in Ryan’s removal. augustafreepress.com/news/vanishi...
How UVA’s presidential search missed what took us an hour to find
Inside Higher Ed frames the controversy surrounding Scott C. Beardsley's appointment as the University of Virginia's president.
augustafreepress.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:02 PM
This seems to strongly suggest that the incoming president of UVA doctored his CV to the edge of outright dishonesty, and that the most recent changes came months before Jim Ryan was forced, as if they were made in anticipation in Ryan’s removal. augustafreepress.com/news/vanishi...
Had a wonderful time seeing old friends and learning new things at #AHA26. A fitting farewell hat tip Chicago: eating cheese and caramel corn for lunch as my train leaves Union Station.
January 11, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Had a wonderful time seeing old friends and learning new things at #AHA26. A fitting farewell hat tip Chicago: eating cheese and caramel corn for lunch as my train leaves Union Station.
Reposted by Emily Swafford
On Dec. 2, 1919, Toronto's Ambrose Small deposited $1.7 million into his bank account and met with his lawyer.
Then...he vanished without a trace. The money remained untouched by Small and he was never seen again.
This is the story of a very interesting mystery.
🧵 1/10
Then...he vanished without a trace. The money remained untouched by Small and he was never seen again.
This is the story of a very interesting mystery.
🧵 1/10
January 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM
On Dec. 2, 1919, Toronto's Ambrose Small deposited $1.7 million into his bank account and met with his lawyer.
Then...he vanished without a trace. The money remained untouched by Small and he was never seen again.
This is the story of a very interesting mystery.
🧵 1/10
Then...he vanished without a trace. The money remained untouched by Small and he was never seen again.
This is the story of a very interesting mystery.
🧵 1/10
Reposted by Emily Swafford
“if you don’t say it with expertise, someone else will say it without expertise” - @geraldo-cadava.bsky.social #aha2026
January 9, 2026 at 3:13 PM
“if you don’t say it with expertise, someone else will say it without expertise” - @geraldo-cadava.bsky.social #aha2026
Reposted by Emily Swafford
grateful to @historians.org for hosting an op-ed workshop! #aha2026 @jamellebouie.net @lmansley.bsky.social @kathrynbrownell.bsky.social @geraldo-cadava.bsky.social et al
January 9, 2026 at 2:42 PM
grateful to @historians.org for hosting an op-ed workshop! #aha2026 @jamellebouie.net @lmansley.bsky.social @kathrynbrownell.bsky.social @geraldo-cadava.bsky.social et al
Reposted by Emily Swafford
Some more Latin Americanist fun. Great to see @mapicone.bsky.social 's fabulous work at the Exhibition Hall. And here with Kari Zimmerman, co-author-- with @sharikadcrawford.bsky.social--of Understanding and Teaching Latin America. Check it out at the U-Wisc booth! @clahistorians.bsky.social #AHA26
January 10, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Some more Latin Americanist fun. Great to see @mapicone.bsky.social 's fabulous work at the Exhibition Hall. And here with Kari Zimmerman, co-author-- with @sharikadcrawford.bsky.social--of Understanding and Teaching Latin America. Check it out at the U-Wisc booth! @clahistorians.bsky.social #AHA26
Reposted by Emily Swafford
For #AHA26 folks I know most know but decimation of NEH staff described and in context of the devastation to federal agencies.
For some agencies, the cuts have hollowed out decades-old functions of the federal government.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
220,000 Fewer Workers: How Trump’s Cuts Affected Every Federal Agency (Gift Article)
New data offers the first clear view of the impact of the buyouts and firings.
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 5:25 PM
For #AHA26 folks I know most know but decimation of NEH staff described and in context of the devastation to federal agencies.
Reposted by Emily Swafford
“He reads it. He cites it. And he makes it accessible to a national audience.” Very cool moment @historians.org #AHA26 recognizing @jamellebouie.net’s exceptional engagement w history and historians in his brilliant opinion writing.
January 9, 2026 at 12:22 PM
“He reads it. He cites it. And he makes it accessible to a national audience.” Very cool moment @historians.org #AHA26 recognizing @jamellebouie.net’s exceptional engagement w history and historians in his brilliant opinion writing.
I’m really looking forward to this plenary! #AHA26
Tonight at 8 PM: #AHA26 plenary, “Let Facts Be Submitted to a Candid World”: Historians, their Publics, and the 250th Anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, with chair Serena R. Zabin, John R. Dichtl, Jason Hanson, Jane Kamensky, Colleen Shogan, Kyera Singleton, and Karin Wulf.
139th Annual Meeting (January 8-11, 2026): “Let Facts Be Submitted to a Candid World”: Historians, their Publics, and the 250th Anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence
aha.confex.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM
I’m really looking forward to this plenary! #AHA26
Reposted by Emily Swafford
This is coming from a place of love and support, but…
It’s ‘shoo-in,’ not ‘shoe-in.’
It’s ‘case in point,’ not ‘case and point.’
It’s ‘moot point,’ not ‘mute point.’
It’s ‘hunger pangs,’ not ‘hunger pains.’
It’s ‘jibe with,' not 'jive with.'
It’s ‘shoo-in,’ not ‘shoe-in.’
It’s ‘case in point,’ not ‘case and point.’
It’s ‘moot point,’ not ‘mute point.’
It’s ‘hunger pangs,’ not ‘hunger pains.’
It’s ‘jibe with,' not 'jive with.'
January 8, 2026 at 6:52 PM
This is coming from a place of love and support, but…
It’s ‘shoo-in,’ not ‘shoe-in.’
It’s ‘case in point,’ not ‘case and point.’
It’s ‘moot point,’ not ‘mute point.’
It’s ‘hunger pangs,’ not ‘hunger pains.’
It’s ‘jibe with,' not 'jive with.'
It’s ‘shoo-in,’ not ‘shoe-in.’
It’s ‘case in point,’ not ‘case and point.’
It’s ‘moot point,’ not ‘mute point.’
It’s ‘hunger pangs,’ not ‘hunger pains.’
It’s ‘jibe with,' not 'jive with.'
Reposted by Emily Swafford
A gentle request: let them work… for now or they can talk for hours 😉
January 8, 2026 at 3:42 PM
A gentle request: let them work… for now or they can talk for hours 😉