iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I teach a large number of online history survey courses. I really hoped my students would read the primary sources and engage with them in the discussion boards, but I get tons of AI writing. Do y'all have ideas for AI-resistant online assignments using primary sources? (We use Canvas.)

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

How cool is life, yall? I get to blow air into a tube in my free time, and in exchange, I get a rush of dopamine. I love making music.

Me, holding my flute while sitting on my couch

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Just gave a tour presentation to some VERY engaged high school students.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Anybody know of any academic technology grants? I want to buy 25 typewriters for use in my classroom for exams and other in-class writing.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I got myself a treat for submitting my application for promotion.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Application and portfolio for promotion from Instructor to Assistant Professor has been submitted. #tenuretrack

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

A lil pic of me actually doing work...

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Today, my alma mater is playing my job in football. I think I shall root for a good match.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Last night was the first rehearsal of the ensemble I just joined. It’s so nice to play with a group again. While I’m out of shape, and both my flute and I are old, this will be a lot of fun.

A flute on a stand with some sheet music

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Do y'all ground your 1000-level surveys in some sort of overarching theory? How comfortable are y'all teaching theory to first-year students? I always feel that a theory introduction on the first day of the semester gives them an understanding of how I understand history. Who knows, though?

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Fever on the first day of classes so trying to work from home. Sent an announcement to ALL (146!) of my students (on the first day!!!!!) with a typo in it. I'm going back to bed.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Reached out about joining a community ensemble so I can make music again. Hopefully this pans out.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Anybody want to do a panel at the SFHS in Portland next Spring? I am thinking of presenting a paper on business capital, farm animals, and émigré survival during the French Revolution.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Remember to take time to do the things that made you fall in love with being alive.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

I really like having my students engage with Crenshaw's intersectionality as a way of studying history. However, the writings I have found are sometimes hard for undergrads to digest. Do any of you have any good short articles explaining intersectionality? Thanks in advance.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Today I turn 39, and I’m going to see Hilary Duff in concert.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Just played the Carmen Dragon arrangement of America the Beautiful, and I had forgotten how much I love (to play) this song.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Anybody out there hiring online adjunct history positions that I can work from New Mexico? I need some extra cash. I can teach US, Western, and World History, as well as the French Revolution and Napoleon, 19th Century Europe, the Middle East, and Gender & Sexuality. #tenuretrack

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

How lucky we are to live in the era of Serena Williams.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

I’ve had this piccolo for well over twenty years, and we were both in better shape back then. But still, this piccolo makes me (but probably not anybody nearby) very happy. So, today I play.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Starting to prepare my Executive Summary and packet of materials for my first promotion from Instructor to Assistant Professor. Organization and tedium are both very hard for me, but I will get through this. #tenuretrack

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Yesterday was the last day of contract, and Summer 1 does not start until Friday, and I find myself with a day off. Strange feeling that I should be doing something productive, and yet, here I am...

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Third graduation from the instructor side is in the books. Always so proud of my students when they get to walk!!

Me, in full on doctoral regalia, at graduation.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

They can still cheat even with LockDown Browser. I just found the reddit telling students how to get around it. They put so much effort into not learning...

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Really just want to play piccolo etudes instead of grading...

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Every semester, I give the same assignment to my students: write one to two pages explaining the most important thing you learned this semester (related to my course) and how it impacted your overall educational trajectory. Y'all, I LOVE THIS ASSIGNMENT. They are honest to a fault. Much candor.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

This why I argue in favor of Blue Books. Yet, all y'all look at me like an antiquated fool.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Yesterday was my last lecture of the semester. On the way out the door, one of my students told another student, "this feels like a breakup." They're funny, y'all. I had a good laugh.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

I combined my final two lectures in Western Civ Part I so that my in-person class could learn about Madame du Barry, and I am so excited to give this lecture. For me, this is the best way to end the semester. It may be a little beyond the time period of my course, but it is a teaser for Part II.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

I'm not sure history PhD programs prepare students to be professors at community colleges. Why not? I teach US, Western, and World (Parts 1 and 2 for each), but I was trained to teach the French Revolution, Early Modern Europe, Middle East, and Gender & Sexuality. 1/

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Just emailed the Department Chair asking for extra summer classes. Very motivated by the dollar right now.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

"If you don't ask, the answer is always no." -My mother, teaching me something very important in life

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Found a wonderful $750,000 NEH Grant for Western Civilization. However, there are so many restrictions on what that money ca be used for that I'm not sure winning the grant would benefit my pedagogy, my students, or my institution. That's a shame.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Filled out a survey with OUP and got two free books!!

Two books: The Great Demarcation and The Making of a Terrorist

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Finally found out where to look up my colleagues' salaries. Whoa, some of y'all make a shitload more than I do. Wild.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Dusting off some old research on Madame du Barry to prepare for a presentation this month. Oh, how I have missed her.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

I have friends getting book contracts left and right, and I am so proud of them. Maybe if I wasn't teaching 6-6-1 I would also write a book? Alas...

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Using Spring Break to catch up on grading and recording lectures. Disappointing, but necessary. I just want to play my clarinet and/or go to the beach.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Do y'all have Spring Break this week or next week?

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Finishing up my paper, "Émigrés, Passports, and the Franco-Spanish Border: Spanish Notions of Asylum during the French Revolution." Come see me present this paper later this week at the SFHS in Philadelphia.

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Reposted by Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD

Alicia Andrzejewski (she/her) @aliciaandrz.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

the English major is so important now with the rise of ChatGPT. yes, the humanities are in decline; they’re seen as less useful than STEM, but with the rise of AI, we need people thinking about humanity. what is the human? what makes us human? what could be more important?

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Of all of the things that I write as a college instructor, I think letters of recommendation might be the most important.

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

While it generally feels like a sad era in world history, we do get the keys to our brand new house today, so there is some happiness to be had.

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Reposted by Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD

Chanea Bond @heymrsbond.com · 09/02/2026

We were down a teacher, so my sister has spent the year doing the impossible with an ornery group of seniors and an eager group of emergent bilinguals. Her mission is to encourage reading (in TX ) and we'd be grateful if you would consider donating a book or two. + www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...

amazon.com

Check out my list on Amazon

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

What are your favorite new books about the French Revolution? What about your favorite new microhistories? I need to burn through this library budget, and I want to know what everybody is reading!

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Erik Braeden Lewis, PhD @braedenfrev.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Just submitted my Intent to Apply Memo for promotion from Instructor to Assistant Professor. Has it really already been that long?!? #tenuretrack

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