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Elaine Ayers

@eayers0.bsky.social
3.4K followers 3K following 892 posts

Historian of science, collecting, plants + museums // professor at Yale // PhD in History of Science from Princeton // writing books // contr. ed. at Public Domain Review // elaineayers.com

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Reposted by Elaine Ayers
Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
When they get back in power, Democrats need to go all-in on higher education. We need a campaign of reinvestment in public universities across the country that makes the Morrill Land-Grant Act look like nothing by comparison *and* a GI Bill of Rights-style program of tuition grants.
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Shannon Mattern @shannonmattern.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Lookin' at ur department website, noticin' that 80% are men over 60, knowin' that you just denied tenure to four young non-white scholars. Meanwhile, you're *all* burning out your mid-career women.
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Alison Laurence @dinostalgia.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I wrote about those antediluvians in The End of Oak Street for @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social. Thanks to @sayanniething.bsky.social for letting me get a little weird with the Michigan of it all! Some general spoilers, but only one specific one re: fate of the dog. #FossilFriday tinyurl.com/dinostories
tinyurl.com
We Tell Ourselves Dinosaur Stories in Order to Live | Los Angeles Review of Books
We live within a library of antediluvian narratives, with more accessioned every day.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Even more essays in this Ocean Reveries series have been released - Jessica Riskin, one of my all-time favs, excerpting from her new book on Lamarck: "Even the very simplest plants and animals—tiny, fragile, translucent algae and monads—contained the power of life." pioneerworks.org/broadcast/je...
pioneerworks.org
The Sea Before Us | Broadcast
How the inventor of "biology" located life's beginnings in the sea.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
We’ve had to be creative + plan far in advance, but I love taking my big lecture class to collections so they can still do hands-on work, access Yale’s resources, see cool stuff + meet staff members even though it’s soo much harder to do with these numbers.
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Ian Petrie @icpetrie.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
JOB: TT Assistant Professor, History & Geography, Elon College 🚨 ALSO ART HISTORY 🚨 "we are particularly interested in applicants...focused on the visual & material culture of the Global South...or Native American and Indigenous Studies" jobs.elon.edu/jobs/assista...
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Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/news/2026/se...
theguardian.com
Nearly 4m records of enslaved people in 20 former British colonies now searchable online
Exclusive: Collection’s 300,000 pages record lives of enslaved people in countries including the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Mauritius, South Africa and Trinidad
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Bryan Blessed @bryb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
This picture of the Pope at his 40th birthday party is everything to me.x
The Pope at his crazy as fuck 40th birthday party wearing a tiny sea captain hat, holding a tiny ice cream surrounded by THREE sad looking balloons. He's wearing a blue jacket and jeans with a brown belt and he's got a navy polo shirt on.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
New articles out from two of my favs: first, @brad.bolman.com writing stunningly, and sadly, about water in his new(ish) home of New Orleans. "If land here has always been the site of a pyrrhic struggle to dry an insatiably wet place, it is clear now that the waters are winning—have won..."
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Devyn Gwynne @devyngwynne.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
How I feel strolling up to lecture/ How my students see me lecturing
Hudson williams 2026 outdoors smoking looking maybe the coolest anyone has looked. Charlie day mind map scene from it’s always sunny.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Literally the least original take ever, but as someone who loves and watches a ton of TV, I finally watched Hacks and LOVED it. I've seen some good TV this year, and this was top three.
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Michael Clemens @mclem.org · 12/09/2026
The US President's new proposal to tax international students has been approved by the White House for release this week. It's an unprecedented $100,000 tax on int'l grads who stay to work after graduation on Optional Practical Training (most grads do), a crucial bridge to remaining by any channel.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
"The hidden sound of ice raises questions about absence. What does it mean to listen to something that is disappearing? Can sound preserve aspects of a landscape that may no longer exist in the future?" pioneerworks.org/broadcast/hi...
pioneerworks.org
The Hidden Sound of Ice | Broadcast
What can we hear in a disappearing landscape?
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
This number of emails and meetings simply can...not be what it's going to be like this semester. I legitimately don't even know where to put people in my schedule. But three cheers for the biggest history of botany lecture class to date! The people want plants! 🎉🌿🎉
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big bleat from badsville @djepelgesh.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
thank you The New York Post for what may be the funniest image of all time
a picture from the NY Post titled "	today’s leftists are possessed by the spirit of France’s 18th-century guillotine-loving revolutionaries" (way too long) that shows Mamdani (the specter haunting Europe) smiling in the sky as a bunch of French people goof around
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Attention Philadelphia! We're hosting a rally to demand that Drexel University maintain The Academy of Natural Sciences Museum open to the public. Join us on Tuesday morning at 10am in front of the academy. Please spread the word, we need all hands on deck! RSVP here: luma.com/1qwnrqz2
A dinosaur on a white background with the text SAve the academy of Natural sciences museum rally Tuesday Sept 8 10am in front of the academy 1900 ben Franklin Parkway. "Tell Drexel University "Keep the museum open!" with the logos for Philly Science Action, Skype a Scientist, and Green Philly
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Claire E. Aubin @ceaubin.com · 04/09/2026
Almost every young woman academic I know (including myself) has been targeted and belittled, sexually or otherwise, at some point by a higher-ranking man. After the state of the job market, it’s probably the number two thing I warn prospective grad students about.
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Carole King @carolekingofficial.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
As we elders, our daughters, and our granddaughters continue the fight for power, equality, and respect, we hold you in our hearts with love and gratitude. Rest in peace and power, Gloria Steinem. 🤍
nytimes.com
Gloria Steinem, Personification of the Women’s Movement, Dies at 92 (Gift Article)
She challenged sexist assumptions, helping women develop a sense of self-worth and gain a measure of equality at work, at home and in society at large.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
For those of you who have been paying attention to the Duke Herbarium over the past ~2 years, here's more news: it's going to UNC Chapel Hill. Happy to see it's not closing entirely, but this is also part of a larger pattern of cuts + losses from multiple angles. dukechronicle.com/article/duke...
dukechronicle.com
After near closure, Duke Herbarium to take up new roots in Chapel Hill
Despite previous concerns of a closure amid plans to relocate, the biodiversity hotspot will combine with UNC’s collection to become the largest herbarium in the Southeast. The move has provided resea...
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Among multiple shakeups + closures this week: it's disappointing to hear this news about ANS, but at least their collections are remaining intact. My understanding is that among other issues, they were also hit by NEH/other gov't grant cuts. There are consequences to cuts. whyy.org/articles/aca...
whyy.org
The Academy of Natural Sciences museum in Philly is closing
The Academy will continue scientific research and public education, but its museum will go the way of the dinosaur.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I am gathering my thoughts on the Academy of Natural Sciences closing. It does not come as a surprise, unfortunately, and I’m very sad.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I'm about 1.5 years of job security away from finally teaching my Werner Herzog history class.
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Shannon Mattern @shannonmattern.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
"Restoring the native plant profile of the prairie was not a small job... The team collected native plants from private landholders to grow a seed library at ND State Uni. “I spent days wandering the prairie with a bag + ✂️ looking really closely for specific plants that are going in to seed..."
bloomberg.com
To Build the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library, Landscape Architects Restored a Prairie
The new museum devoted the the 26th president celebrates the dramatic Badlands of North Dakota.
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Gillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 31/08/2026
NEW FROM ME: On a hellish third-country removal flight last month, passengers say ICE-contracted guards got drunk, teased and beat them, tied them up, refused to let them use the lavatory. One says he witnessed an ICE agent admit to illegal chain refoulement. prospect.org/2026/08/31/w...
prospect.org
‘What America Did to Me Is Wrong’: Inside One of the Largest Third-Country Removal Flights So Far - The American Prospect
On July 31, an estimated 71 detainees were expelled to various countries on a hellish flight to Africa. Many were then illegally returned to their home countries.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
🪲🪰🪲 Some belated photos from Scotland to close out the summer: insect collections at the off-site storage at the National Museum 🪲🪰🪲
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Gregg Mitman @greggmitman.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
We’re thrilled to share that OVERBURDEN has been chosen to be part of the Wildscreen Official Selection Program 2026! It’s an honor to be recognized alongside so many incredible storytellers and filmmakers celebrating the natural world. overburdenfilm.com #envhumanities #envhist
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William Orchard @billeo.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
www.cuny.edu/news/cuny-co...
cuny.edu
CUNY Completes First-Ever Survey of Extensive Archival Collections Across 26 Campuses – The City University of New York
The City University of New York today announced that it completed the first full-scale survey of its extensive archival collections. Overseen by the CUNY Office of Library Services, the Cultivating Ar...
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Emily Mullin @emilymullin.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I'm a staff writer at @wired.com and I'm looking to speak with parents of immunocompromised kids, especially those in areas with measles outbreaks, and how you're dealing with back to school with rising cases. emily_mullin@wired.com
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Alisa Bokulich @alisabokulich.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Postdoc in Integrated History & Philosophy of Modern Science at my alma mater #HPS program at Notre Dame. $75K +$15K research funds Deadline Dec 1st. #PhilJobs #philsci #philsky #histSTM #histmod philjobs.org/job/show/31869
philjobs.org
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Notre Dame - PhilJobs:JFP Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Notre Dame
An international database of jobs for philosophers
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Over 300 million books.
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William Shakespeare @shakespeare.lol · 25/08/2026
[Exit Queen.]
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j m gabriel, a circus of faults and vices @jmgabriel.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
damn its been a long semester, thank God its almost - uh wait
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Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Are we ever going to find out what happened to mitch McConnell
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Jonathan @jsench.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
If you would like to see me much more frequently you should get this job:
jobs.wisc.edu
Head of Special Collections - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:Academic StaffEmployment Type...
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ertruitt.bsky.social @ertruitt.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
🚨🚨🚨JOB ALERT: The HSS Department at Penn is hiring a tenure-track or tenured professor in the history of data/info science, computing, or AI. Please share widely! apply.interfolio.com/192132
apply.interfolio.com
Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
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Sarah Arens @saraharens.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Over the moon that the special issue of Social History of Medicine @sshmedicine.bsky.social I co-edited with Sam Goodman on "Ailing Empires: Medicine, Science and Imperialism" is finally out in the world. Endless gratitude to @fcondrau.bsky.social. All article links below: academic.oup.com/shm/issue
academic.oup.com
Issues | Social History of Medicine | Oxford Academic
The official journal of the Society for the Social History of Medicine. Publishes research concerned with all aspects of health, illness, and medical treatment in the past. Articles treat the social h...
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Brad Bolman @brad.bolman.com · 17/08/2026
Tulane History is hiring a tenure-track assistant professor of History and Political Economy. It's a joint appointment with Tulane's Murphy Institute and we're excited to continue our department's growth. Please share widely! tulane-ibqejb.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
tulane-ibqejb.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com
Department of History and the Murphy Institute Assistant Professor (Tenure-track) in History and Political Economy
Short Position Description
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Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
A wild story that sums up so much about this moment. Rare books bought up by a hyperscaler, driven across the country by truck, scanned and fed into the woodchipper by low wage workers so the rich can build and own systems that squeeze, surveil, and automate labor and control knowledge generation.
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lauren @lauren.rotatingsandwiches.com · 19/08/2026
the fact that there's a 🫑 emoji and an 🧅 emoji but no celery emoji shows as a society we still have a long way to go until cajun cooking is normalized in this country
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Interesting to see Gajdusek written about 18 years after Warwick Anderson's Collectors of Lost Souls - which raised, but did not fully explore, how the anthropologist brought boys back to the US (and was charged with abuse). This follow up was needed. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
newyorker.com
The Scientist Who Lived with Dozens of Children from the Pacific Islands
Carleton Gajdusek won the Nobel for his work on a disease in Papua New Guinea. But his biggest experiment was on the children he took back to the U.S.
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Ursula K. Le Guin Bot @leguinbot.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
We all have forests on our minds. Forests unexplored, unending. Each one of us gets lost in the forest, every night, alone.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Every day a new heartbreaking horror in academia.
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Ursula K. Le Guin Bot @leguinbot.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
When he found that the administrators were upset, he laughed. “Do they expect students not to be anarchists?” he said. “What else can the young be? When you are on the bottom, you must organize from the bottom up”
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
This is such a huge issue that I often talk about with students. For all of the west's obsession with being able to better "protect" the objects in our collections, museums are struggling. I have personally seen flooding. But funding is scarce (at best), and god knows the US doesn't care.
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Diane Zorich @dzorich.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Collateral damage
hyperallergic.com
National Gallery of Art Protects Works Ahead of Trump's IndyCar Race
I.M. Pei skylights and an outdoor Alexander Calder sculpture are among the structures that have been boarded up ahead of this month’s race.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
I’m sorry, but I can’t. Do we just live in Veep now (unbelievably great show), except that this is both page news and we’re completely ignoring the who even knows how many deaths since Trump took office? We’re doing Taylor Swift level lore now? (Yes, she hides in suitcases).
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
As someone who spent many young years reading the print edition of The Onion in Madison,WI, I’m so happy to see they’re getting straight back to it. We love you, we’re here for you, you’re fun the work you are always meant to do.
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Elaine Ayers @eayers0.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
End of summer wrapping up as it usually does. Can’t believe the semester is starting so soon.
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Anna Alexandrova @annaalexandrova.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Losing Exeter philosophers of science would be devastating to our field and to the international standing of U.K. universities. Please help us publicise this letter and put pressure to the Exeter execs. Their work as teachers and researchers is irreplaceable #philsci #HigherEd
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