Sign in

Karin Wulf

@kawulf.bsky.social
15K followers 2.7K following 12K posts

Historian of #VastEarlyAmerica, gender, family & politics | Director & Librarian @ JCBLibrary | History Prof @ Brown U #LineageTheBook OUP July, 2025 | On some other platforms and also @ karinwulf.com | Opinions here just mine.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Rachel Shelden @rachelshelden.bsky.social · 11h
Many thanks to @ala-booklist.bsky.social!!
2173
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Anya Jabour @herstoryprof.bsky.social · 10h
Highly recommend working @joshrgreenberg.bsky.social
1104
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Patricia Hswe @pmhswe.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Friends, please check out this new report on community-based archives, "Powerful But Precarious," linked from the Mellon website. A participatory action research study, it provides a rich portrait of these organizations—their aspirations, wants, and resilience. Enjoy! www.mellon.org/features/com...
mellon.org
Mellon Foundation
The Mellon Foundation makes grants to actively unlock the power in the arts and humanities that helps connect us all.
17633
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 18h
I can't summon the vocabulary for the last (week? months? years?) of emotional regulation required on this topic. I can't say I don't have *any* friends who never experienced SA, but most have. Mine was at 13-- or the worst, anyway. As a historian, my point is that college SA is in a context.
1185
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 19h
The whole world as sports ball, 16thc style.
A hand which looks to me like a baseball mitt holding the earth looking like a baseball, tonal, from an early modern print with latin visible.
0130
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 20h
Contrary to billing change over time as our beat, as a historian I'm here to tell you that violence against women is an absolute constant. Not generations but centuries of activism & policies have made that violence only somewhat more public. Our daily news reminds us how and why.
05520
Reposted by Karin Wulf
David M. Perry @lollardfish.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
“Cutting this much from the university budget will mean that some of the core functions of the university will be lost. It’s not possible to just do more with less — to work smarter, to trim around the edges. We’re going to have to do less with less.” Gift link: www.startribune.com/umn-cuts-sta...
startribune.com
Perry: What we lose if the U cuts $225 million
"Austerity doesn’t work. Instead, it creates a death spiral, where reduction in services leads to reductions in revenue, which lead to reductions in services, which leads to reduction in revenue, whic...
16746286
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Cassandra Good @cgoodhistorian.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
It's esp important for male academics to learn more about how problematic the Title IX process is and how poorly universities treat survivors. I helped organize a conference panel on this topic in 2022. The room was full--of women. Two men came. This isn't a women's issue, it's a human issue.
13011
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Jacqueline Antonovich @jackiantonovich.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The way I absolutely *hate* that I have to tell students I am a mandatory reporter when this happens. I understand why I have to disclose this, but it breaks my heart.
819531
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Among other things am delighted that almost 100 years ago someone else was doing the same thing I do to figure out birthdates. Smudgey pencil satisfaction no thank you Claude/ Chat/AgentX.
Organey paper with two calclations in pencil for a birthdate of 1745 and 1735 each figured from a year and an age.
0471
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Anna O. Law @unlawfulentries.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Had bookmarked this and just now listened. Fantastic episode. The enslavement of Native Americans was based on *where* they were. They were on land that settler Americans wanted. It was qualitatively distinct from the enslavement of African Americans and those differences need to be understood.
37731
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
It’s not just the stupidity but the *aggressive* stupidity, daring you to object or even register it.
0161
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Lauren MacIvor Thompson @lmacthompson1.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
My department is hiring an Assistant/Associate Professor of Public History! I am on the committee so please let me know if you have questions and please feel free to share! Job ID 303951. campus.kennesaw.edu/faculty-staf...
campus.kennesaw.edu
Careers - Human Resources
find your next great career opportunity by finding jobs through the Department of Human Resources at Kennesaw State University!
04945
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Just had lunch w 6 undergrad researchers @theotherrbg.bsky.social and I have been working w and let me tell you the JOY of hearing them talk about ideas, history, literature, languages, science for humanity, classes on theory and why they want all that in the face of AI. We were 🥹🥹!
1516
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
As ever on point @rschon.bsky.social! Reading abt next steps for rare materials digitization +access I'm feeling *so* good abt @jcblibrary.bsky.social's work. nb when I call cataloging ->digitzation workflow* my main achievment & they think I'm kidding. scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2026/09/29/a...
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org
Are libraries prepared for the second digital transformation of distinctive collections?
Academic and research libraries, as well as public libraries, historical societies, and other organizations, hold extensive collections of rare and unique materials, such as archival and manuscript co...
2116
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"To create a new account ... to sign in ... to declare online profile bankruptcy..."
070
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
When the "biscuification" is part of the research. Such a great illustration of what we tell students (and ourselves?) eg research is the process not just the product.
2214
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Happy that nation, fortunate that age, whose history is not diverting. B Franklin as Poor Richard (Voltaire-ish), 1740.
0152
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Melissa Johnson, PhD @ladyhistorian.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I am tired of having to pretend that the value of studying my discipline solely rests on the "marketable skills" we teach. Sometimes things are just worth knowing and doing because they make your life bigger and richer.
131226256
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
So dazzled by these endpapers I don't even remember what @jcblibrary.bsky.social book this is.
Rose and yellow gold leaf floral pattern, sumptuous on heavy paper. Gutter just visible. Not a great picture bc of said dazzling.
1424
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Okay! Headed (from Providence) to Philadelphia today, back tomorrow! What could go wrong.
350
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Rob Taber @robtaber.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
It's amazing the problems that the "Civic Center" approach keeps running into. Meanwhile, the UNC System's Common Ground Collaborative has issued 70 course design or redesign grants to faculty across the state with minimal fuss, more immediate impact, and a much lower overall cost.
172
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Jack Rakove @jrakove.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
My thoughts on the spurious constitutional theory that is eroding our polity: washingtonmonthly.com/2026/09/24/u...
washingtonmonthly.com
The Unitary Executive Theory in All of Its Historical Perversity
The unitary executive theory rests on a misinformed reading of the Constitution and the Founders’ understanding of presidential power.
48138
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Matthew Kirschenbaum @mkirschenbaum.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Of course to a large extent the problem is “AI,” but it’s hard to read something like this and not come away thinking there are other problems, not strictly technical, and not limited to any one institution.
43410
Reposted by Karin Wulf
David Veevers @davidveevers.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
My old boss has asked me to give his new book a social media bump, because he has wisely chosen never to set up his own account! So I’m happy to announce that ‘Britain’s Slave Traders: A Hidden History’ is available today in all good bookshops! www.penguin.co.uk/books/460026...
8252104
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Jacqueline Antonovich @jackiantonovich.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Taught the Fugitive Slave Act for the first time in a few years. Man, my head was spinning as I uttered my familiar refrain about how the FSA radicalized Northerners who maybe never thought much about slavery until they saw people being snatched off the street right in front of them...
static.klipy.com
Euphoria Wait Is This Fucking Play About Us
Alt: Euphoria Wait Is This Fucking Play About Us
202162539
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Mary Fissell @maryfissell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
New post on A is for Abortion! maryfissell.substack.com/p/p-is-for-p... The story of a Caribbean flower immortalized on a tea-set in the collections of the Queen's House, Greenwich. Testament to the transit of knowledge about abortion.
maryfissell.substack.com
P is for Peacock Flower
P is for Peacock Flower, an abortion-inducing plant native to the Caribbean.
062
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Joseph M. Adelman @jmadelman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
There’s a lovely set of remembrances and tributes to Susan Klepp at @easmisc.bsky.social, and I recommend starting with that by her co-editor, @kawulf.bsky.social. #VastEarlyAmerica web.sas.upenn.edu/earlyamerica...
web.sas.upenn.edu
Roundtable – Women Matter: Remembering and Reading Susan Klepp, 1943-2026 – Karin Wulf – EAS Miscellany
152
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Many more headlines thus am breezing past historical scholarship of decades — and Hemings family history — to trumpet a new DNA study that simply confirms what we knew. My bar is low but even I’m depressed by how science always has to be “news” and journalism has so much trouble reporting history.
57026
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Eileen Clancy 🧿 @clancyny.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I wonder what's up. Michel Martin is smart and thoughtful. Was she relying on producers who backgrounded this? Yesterday, historian T.J. Stiles took issue with NPR's piece* also foregrounding the Smithsonian. He wrote about the watch years earlier. *Different host(s) & likely producers for both.
131
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Let me tell you something obvious --iow, I don't reallt need to tell you. Job applicants want you to read their applications. Students want you to read their writing. No one wants AI to do it. That means you should write your own email, memos, and opeds. W abundant typos (ok that's jsut me).
114525
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Many more headlines thus am breezing past historical scholarship of decades — and Hemings family history — to trumpet a new DNA study that simply confirms what we knew. My bar is low but even I’m depressed by how science always has to be “news” and journalism has so much trouble reporting history.
57026
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
HISTORIANS CONFIRM GRAVITY. Seriously even NPR can’t be bothered to be educated about the now-decades state of knowledge never mind what historians can do v science.
2658
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Trying to log in to the New Yorker through my library to read the latest "DNA proves Jefferson-Hemings family info" we've known for decades via historical scholarship. Irritated by also charmed that the first search hit I get is for this 1770 poll about importation. By New Yorkers.
an 18th century broadside eg single sheet publication: "Advertisment to the Publick"
0140
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Fall. Winter. Summer, Spring. Seasonal joys in proportional order, I won't be taking any questions.
5221
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Ali Messer @freereed59.net · 22/09/2026
'the archive creates possibilities extending beyond Britain and the Caribbean.Migration and the forced movement of people under enslavement mean descendants can be found across the African diaspora, including in the US and Latin America.' Ancestry account required 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
04227
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Let me tell you something obvious --iow, I don't reallt need to tell you. Job applicants want you to read their applications. Students want you to read their writing. No one wants AI to do it. That means you should write your own email, memos, and opeds. W abundant typos (ok that's jsut me).
114525
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Jeff Sharlet @jeffsharlet.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The provost of Dartmouth, at which I teach, has been using AI to write both academic papers & national op-eds, according to brave reporting by @thedartmouth.bsky.social. Many students are already bitter about AI. This leaves us as faculty no ground to stand on. www.thedartmouth.com/article/2026...
thedartmouth.com
Op-eds, academic articles by Provost Santiago Schnell flagged as ‘AI-written’ by ‘near-zero error’ AI detector Pangram
Schnell said he used artificial intelligence for “making writing processes more efficient,” but that AI was not a “substitute” for his own “intellectual judgment or authorship.”
711481490
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Jason Herbert @herberthistory.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I gave a talk here last year and was blown away by this program. The faculty is a murderer row of cool smart people. Underrated town close to Ozarks. Phenomenal gig for whoever gets it. jobs.missouristate.edu/postings/87958
jobs.missouristate.edu
Assistant Professor (Early American History) - 9 month appointment
The successful candidate must demonstrate preparation to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the Colonial/Revolutionary Era and their specialty as well the first half of the U.S. History Surve...
03310
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Family history and genealogy, media juicing up controversy and fawning over science while failing to get that yes the historical analysis was conclusive. I couldn't not write about this! Shorter: just read @agordonreed.bsky.social. karinwulf.com/trove/the-fa...
karinwulf.com
The Family History of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, and the Politics of Genealogy. - Karin Wulf
[The cover image is a page from Jefferson’s “Farm Book” at the Massachusetts Historical Society where he listed enslaved recipients of “Bread” at Monticello in 1810 –including Sally Hemings and four o...
8263102
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
1. The actually important things. 2. The unimportant things designed to distract. 3. The distracting things that are usefully joyful. Reminding myself of these essential categories as I look at the news, and sort my weekend for work and etc.
27513
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Dana Howard @thedanahoward.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Two important points: “One is that there is a remaining “controversy” about the history. There really isn’t. Some people don’t like the history, that’s true. And the second is the “maybe now we really know” framing of DNA as if the genetics are more certain than the historical analysis.”
1106
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Annette Gordon-Reed @agordonreed.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
1) Thank you, Karin. I’m happy that both the 1998 and 2026 DNA tests results jibe with the historical evidence compiled in my first book. I also think the historical information alone should be enough. But I know the world we live in & why DNA was brought into the picture.
122852
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Sara McDougall @sarannmcd.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
“this recent flap mostly reveals that we have a hard time thinking historically with much sophistication — and often the media undermines our capacity rather than enhances it. And the histories of family are even more vulnerable to these dynamics“ @kawulf.bsky.social
3214
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Family history and genealogy, media juicing up controversy and fawning over science while failing to get that yes the historical analysis was conclusive. I couldn't not write about this! Shorter: just read @agordonreed.bsky.social. karinwulf.com/trove/the-fa...
karinwulf.com
The Family History of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, and the Politics of Genealogy. - Karin Wulf
[The cover image is a page from Jefferson’s “Farm Book” at the Massachusetts Historical Society where he listed enslaved recipients of “Bread” at Monticello in 1810 –including Sally Hemings and four o...
8263102
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
1. The actually important things. 2. The unimportant things designed to distract. 3. The distracting things that are usefully joyful. Reminding myself of these essential categories as I look at the news, and sort my weekend for work and etc.
27513
Reposted by Karin Wulf
Annette Gordon-Reed @agordonreed.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Two Centuries On, Smithsonian Connects Jefferson’s Hair to Hemings’s Children www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/a...
nytimes.com
Two Centuries On, Smithsonian Connects Jefferson’s Hair to Hemings’s Children (Gift Article)
A new book describes how cutting-edge genomics techniques yielded “extraordinary proof” that Thomas Jefferson fathered children with Sally Hemings.
615166
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
In a couple of good threads today @jamellebouie.net notes a clear inability and unwillingness to think historically at the root of some noxious political discourse & policy. I want to underscore these related points: 1) BAD HISTORY IS BAD FOR US. 2) It's why expert history is so "controversial."
2283
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
There was a glorious moment in the 80s when we were all Hildegard fan girls. But it wasn't about the eels, sorry to say. 😀🎶
4274
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
It's Article 1 for a reason. Happy Constitution Day.
Screenshot of original printing of the US Constitution showing preamble and Article 1 (Congress).
15520