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Rothermere American Institute

@raioxford.bsky.social
1.3K followers 135 following 33 posts

The RAI is a Department of the University of Oxford, dedicated to the interdisciplinary and comparative study of the USA. Check out our podcast, The Last Best Hope with our Director, Professor Adam Smith! www.rai.ox.ac.uk

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Leverhulme Trust @leverhulme.ac.uk · 26/08/2026
In the latest episode of the We Society, Professor Adam Smith, @raioxford.bsky.social, joins Will Hutton to discuss why the US is now better known for polarisation, misinformation and political gridlock than democratic optimism. 🎙️ Tune in: media.leverhulme.ac.uk/podcast/smith
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The Historical Journal @historicaljnl.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
📣Out now on #firstview! Tom Arnold-Forster @raioxford.bsky.social on 'Mary McCarthy and the Watergate Crisis' #Politics #Democracy #USA #American #Debates 20thc 🗃️ 👉Read open access: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Watergate is conventionally understood through insider narratives about its complex daily churn as an unfolding political scandal. But the crisis also drove broader theoretical debates about democracy and the state in 1970s America. This article offers the first sustained account of Mary McCarthy’s Watergate writings. She theorized Watergate as a stark legitimacy crisis that revolved around the relationship between democracy and totalitarianism. Through dialogues with Hannah Arendt and others, McCarthy argued that Watergate turned politically on the public’s ability to unmask and contest the power of totalitarian state actors. By rejecting tragedy as a conceptual framework for Watergate, and by recentring the state in debates about US totalitarianism, McCarthy’s work shows how and why interactions between public opinion and state power could advance both democratic and anti-democratic politics.
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University of Oxford @ox.ac.uk · 04/07/2026
On the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, @raioxford.bsky.social's Prof Adam Smith reflects on why studying America from beyond its borders offers a unique perspective on one of the world’s most influential nations ⬇️ www.ox.ac.uk/news/pulse/society-cul…
Portrait of Professor Adam Smith, Director of Oxford’s Rothermere American Institute, smiling at the camera. He is wearing glasses, a navy blazer and a pale pink shirt, standing in front of a softly lit background with pink and beige tones. White text reads: “PULSE. America past, present and future.”
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Exciting news! Dr @uhackett.bsky.social has been appointed as the inaugural Churchill Associate Professor in US Politics. Read more about it here- www.rai.ox.ac.uk/article/dr-u...
rai.ox.ac.uk
Dr Ursula Hackett appointed as inaugural Churchill Associate Professor in US Politics
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
To mark the Rothermere American Institute's 25th anniversary, members of the RAI community, past and present, reflect on what this unique research institute means to them. www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3B5...
youtube.com
25 years of the RAI
YouTube video by RAIOxford
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Ursula Hackett @uhackett.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Excited to announce I'll be joining the University of Oxford in September as Churchill Associate Professor of US Politics, based @raioxford.bsky.social and @queenscollegeox.bsky.social 🇺🇸🎓🐂 I'll miss my RHUL colleagues but can't wait to be back in Oxford, working with wonderful Americanist scholars!
Rothermere American Institute, OxfordThe Queen's College, Oxford
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Gautham Rao (pronounced: Knicks in 5) @gauthamrao.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
It was an absolute blast to visit @raioxford.bsky.social for this year’s Winant Symposium on New Perspectives on American Intergovernmental Relations (I.e. federalism…aka layer cake(s)?)! Honored and grateful to have been included!
Conference programRothermere institute exterior Name tag for Gautham’s symposium dinnerNufield college courtyard
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Iberian History at Oxford @iberiahistoryox.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
The 2026 Sir John Elliott Lecture in Atlantic History is happening this Tuesday, and the speaker is amazing! Don't miss it! www.rai.ox.ac.uk/event/gender... @raioxford.bsky.social @dianapaton.bsky.social @oxhistoryfaculty.bsky.social 🕰️ Tuesday 28 April 2026, 5pm 🧭 Rothermere American Institute
rai.ox.ac.uk
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Gwion Wyn Jones @gwionwynjones.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Excited to share the cover of my forthcoming book, 'Christ, Church, and Country' (@uvapress.bsky.social), on the home mission movement after the American Civil War and the role it played in the 'Greater Religious Reconstruction' of the US @raioxford.bsky.social www.upress.virginia.edu/title/10251/
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Vere Harmsworth Library @vhllib.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
📖New book display📖 Our current book display focuses on Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor 1933-45 and first woman in the presidential cabinet. Come in and browse or find out more on our blog: blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/vhl/2026/04/... @raioxford.bsky.social
blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Book display: Frances Perkins | Vere Harmsworth Library News
The Vere Harmsworth Library’s latest book display explores the life of Frances Perkins, the US Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945 and the first female member of the US presidential cabinet. She is known for her work on the New Deal and for upholding workers’ rights.
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Sara Chatfield @poliscisara.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
The Rothermere American Institute at Oxford is recruiting for the Churchill Associate Professor of United States Politics, looking especially for a colleague with expertise in American political development. The application deadline is May 6. See the job listing here: www.rai.ox.ac.uk/vacancies
rai.ox.ac.uk
Jobs and Vacancies
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Exciting news for the RAI! www.rai.ox.ac.uk/article/new-...
rai.ox.ac.uk
New RAI Gift Establishes Associate Professorship in US Politics and Enables Launch of Postgraduate Programme
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Lauren Davis Jarnach @laurenjarnach.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
What a treat to hear so many esteemed scholars speak at this year’s Harmsworth conference at the @raioxford.bsky.social My highlights were Annette Gordon-Reed’s keynote ‘The Declaration of Independence and American Identity at 250’ and Mark Peterson’s paper ‘Why the American Revolution Must End.’
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Exciting news for the RAI! www.rai.ox.ac.uk/article/new-...
rai.ox.ac.uk
New RAI Gift Establishes Associate Professorship in US Politics and Enables Launch of Postgraduate Programme
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Politics_Oxford @politicsoxford.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
'The Trump Effect (2): The Past, Present, and Future of the US and the Western Hemisphere' This panel discussion takes place today at 5pm at the Rothermere American Institute. Join us for a joint event hosted by LAC / DPIR / RAI. 📍 RAI, 1a South Parks Road, OX1 3UB 🕔 5:00 PM
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Congratulations to Rhodes Professor Emeritus and RAI Distinguished Fellow Richard Carwardine for winning the prestigious Lincoln Prize for 2026! Read more here: www.rai.ox.ac.uk/article/rich...
rai.ox.ac.uk
Richard Carwardine wins the 2026 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize
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UCL Institute of the Americas @uclamericas.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Less than 1 week left to apply! Might be of interest to @raioxford.bsky.social @camhistory.bsky.social @historians.org
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
The newest episode of our podcast The Last Best Hope? is out today. In this episode Adam sits down with Hilary Rodham Clinton to discuss her views on if America is the Last Best Hope for the world. Listen wherever you get your podcasts! #oxford #oxforduniversity #America #podcast #hilaryclinton
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
The newest episode of our podcast The Last Best Hope? is out today. In this episode Adam sits down with Hilary Rodham Clinton to discuss her views on if America is the Last Best Hope for the world. Listen wherever you get your podcasts! #oxford #oxforduniversity #America #podcast #hilaryclinton
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Congratulations to Martha Swift, Rebecca Bradburn, and Jacob Brandler! The RAI is celebrating the recent achievements of some of its Postdoctoral Fellows who have secured research positions and had their work published. www.rai.ox.ac.uk/article/cong...
rai.ox.ac.uk
Congratulations to three RAI Fellows on their research posts and published work
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SHAFR @shafrhistorians.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
The 1st SHAFR UK-Ireland network in-person workshop, held earlier this month at @raioxford.bsky.social, was a resounding success! If you want to learn more & take part in the regular online seminar, visit the www.shafr.org/uk-ireland-n... PhD students & early career academics particularly welcome!
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Exciting news for our podcast The Last Best Hope? ! www.rai.ox.ac.uk/article/supp...
rai.ox.ac.uk
Support for The Last Best Hope? Podcast
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
A touching tribute for historian Daniel Howe, a previous Harmsworth Professor of American History written by RAI Distinguished Fellow, Richard Carwardine- www.rai.ox.ac.uk/article/reme...
rai.ox.ac.uk
Obituary for Daniel Howe, 1937-2025- Richard Carwardine
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Vere Harmsworth Library @vhllib.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
We're starting the new year and new term with #newbooks in the Alain Locke Collection! Now on display on the Ground Floor of the library- see our blogpost for more info. blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/vhl/2026/01/...
Decorative image of book covers.
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Now accepting applications for the John G Winant Visiting Professor role within the RAI at Oxford for 2027-28, 2028-29 and 2029-30- Details here: www.rai.ox.ac.uk/vacancies
rai.ox.ac.uk
Jobs and Vacancies
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Congratulations to Theodore Fawcett and Daniel Whittle on passing their DPhil vivas! www.rai.ox.ac.uk/article/cong...
rai.ox.ac.uk
Congratulations to Theodore Fawcett and Daniel Whittle on passing their DPhil vivas
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SHAFR @shafrhistorians.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
The SHAFR UK-Ireland Network is hosting its first in-person workshop at the Rothermere American Institute, Oxford on January 16. Click here for the schedule and more info www.rai.ox.ac.uk/event/shafr-... cc: @raioxford.bsky.social
rai.ox.ac.uk
SHAFR UK-Ireland Network Seminar in Oxford
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
www.rai.ox.ac.uk/article/reme...
rai.ox.ac.uk
Remembering Daniel Walker Howe
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Congratulations to RAI Fellow @gracemallon.bsky.social on being the co-winner of an article prize from the American Society for Legal History! Read more here: www.rai.ox.ac.uk/article/grac...
rai.ox.ac.uk
Grace Mallon wins American Society for Legal History Article Prize
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DANIELPEMBERTON @danielpemberton.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Doing this tmrw!
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Come hear @danielpemberton.bsky.social and @tgreiving.bsky.social discuss Tim's new biography on John Williams. Tomorrow at 5 pm at the RAI. Books will be available for purchase. www.rai.ox.ac.uk/event/john-w...
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Did you know our history professors sometimes break out into traditional hymns during their annual lectures? Thank you Professor Gould for the lovely song. Full lecture available here: www.rai.ox.ac.uk/article/harm...
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DANIELPEMBERTON @danielpemberton.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
Interviewing @tgreiving.bsky.social next week in Oxford about his remarkable John Williams biography…
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
In two weeks, Wed 26 Nov, we are hosting a talk with author @tgreiving.bsky.social and film composer Daniel Pemberton about Tim's new book, John Williams: A Composer's Life. Details on the website here: rai2.web.ox.ac.uk/event/john-w... @oupprimary.bsky.social @ox.ac.uk
rai2.web.ox.ac.uk
John Williams: A Composer's Life
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Vere Harmsworth Library @vhllib.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Come and discover books and online resources about the history of sport in the US and its links to politics, identity, religion and economics with our new American sports book display! 📚⚾🏈 Find out more at our blog: blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/vhl/2025/11/... @raioxford.bsky.social
Books and information posters displayed on shelves
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
In two weeks, Wed 26 Nov, we are hosting a talk with author @tgreiving.bsky.social and film composer Daniel Pemberton about Tim's new book, John Williams: A Composer's Life. Details on the website here: rai2.web.ox.ac.uk/event/john-w... @oupprimary.bsky.social @ox.ac.uk
rai2.web.ox.ac.uk
John Williams: A Composer's Life
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Princeton University Press @princetonupress.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Tomorrow (Oct 22) at 5:00 pm BST, join @raioxford.bsky.social in welcoming Tom Arnold-Forster for a discussion of his book, Walter Lippmann, exploring the life and ideas of one of the twentieth century's leading political thinkers. Learn more about this in-person event here: buff.ly/5JVx5O9
Walter Lippmann: An Intellectual Biography by Tom Arnold-ForsterTom Arnold-Forster
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Princeton University Press @princetonupress.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Next week, Oct 22 at 5:00 pm BST, join @raioxford.bsky.social in welcoming Tom Arnold-Forster for a discussion of his book, Walter Lippmann, exploring the life and ideas of one of the twentieth century's leading political thinkers. Learn more about this in-person event here: buff.ly/5JVx5O9
Walter Lippmann: An Intellectual Biography by Tom Arnold-ForsterTom Arnold-Forster
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Daniel Rowe @danrowe.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
We’re advertising for a 30 month postdoc position in US Politics (very broadly construed). The role is mainly research, but allows the holder to gain experience teaching UK and US undergraduates. Happy to answer any and all questions. Application deadline 27/10. (Start date early 2026.)
jobs.ac.uk
Winant-Kinder Career Development Fellow in US Politics at University of Oxford
Recruiting now: Winant-Kinder Career Development Fellow in US Politics on jobs.ac.uk. Click for details and explore more academic job opportunities on the top job board
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
The RAI's Visiting Winant Professor, Kimberley Johnson, was a panel member at the recent University of Oxford Sheldonian Series: Truth. You can watch the recording on YouTube via this link bsky.app/profile/ox.a... You can read the news article here www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-05...
ox.ac.uk
The role of truth in contemporary life inspires thought-provoking
Invited speakers, students, staff and alumni examined the fundamental concept of truth in a robust exchange of ideas at the final Sheldonian Series event of this academic year.WATCH: A video
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University of Oxford @ox.ac.uk · 24/04/2025
EVENT: Sheldonian Series - Truth 📆 13 May 🕠 5:30- 6:30pm 🎟️ Oxford staff and students only Join the Vice-Chancellor to hear from panellists debating the limits and challenges to truth today. The series aims to promote freedom of speech and inclusive inquiry within the collegiate University.
Promotional poster for the University of Oxford's Sheldonian Series titled "Truth," featuring a painted ceiling with dynamic and colorful figures, scheduled for Tuesday, 13 May, from 5:30 to 6:45 PM.
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Kristin Du Mez @kkdumez.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
A gorgeous day here at Oxford. I’ll be speaking Thursday at @raioxford.bsky.social: www.rai.ox.ac.uk/event/harmsw...
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
The Faculty of History and the RAI are delighted to announce that expressions of interest are now invited for the Harmsworth Visiting Professorship of American History for the academic years 2027-28, 2028-29, and 2029-30. Details: www.rai.ox.ac.uk/vacancies.
rai.ox.ac.uk
Jobs and Vacancies
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Josh Lappen @jlappen1.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Interrupting my usual programming to share that my doctoral dissertation has won the Society of American Historians' Allan Nevins Prize! I'm so grateful to the friends and mentors who have taught me this beautiful profession, especially in dark times. sah.columbia.edu/content/priz...
sah.columbia.edu
Allan Nevins Prize | Society of American Historians
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Sarah Knott @sarahknott.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Senior Americanists! It is a great time to bring your talents to Oxford for 27-8, 28-9 or 29-30. (Yes, just think about that.) The Harmsworth Visiting Professorship is as lovely a gig as it gets, now with a more transparent process of appointment
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
The Faculty of History and the RAI are delighted to announce that expressions of interest are now invited for the Harmsworth Visiting Professorship of American History for the academic years 2027-28, 2028-29, and 2029-30. Details: www.rai.ox.ac.uk/vacancies.
rai.ox.ac.uk
Jobs and Vacancies
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
🚨JOB ALERT🚨 We’re excited to announce that applications are open for the RAI/St Edmund Hall Broadbent Career Development Fellow in US History since 1600, a three-year postdoc starting September 2025! Closing date 22 April. Details: www.rai.ox.ac.uk/vacancies.
rai.ox.ac.uk
Jobs and Vacancies
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Rothermere American Institute @raioxford.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
🚨JOB ALERT🚨 We’re excited to announce that applications are open for the RAI/St Edmund Hall Broadbent Career Development Fellow in US History since 1600, a three-year postdoc starting September 2025! Closing date 22 April. Details: www.rai.ox.ac.uk/vacancies.
rai.ox.ac.uk
Jobs and Vacancies
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Nicholas Guyatt @nicholasguyatt.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Recent PhD in 20th century US history, or planning to defend before Sept 2025? We are looking for the next *Mellon Research Fellow*, a three-year postdoc with our large and thriving American history group. Deadline 9 March so don't delay! www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/50345/
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Vere Harmsworth Library @vhllib.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
📚 Our new Alain Locke Collection books are on the shelves & ready to borrow! 📚 This collection, funded by the Association of American Rhodes Scholars, focuses on African American history, politics, biography & culture. Find out more via our blog post: blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/vhl/2025/02/...
blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
New Alain Locke Collection Titles – Winter 2024-5 intake! | Vere Harmsworth Library News
The new selection of titles for the Alain Locke Collection are now available and on display in the Vere Harmsworth Library!
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