Sign in

Dr Susan D Blum

@susandblum.bsky.social
5.1K followers 2K following 1.4K posts

Writer, observer, educator, anthropologist, sourdough baker, gardener, linguistic anthropologist. Obsessive about the planet, politics, justice, health. Fascinated by humans. Photo by jan_huber on unsplash

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Top Hat @tophathq.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Grades. Requirements. Deadlines. Getting the right answer. Dr. @susandblum.bsky.social challenges us to rethink some of the grading structures we take for granted—and consider what might happen if we designed less around “doing school” and more around learning itself. Listen now: bit.ly/4ru99Cq
021
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
We played musical chairs in my class today! (Read my latest Substack post.) susandblum.substack.com/p/musical-ch...
susandblum.substack.com
Musical chairs
Learning Cultural Values Through Competitive Play
001
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Here’s my field report from the first day of class (last week): aiming for slow education and inefficiency. susandblum.substack.com/p/first-day-...
susandblum.substack.com
First Day Of Less-Schoolish Classes
Image source
010
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Grow Beyond Grades @growbeyondgrades.org · 29/08/2026
Belief in the necessity and utility of grades has been accepted doctrinally but without a demand for proof. —Susan D. Blum @susandblum.bsky.social growbeyondgrades.org/blog/meet-ou...
growbeyondgrades.org
Meet Our Board! — Grow Beyond Grades
Meet the educators helping guide Grow Beyond Grades into its next chapter. In this roundtable, our Board of Directors reflects on their paths to gradeless learning, the experiences that reshaped how t...
024
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Here’s a Substack piece with some thoughts about the upcoming academic year... susandblum.substack.com/p/inching-to...
susandblum.substack.com
Inching toward Fall 2026 with So Many Thoughts
Updating My 2025 Manifesto
021
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Listen to my latest podcast with The Grading Podcast superhosts and superstars Sharona Krinsky and Robert Bosley. It's about #Schoolishness and #ungrading and #alternativeassessment and more! #AI might make an appearance. thegradingpod.com/episodes/160...
thegradingpod.com
160 – Schoolishness, AI and the Future of Education: A conversation with Dr. Susan D. Blum.
What if the biggest challenge facing education isn’t grading—but our assumptions about school itself? In this episode, Sharona and Boz welcome anthropologist and author Susan Blum for a wide-…
022
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
My latest Substack: "Sometimes It Really IS Brain Surgery: What I Did on my Summer Vacation" open.substack.com/pub/susandbl...
open.substack.com
Sometimes It Really is Brain Surgery
What I Did on My Summer Vacation**
000
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Read my latest Substack post, inspired by Amelia Thomas’s book What Sheep Think About the Weather, and applying principles of autonomy to both animal and human learning. susandblum.substack.com/p/motivation...
susandblum.substack.com
Motivation through Play, Not Through Fear or Control
Lessons for Teaching Humans from Working with Other Animals
010
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Watch the opening of the Obama Center! www.obama.org/visit/grand-...
obama.org
Watch the Grand Opening
The Obama Presidential Center opens to the public! Come mark this milestone at a free, open-house style event, celebrating community, creativity, and joy. Dance to music on the plaza, create art with ...
000
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
My latest Substack, about what college is for. Battle of the Paradigms: What is College for in a Cynical Age? open.substack.com/pub/susandbl...
open.substack.com
Battle of the Paradigms: What is College for in a Cynical Age?
Depends whom you ask Can the contradictions be harmonized? Take number 2964931
011
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
My latest Substack post, in response to the attempt by Harvard to limit the number of A grades #HigherEd #Assessment #Grades open.substack.com/pub/susandbl...
open.substack.com
Oh Harvard. Limiting A’s Is Not It
Grade Inflation, Deflation, and Obsession
0124
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
I participated in an hour-long conversation titled “What is College for Today?”with Nicole Lynn Lewis and Paul LeBlanc, moderated by Anya Kamenetz, and hosted by Frederique Rigoulot, on the Cambridge Forum platform. You can listen to us here! cambridgeforum.org/what-is-coll... #HigherEd
cambridgeforum.org
Cambridge Forum • WHAT IS COLLEGE FOR TODAY?
WHAT IS COLLEGE FOR TODAY?
011
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
I had a great time talking with two Catholic theologians, Alessandro Rovati and Jason Heron, about ungrading and schoolishness and morality. I absolutely see education as a moral project. You can listen to us (and watch us) here! open.substack.com/pub/catholic...
open.substack.com
From Coercion to Fascination: Moving Beyond Grades
Why Grades Harm the Catholic Vision of Education
010
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
I wrote a piece on Substack about the closing of Hampshire College. Such a sad end of an era. open.substack.com/pub/susandbl...
open.substack.com
On Hearing of Hampshire College’s Closing
….End of a Hopeful Progressive Era?
122
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
"A Priest, a Scientist, and a Humanist Walk into a Classroom"--or to least we had a conversation about learning! (I'm the humanist) With Ji Son, Louis DelFra, and others at the U of Notre Dame, Inst for Educational Initiatives, Center for Educational Research and Action. youtu.be/ec0LbZq4ChA?...
youtu.be
Era Speaker Series: A Priest, a Scientist, and a Humanist Walk into a Classroom
YouTube video by Institute for Educational Initiatives
000
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Is pedagogy a moral project? Check out my latest Substack post! susandblum.substack.com/p/is-pedagog...
susandblum.substack.com
Is Pedagogy a Moral Project?
Theologians Weigh in on Ungrading
010
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Mar Hicks @histoftech.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition. Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
13674820219711
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Here's my latest Substack post, titled "The Polycrisis: How to Face Teaching in 2026." open.substack.com/pub/susandbl... #education #pedagogy #polycrisis
open.substack.com
The Polycrisis
How to Face Teaching in 2026
021
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
I'm so honored that you are engaging with my book! @cornellupress.bsky.social
030
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Grow Beyond Grades @growbeyondgrades.org · 07/01/2026
I love that I am finally comfortable with all my students, even the ones who have been challenging for me, for reasons that may have only to do with me and not with them. @susandblum.bsky.social growbeyondgrades.org/blog/my-favo...
growbeyondgrades.org
My Favorite Thing: Talking to Students About Their Learning — Grow Beyond Grades
Susan D. Blum, editor of the book Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) , shares how she uses conferences to consult learners in their full humanity (as much as ...
021
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Grow Beyond Grades @growbeyondgrades.org · 07/01/2026
The world of ought sometimes beckons to the world of is, and change toward practices that work requires a vision of what that would be. @susandblum.bsky.social growbeyondgrades.org/blog/my-favo...
growbeyondgrades.org
My Favorite Thing: Talking to Students About Their Learning — Grow Beyond Grades
Susan D. Blum, editor of the book Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) , shares how she uses conferences to consult learners in their full humanity (as much as ...
021
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Democracy, Debates, December: On a good day....(My latest Substack post) Democracy requires disagreement, disagreement requires debate, and debate requires practice: the role of education. susandblum.substack.com/p/democracy-...
susandblum.substack.com
Democracy, Debates, December
On a good day....
020
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
I had a wonderful conversation with @Trevor Aleo about my latest book, #Schoolishness: Alienated Education and the Quest for Authentic, Joyful Learning, and you can listen to us on his podcast, Conceptually Speaking. open.substack.com/pub/trevoral...
open.substack.com
Dr. Susan Blum Talks Schoolishness and the Quest for Authentic, Joyful Learning
Listen now | In this episode of Conceptually Speaking, I sit down with Dr.
061
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
I just came across a new review of my book Schoolishness: Alienated Education and the Quest for Authentic, Joyful Learning. The reviewer, Jake Mattox, appreciated the wide reading in multiple areas that accompanied my manifesto/tirade/prayer. radicalteacher.library.pitt.edu/ojs/radicalt...
radicalteacher.library.pitt.edu
View of Schoolishness: Alienated Education and the Quest for Authentic, Joyful Learning by Susan D. Blum | Radical Teacher
030
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
@hcrichardson.bsky.social writes, "What is left when a system loses the give and take of politics is force." October 19, 2025 open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
open.substack.com
October 19, 2025
All last week, Republican leaders tried to portray the No Kings protests scheduled for Saturday, October 18, as “Hate America” rallies.
010
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Indivisible ❌👑 @indivisible.org · 19/10/2025
This is what democracy looks like. #NoKings
22918840428617
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
AntiFa = Anti-Fascist. If you’re opposing this, you’re ProFa, = Pro-Fascist, or possibly Anti-Anti-Fascist. I know where I stand. encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/a...
encyclopedia.ushmm.org
Fascism | Holocaust Encyclopedia
Fascism is a far-right authoritarian political philosophy. Learn about the history and principles of fascism and its implementation in Nazi Germany.
050
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
1/2 The absurd conclusion of all this GenAI stuff is faculty creating courses entirely w AI; students completing assignments w agentive AI; faculty grading w AI. No humans need be changed in this process. No learning will be required. Easy peasy. #GenerativeAI
270
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
My student-led team, schoolstorylab.com, has just rec'd IRB approval for this yr’s project, an inquiry into READING. (We built on @liznorell.bsky.social's survey.) It will take less than 10 min. & is open to ANY STUDENT in ANY COUNTRY, 18 years or older. Plz share widely! forms.gle/yscpm2vubiEH...
schoolstorylab.com
School Story Lab
075
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Erin Grievances @erinbartram.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
We've had evidence of this for ages, right? Frankly this feels like those endless UBI studies where they all demonstrate UBI works but that's not the answer the people in charge want to hear so nothing changes.
10613177
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
The world we desire will not come about unless we dream it first. Here are some thoughts about higher education. #highereducation open.substack.com/pub/susandbl...
open.substack.com
Magic Wand
Dreaming of What Higher Education Could Be
030
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
www.noemamag.com/the-last-day... “The last days of social media might be the first days of something more human: a web that remembers why we came online in the first place — not to be harvested but to be heard, not to go viral but to find our people, not to scroll but to connect.”
noemamag.com
The Last Days Of Social Media | NOEMA
Social media promised connection, but it has delivered exhaustion.
030
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Jason Tiedje @peaceendspoverty.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
02011
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Release the Epstein Files. They are filled with disgusting depravity but we need to know
010
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
This new book, The Ungraded Classroom, edited by Carlo Ricci and Gina Riley (with a foreword by @susandblum), has just been published! It has many examples, beautifully and honestly presented, of ways educators have included ungrading in their classrooms. www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQHZKJZ...
amazon.com
The Ungraded Classroom: Feedback, Reflection, and Authentic Learning
The Ungraded Classroom: Feedback, Reflection, and Authentic Learning [Ricci PhD, Carlo, Riley PhD, Gina] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Ungraded Classroom: Feedback, Reflection, and Authentic Learning
2123
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 09/09/2025
If the Democrats wanted to win, they would do whatever they needed to do to convince Mira Nair to do all of their video campaigns
1044779
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
“Both of them.”
4592084511601
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Rebeccat @acceber.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
FIRE RFK Jr!! WE WANT THE CANCER VACCINE!!! “New mRNA Cancer Vaccine Delivers Stunning Results, Sparks Universal Treatment Hopes” Story below
scitechdaily.com
New mRNA Cancer Vaccine Delivers Stunning Results, Sparks Universal Treatment Hopes
A new mRNA cancer vaccine wiped out tumors in mice and may offer a path toward a universal treatment.
15528278
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
On the belief that I should not allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good, I got a Pfizer covid vaccine rather than waiting for Novovax. I’m afraid they are going to take them away in Indiana, b/c of our administration’s fealty to the orange menace, so I decided not to wait
010
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
An experience at a campus theater production made me think about higher ed as practicing being in society. I know this is not news! But it struck me forcefully, and in a great way. My latest Substack post: open.substack.com/pub/susandbl...
open.substack.com
The rich pleasures—and lessons—of a college campus
Mini-universe, mini-society, humans gathering together, led by art
020
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Morgan J Freeman @mjfree.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
TRUMP & EPSTEIN ARE SEX TRAFFICKERS!!! I’m gonna post this every day so nobody forgets exactly who Pedophile Trump is and why the Epstein files have suddenly disappeared.
862148850
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
It’s time to shut down the government. Democrats have weeks to prepare about how to make the case to the people. Watch how Pres Bartlet did it in The West Wing. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Stop Acting Like This Is Normal
051
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
#AICon in #education: we’re not all fans. www.linkedin.com/posts/ben-wi...
linkedin.com
A social sciences and humanities reading list on AI in education The racializing forces of/in AI educational technologies https://lnkd.in/djEr2f7e Methodology, Legend, and Rhetoric: The… | Ben Willi...
A social sciences and humanities reading list on AI in education The racializing forces of/in AI educational technologies https://lnkd.in/djEr2f7e Methodology, Legend, and Rhetoric: The Construction...
031
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
They lie, steal, cheat, boast, destroy, even kill. #TheReckoningWillCome and we’ll clean up our house, de-MAGAify, the way the Germans denazified. Sooner would be good. There will be one defector, then another, and it will accelerate. Gradually, then all at once.
020
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
Sickening sycophants
020
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Wajahat Ali @wajali.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
For all the people, especially Democratic leaders, who keep saying, "Trump can't do that! It's illegal!" Authoritarians can do anything they want. They don't care about laws, order, rules, or civility. Once they have power, they flex it. I hope Dems finally understand this.
681529366
Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
I stand with #Chicago and the rule of law. I stand with truth. I stand with peace. #EjectTrumpTheTraitor
1587
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Popehat @kenwhite.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Just murdering and mutilating some North Korean fisherman to hide our secret bugging mission, no biggie
681915501
Reposted by Dr Susan D Blum
Aaron Black @aaronblack.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
The labor market is deteriorating! For the first time in four years, the economy lost jobs. Our economy is in the toilet right now and everything in the grocery store is higher priced than it was during the pandemic. This is what losing looks like! Trump’s economy sucks!
1021755744