Abigail Swingen
@abigailswingen.bsky.social
EM British & Atlantic history. Competing Visions of Empire (Yale, 2015). Now: Britain's Financial Revolution & Moral Crisis. She/her. New Englander (usually) in Texas. Views my own. Latest article: https://doi.org/10.1017/jbr.2023.74
Via the governor's executive order. Hmmm...
Tenure Eliminated at Oklahoma Colleges
Regional and community colleges professors will no longer receive tenure; research university faculty are spared, with some exceptions. https://bit.ly/4tlEtUq
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
Regional and community colleges professors will no longer receive tenure; research university faculty are spared, with some exceptions. https://bit.ly/4tlEtUq
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
February 6, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Via the governor's executive order. Hmmm...
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
Washington Post is shuttering its book section, part of the ongoing war against literacy & knowledge.
We at Current Affairs want to pick up the slack by expanding book reviews. Writers: pitch us anytime! And if you subscribe/donate we'll use the funding to commission book coverage.
We at Current Affairs want to pick up the slack by expanding book reviews. Writers: pitch us anytime! And if you subscribe/donate we'll use the funding to commission book coverage.
February 4, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Washington Post is shuttering its book section, part of the ongoing war against literacy & knowledge.
We at Current Affairs want to pick up the slack by expanding book reviews. Writers: pitch us anytime! And if you subscribe/donate we'll use the funding to commission book coverage.
We at Current Affairs want to pick up the slack by expanding book reviews. Writers: pitch us anytime! And if you subscribe/donate we'll use the funding to commission book coverage.
If you want to know why so many of us Gen Xers are as warped as we are, watch this. It's delightful.
I wrote about the new Muppet Show, which is, thank God, exactly like the old Muppet Show.
Finally, a Muppet Show Reboot That Understands the Original Appeal of the Muppets
After countless failed gimmicks, this time it’s just like you remembered it.
slate.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:43 AM
If you want to know why so many of us Gen Xers are as warped as we are, watch this. It's delightful.
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
Two brave Texas Tech history majors speak on the record here. One would like to ask the Chancellor, "should I drop out?" www.texastribune.org/2026/02/04/t...
February 4, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Two brave Texas Tech history majors speak on the record here. One would like to ask the Chancellor, "should I drop out?" www.texastribune.org/2026/02/04/t...
Two brave Texas Tech history majors speak on the record here. One would like to ask the Chancellor, "should I drop out?" www.texastribune.org/2026/02/04/t...
February 4, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Two brave Texas Tech history majors speak on the record here. One would like to ask the Chancellor, "should I drop out?" www.texastribune.org/2026/02/04/t...
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
Today's the day the music died.
February 3, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Today's the day the music died.
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
Feb. 1, 1960, 4 NC A&T students sat-in at the “whites only” counter at Woolworths in Greensboro. Their defiance ignited a movement led to the birth of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Young people fuel movements. It is inspiring to see that today they still do.
#BlackHistoryMonth
Young people fuel movements. It is inspiring to see that today they still do.
#BlackHistoryMonth
February 1, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Feb. 1, 1960, 4 NC A&T students sat-in at the “whites only” counter at Woolworths in Greensboro. Their defiance ignited a movement led to the birth of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Young people fuel movements. It is inspiring to see that today they still do.
#BlackHistoryMonth
Young people fuel movements. It is inspiring to see that today they still do.
#BlackHistoryMonth
Children of the Corn at like 7 years old. I will never watch a horror movie no you can't make me.
some of y'all didn't see a traumatic 80s movie at an inappropriate age and it shows
February 2, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Children of the Corn at like 7 years old. I will never watch a horror movie no you can't make me.
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
liam and his dad are home!
and someone please get rep. castro a coat!
and someone please get rep. castro a coat!
February 1, 2026 at 4:36 PM
liam and his dad are home!
and someone please get rep. castro a coat!
and someone please get rep. castro a coat!
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
I get to share research for my next book (@princetonupress.bsky.social) with the @carleton.edu community.
February 1, 2026 at 3:10 PM
I get to share research for my next book (@princetonupress.bsky.social) with the @carleton.edu community.
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
In Fort Worth!
Breaking: Democrat Taylor Rehmet wins solidly red Texas Senate seat in stunning special election upset.
Democrat wins special election for red Texas Senate seat
With ballots tallied from all but a handful of voting centers, Rehmet had 57% of the vote, besting the 43% for his GOP opponent, Leigh Wambsganss, who had a massive spending advantage.
www.texastribune.org
February 1, 2026 at 1:48 PM
In Fort Worth!
This. As it becomes untenable to teach at public universities in red states, many would love to move. It could be a real opportunity for blue states to make their public universities even better, which they won't.
If I were a blue state governor, I’d be looking into adding a bunch of tenure lines at my state schools.
I know that seems like “kick ‘em when they’re down,” but it’s more like “let academics who can escape to where they can do real work.”
Builds up your own schools AND protect US academic output.
I know that seems like “kick ‘em when they’re down,” but it’s more like “let academics who can escape to where they can do real work.”
Builds up your own schools AND protect US academic output.
The governor of Texas is rapidly turning world-class universities into minor regional ones. Example:
January 31, 2026 at 12:34 AM
This. As it becomes untenable to teach at public universities in red states, many would love to move. It could be a real opportunity for blue states to make their public universities even better, which they won't.
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
#18c ASECS conference and archival travel funding klaxon:
***
ASECS Research Travel Fellowships have extended the deadline for applications to 15 February. Please send us your projects! See comments below for more information.
asecs.org/resources/ol...
***
ASECS Research Travel Fellowships have extended the deadline for applications to 15 February. Please send us your projects! See comments below for more information.
asecs.org/resources/ol...
ASECS Travel Grants – ASECS
asecs.org
January 30, 2026 at 10:55 PM
#18c ASECS conference and archival travel funding klaxon:
***
ASECS Research Travel Fellowships have extended the deadline for applications to 15 February. Please send us your projects! See comments below for more information.
asecs.org/resources/ol...
***
ASECS Research Travel Fellowships have extended the deadline for applications to 15 February. Please send us your projects! See comments below for more information.
asecs.org/resources/ol...
In which the interim president of A&M admits the university's reputation has suffered, but oh well. Gift link.
January 30, 2026 at 6:41 PM
In which the interim president of A&M admits the university's reputation has suffered, but oh well. Gift link.
The Current from Minnesota Public Radio is playing an interview with Nur-D right now about his experience last Saturday in Minneapolis when he was assaulted and arrested.
January 30, 2026 at 2:35 PM
The Current from Minnesota Public Radio is playing an interview with Nur-D right now about his experience last Saturday in Minneapolis when he was assaulted and arrested.
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
Northfield is a town of 20,000 people in southeast #Minnesota, outside of the metro region. That 20,000 people includes two college populations. Agents in plain clothes raided a local bakery this morning, and masked agents continue to raid local apartment complexes. That's where we're at.
January 28, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Northfield is a town of 20,000 people in southeast #Minnesota, outside of the metro region. That 20,000 people includes two college populations. Agents in plain clothes raided a local bakery this morning, and masked agents continue to raid local apartment complexes. That's where we're at.
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
my expectation of democratic senators is that they find 1/10th of the bravery of your average 70 year old lutheran lady following ICE around mpls in her subaru crosstrek
January 27, 2026 at 2:47 PM
my expectation of democratic senators is that they find 1/10th of the bravery of your average 70 year old lutheran lady following ICE around mpls in her subaru crosstrek
How about a great, award-winning title from the Politics, Culture and Society in Early Modern Britain series, like Samuel Fullerton's "Sexual Politics in Revolutionary England"?
Still not set on your historical read to kick start 2026? We're currently offering 40% OFF our entire roster of titles, both trade and academic.
Available until 31st January 2026. Find out more: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/blog/2026/01...
Available until 31st January 2026. Find out more: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/blog/2026/01...
January 27, 2026 at 1:20 PM
How about a great, award-winning title from the Politics, Culture and Society in Early Modern Britain series, like Samuel Fullerton's "Sexual Politics in Revolutionary England"?
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
"ICE OUT" on Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, as seen from my flight leaving MSP airport
January 26, 2026 at 6:28 PM
"ICE OUT" on Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, as seen from my flight leaving MSP airport
Censorship comes to the University of Arkansas Little Rock: arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
UPDATE: Lectures on race and history canceled in latest assault on academic freedom in Arkansas - Arkansas Times
Two planned lectures on race and history have been canceled at UALR after campus leadership was apparently concerned conservative lawmakers might take offense and withhold future funding.
arktimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Censorship comes to the University of Arkansas Little Rock: arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
In 1974, my parents lived less than a mile from here, on South Colfax and 26th. They used to eat at this restaurant. When I lived in St Paul last year, my dad visited and showed me around this area, near-ish to the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
An overhead view of protesters gathering at the scene of the shooting.
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 24, 2026 at 10:01 PM
In 1974, my parents lived less than a mile from here, on South Colfax and 26th. They used to eat at this restaurant. When I lived in St Paul last year, my dad visited and showed me around this area, near-ish to the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Reposted by Abigail Swingen
The minimum moderate position is not abolishing or defunding ICE, it's Trump's removal. He is a tyrant, he has declared war against peaceful people, he is a criminal, he is corrupt, and he has violated his oath of office innumerable times.
January 24, 2026 at 8:34 PM
The minimum moderate position is not abolishing or defunding ICE, it's Trump's removal. He is a tyrant, he has declared war against peaceful people, he is a criminal, he is corrupt, and he has violated his oath of office innumerable times.