Melanie A. Kiechle
@melaniekiechle.bsky.social
Historian of #C19 United States: health, science, cities, environments, and smells. Lots of smells. Author of Smell Detectives. Now musing alternatively about buried creeks, sensitivity, and an ill woman.
Pinned
Dying Before Germ Theory
As RFK questions germ theory, and measles ravages unvaccinated children, Americans need to know what is at risk. Americans died at higher rates and younger ages before the introduction of germ theo…
nursingclio.org
While I would prefer that my historical research have less relevance, please read and consider what it was like to fall ill and die before germ theory. #histmed 🗃️ nursingclio.org/2025/07/21/d...
I voted this morning and it was invigorating!
November 4, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I voted this morning and it was invigorating!
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
My new book, "Ripples on the Cosmic Ocean," was published today! And here's a new article in @theconversation.com that explains how #solarstorms have influenced #history, and may threaten our future. Spoiler: it's really not a good idea to cut science at NASA. theconversation.com/solar-storms...
Solar storms have influenced our history – an environmental historian explains how they could also threaten our future
From communications outages to a brush with nuclear war, solar events like flares and coronal mass ejections have shaped human history.
theconversation.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:07 PM
My new book, "Ripples on the Cosmic Ocean," was published today! And here's a new article in @theconversation.com that explains how #solarstorms have influenced #history, and may threaten our future. Spoiler: it's really not a good idea to cut science at NASA. theconversation.com/solar-storms...
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
"It's past time to recognize that university administrators aren't going to lead the way out of this, [setting] the stage for leadership... from faculty, staff, & students, [where] most if not all progress in higher ed over the past 100 yrs has occurred."
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#AcademicSky
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#AcademicSky
Higher education fails at collective action
In the latest development in the ongoing combat between universities in the United States and the Trump administration, the Department of Education has presented them with what it calls a “compact.” I...
www.science.org
October 27, 2025 at 7:14 PM
"It's past time to recognize that university administrators aren't going to lead the way out of this, [setting] the stage for leadership... from faculty, staff, & students, [where] most if not all progress in higher ed over the past 100 yrs has occurred."
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#AcademicSky
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
I am interested in starting to hear from care workers on SNAP about your concerns. I'm @motherjones.com's disability reporter. Please be in touch. My email is jmetraux@motherjones.com and my Signal is juliametraux.49. Reposts are appreciated.
October 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
I am interested in starting to hear from care workers on SNAP about your concerns. I'm @motherjones.com's disability reporter. Please be in touch. My email is jmetraux@motherjones.com and my Signal is juliametraux.49. Reposts are appreciated.
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
History friends: Did you attend this year's @shothisttech.bsky.social meeting in Esch-sur-Alzette, either in-person or virtually? Or are you wondering what you missed?
Next Tuesday (Oct. 28), join CHSTM's #histtech working group for a #SHOT2025 debrief!
www.chstm.org/group/histor...
#histSTM 🗃️📜⚙️
Next Tuesday (Oct. 28), join CHSTM's #histtech working group for a #SHOT2025 debrief!
www.chstm.org/group/histor...
#histSTM 🗃️📜⚙️
October 23, 2025 at 12:45 PM
History friends: Did you attend this year's @shothisttech.bsky.social meeting in Esch-sur-Alzette, either in-person or virtually? Or are you wondering what you missed?
Next Tuesday (Oct. 28), join CHSTM's #histtech working group for a #SHOT2025 debrief!
www.chstm.org/group/histor...
#histSTM 🗃️📜⚙️
Next Tuesday (Oct. 28), join CHSTM's #histtech working group for a #SHOT2025 debrief!
www.chstm.org/group/histor...
#histSTM 🗃️📜⚙️
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
📅 Save the date!
The University of Stavanger, invites you to a symposium entitled:
Freedom of Expression in Times of Genocide
🗓 Wed. Nov 12, 5–7:30 pm | Sølvberget, Stavanger & online
Speakers include: Sindre Bangstad, Raz Segal, Zoé Samudzi, Maha Abdallah & Martin Shaw
More details to follow.
The University of Stavanger, invites you to a symposium entitled:
Freedom of Expression in Times of Genocide
🗓 Wed. Nov 12, 5–7:30 pm | Sølvberget, Stavanger & online
Speakers include: Sindre Bangstad, Raz Segal, Zoé Samudzi, Maha Abdallah & Martin Shaw
More details to follow.
October 9, 2025 at 7:22 AM
📅 Save the date!
The University of Stavanger, invites you to a symposium entitled:
Freedom of Expression in Times of Genocide
🗓 Wed. Nov 12, 5–7:30 pm | Sølvberget, Stavanger & online
Speakers include: Sindre Bangstad, Raz Segal, Zoé Samudzi, Maha Abdallah & Martin Shaw
More details to follow.
The University of Stavanger, invites you to a symposium entitled:
Freedom of Expression in Times of Genocide
🗓 Wed. Nov 12, 5–7:30 pm | Sølvberget, Stavanger & online
Speakers include: Sindre Bangstad, Raz Segal, Zoé Samudzi, Maha Abdallah & Martin Shaw
More details to follow.
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
If you can afford it, a *monetary* donation (it goes a lot farther!) to your local food bank would be a most excellent thing to do right now.
I want more people to care that SNAP benefits are being cut off on November 1. 40% of SNAP beneficiaries are children. This is callous and vile.
October 22, 2025 at 8:55 AM
If you can afford it, a *monetary* donation (it goes a lot farther!) to your local food bank would be a most excellent thing to do right now.
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
Issue 31.4 of Environment and History is out now! This special issue entitled "Dam Scientists: The limits of scientific knowledge and environmentalism" features 6 research articles, 2 snapshots, and 3 book reviews. Read online here: liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/toc/whpeh/31... #envhist🗃️
October 9, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Issue 31.4 of Environment and History is out now! This special issue entitled "Dam Scientists: The limits of scientific knowledge and environmentalism" features 6 research articles, 2 snapshots, and 3 book reviews. Read online here: liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/toc/whpeh/31... #envhist🗃️
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
It’s real!!
I just got my first copy of Ghosts Behind Glass and it is beautiful. You all really need to order your copies. You will not regret it. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
I just got my first copy of Ghosts Behind Glass and it is beautiful. You all really need to order your copies. You will not regret it. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
October 6, 2025 at 1:34 PM
It’s real!!
I just got my first copy of Ghosts Behind Glass and it is beautiful. You all really need to order your copies. You will not regret it. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
I just got my first copy of Ghosts Behind Glass and it is beautiful. You all really need to order your copies. You will not regret it. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
Are you interested in the history of rivers? Do you wonder how historians and environmental scientists can work together? Join the EDHS seminar to hear from the ARTEMIS team about their amazing project exploring the histories and ecologies of the Scheldt. #envhist #histsci #skystorians #dh
The Environmental #DH Seminar (EDHS) is back!
Co-organised by Lancaster & Manchester w/support from @n8cir.bsky.social, our first event features the ARTEMIS project.
Join us ONLINE at 12pm (UK) on Oct 15 to hear about this digital historical investigation of the Scheldt River Valley.
RSVP 👇
Co-organised by Lancaster & Manchester w/support from @n8cir.bsky.social, our first event features the ARTEMIS project.
Join us ONLINE at 12pm (UK) on Oct 15 to hear about this digital historical investigation of the Scheldt River Valley.
RSVP 👇
Artemis Project: A Digital Bridge to Historical Landscapes and Maps
Join us for a discussion with Iason Jongepier (University of Antwerp) & Vincent Ducatteeuw (Ghent University)
www.eventbrite.com
October 3, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Are you interested in the history of rivers? Do you wonder how historians and environmental scientists can work together? Join the EDHS seminar to hear from the ARTEMIS team about their amazing project exploring the histories and ecologies of the Scheldt. #envhist #histsci #skystorians #dh
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
Apply for this free PhD course on Energy Humanities in Stavanger, Norway!
Please pass the opportunity on to students you know. Students from anywhere are welcome.
#envhum #envhist
Please pass the opportunity on to students you know. Students from anywhere are welcome.
#envhum #envhist
I am really excited to announce the call for the PhD Course in Energy Humanities!
Held at the @greenhouseuis.net from 1-5 December.
Applications are welcome until 24 October.
#envhum #envhist #energyhistory
Held at the @greenhouseuis.net from 1-5 December.
Applications are welcome until 24 October.
#envhum #envhist #energyhistory
October 2, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
A bit of good news! Germinate: Environmental History Review @g-ehr.bsky.social is now live—this is a new digital publication of @aseh.bsky.social Bookmark g-ehr.com for reading and submit your great 🗃️ 📗 #envhist I’m excited to learn from you!
Germinate – Environmental History Review
g-ehr.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:05 PM
A bit of good news! Germinate: Environmental History Review @g-ehr.bsky.social is now live—this is a new digital publication of @aseh.bsky.social Bookmark g-ehr.com for reading and submit your great 🗃️ 📗 #envhist I’m excited to learn from you!
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
Amidst the shutdown and the continued attacks on institutions, individuals, and communities, it's important that we document human toll.
To that end, here's a chance to share anonymously how you and your loved ones are faring in the wake of rapid social and policy change.
tinyurl.com/thehumantoll
To that end, here's a chance to share anonymously how you and your loved ones are faring in the wake of rapid social and policy change.
tinyurl.com/thehumantoll
![The Human Toll
The US is undergoing rapid social, economic, and policy change.
If you've been impacted, we want to hear your story!
To participate, visit: https://tinyurl.com/thehumantoll
Study sponsored under University of Wisconsin-Madison IRB Protocol #2025-1096. PI: Dr. Jessica Calarco
Participants must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the US
[image of a person with their face in their hands]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dtgy62tymnpbnzozbpgnov56/bafkreihpmnv6ruyidgbs67ulkl2bcuj6y47tiidsfsneq44v7m7ubf5ci4@jpeg)
October 2, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Amidst the shutdown and the continued attacks on institutions, individuals, and communities, it's important that we document human toll.
To that end, here's a chance to share anonymously how you and your loved ones are faring in the wake of rapid social and policy change.
tinyurl.com/thehumantoll
To that end, here's a chance to share anonymously how you and your loved ones are faring in the wake of rapid social and policy change.
tinyurl.com/thehumantoll
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
Had the pleasure of writing down my thoughts about historical board games for NiCHE's series Playing Inside. Check out the whole series as it rolls out in the next months!
Today we have "History on the Tabletop: A Brief Guide for Evaluating Historical Board Games" by @jacobleetom.bsky.social
This is the second article in the Playing Inside: Board Games, Video Games, and the Indoors series edited by @theliftline.bsky.social
niche-canada.org/2025/09/25/h...
#envhum
This is the second article in the Playing Inside: Board Games, Video Games, and the Indoors series edited by @theliftline.bsky.social
niche-canada.org/2025/09/25/h...
#envhum
History on the Tabletop: A Brief Guide for Evaluating Historical Board Games
Historical board game Land Run: 1893 explores settler colonialism, Indigenous dispossession, and environmental degradation, balancing historical accuracy with player agency.
niche-canada.org
September 25, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Had the pleasure of writing down my thoughts about historical board games for NiCHE's series Playing Inside. Check out the whole series as it rolls out in the next months!
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
Deadline approaching! Are you organising a #histmed conference or workshop in 2026? Applications for SSHM Conference funding awards close 1 October.
sshm.org/conference-f...
sshm.org/conference-f...
Conference Funding
The Society for the Social History of Medicine awards financial assistance for conferences and workshops on the history of medicine. Applicants should note that grants are not retrospectively awar…
sshm.org
September 30, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Deadline approaching! Are you organising a #histmed conference or workshop in 2026? Applications for SSHM Conference funding awards close 1 October.
sshm.org/conference-f...
sshm.org/conference-f...
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
We are thrilled to announce our new colloboration with The Metropole - @urbanhistorya.bsky.social - Urban and Environmental Dialogues
Send us your proposals for this new urban #envhist series by 24 October!
niche-canada.org/2025/09/29/c...
#urbanhistory #urbanstudies #urban #envhum
Send us your proposals for this new urban #envhist series by 24 October!
niche-canada.org/2025/09/29/c...
#urbanhistory #urbanstudies #urban #envhum
Call for Proposals - Urban and Environmental Dialogues
Urban and Environmental Dialogues will explore how the environment-at-large and the urban built environment have shaped one another throughout history.
niche-canada.org
September 29, 2025 at 8:28 PM
We are thrilled to announce our new colloboration with The Metropole - @urbanhistorya.bsky.social - Urban and Environmental Dialogues
Send us your proposals for this new urban #envhist series by 24 October!
niche-canada.org/2025/09/29/c...
#urbanhistory #urbanstudies #urban #envhum
Send us your proposals for this new urban #envhist series by 24 October!
niche-canada.org/2025/09/29/c...
#urbanhistory #urbanstudies #urban #envhum
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
Dept of History, University of Liverpool - Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships
Interested candidates should identify a potential mentor in the dept & submit an Expression of Interest by 3 Nov. Come & work with me &/or my colleagues! Details here: www.liverpool.ac.uk/humanities-a... #skystorians 🗃️
Interested candidates should identify a potential mentor in the dept & submit an Expression of Interest by 3 Nov. Come & work with me &/or my colleagues! Details here: www.liverpool.ac.uk/humanities-a... #skystorians 🗃️
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships | Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences | University of Liverpool
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships application support.
www.liverpool.ac.uk
September 30, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Dept of History, University of Liverpool - Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships
Interested candidates should identify a potential mentor in the dept & submit an Expression of Interest by 3 Nov. Come & work with me &/or my colleagues! Details here: www.liverpool.ac.uk/humanities-a... #skystorians 🗃️
Interested candidates should identify a potential mentor in the dept & submit an Expression of Interest by 3 Nov. Come & work with me &/or my colleagues! Details here: www.liverpool.ac.uk/humanities-a... #skystorians 🗃️
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
"The 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) agenda isn’t just unserious. It’s unsafe."
www.post-gazette.com/opinion/gues...
www.post-gazette.com/opinion/gues...
Donna A. Gaffney and Teri Mills: MAHA is bad for America's health
For months we issued a warning: do not hand the nation’s health to a person who treats evidence like an inconvenience, who lets ideology replace...
www.post-gazette.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:16 PM
"The 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) agenda isn’t just unserious. It’s unsafe."
www.post-gazette.com/opinion/gues...
www.post-gazette.com/opinion/gues...
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
there's much to explore about the intervening performativity of smells! Check out our Website: olfac.kunstuni-linz.at
#sensorystudies #OLFAC #Olfactory
#sensorystudies #OLFAC #Olfactory
OLFAC – Exploring the Intervening Performativity of Smell
olfac.kunstuni-linz.at
August 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM
there's much to explore about the intervening performativity of smells! Check out our Website: olfac.kunstuni-linz.at
#sensorystudies #OLFAC #Olfactory
#sensorystudies #OLFAC #Olfactory
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
OLFAC explores how olfactory techniques and technologies are mobilised – in both artistic practice and through mechanisms of governance. By developing a theory of olfactory performativity, OLFAC opens new perspectives on sensory experience.
August 21, 2025 at 11:15 AM
OLFAC explores how olfactory techniques and technologies are mobilised – in both artistic practice and through mechanisms of governance. By developing a theory of olfactory performativity, OLFAC opens new perspectives on sensory experience.
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
We’re excited to introduce ourselves: OLFAC (Olfactormativity: Exploring The Intervening Performativity Of Smell), is a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant project (2024–2029), hosted at the University of Arts Linz (Austria).
#ERC #OLFAC #UniversityofArtsLinz #research
#ERC #OLFAC #UniversityofArtsLinz #research
August 21, 2025 at 11:15 AM
We’re excited to introduce ourselves: OLFAC (Olfactormativity: Exploring The Intervening Performativity Of Smell), is a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant project (2024–2029), hosted at the University of Arts Linz (Austria).
#ERC #OLFAC #UniversityofArtsLinz #research
#ERC #OLFAC #UniversityofArtsLinz #research
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
We're putting on an exciting range of research events this year at @manchester.ac.uk on 'Queer Bodies' in 18 & 19C Britain. Colleagues in English, Art History (@emmamerkling.bsky.social), & History are exploring queer approaches to bodies and embodiment and their cultures. See poster for more!
September 29, 2025 at 11:23 AM
We're putting on an exciting range of research events this year at @manchester.ac.uk on 'Queer Bodies' in 18 & 19C Britain. Colleagues in English, Art History (@emmamerkling.bsky.social), & History are exploring queer approaches to bodies and embodiment and their cultures. See poster for more!
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
ASEH Applications for Prizes, Fellowships, and Grants are now open! Deadline to submit is November 20, 2025.
Please visit the ASEH website to learn more and apply:
https:/aseh.org/Awards-&-Funding
Please visit the ASEH website to learn more and apply:
https:/aseh.org/Awards-&-Funding
September 11, 2025 at 8:10 PM
ASEH Applications for Prizes, Fellowships, and Grants are now open! Deadline to submit is November 20, 2025.
Please visit the ASEH website to learn more and apply:
https:/aseh.org/Awards-&-Funding
Please visit the ASEH website to learn more and apply:
https:/aseh.org/Awards-&-Funding
Reposted by Melanie A. Kiechle
@womenslibrary.bsky.social @womenshistnet.bsky.social @womenknowhistory.bsky.social @ihrwomen.bsky.social we would be very grateful if you could share our advert with your networks!
#WomensHistory #FeministHistory
#WomensHistory #FeministHistory
📢 HOWL is hiring a new part-time administrator!
⏰ Deadline for applications Tuesday 30 September
📝 Zoom interview Monday 6 October
The full job description is available on our website. Please email howl@howl-uk.org with any questions.
⏰ Deadline for applications Tuesday 30 September
📝 Zoom interview Monday 6 October
The full job description is available on our website. Please email howl@howl-uk.org with any questions.
September 11, 2025 at 2:56 PM
@womenslibrary.bsky.social @womenshistnet.bsky.social @womenknowhistory.bsky.social @ihrwomen.bsky.social we would be very grateful if you could share our advert with your networks!
#WomensHistory #FeministHistory
#WomensHistory #FeministHistory