Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel
@waterpotential.bsky.social
Lumbee hydrologist, author, engaged scholar, & North Carolinian. Associate Professor at Duke studying water, ecosystems, climate change, environmental justice, & Indigenous rights. Book: ON THE SWAMP (UNC Press). he/him www.RyanEmanuel.com
#OnTheSwamp has been out for ~20 months, and I've traveled quite a bit sharing stories from the book & connections to other research topics. The travel was exciting, a mix of familiar & new. But glad to have a break until spring 2026. 74 total events since last spring, 56 of them in-person.
November 13, 2025 at 2:19 AM
#OnTheSwamp has been out for ~20 months, and I've traveled quite a bit sharing stories from the book & connections to other research topics. The travel was exciting, a mix of familiar & new. But glad to have a break until spring 2026. 74 total events since last spring, 56 of them in-person.
Redistricting splits up North Carolina's tribal service areas. It's especially bad for Lumbee and Coharie - each tribe's service area is split into 3 districts. Nationally, most Indigenous people live in cities. But NC flips that pattern, with most living in rural tribal service areas. #ncpol
October 18, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Redistricting splits up North Carolina's tribal service areas. It's especially bad for Lumbee and Coharie - each tribe's service area is split into 3 districts. Nationally, most Indigenous people live in cities. But NC flips that pattern, with most living in rural tribal service areas. #ncpol
Saw #OnTheSwamp today on displayat Birchbark Books in Minneapolis. I signed their copy and also got to sign their wall of authors!
#Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice #Lumbee
#Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice #Lumbee
October 3, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Saw #OnTheSwamp today on displayat Birchbark Books in Minneapolis. I signed their copy and also got to sign their wall of authors!
#Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice #Lumbee
#Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice #Lumbee
Just heard inspiring words from @ltgovflanagan.mn.gov about the importance of taking up space - #LandBack one conference room table at a time. Today is a showcase of #Indigenous excellence at the AISES National Conference in Minneapolis.
October 2, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Just heard inspiring words from @ltgovflanagan.mn.gov about the importance of taking up space - #LandBack one conference room table at a time. Today is a showcase of #Indigenous excellence at the AISES National Conference in Minneapolis.
The Journal of Geophysical Research universe is getting out of hand.
September 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
The Journal of Geophysical Research universe is getting out of hand.
Excited to be part of this event with Kirsten Squint next month, hosted by Erica Abrams Locklear as part of UNC Asheville’s Rising Waters series. Come join us! Registration link: www.unca.edu/events-and-n... #OnTheSwamp #Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice
September 19, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Excited to be part of this event with Kirsten Squint next month, hosted by Erica Abrams Locklear as part of UNC Asheville’s Rising Waters series. Come join us! Registration link: www.unca.edu/events-and-n... #OnTheSwamp #Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice
I gave a keynote talk yesterday at the International Cartography Conference in Vancouver. I shared stories and lessons from my work on mapmaking for Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice. This week, I’ve met mapmakers from around the world & learned about cutting edge cartographic theory & tech. #ICC2025
August 21, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I gave a keynote talk yesterday at the International Cartography Conference in Vancouver. I shared stories and lessons from my work on mapmaking for Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice. This week, I’ve met mapmakers from around the world & learned about cutting edge cartographic theory & tech. #ICC2025
Thanks to @massybooks.bsky.social for hosting a great book talk and signing thing evening in #Vancouver! Largest Indigenous book selection of any bookshop I’ve visited. It was cool seeing #OnTheSwamp shelved in the “Indigenous Politics” subsection—and right next to Nick Estes (whose book I teach).
August 20, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Thanks to @massybooks.bsky.social for hosting a great book talk and signing thing evening in #Vancouver! Largest Indigenous book selection of any bookshop I’ve visited. It was cool seeing #OnTheSwamp shelved in the “Indigenous Politics” subsection—and right next to Nick Estes (whose book I teach).
Sorry to Anthony Adams but that photo of Trump is giving serious meme vibes.
August 5, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Sorry to Anthony Adams but that photo of Trump is giving serious meme vibes.
Morning traffic report in RobCo - my Lester Fallsapart impression. #EasternNC #OnTheSwamp
July 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Morning traffic report in RobCo - my Lester Fallsapart impression. #EasternNC #OnTheSwamp
Researchers - Submit an abstract by Jul 30 to the #Indigenous Science to Action session at the 2025 AGU Fall Meeting!
Session theme is "Transforming Geoscience Through Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Meaningful Engagement with Indigenous Peoples."
Details 👇🏽
agu.confex.com/agu/agu25/pr... #AGU25
Session theme is "Transforming Geoscience Through Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Meaningful Engagement with Indigenous Peoples."
Details 👇🏽
agu.confex.com/agu/agu25/pr... #AGU25
July 21, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Researchers - Submit an abstract by Jul 30 to the #Indigenous Science to Action session at the 2025 AGU Fall Meeting!
Session theme is "Transforming Geoscience Through Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Meaningful Engagement with Indigenous Peoples."
Details 👇🏽
agu.confex.com/agu/agu25/pr... #AGU25
Session theme is "Transforming Geoscience Through Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Meaningful Engagement with Indigenous Peoples."
Details 👇🏽
agu.confex.com/agu/agu25/pr... #AGU25
A few of my photos from Saturday's Lumbee homecoming parade in Pembroke, North Carolina. The high temperature barely exceeded 90 degrees F (32.5 deg C)—cooler than average for recent years but warmer than average since homecoming began in 1968. #EasternNC #OnTheSwamp #ClimateChange
July 9, 2025 at 3:33 PM
A few of my photos from Saturday's Lumbee homecoming parade in Pembroke, North Carolina. The high temperature barely exceeded 90 degrees F (32.5 deg C)—cooler than average for recent years but warmer than average since homecoming began in 1968. #EasternNC #OnTheSwamp #ClimateChange
I learned recently that this year’s Envirothon (high school academic competition) focuses on Indigenous Rights. How cool is that? Our local team asked me to help them prep for their upcoming event in Calgary! We spent today discussing UNDRIP, Indigenous Science & Lumbee perspectives on land & water.
July 8, 2025 at 3:01 AM
I learned recently that this year’s Envirothon (high school academic competition) focuses on Indigenous Rights. How cool is that? Our local team asked me to help them prep for their upcoming event in Calgary! We spent today discussing UNDRIP, Indigenous Science & Lumbee perspectives on land & water.
Reminds me of the accoutrement pack & play at restaurants in Japan. It’s the table side accessory I never knew I needed.
July 3, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Reminds me of the accoutrement pack & play at restaurants in Japan. It’s the table side accessory I never knew I needed.
Blocked faster than I could come up with something witty to say about it.
June 18, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Blocked faster than I could come up with something witty to say about it.
🎶 “He sits alone on a giant throne pretending he's a king, a little tyke who's rather like a puppet on a string. And he throws an angry tantrum if he cannot have his way, & then he calls for mum while he's sucking his thumb… You see, he doesn't want to play.” 🎶
#NoKings
#NoKings
June 14, 2025 at 8:23 PM
🎶 “He sits alone on a giant throne pretending he's a king, a little tyke who's rather like a puppet on a string. And he throws an angry tantrum if he cannot have his way, & then he calls for mum while he's sucking his thumb… You see, he doesn't want to play.” 🎶
#NoKings
#NoKings
USGS folks taught me important lessons about science, ethics, and leadership before I ever stepped into a college classroom. They influenced my career trajectory. The technical knowledge & life lessons learned during my time at the agency (1995-1998) continually show up in my teaching & other work.
June 13, 2025 at 10:12 PM
USGS folks taught me important lessons about science, ethics, and leadership before I ever stepped into a college classroom. They influenced my career trajectory. The technical knowledge & life lessons learned during my time at the agency (1995-1998) continually show up in my teaching & other work.
30 years ago today I joined the federal workforce as a USGS hydrologic aide.
Monday morning after high school graduation, hydrologist & field office chief Harold Eddins (2nd from right) administered my oath of office. That afternoon, I was in hip waders learning to measure stream discharge...
Monday morning after high school graduation, hydrologist & field office chief Harold Eddins (2nd from right) administered my oath of office. That afternoon, I was in hip waders learning to measure stream discharge...
June 13, 2025 at 10:12 PM
30 years ago today I joined the federal workforce as a USGS hydrologic aide.
Monday morning after high school graduation, hydrologist & field office chief Harold Eddins (2nd from right) administered my oath of office. That afternoon, I was in hip waders learning to measure stream discharge...
Monday morning after high school graduation, hydrologist & field office chief Harold Eddins (2nd from right) administered my oath of office. That afternoon, I was in hip waders learning to measure stream discharge...
At Northwest Indian College on the Lummi Nation for the 20th Vine Deloria Jr. Indigenous Studies Symposium. This year‘s theme is “The World We Used to Live In,“ the title of Deloria’s last published book, which he was writing during his last visit to NWIC in 2005.
May 23, 2025 at 1:49 AM
At Northwest Indian College on the Lummi Nation for the 20th Vine Deloria Jr. Indigenous Studies Symposium. This year‘s theme is “The World We Used to Live In,“ the title of Deloria’s last published book, which he was writing during his last visit to NWIC in 2005.
Waiting on an early morning flight. Fueled by pre-dawn fist bump from an Indigenous employee who saw my corn necklace.
May 20, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Waiting on an early morning flight. Fueled by pre-dawn fist bump from an Indigenous employee who saw my corn necklace.
It is a fantastic collection, and I was honored to contribute an essay that reflects on the bifurcation of my career and on the broader status of research involving water and environmental justice. I understand that the book will be converted into an #OpenAccess publication in the next year or two.
April 28, 2025 at 1:24 AM
It is a fantastic collection, and I was honored to contribute an essay that reflects on the bifurcation of my career and on the broader status of research involving water and environmental justice. I understand that the book will be converted into an #OpenAccess publication in the next year or two.
I gave a talk last night at Northern Arizona University’s Student Water Symposium and woke up to snow this morning. Flagstaff in April 😯.
April 18, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I gave a talk last night at Northern Arizona University’s Student Water Symposium and woke up to snow this morning. Flagstaff in April 😯.
We talked about food traditions today in my Indigenous land and water class. After watching a documentary about Lumbee collard sandwiches, I made some for my students.
April 3, 2025 at 6:49 PM
We talked about food traditions today in my Indigenous land and water class. After watching a documentary about Lumbee collard sandwiches, I made some for my students.
We talked about food traditions today in my Indigenous land and water class. After watching a documentary about Lumbee collard sandwiches, I made some for my students.
April 3, 2025 at 6:41 PM
We talked about food traditions today in my Indigenous land and water class. After watching a documentary about Lumbee collard sandwiches, I made some for my students.