I woke up a little after 6:00 AM last October 13 and meandered down to the kitchen to get my morning routine under way. I flipped on the coffee maker, poured myself a bowl of cereal, and – in a part of the ritual I really ought to break – checked my email. There, at the top of my inbox, was a cryptic message from a friend at the University of Galway. “Big day at Northwestern,” it read. “Great joy among his Irish pals,” followed by a link to a story from CNN. That’s how I learned that Joel Mokyr had won the Nobel Prize.
Welcome Prof. Nunn! Zavier Nunn is a historian of modern Europe whose work focuses on medical and legal efforts to regulate sex—who may engage in it, who may change it, and how—alongside the lived experiences of those subject to social and state policing.
Welcome Prof. Peters! Alexandra Montero Peters is a historian of the medieval Mediterranean, specifically the intellectual exchange between Iberia, North Africa, and the Near East. Working primarily with Arabic and Castilian manuscripts, she investigates the many ways textual, visual, and intellectual traditions traversed confessional, cultural, and racial boundaries.
Welcome Prof. Westermann! Edward B. Westermann received his doctorate from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and is a Regents Professor Emeritus of History and a Piper Professor of 2023 at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Joel Mokyr was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences last October. Read more about Prof. Daniel Immerwahr’s toast to Joel, and the Nobel laureate’s “freewheeling” discussion with more than 150 undergraduate students.
Fifteen Sanders Scholars took part in a two-quarter seminar on the Historian's Craft in Fall 2025 and Winter 2026. The students, ranging across all grade levels and academic disciplines at Northwestern, had the opportunity to investigate the discipline of history both in theory and in practice. Winter quarter, the students pursued an original research project that culminated in a journal-article-length research essay. Hear directly from Sanders Scholars about their experience.
It was the first week of Fall Quarter, and as my peers and I filed into Harris Hall's warmly lit seminar room, the first thing I noticed were the books. Shelves teemed with dozens of works published by faculty members of the History Department, from Our Sister Republics by Prof. Caitlin Fitz, to Stranger in the Shogun's City by Prof. Amy Stanley, to The Ecocentrists by Prof. Keith Woodhouse, my thesis advisor. We were nervous to get started, but all I could think to myself was that we couldn't be in better hands.
Students brought history to life though jazzercise sessions and reenactments of mid-twentieth century women’s basketball during Prof. Fitz’s Women's Sports: A Global History course this Winter.
In 2025-26 the Center had a vibrant lineup of events, including lunch lectures, joint lectures, a variety of cosponsored activities, and an April 2026 faculty conference. We started off our academic year with September’s annual “Ice Cream Lecture,” delivered by Scott Sowerby on “Early Modern French Natalism and Other Odd Stories.” And yes, there was ice cream.
Hosted by CCHS, a Faculty Conference titled “Religious Pluralism and Rulership in Early Modern Eurasia” was convened by Professors Jonathan Brack, Rajeev Kinra, and Scott Sowerby on April 24-25, 2026.
Meet Northwestern undergraduate student researchers Natalie, Rhys and Kaleah and explore the exciting projects they are working on in the Material History Lab!
My name is Isabel Lewin-Knauer and I am a first year JD/PhD student in Latin American history, working with Lina Britto. I study Colombia’s drug trade in the late 20th century and the role of transnational US law enforcement in the criminalization of the flows of drugs and people across borders.
My name is Asher Gladstone and I’m a first-year PhD student in the History department. I study intellectual history and Jewish-Christian relations in early modern Europe (c. 1500-1800). I am particularly interested in intellectual exchange across communal borders. My current research project focuses on Wülfer’s 1681 book Theriaca Judaica, ad examen revocata.
Hear from Lydia Barnett, Associate Professor of European History and the current director of the Science in Human Culture Program, about the long tradition of historians leading interdisciplinary departments and programs on campus.
Keith Woodhouse checked in with veterans of History 398 — the senior thesis seminar — and reported back with stories about their careers after graduation as well as thoughts on the value of the thesis experience, the practice of history then and now, and the nature of historical thinking.
In the group photo shared by Barbara Leary, from left to right: Henry Binford, Michael Sherry, Barbara Leary, Mariah Hepworth and Matthew June.
Our PhD program continues to be vibrant and thriving. Here is a roundup of the latest accomplishments of our wonderful graduate students.
The faculty have been busy! Check out their latest publications, travels, and personal points of pride.
Before you go…
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The next Newsletter will be published in Spring 2027. In several months, we will again email all History alumni to invite you to share your news related to career, life, your History degree, or anything else. Thank you in advance! Read the Alumni page for more information. Be sure to also visit the online portal for NU alumni. We look forward to connecting with you next year. |
