Jeffrey Powell

Jeffrey Powell is a Part-Time Lecturer in the Department of History at Wayne State University, within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He has also taught at Oakland University and the College for Creative Studies. His academic focus centers on political and social history, particularly the reshaping of American historical memory through patriotic commemorations like the American Centennial.

Education:

• Ph.D. Candidate, History, Wayne State University
• M.A., History, Wayne State University (2004)
• Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration
• B.A., History, University of Michigan - Dearborn (2000)

Research Interests: Powell’s work examines how national events and exhibitions (e.g., the 1901 Pan-American Exhibition) influenced historical narratives. He combines archival expertise with analysis of labor movements, such as the Taftville Strike of 1875, and has contributed to understanding the socio-political dynamics of 19th- and early 20th-century America. His archival work includes processing materials like the Mike Gold and Mike Folsom papers at the University of Michigan.

Publications & Presentations: His scholarship spans encyclopedia entries, book reviews, and conference papers, emphasizing themes like eugenics, labor history, and national identity. He regularly delivers public lectures on topics like the American Centennial’s impact on collective memory.

Labs/Teams: Collaborated with archival teams at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor on processing historical collections.