Susan Amussen

Susan Amussen serves as Distinguished Professor in the History department at the University of California Merced, where she also contributes to Critical Race and Ethnic Studies programs. Her scholarly profile demonstrates sustained engagement with early modern English and Atlantic world history through active research, publication, and professional service.

Her research centers on gender dynamics in early modern societies, particularly examining women's experiences within patriarchal systems, slavery economies, and cultural production. Key themes include the contradictions of patriarchy, women's labor in transatlantic contexts, and the role of popular culture in social resistance. Her methodological approach combines social history with cultural analysis to reveal how marginalized groups navigated systems of power.

Analysis of her recent publications (2021-2025) reveals increasing focus on Atlantic world connections, with significant attention to slavery's gendered dimensions and critical race perspectives. Her work consistently bridges English social history with broader imperial frameworks, demonstrating how local gender dynamics intersected with colonial expansion and economic systems. This trajectory reflects growing scholarly emphasis on transnational approaches to early modern studies.