Ashton Merck


20th century, Agriculture, Consumer protection, Regulatory policy, Business fraud, Trade, United States, Public policy and regulation
Women in Business History
I am a Program Manager for Climate Research + Engagement at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC.
Before joining the Museum, I spent a decade in academia. I earned a PhD in History from Duke University in 2020, where, among other things, I wrote a dissertation on management-based regulation in food safety in the twentieth century.
From 2021-2024, I was a postdoctoral researcher at NC State University, where I worked closely with scientists and engineers on topics as varied as nanotechnology in food and agriculture to sweetpotatoes to phosphorus sustainability.
I have been active in the BHC since 2017.
Recent Presentations at BHC Annual MeetingsService to the BHC
Emerging Scholars Committee 2025 - 2028 [Chair 2027 - 2028]
Philip Scranton Best Article Prize Committee 2022 - 2025 [Chair 2023 - 2024]
Senior List Editor, H-NET 2020 - 2023