David Szakonyi
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szakonyi.bsky.social
David Szakonyi
@szakonyi.bsky.social
2.1K followers 180 following 52 posts

Associate Professor at George Washington University
Co-Founder, Anti-Corruption Data Collective (@acdatacollective.bsky.social)
Researching corruption, kleptocracy and authoritarianism in Russia and the West

Videos
Political science 52%
Sociology 18%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by David Szakonyi

giace.bsky.social
Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · 5d
📣 Online seminar

Join us 2pm to 3pm (GMT) tomorrow for a #GIACE seminar on using leaked and sensitive data to research illicit finance with @szakonyi.bsky.social and Tom Mayne, chaired by
@lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social.

Held in collaboration with the Illicit Finance Data Lab.

Register now 👇
The promise and perils of using leaked and sensitive data to research Illicit Finance
bit.ly

Reposted by David Szakonyi

acdatacollective.bsky.social
Anti-Corruption Data Collective @acdatacollective.bsky.social · 5d
This story we helped DW uncover last week highlights just one of many contradictions in the nascent deep sea mining industry.

From bluewashing to regulation with a USA-sized gap, the risk of corporate capture that threatens the global environment run deep.

acdatacollective.org/work/deep-se...

Reposted by Michael Barnett, Brian A. Nosek, Steven Van de Walle , and 11 more

fhollenbach.org
Florian Hollenbach @fhollenbach.org · 6d
🧵 New version of our paper (@bcegerod.bsky.social) is finally online: "How Many is Enough? Sample Size in Staggered Difference-in-Differences Designs"
We show that even well-identified DiD studies are often underpowered; sample sizes needed are surprisingly large
Paper: osf.io/preprints/os... 1/6

Reposted by David Szakonyi

taxobservatory.bsky.social
International Tax Observatory @taxobservatory.bsky.social · 6d
How effective are transparency innovations in curbing offshore tax evasion? We’re spending the next two days examining the latest evidence on illicit financial flows.

🎙️ Opening remarks by @gabrielzucman.bsky.social.

Can’t make it? Catch the full recording on our YouTube later this week!

Reposted by David Szakonyi

acdatacollective.bsky.social
Anti-Corruption Data Collective @acdatacollective.bsky.social · 10d
"Like refusing to finance an oil drilling site but still buying shares in the drilling company."

Over 20 financial institutions have pledged not to finance deep sea mining, but several of the same banks invest in companies preparing to mine the seabed for minerals. 🤔

www.dw.com/en/the-hidde...
The hidden money behind deep-sea mining
A DW investigation traces the hidden financial web behind deep-sea mining — an industry scientists say remains poorly understood, yet capable of causing irreversible harm to oceans worldwide.
www.dw.com

Reposted by David Szakonyi, Katja Rietzler

papertrailmedia.de
paper trail media @papertrailmedia.de · 17d
Ausgerechnet zum Höhepunkt der Trumpschen Grönland-Krise hat das Bundeswirtschaftsministerium grünes Licht für eine brisante Übernahme gegeben: Ein Trump-Buddy übernimmt die Kontrolle über wichtige Teile der deutschen Energieinfrastruktur #Tanquid www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft...
(S+) Kelcy Warren: Trump-Vertrauter kauft sich in Deutschlands Energieversorgung ein
Ein US-Milliardär hat nach SPIEGEL-Informationen Teile von Deutschlands Treibstofflogistik übernommen, inklusive Zugang zu Nato-Flughäfen und Pipelines. Das Wirtschaftsministerium erlaubt den Deal unt...
www.spiegel.de

Reposted by David Szakonyi

acdatacollective.bsky.social
Anti-Corruption Data Collective @acdatacollective.bsky.social · 19d
On 5 February join @szakonyi.bsky.social @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social & Tom Mayne for a deep dive into the potential for leaked data to underpin illicit finance research.

David will present a new ACDC study into the effectiveness of de-risking as an AML tool, based on data from the #CongoHoldUp.
The Promise and Perils of Using Leaked and Sensitive Data to Research Illicit Finance February 5 2 - 3pm GMT / 9am - 10am ET Speakers: Liz David-Barrett David Szakonyi Tom Mayne

Reposted by David Szakonyi

itaxjournal.bsky.social
itaxjournal.bsky.social @itaxjournal.bsky.social · 25d
Recently published in @itaxjournal.bsky.social "Safely opening Pandora’s box: a guide for researchers working with leaked data" by Annette Alstadsæter, Matthew Collin ( @mattcollin.bsky.social ) & Andreas Økland (@andokl.bsky.social)

Available at: rdcu.be/eZfQl
Safely opening Pandora’s box: a guide for researchers working with leaked data
rdcu.be

szakonyi.bsky.social
David Szakonyi @szakonyi.bsky.social · 27d
check out Common Side Effects too

Reposted by Jason Mittell, Richard S.J. Tol, Ken Caldeira , and 12 more

theonion.com
The Onion @theonion.com · Jan 5
Nicolás Maduro Charged With Felony Oil Possession
Nicolás Maduro Charged With Felony Oil Possession

Reposted by David Szakonyi

nlnathan.bsky.social
Noah Nathan @nlnathan.bsky.social · Jan 3
Absolute lawlessness

szakonyi.bsky.social
David Szakonyi @szakonyi.bsky.social · Dec 20
Greatest cover-up in history?

szakonyi.bsky.social
David Szakonyi @szakonyi.bsky.social · Dec 18
Standard trolling by the admin, meant to distract. Challenge the move without letting it drown the news cycle!
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Dec 18
lol. lmao even
I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center, some of the most successful people from all parts of the world, have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation. Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur.

Reposted by Shibley Telhami, Richard S.J. Tol, David Rothschild , and 2 more

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Dec 18
lol. lmao even
I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center, some of the most successful people from all parts of the world, have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation. Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur.

Reposted by Sara B. Hobolt, Justin H. Kirkland, Simon Weschle , and 5 more

lsegovernment.bsky.social
LSE Department of Government @lsegovernment.bsky.social · Dec 16
🚨We're #hiring!

We're looking for a #Research #Fellow to join our team. The successful candidate will be part of the research project "Political #Finance in #Africa" led by Associate Professor @sarahbrierley.bsky.social for 2 years.

🗓️Apply by Monday 12 January 👇🏽

jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
Research Fellow (Political Finance in Africa (POLFINA))
Research Fellow (Political Finance in Africa (POLFINA)), , <p style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #333333;">LSE is committed to building a diverse, equi...
jobs.lse.ac.uk

szakonyi.bsky.social
David Szakonyi @szakonyi.bsky.social · Dec 12
Further obvious evidence that allowing your cryptocurrency exchange to be used for money laundering is a really really bad idea

decrypt.co/350490/coinb...
Coinbase C-Suite, Marc Andreessen Sued for Billions Over Alleged Insider Trading Scheme - Decrypt
A lawsuit filed by Coinbase shareholders accuses the company’s leadership of withholding key information for years.
decrypt.co

szakonyi.bsky.social
David Szakonyi @szakonyi.bsky.social · Dec 11
And just in time for the holidays! The perfect present for all your criminal and kleptocrat loved ones living abroad.

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump launches $1 million ‘gold card’ visa program that’s drawn skepticism
Critics have pointed out that such programs create a two-tier immigration system, disproportionately benefiting wealthy individuals.
www.washingtonpost.com

szakonyi.bsky.social
David Szakonyi @szakonyi.bsky.social · Nov 12
Epstein had kompromat on Trump and was prepared to take advantage of it
sahilkapur.bsky.social Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · Nov 12
The other two Epstein-related emails just released by Oversight Dems: exchanges between Jeffrey Epstein and Michael Wolff regarding Trump from 2019 and 2015.

Reposted by David Szakonyi, Colin Woodard

sahilkapur.bsky.social
Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · Nov 12
The other two Epstein-related emails just released by Oversight Dems: exchanges between Jeffrey Epstein and Michael Wolff regarding Trump from 2019 and 2015.

Reposted by Mark Rice, David Szakonyi

unusualwhales.bsky.social
Unusual Whales @unusualwhales.bsky.social · Oct 11
BREAKING: Look at this.

A new crypto account was opened yesterday morning.

30 minutes BEFORE Trump's announcement of 100% tariffs on China, it added a huge multi-million dollar levered Bitcoin short position, per YF.

The market dumped.

The trader made +$192 million in two hours.

Unusual.

Reposted by Ian Hall, David Szakonyi

frederikobermaier.com
Frederik Obermaier @frederikobermaier.com · Oct 11
🤦‍♂️😈 "Thiel said that international financial bodies, which make it more difficult for people to shelter their wealth in tax havens, are one sign the antichrist may be amassing power & hastening Armageddon,saying: “It’s become quite difficult to hide one’s money.”" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Inside tech billionaire Peter Thiel’s off-the-record lectures about the antichrist
The political svengali and investor has been giving lectures on ‘an evil king or tyrant … who appears in the end times’
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Karsten Mäuse

szakonyi.bsky.social
David Szakonyi @szakonyi.bsky.social · Oct 3
Come work with us!
fhollenbach.org Florian Hollenbach @fhollenbach.org · Oct 1
Are you interested in research on corruption/illicit finance/kleptocracy? We are hiring a Research Fellow at @acdatacollective.bsky.social: acdatacollective.org/wp-content/u...
Please share in your networks, this could be a great gig.
acdatacollective.org

Reposted by Justin H. Kirkland, David Szakonyi, Karsten Mäuse

fhollenbach.org
Florian Hollenbach @fhollenbach.org · Oct 1
Are you interested in research on corruption/illicit finance/kleptocracy? We are hiring a Research Fellow at @acdatacollective.bsky.social: acdatacollective.org/wp-content/u...
Please share in your networks, this could be a great gig.
acdatacollective.org

Reposted by David Szakonyi

fhollenbach.org
Florian Hollenbach @fhollenbach.org · Sep 17
Academic friends, what is the best place to run representative surveys in the US that is reasonably affordable? Recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Reposted by David Szakonyi

mattcollin.bsky.social
Matt Collin @mattcollin.bsky.social · Sep 5
I have given in and started a Substack to write about illicit finance, development and data

In my first post, I explain why we should be careful about citing the $312 billion statistic on the size of Chinese money laundering

datadarkly.substack.com/p/exactly-ho...
Exactly how big is that Chinese money laundering ring?
The difficulty of inferring from suspicious transaction reports
datadarkly.substack.com

Reposted by David Szakonyi

projectsyndicate.bsky.social
Project Syndicate @projectsyndicate.bsky.social · Sep 5
The choice facing Switzerland is clear. It can cling to an outdated model of banking secrecy that represses press freedom, or it can align its laws with democratic standards, write Delphine Halgand-Mishra and @frederikobermaier.com. bit.ly/4p85SHj
Switzerland Must Choose Press Freedom Over Bank Secrecy
Delphine Halgand-Mishra & Frederik Obermaier show how laws criminalizing the disclosure of client data have muzzled journalists and whistleblowers.
bit.ly

szakonyi.bsky.social
David Szakonyi @szakonyi.bsky.social · Sep 4
Happy ERC Announcement Day, everyone!

And huge huge congrats to Jacob. So well deserved.
jacobnyrup.bsky.social 𝙅𝙖𝙘🍩𝙗 𝙉𝙮𝙧𝙪𝙥 @jacobnyrup.bsky.social · Sep 4
I am honored to have been awarded an ERC Starting Grant towards my project "Governing elites since the dawn of modern democracy" (GETGOV).

It allows me to continue to advance this research agenda; the goal is to build a database on governing elites from 1789 and up to today + much more.

#ERCStG
Jacob Nyrup awarded EU funds to research political elites - Department of Political Science
Jacob Nyrup from the Department of Political Science has been granted a substantial 18 million Norwegian kroner by the EU's research council to examine political elites in countries before and after d...
www.sv.uio.no

Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Carl Henrik Knutsen, David Szakonyi , and 1 more

jacobnyrup.bsky.social
𝙅𝙖𝙘🍩𝙗 𝙉𝙮𝙧𝙪𝙥 @jacobnyrup.bsky.social · Sep 4
I am honored to have been awarded an ERC Starting Grant towards my project "Governing elites since the dawn of modern democracy" (GETGOV).

It allows me to continue to advance this research agenda; the goal is to build a database on governing elites from 1789 and up to today + much more.

#ERCStG
Jacob Nyrup awarded EU funds to research political elites - Department of Political Science
Jacob Nyrup from the Department of Political Science has been granted a substantial 18 million Norwegian kroner by the EU's research council to examine political elites in countries before and after d...
www.sv.uio.no

Reposted by David Szakonyi

inalkristiansen.bsky.social
Ina L Kristiansen @inalkristiansen.bsky.social · Sep 2
Great to have @szakonyi.bsky.social present his new book project in the keynote speech at the WhoGov 2025 workshop at @statsvitenskap.bsky.social ! The last two days have been full of exciting presentations on elite research by a great group of researchers!

Reposted by Joanna Bryson, Bruno Amable, Jan W. Mueller , and 18 more

csfrayer.bsky.social
Corey Frayer @csfrayer.bsky.social · Aug 27
Here's what the third day of elementary school looked like in Mount Pleasant, Washington DC.