Alexandrea J. Ravenelle
@ajravenelle.bsky.social
Assoc. Professor, Sociology at UNC-Chapel Hill. Author of Side Hustle Safety Net (UCPress, 2023) and Hustle and Gig (UCPress, 2019) 23-24 Visiting Scholar at Russell Sage
I had a great time talking to Cathy Bussewitz for this story on polyemployment!
@asanews.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social @uncchapelhill.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/work... turn to 'polyworking' to combat frozen salaries and inflation
@asanews.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social @uncchapelhill.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/work... turn to 'polyworking' to combat frozen salaries and inflation
Workers turn to 'polyworking' to combat frozen salaries and inflation
Working professionals in the U.S. are taking on side jobs to supplement their incomes amid frozen salaries, inflation and fear of layoffs.
apnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I had a great time talking to Cathy Bussewitz for this story on polyemployment!
@asanews.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social @uncchapelhill.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/work... turn to 'polyworking' to combat frozen salaries and inflation
@asanews.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social @uncchapelhill.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/work... turn to 'polyworking' to combat frozen salaries and inflation
Reposted by Alexandrea J. Ravenelle
Sociology on the Big Screen! Congrats to ASA member Alexandrea J. Ravenelle (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill) @ajravenelle.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social
Thrilled to see themes from my research — polyemployment, the outsourcing of risk, and stigma —highlighted on the big screen.
I loved talking to @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social about Side Hustle Safety Net and Good Fortune!
@asanews.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social
www.gc.cuny.edu/news/researc...
I loved talking to @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social about Side Hustle Safety Net and Good Fortune!
@asanews.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social
www.gc.cuny.edu/news/researc...
Research Meets Hollywood in the Gig Worker Comedy ‘Good Fortune’
Alumna Alexandrea J. Ravenelle’s books on gig workers inspired key themes in Aziz Ansari’s new film.
www.gc.cuny.edu
October 20, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Sociology on the Big Screen! Congrats to ASA member Alexandrea J. Ravenelle (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill) @ajravenelle.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social
I always tell students that if you wait until the last minute, something will go wrong.
Didn’t have the outage of half of the internet in mind though.
Would have been nice if Outlook also went down so I could avoid 20+ panicked emails…
Didn’t have the outage of half of the internet in mind though.
Would have been nice if Outlook also went down so I could avoid 20+ panicked emails…
Canvas and Zoom are out
Teaching today will be pleasantly retro!
Teaching today will be pleasantly retro!
Weee! AWS go boom. dataconomy.com/2025/10/20/a... -- Affected services include: Snapchat, Roblox, Epic Games, Clash of Clans, Rocket League, Canva, Duolingo, Jamf, Slack, Twilio, Zoom, Canvas, Amazon (inc. Alexa/Ring/Prime Video), Venmo, Robinhood, Chime, Coinbase, Crunchyroll ...
October 20, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I always tell students that if you wait until the last minute, something will go wrong.
Didn’t have the outage of half of the internet in mind though.
Would have been nice if Outlook also went down so I could avoid 20+ panicked emails…
Didn’t have the outage of half of the internet in mind though.
Would have been nice if Outlook also went down so I could avoid 20+ panicked emails…
Super proud of kids & husband with yesterday’s #NoKings protest.
They went from being reluctant back in May to ready to go for Oct! Husband bought flags & my daughter designed a sign!
My kids are alright…
They went from being reluctant back in May to ready to go for Oct! Husband bought flags & my daughter designed a sign!
My kids are alright…
October 20, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Super proud of kids & husband with yesterday’s #NoKings protest.
They went from being reluctant back in May to ready to go for Oct! Husband bought flags & my daughter designed a sign!
My kids are alright…
They went from being reluctant back in May to ready to go for Oct! Husband bought flags & my daughter designed a sign!
My kids are alright…
Reposted by Alexandrea J. Ravenelle
When comedian and filmmaker Aziz Ansari set out to make “Good Fortune,” a satire about the gig economy, he turned to academia — and found alumna @ajravenelle.bsky.social. Her research on gig workers shaped the film’s central themes and earned her an on-screen credit
Research Meets Hollywood in the Gig Worker Comedy ‘Good Fortune’
Alumna Alexandrea J. Ravenelle’s books on gig workers inspired key themes in Aziz Ansari’s new film.
www.gc.cuny.edu
October 17, 2025 at 12:15 PM
When comedian and filmmaker Aziz Ansari set out to make “Good Fortune,” a satire about the gig economy, he turned to academia — and found alumna @ajravenelle.bsky.social. Her research on gig workers shaped the film’s central themes and earned her an on-screen credit
Thrilled to see themes from my research — polyemployment, the outsourcing of risk, and stigma —highlighted on the big screen.
I loved talking to @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social about Side Hustle Safety Net and Good Fortune!
@asanews.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social
www.gc.cuny.edu/news/researc...
I loved talking to @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social about Side Hustle Safety Net and Good Fortune!
@asanews.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social
www.gc.cuny.edu/news/researc...
Research Meets Hollywood in the Gig Worker Comedy ‘Good Fortune’
Alumna Alexandrea J. Ravenelle’s books on gig workers inspired key themes in Aziz Ansari’s new film.
www.gc.cuny.edu
October 17, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Thrilled to see themes from my research — polyemployment, the outsourcing of risk, and stigma —highlighted on the big screen.
I loved talking to @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social about Side Hustle Safety Net and Good Fortune!
@asanews.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social
www.gc.cuny.edu/news/researc...
I loved talking to @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social about Side Hustle Safety Net and Good Fortune!
@asanews.bsky.social @ucpress.bsky.social
www.gc.cuny.edu/news/researc...
There are definitely differences between Good Fortune and Side Hustle Safety Net.
There’s no angel in my book.
But the themes of polyemployment and outsourcing of risk? ✅✅
And I’m listed before Judd Apatow in the credits.
@ucpress.bsky.social @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social
There’s no angel in my book.
But the themes of polyemployment and outsourcing of risk? ✅✅
And I’m listed before Judd Apatow in the credits.
@ucpress.bsky.social @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 1:53 PM
There are definitely differences between Good Fortune and Side Hustle Safety Net.
There’s no angel in my book.
But the themes of polyemployment and outsourcing of risk? ✅✅
And I’m listed before Judd Apatow in the credits.
@ucpress.bsky.social @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social
There’s no angel in my book.
But the themes of polyemployment and outsourcing of risk? ✅✅
And I’m listed before Judd Apatow in the credits.
@ucpress.bsky.social @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social
Hustle and Gig might have gotten optioned.
But Side Hustle Safety Net got me into a premiere!
Super excited to see gig work on the big screen in Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune!
@ucpress.bsky.social @ipk.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social @asaskat.bsky.social @labortechresearchnetwork.org
But Side Hustle Safety Net got me into a premiere!
Super excited to see gig work on the big screen in Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune!
@ucpress.bsky.social @ipk.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social @asaskat.bsky.social @labortechresearchnetwork.org
October 13, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Hustle and Gig might have gotten optioned.
But Side Hustle Safety Net got me into a premiere!
Super excited to see gig work on the big screen in Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune!
@ucpress.bsky.social @ipk.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social @asaskat.bsky.social @labortechresearchnetwork.org
But Side Hustle Safety Net got me into a premiere!
Super excited to see gig work on the big screen in Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune!
@ucpress.bsky.social @ipk.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social @asaskat.bsky.social @labortechresearchnetwork.org
Stopped by the @ucpress.bsky.social
table at @asanews.bsky.social
#asa2025 and discovered my book was a Choice Outstanding Academic Titles 2024 for Work and Labor
www.choice360.org/choice-pick/...
table at @asanews.bsky.social
#asa2025 and discovered my book was a Choice Outstanding Academic Titles 2024 for Work and Labor
www.choice360.org/choice-pick/...
August 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Stopped by the @ucpress.bsky.social
table at @asanews.bsky.social
#asa2025 and discovered my book was a Choice Outstanding Academic Titles 2024 for Work and Labor
www.choice360.org/choice-pick/...
table at @asanews.bsky.social
#asa2025 and discovered my book was a Choice Outstanding Academic Titles 2024 for Work and Labor
www.choice360.org/choice-pick/...
I thought my dossier was about getting tenure 🥳
Apparently it was a temper tantrum over cookies 🤯
“Not good governance to give your child a cookie every time they lay on the floor and scream that they want one...”
tinyurl.com/UNC25tenure
(Also, who governs their kids?)
Apparently it was a temper tantrum over cookies 🤯
“Not good governance to give your child a cookie every time they lay on the floor and scream that they want one...”
tinyurl.com/UNC25tenure
(Also, who governs their kids?)
After Delay, Chapel Hill Board Votes to Award Tenure
After faculty raised alarm over the board’s delay on the decisions, trustees finally debated and voted by email. A couple of them said they generally opposed tenure.
www.insidehighered.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I thought my dossier was about getting tenure 🥳
Apparently it was a temper tantrum over cookies 🤯
“Not good governance to give your child a cookie every time they lay on the floor and scream that they want one...”
tinyurl.com/UNC25tenure
(Also, who governs their kids?)
Apparently it was a temper tantrum over cookies 🤯
“Not good governance to give your child a cookie every time they lay on the floor and scream that they want one...”
tinyurl.com/UNC25tenure
(Also, who governs their kids?)
Reposted by Alexandrea J. Ravenelle
The child in this trustee’s scenario? Faculty. Who submitted their tenure files for consideration in accordance with the terms of their employment. Both sides have a responsibility in that contract, one to submit and one to review.
I hope everyone really hears this.
I hope everyone really hears this.
UNC's board has belatedly confirmed faculty's tenure awards, but made some incredibly alarming remarks along the way. On public outcry to the board's silence, one trustee wrote, "It is not good governance to give your child a cookie every time they lay on the floor and scream that they want one."
June 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The child in this trustee’s scenario? Faculty. Who submitted their tenure files for consideration in accordance with the terms of their employment. Both sides have a responsibility in that contract, one to submit and one to review.
I hope everyone really hears this.
I hope everyone really hears this.
UNC has now granted tenure to the 30+ faculty who were deferred.
Thank you to everyone who reached out or reposted.
bot.unc.edu/approved-per...
Thank you to everyone who reached out or reposted.
bot.unc.edu/approved-per...
Approved Personnel Actions - Board of Trustees
Faculty and Non-Faculty Appointment Personnel Actions Approved by the Board of Trustees on 06/04/2025 Promotions Conferring Tenure Brad Barlow College of Arts and Sciences Physics and Astronomy Kemal ...
bot.unc.edu
June 4, 2025 at 2:28 PM
UNC has now granted tenure to the 30+ faculty who were deferred.
Thank you to everyone who reached out or reposted.
bot.unc.edu/approved-per...
Thank you to everyone who reached out or reposted.
bot.unc.edu/approved-per...
Reposted by Alexandrea J. Ravenelle
Some UNC-Chapel Hill faculty say they are concerned about a recent Board of Trustees decision—or, rather, non-decision—on faculty tenure and promotion cases.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
UNC-Chapel Hill Has Delayed Tenure Votes in Most Departments This Spring
UNC-Chapel Hill trustees didn't approve tenure cases outside of health-related schools at the last two meetings.
www.theassemblync.com
May 29, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Some UNC-Chapel Hill faculty say they are concerned about a recent Board of Trustees decision—or, rather, non-decision—on faculty tenure and promotion cases.
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
www.theassemblync.com/education/hi...
I’m one of 20 assistant professors in A&S at UNC who has had their tenure decision deferred.
I was planning to spend my summer editing my third book. Now? 🤷🏻♀️
www.wral.com/video/unc-fa...
I was planning to spend my summer editing my third book. Now? 🤷🏻♀️
www.wral.com/video/unc-fa...
UNC faculty concerned over lack of tenure for professors
WRAL has obtained a letter from the faculty chair to the dean and chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill expressing concern about a lack of tenure for certain professors.
www.wral.com
May 30, 2025 at 12:21 PM
I’m one of 20 assistant professors in A&S at UNC who has had their tenure decision deferred.
I was planning to spend my summer editing my third book. Now? 🤷🏻♀️
www.wral.com/video/unc-fa...
I was planning to spend my summer editing my third book. Now? 🤷🏻♀️
www.wral.com/video/unc-fa...
Reposted by Alexandrea J. Ravenelle
Hiring season is over for this year, but UNC will be completely unable to hire tenured scholars from other universities (with the possible exception of Texas and Florida) until they resolve this.
New terror level just dropped for if I ever do another move
May 29, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Hiring season is over for this year, but UNC will be completely unable to hire tenured scholars from other universities (with the possible exception of Texas and Florida) until they resolve this.
Reposted by Alexandrea J. Ravenelle
UNC-Chapel Hill hasn't granted tenure to any faculty outside Health Sciences all year. Faculty are in limbo. The BoT is simply refusing to consider the cases put forward.
It's clear the board is testing the waters to see if they can get away with what is essentially a pocket veto on faculty tenure.
It's clear the board is testing the waters to see if they can get away with what is essentially a pocket veto on faculty tenure.
archive.today
May 28, 2025 at 9:20 PM
UNC-Chapel Hill hasn't granted tenure to any faculty outside Health Sciences all year. Faculty are in limbo. The BoT is simply refusing to consider the cases put forward.
It's clear the board is testing the waters to see if they can get away with what is essentially a pocket veto on faculty tenure.
It's clear the board is testing the waters to see if they can get away with what is essentially a pocket veto on faculty tenure.
I’m one of these faculty members.
Something's up (down?) at #UNC.
The Bd of Trustees, which has authority over tenure decisions, tabled all at its March mtg & re-tabled all from the College of Arts & Sciences & the non-health professional schools (Law, Biz, etc) at its next mtg. All w/o explanation.
#AcademicSky #academicfreedom
The Bd of Trustees, which has authority over tenure decisions, tabled all at its March mtg & re-tabled all from the College of Arts & Sciences & the non-health professional schools (Law, Biz, etc) at its next mtg. All w/o explanation.
#AcademicSky #academicfreedom
May 24, 2025 at 10:49 PM
I’m one of these faculty members.
We went to this today as a whole family activity.
Traffic management was handled by volunteers/organizers and the march was peaceful.
Next time I need the @riseandresist.bsky.social song book!
Traffic management was handled by volunteers/organizers and the march was peaceful.
Next time I need the @riseandresist.bsky.social song book!
Tens of thousands of Anti-Trump protesters met at Bryant Park and are marching in Midtown Manhattan.
"Protect Migrants, Protect the Planet - Marcha por los migrantes y por el planeta"
Our City, Our Fight! Nuestra ciudad, Nuestra lucha!
"Protect Migrants, Protect the Planet - Marcha por los migrantes y por el planeta"
Our City, Our Fight! Nuestra ciudad, Nuestra lucha!
April 19, 2025 at 9:06 PM
We went to this today as a whole family activity.
Traffic management was handled by volunteers/organizers and the march was peaceful.
Next time I need the @riseandresist.bsky.social song book!
Traffic management was handled by volunteers/organizers and the march was peaceful.
Next time I need the @riseandresist.bsky.social song book!
AmeriCorps is where I wrote my first funding proposal — which helped me to get a job after MA graduation as a grants manager. It’s how I paid down the first $4800 of my student loans.
My career today draws a direct line from my AmeriCorps Promise Fellows service.
My career today draws a direct line from my AmeriCorps Promise Fellows service.
For over 30 years, the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) has enabled tens of thousands of young people to start careers of service to their country with a year of service in local communities. Yesterday, the richest man in the world ended it with zero warning.
americorps.gov/evidence-exc...
americorps.gov/evidence-exc...
AmeriCorps NCCC Impact Studies
AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, residential, team-based program for young adults aged 18-24.* They maintain four programs, Traditional Corps, FEMA Corps, Summer of Service, and Forest Corps.In Traditi...
americorps.gov
April 18, 2025 at 3:38 AM
AmeriCorps is where I wrote my first funding proposal — which helped me to get a job after MA graduation as a grants manager. It’s how I paid down the first $4800 of my student loans.
My career today draws a direct line from my AmeriCorps Promise Fellows service.
My career today draws a direct line from my AmeriCorps Promise Fellows service.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/u...
I was an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow during my first stint of grad school. I organized hundreds of kids in community service projects that I created — Pizza with Pizzaz and Lasagna with Love.
I was an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow during my first stint of grad school. I organized hundreds of kids in community service projects that I created — Pizza with Pizzaz and Lasagna with Love.
DOGE Guts AmeriCorps, Agency That Organizes Community Service Programs (Gift Article)
Employees of AmeriCorps who were put on administrative leave include all those who work for a national disaster response program.
www.nytimes.com
April 18, 2025 at 2:55 AM
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/u...
I was an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow during my first stint of grad school. I organized hundreds of kids in community service projects that I created — Pizza with Pizzaz and Lasagna with Love.
I was an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow during my first stint of grad school. I organized hundreds of kids in community service projects that I created — Pizza with Pizzaz and Lasagna with Love.
Well, he’s right on one thing… When you drop bombs on your own country, the explosions do go “boom.”
April 3, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Well, he’s right on one thing… When you drop bombs on your own country, the explosions do go “boom.”
Looking for a distraction from the news?
Today is the @asanews.bsky.social book forum for Side Hustle Safety Net @ucpress.bsky.social
With Daniel Auguste, @sarahdamaske.bsky.social @kathleengerson.bsky.social Luisa Nazareno, org’d by Calvin Smiley & moderated by Christine Williams
Today is the @asanews.bsky.social book forum for Side Hustle Safety Net @ucpress.bsky.social
With Daniel Auguste, @sarahdamaske.bsky.social @kathleengerson.bsky.social Luisa Nazareno, org’d by Calvin Smiley & moderated by Christine Williams
January 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Looking for a distraction from the news?
Today is the @asanews.bsky.social book forum for Side Hustle Safety Net @ucpress.bsky.social
With Daniel Auguste, @sarahdamaske.bsky.social @kathleengerson.bsky.social Luisa Nazareno, org’d by Calvin Smiley & moderated by Christine Williams
Today is the @asanews.bsky.social book forum for Side Hustle Safety Net @ucpress.bsky.social
With Daniel Auguste, @sarahdamaske.bsky.social @kathleengerson.bsky.social Luisa Nazareno, org’d by Calvin Smiley & moderated by Christine Williams
I had an awesome time talking to Claire Potter (@clairepotter01.bsky.social) about Side Hustle Safety Net on her podcast!
@ucpress.bsky.social @asaskat.bsky.social
clairepotter.substack.com/p/episode-47...
@ucpress.bsky.social @asaskat.bsky.social
clairepotter.substack.com/p/episode-47...
Episode 47: It's Good Work--If You Can Get It
A conversation with sociologist Alexandrea Ravenelle about her pandemic book, "Side Hustle Safety Net: How Vulnerable Workers Survive Precarious Times"
clairepotter.substack.com
February 29, 2024 at 12:03 AM
I had an awesome time talking to Claire Potter (@clairepotter01.bsky.social) about Side Hustle Safety Net on her podcast!
@ucpress.bsky.social @asaskat.bsky.social
clairepotter.substack.com/p/episode-47...
@ucpress.bsky.social @asaskat.bsky.social
clairepotter.substack.com/p/episode-47...
Awesome start to the new year with this article on Side Hustle Safety Net on @cnbcofficial.bsky.social by Annie Nova!
@ucpress.bsky.social
@asaskat.bsky.social @labortech.bsky.social
www.cnbc.com/2024/01/08/w...
#sidehustle #gig #gigwork
@ucpress.bsky.social
@asaskat.bsky.social @labortech.bsky.social
www.cnbc.com/2024/01/08/w...
#sidehustle #gig #gigwork
'There is no retirement when you do gig work,' says ‘Side Hustle Safety Net’ author. How that af...
Sociologist Alexandrea Ravenelle studies the decline of the one-job era, and the rise of the gig economy. It's not good news for workers, she says.
www.cnbc.com
January 9, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Awesome start to the new year with this article on Side Hustle Safety Net on @cnbcofficial.bsky.social by Annie Nova!
@ucpress.bsky.social
@asaskat.bsky.social @labortech.bsky.social
www.cnbc.com/2024/01/08/w...
#sidehustle #gig #gigwork
@ucpress.bsky.social
@asaskat.bsky.social @labortech.bsky.social
www.cnbc.com/2024/01/08/w...
#sidehustle #gig #gigwork