Burak Sonmez
@buraksonmez.bsky.social
Associate Professor in Quantitative Social Science at UCL. Runs models by day, oscillators by night.
brksnmz.github.io
brksnmz.github.io
Pinned
Burak Sonmez
@buraksonmez.bsky.social
· Sep 11
🚨 New pre-print with @sergioloiacono.bsky.social
We ran 3 large-scale experiments in 🇬🇧to investigate how perceived asylum-seeking legality, public preferences for refugee relocation, and inclusionary attitudes are shaped by symbolic and strategic boundaries
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
We ran 3 large-scale experiments in 🇬🇧to investigate how perceived asylum-seeking legality, public preferences for refugee relocation, and inclusionary attitudes are shaped by symbolic and strategic boundaries
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
Forthcoming in the AER: "Gender Differences in Economics Seminars" by Pascaline Dupas, Amy Handlan, Alicia Sasser Modestino, Muriel Niederle, Mateo Seré, Haoyu Sheng, Justin Wolfers, and Seminar Dynamics Collective. www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
Gender Differences in Economics Seminars
(Forthcoming Article) - We assess whether men and women are treated differently when presenting their economics research. We collected data across thousands of seminars, job market talks and conferenc...
www.aeaweb.org
October 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Forthcoming in the AER: "Gender Differences in Economics Seminars" by Pascaline Dupas, Amy Handlan, Alicia Sasser Modestino, Muriel Niederle, Mateo Seré, Haoyu Sheng, Justin Wolfers, and Seminar Dynamics Collective. www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
Recently accepted by #QJE, “Digital Distractions with Peer Influence: The Impact of Mobile App Usage on Academic and Labor Market Outcomes,” by Barwick, Chen, Fu, and Li: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...
Digital Distractions with Peer Influence: The Impact of Mobile App Usage on Academic and Labor Market Outcomes*
Abstract. Concerns about excessive mobile phone use among youth are mounting. We present estimates of both behavioral and contextual peer effects, along wi
doi.org
October 17, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Recently accepted by #QJE, “Digital Distractions with Peer Influence: The Impact of Mobile App Usage on Academic and Labor Market Outcomes,” by Barwick, Chen, Fu, and Li: doi.org/10.1093/qje/...
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
Can AI simulations of human research participants advance cognitive science? In @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social, @lmesseri.bsky.social & I analyze this vision. We show how “AI Surrogates” entrench practices that limit the generalizability of cognitive science while aspiring to do the opposite. 1/
AI Surrogates and illusions of generalizability in cognitive science
Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have generated enthusiasm for using AI simulations of human research participants to generate new know…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Can AI simulations of human research participants advance cognitive science? In @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social, @lmesseri.bsky.social & I analyze this vision. We show how “AI Surrogates” entrench practices that limit the generalizability of cognitive science while aspiring to do the opposite. 1/
Almost 2026.
Randomised. Balanced.
Still rejected for omitted variable bias.
Formal training in sociology keeps failing the peer review system 🫠
Randomised. Balanced.
Still rejected for omitted variable bias.
Formal training in sociology keeps failing the peer review system 🫠
October 15, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Almost 2026.
Randomised. Balanced.
Still rejected for omitted variable bias.
Formal training in sociology keeps failing the peer review system 🫠
Randomised. Balanced.
Still rejected for omitted variable bias.
Formal training in sociology keeps failing the peer review system 🫠
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
And the 1st Replication Award of the Academy of Sociology goes to..
Sergio Lo Iacono, Wojtek Przepiorka, Vincent Buskens, Rense Corten, Marcel van Assen, and Arnout van de Rijt
for "The competitive advantage of sanctioning institutions revisited: A multilab replication"
#AkadSoz25 #sociology
1/
Sergio Lo Iacono, Wojtek Przepiorka, Vincent Buskens, Rense Corten, Marcel van Assen, and Arnout van de Rijt
for "The competitive advantage of sanctioning institutions revisited: A multilab replication"
#AkadSoz25 #sociology
1/
October 9, 2025 at 10:18 AM
And the 1st Replication Award of the Academy of Sociology goes to..
Sergio Lo Iacono, Wojtek Przepiorka, Vincent Buskens, Rense Corten, Marcel van Assen, and Arnout van de Rijt
for "The competitive advantage of sanctioning institutions revisited: A multilab replication"
#AkadSoz25 #sociology
1/
Sergio Lo Iacono, Wojtek Przepiorka, Vincent Buskens, Rense Corten, Marcel van Assen, and Arnout van de Rijt
for "The competitive advantage of sanctioning institutions revisited: A multilab replication"
#AkadSoz25 #sociology
1/
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
I’m a newbie on Substack 🚀
I show how simulating donation behaviour data through LLMs can generate false positives.
LLMs rationalise, but human behaviour is noisy.
buraksonmez.substack.com/p/silicon-sa...
I show how simulating donation behaviour data through LLMs can generate false positives.
LLMs rationalise, but human behaviour is noisy.
buraksonmez.substack.com/p/silicon-sa...
October 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I’m a newbie on Substack 🚀
I show how simulating donation behaviour data through LLMs can generate false positives.
LLMs rationalise, but human behaviour is noisy.
buraksonmez.substack.com/p/silicon-sa...
I show how simulating donation behaviour data through LLMs can generate false positives.
LLMs rationalise, but human behaviour is noisy.
buraksonmez.substack.com/p/silicon-sa...
I’m a newbie on Substack 🚀
I show how simulating donation behaviour data through LLMs can generate false positives.
LLMs rationalise, but human behaviour is noisy.
buraksonmez.substack.com/p/silicon-sa...
I show how simulating donation behaviour data through LLMs can generate false positives.
LLMs rationalise, but human behaviour is noisy.
buraksonmez.substack.com/p/silicon-sa...
October 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I’m a newbie on Substack 🚀
I show how simulating donation behaviour data through LLMs can generate false positives.
LLMs rationalise, but human behaviour is noisy.
buraksonmez.substack.com/p/silicon-sa...
I show how simulating donation behaviour data through LLMs can generate false positives.
LLMs rationalise, but human behaviour is noisy.
buraksonmez.substack.com/p/silicon-sa...
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
Scholarship opportunities for studying MSc/MA Sociology (shorturl.at/RiL2P) @sriucl.bsky.social:
📌Master's Bursary: shorturl.at/gKkvx
📌Global Master's Scholarship: shorturl.at/sift7
📌Humanitarian Scholarship: shorturl.at/y9qsL
📌Chevening: www.chevening.org
Applications open from October 13!
📌Master's Bursary: shorturl.at/gKkvx
📌Global Master's Scholarship: shorturl.at/sift7
📌Humanitarian Scholarship: shorturl.at/y9qsL
📌Chevening: www.chevening.org
Applications open from October 13!
September 29, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Scholarship opportunities for studying MSc/MA Sociology (shorturl.at/RiL2P) @sriucl.bsky.social:
📌Master's Bursary: shorturl.at/gKkvx
📌Global Master's Scholarship: shorturl.at/sift7
📌Humanitarian Scholarship: shorturl.at/y9qsL
📌Chevening: www.chevening.org
Applications open from October 13!
📌Master's Bursary: shorturl.at/gKkvx
📌Global Master's Scholarship: shorturl.at/sift7
📌Humanitarian Scholarship: shorturl.at/y9qsL
📌Chevening: www.chevening.org
Applications open from October 13!
🚨 Job alert: Postdoc at NYU Abu Dhabi. You’ll uncover how group boundaries form online using virtual experiments + digital trace data and work with a fantastic trio: Mario Molina, Minsu Park & Blaine Robbins. Apply by 1 Nov 2025. 👇🏼
apply.interfolio.com/173544
apply.interfolio.com/173544
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:10 AM
🚨 Job alert: Postdoc at NYU Abu Dhabi. You’ll uncover how group boundaries form online using virtual experiments + digital trace data and work with a fantastic trio: Mario Molina, Minsu Park & Blaine Robbins. Apply by 1 Nov 2025. 👇🏼
apply.interfolio.com/173544
apply.interfolio.com/173544
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
Welcome to @aksoyundan.bsky.social, who has joined us as Associate Professor in Sociology! 🎉
His research covers religious behaviour, cooperation and trust 🤝
Game theory, statistical and computational methods are amongst his research tools 💻🎲
www.sociology.ox.ac.uk/people/ozan-...
His research covers religious behaviour, cooperation and trust 🤝
Game theory, statistical and computational methods are amongst his research tools 💻🎲
www.sociology.ox.ac.uk/people/ozan-...
Ozan Aksoy
www.sociology.ox.ac.uk
September 19, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Welcome to @aksoyundan.bsky.social, who has joined us as Associate Professor in Sociology! 🎉
His research covers religious behaviour, cooperation and trust 🤝
Game theory, statistical and computational methods are amongst his research tools 💻🎲
www.sociology.ox.ac.uk/people/ozan-...
His research covers religious behaviour, cooperation and trust 🤝
Game theory, statistical and computational methods are amongst his research tools 💻🎲
www.sociology.ox.ac.uk/people/ozan-...
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
New paper, using conjoint experiments to study ingroup preferences across multiple settings (neighborhoods, civic orgs, sports clubs) and social dimensions (age, ethnicity, education). We also link people's choices in the experiments to the real-world contexts they are embedded in.
More info 👇
More info 👇
New Open Access paper published in PNAS Nexus! “Ingroup preferences, segregation, and intergroup contact in neighborhoods and civic organizations” with my co-authors Rob Franken, @dingemanwiertz.bsky.social, and Jochem Tolsma. doi.org/10.1093/pnas... Thread below.
doi.org
September 18, 2025 at 9:52 AM
New paper, using conjoint experiments to study ingroup preferences across multiple settings (neighborhoods, civic orgs, sports clubs) and social dimensions (age, ethnicity, education). We also link people's choices in the experiments to the real-world contexts they are embedded in.
More info 👇
More info 👇
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
thinking is a tankless job
September 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
thinking is a tankless job
Recruiters on LinkedIn keep pitching me their MBA programmes. Either it’s a bad algorithm, or they think I’ve possibly made terrible life choices
September 17, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Recruiters on LinkedIn keep pitching me their MBA programmes. Either it’s a bad algorithm, or they think I’ve possibly made terrible life choices
Each year I shelve those *work* folders into desktop_YEAR in the cloud and never look at them again, where they quietly decay into digital compost
2025 me is regretting 2000 me's decision to create a folder called "Kim_Work."
I created it to hold all the stuff that wasn't directly related to my own research, courses, or students.
2000 me, fresh out of grad school, was hopelessly naive about how much of my job would fall into this category.
I created it to hold all the stuff that wasn't directly related to my own research, courses, or students.
2000 me, fresh out of grad school, was hopelessly naive about how much of my job would fall into this category.
September 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Each year I shelve those *work* folders into desktop_YEAR in the cloud and never look at them again, where they quietly decay into digital compost
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
🚨 New pre-print with @sergioloiacono.bsky.social
We ran 3 large-scale experiments in 🇬🇧to investigate how perceived asylum-seeking legality, public preferences for refugee relocation, and inclusionary attitudes are shaped by symbolic and strategic boundaries
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
We ran 3 large-scale experiments in 🇬🇧to investigate how perceived asylum-seeking legality, public preferences for refugee relocation, and inclusionary attitudes are shaped by symbolic and strategic boundaries
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
September 11, 2025 at 9:32 AM
🚨 New pre-print with @sergioloiacono.bsky.social
We ran 3 large-scale experiments in 🇬🇧to investigate how perceived asylum-seeking legality, public preferences for refugee relocation, and inclusionary attitudes are shaped by symbolic and strategic boundaries
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
We ran 3 large-scale experiments in 🇬🇧to investigate how perceived asylum-seeking legality, public preferences for refugee relocation, and inclusionary attitudes are shaped by symbolic and strategic boundaries
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
Come join me in wonderful Copenhagen! 🇩🇰
My department is looking to fill at least two positions - any specialization and any level! The University of Copenhagen aims to be the best place for the best ideas. What’s yours?
Apply by Nov 15.
My department is looking to fill at least two positions - any specialization and any level! The University of Copenhagen aims to be the best place for the best ideas. What’s yours?
Apply by Nov 15.
Call for two or more open-rank academic positions in Sociology
jobportal.ku.dk
September 11, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Come join me in wonderful Copenhagen! 🇩🇰
My department is looking to fill at least two positions - any specialization and any level! The University of Copenhagen aims to be the best place for the best ideas. What’s yours?
Apply by Nov 15.
My department is looking to fill at least two positions - any specialization and any level! The University of Copenhagen aims to be the best place for the best ideas. What’s yours?
Apply by Nov 15.
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
We're hiring an Assistant Professor in Computational Social Science ❗
📚 jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
Apply before 26 October and join an internationally outstanding group of social science methodologists 🌎
📚 jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
Apply before 26 October and join an internationally outstanding group of social science methodologists 🌎
September 11, 2025 at 3:09 PM
We're hiring an Assistant Professor in Computational Social Science ❗
📚 jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
Apply before 26 October and join an internationally outstanding group of social science methodologists 🌎
📚 jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
Apply before 26 October and join an internationally outstanding group of social science methodologists 🌎
🚨 New pre-print with @sergioloiacono.bsky.social
We ran 3 large-scale experiments in 🇬🇧to investigate how perceived asylum-seeking legality, public preferences for refugee relocation, and inclusionary attitudes are shaped by symbolic and strategic boundaries
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
We ran 3 large-scale experiments in 🇬🇧to investigate how perceived asylum-seeking legality, public preferences for refugee relocation, and inclusionary attitudes are shaped by symbolic and strategic boundaries
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
September 11, 2025 at 9:32 AM
🚨 New pre-print with @sergioloiacono.bsky.social
We ran 3 large-scale experiments in 🇬🇧to investigate how perceived asylum-seeking legality, public preferences for refugee relocation, and inclusionary attitudes are shaped by symbolic and strategic boundaries
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
We ran 3 large-scale experiments in 🇬🇧to investigate how perceived asylum-seeking legality, public preferences for refugee relocation, and inclusionary attitudes are shaped by symbolic and strategic boundaries
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
👀 Call for Papers 👀
The BJS Conference is back! 23rd and 24th of April 2026 at LSE. Please submit an abstract by October 20th and share widely. It’s going to be 💥
www.lse.ac.uk/sociology/br...
The BJS Conference is back! 23rd and 24th of April 2026 at LSE. Please submit an abstract by October 20th and share widely. It’s going to be 💥
www.lse.ac.uk/sociology/br...
British Journal of Sociology Conference
Find out more about the BJS conference 2026, which will provide an in-person platform for academics across the discipline to advance their research.
www.lse.ac.uk
September 5, 2025 at 9:51 AM
👀 Call for Papers 👀
The BJS Conference is back! 23rd and 24th of April 2026 at LSE. Please submit an abstract by October 20th and share widely. It’s going to be 💥
www.lse.ac.uk/sociology/br...
The BJS Conference is back! 23rd and 24th of April 2026 at LSE. Please submit an abstract by October 20th and share widely. It’s going to be 💥
www.lse.ac.uk/sociology/br...
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
🧠 September is #WorldAlzheimersMonth; a time to spotlight dementia awareness and research.
At UCL, we are driving innovation in prevention, care & cure. Follow @uclbrainscience.bsky.social to see how we’re tackling the global dementia challenge.
🔗 https://bit.ly/3UMiYvZ
#UCLDementia
At UCL, we are driving innovation in prevention, care & cure. Follow @uclbrainscience.bsky.social to see how we’re tackling the global dementia challenge.
🔗 https://bit.ly/3UMiYvZ
#UCLDementia
September 1, 2025 at 2:07 PM
🧠 September is #WorldAlzheimersMonth; a time to spotlight dementia awareness and research.
At UCL, we are driving innovation in prevention, care & cure. Follow @uclbrainscience.bsky.social to see how we’re tackling the global dementia challenge.
🔗 https://bit.ly/3UMiYvZ
#UCLDementia
At UCL, we are driving innovation in prevention, care & cure. Follow @uclbrainscience.bsky.social to see how we’re tackling the global dementia challenge.
🔗 https://bit.ly/3UMiYvZ
#UCLDementia
🚨We are hiring 2 Lecturers/Assistant profs in Quant Social Science at UCL🚨
What we look for:
🐍 R/Python proficiency
🤖 Teaching and/or doing ML and/or social networks
🌍 Research on inequality, climate, education, social norms & more
Circulate this or apply by 10-Oct 👉 tinyurl.com/5djcc35z
What we look for:
🐍 R/Python proficiency
🤖 Teaching and/or doing ML and/or social networks
🌍 Research on inequality, climate, education, social norms & more
Circulate this or apply by 10-Oct 👉 tinyurl.com/5djcc35z
UCL – University College London
UCL is consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2022) and is No.2 in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
tinyurl.com
September 1, 2025 at 1:39 PM
🚨We are hiring 2 Lecturers/Assistant profs in Quant Social Science at UCL🚨
What we look for:
🐍 R/Python proficiency
🤖 Teaching and/or doing ML and/or social networks
🌍 Research on inequality, climate, education, social norms & more
Circulate this or apply by 10-Oct 👉 tinyurl.com/5djcc35z
What we look for:
🐍 R/Python proficiency
🤖 Teaching and/or doing ML and/or social networks
🌍 Research on inequality, climate, education, social norms & more
Circulate this or apply by 10-Oct 👉 tinyurl.com/5djcc35z
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
New job ad: Assistant Professor of Quantitative Social Science, Dartmouth College apply.interfolio.com/172357
Please share with your networks. I am the search chair and happy to answer questions!
Please share with your networks. I am the search chair and happy to answer questions!
August 21, 2025 at 6:50 PM
New job ad: Assistant Professor of Quantitative Social Science, Dartmouth College apply.interfolio.com/172357
Please share with your networks. I am the search chair and happy to answer questions!
Please share with your networks. I am the search chair and happy to answer questions!
Congrats to the field of Deprecable Model Research aka vibe researching
August 8, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Congrats to the field of Deprecable Model Research aka vibe researching
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
📢 IAS is looking for new PhD students!
There are still 3 more weeks to apply! deadline: August 31st.
Read more: liu.se/en/work-at-l...
#Sociology #AcademicSky
There are still 3 more weeks to apply! deadline: August 31st.
Read more: liu.se/en/work-at-l...
#Sociology #AcademicSky
August 7, 2025 at 6:47 PM
📢 IAS is looking for new PhD students!
There are still 3 more weeks to apply! deadline: August 31st.
Read more: liu.se/en/work-at-l...
#Sociology #AcademicSky
There are still 3 more weeks to apply! deadline: August 31st.
Read more: liu.se/en/work-at-l...
#Sociology #AcademicSky
Reposted by Burak Sonmez
A fantastic opportunity in our amazing department! Come and join us as Director of our Centre for Longitudinal Studies www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
UCL – University College London
UCL is consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2022) and is No.2 in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
www.ucl.ac.uk
July 31, 2025 at 4:53 PM
A fantastic opportunity in our amazing department! Come and join us as Director of our Centre for Longitudinal Studies www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...