Alyssa Smith (job market era)
@cetaceanneeded.bsky.social
she/her
Going on the job market in fall 2025
PhD candidate @nunetsi.bsky.social
website: https://asmithh.github.io/
NSF GRFP Awardee, narcoleptic, whale fan, and powerlifter
Going on the job market in fall 2025
PhD candidate @nunetsi.bsky.social
website: https://asmithh.github.io/
NSF GRFP Awardee, narcoleptic, whale fan, and powerlifter
dear hypergraph enthusiasts,
I am thinking about applying to do a satellite hackathon at @netsciconf.bsky.social focusing on our Bluesky starter pack dataset! if you work with higher-order networks and would be interested in giving a brief methods talk at this hypothetical session, please reach out!
I am thinking about applying to do a satellite hackathon at @netsciconf.bsky.social focusing on our Bluesky starter pack dataset! if you work with higher-order networks and would be interested in giving a brief methods talk at this hypothetical session, please reach out!
I loved working with this team, and I hope you'll use our dataset!! Check out the talk that @diesagar.bsky.social will be giving at the Software and Data for Supporting Network Science Workshop @netscience.bsky.social. It's going to be lit!!!
November 12, 2025 at 10:20 PM
dear hypergraph enthusiasts,
I am thinking about applying to do a satellite hackathon at @netsciconf.bsky.social focusing on our Bluesky starter pack dataset! if you work with higher-order networks and would be interested in giving a brief methods talk at this hypothetical session, please reach out!
I am thinking about applying to do a satellite hackathon at @netsciconf.bsky.social focusing on our Bluesky starter pack dataset! if you work with higher-order networks and would be interested in giving a brief methods talk at this hypothetical session, please reach out!
hot off the (virtual) press in @transstudies.bsky.social: a collaboration with @pranavgoel.bsky.social, @crazybrokeasian.bsky.social, and @diesagar.bsky.social on information flows in US local & national news about transgender people (spoiler alert: it’s complicated)
doi.org/10.57814/557...
doi.org/10.57814/557...
Locating the Asymmetry in Information Flow between Local and National Media on Transgender Discourses - Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies
Mainstream news outlets set the agenda and terms of discussion for
public discourse. As transgender people experience increasingly
vitriolic attacks on their fundamental rights in the US, understandin...
doi.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:05 PM
hot off the (virtual) press in @transstudies.bsky.social: a collaboration with @pranavgoel.bsky.social, @crazybrokeasian.bsky.social, and @diesagar.bsky.social on information flows in US local & national news about transgender people (spoiler alert: it’s complicated)
doi.org/10.57814/557...
doi.org/10.57814/557...
hi researcher friends! if you conduct & record interviews with people and are concerned about the privacy risks of using online transcription services, i have good news, now with a minimal, kinda bad UI!
github.com/asmithh/tran...
github.com/asmithh/tran...
GitHub - asmithh/transcription
Contribute to asmithh/transcription development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:13 PM
hi researcher friends! if you conduct & record interviews with people and are concerned about the privacy risks of using online transcription services, i have good news, now with a minimal, kinda bad UI!
github.com/asmithh/tran...
github.com/asmithh/tran...
💜 this lab & these people
They wrote a story about me and the rest of @nusealab.bsky.social and the work we're doing around epistemic justice in social computing! It's first in a series, and focuses mostly on my own work and the lab's approach. Good to see the continued support. www.khoury.northeastern.edu/research-tha...
Research that hits home: Michael Ann DeVito and the case for a more just research approach - Khoury College of Computer Sciences
As director of the SEALab, Khoury–CAMD professor Michael Ann DeVito is advancing a research vision based on epistemic justice, and is elevating the communities she studies in the process.
www.khoury.northeastern.edu
November 4, 2025 at 3:12 PM
💜 this lab & these people
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
Of course, people don't agree on what is "safe" and "fair" and that's why moderation is hard. But you can't solve a network-level problem with individual-level tools
October 7, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Of course, people don't agree on what is "safe" and "fair" and that's why moderation is hard. But you can't solve a network-level problem with individual-level tools
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
Moderation isn't simply about taking things down, it's also about building a collectively safe space. Telling someone they can just "label" (or hide/block) something they don't like won't address their concern that their community isn't safe
October 7, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Moderation isn't simply about taking things down, it's also about building a collectively safe space. Telling someone they can just "label" (or hide/block) something they don't like won't address their concern that their community isn't safe
come network about networks with your network???
📌 Save the Date!
The flagship conference of the Network Science Society - 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗦𝗰𝗶 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 - is coming to Northeastern University’s Network Science Institute, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭-𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.
Prepare to share ideas, discoveries & challenges in network science.
Registration opens soon! 🔗 www.netsci2026.com
The flagship conference of the Network Science Society - 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗦𝗰𝗶 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 - is coming to Northeastern University’s Network Science Institute, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭-𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.
Prepare to share ideas, discoveries & challenges in network science.
Registration opens soon! 🔗 www.netsci2026.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:52 PM
come network about networks with your network???
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
This morning at 11am, corner of Hathorn and Broadway in Somerville MA. 3 ICE vehicles idling on nearby corners. I was following two ICE cars that were cruising around the neighborhood.
This person was just walking down the sidewalk when two ICE vehicles stopped and officers jumped out to stop him.
This person was just walking down the sidewalk when two ICE vehicles stopped and officers jumped out to stop him.
September 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
This morning at 11am, corner of Hathorn and Broadway in Somerville MA. 3 ICE vehicles idling on nearby corners. I was following two ICE cars that were cruising around the neighborhood.
This person was just walking down the sidewalk when two ICE vehicles stopped and officers jumped out to stop him.
This person was just walking down the sidewalk when two ICE vehicles stopped and officers jumped out to stop him.
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
Why is this horrible for Universities?
Just about everyone who isn't a citizen or green card holder already who's hired for a tenure track faculty position is hired through an H1B and then, after 3-5 years, applies for a green card.
This is literally "No more foreign professors can be hired"
Just about everyone who isn't a citizen or green card holder already who's hired for a tenure track faculty position is hired through an H1B and then, after 3-5 years, applies for a green card.
This is literally "No more foreign professors can be hired"
Those on an H1B cannot return to the US from tomorrow (Sunday) unless paying $100K. This is an out-of-the blue presidential action. We’ll see software engineers stranded abroad.
One easy to predict outcome: those on US visas will travel less… for work, for conferences etc.
One easy to predict outcome: those on US visas will travel less… for work, for conferences etc.
September 20, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Why is this horrible for Universities?
Just about everyone who isn't a citizen or green card holder already who's hired for a tenure track faculty position is hired through an H1B and then, after 3-5 years, applies for a green card.
This is literally "No more foreign professors can be hired"
Just about everyone who isn't a citizen or green card holder already who's hired for a tenure track faculty position is hired through an H1B and then, after 3-5 years, applies for a green card.
This is literally "No more foreign professors can be hired"
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
currently reading this and stopping every few pages to go Oh No
but i just wanted to emphasize the extent to which data, especially ill-gotten data or really dubious acts of quantification, get used to build up & justify dangerous rhetoric.
but i just wanted to emphasize the extent to which data, especially ill-gotten data or really dubious acts of quantification, get used to build up & justify dangerous rhetoric.
Words can damage people and nations. Words can be DELIBERATELY CRAFTED to undermine and hurt an adversary in wars that run hot or cold. Militaries know that. Propagandists know it. Can we please not pretend that all rhetoric is the same? Some words are not harmless. wwnorton.com/books/978039...
Stories Are Weapons
A <em> Book Riot </em> Best Book of 2024 <br /> One of <em>Publishers Weekly</em>'s Top 10 Politics/Current Events books of Spring 2024 <br /><br /> A sharp and timely exploration of the dark art o...
wwnorton.com
September 14, 2025 at 12:58 AM
currently reading this and stopping every few pages to go Oh No
but i just wanted to emphasize the extent to which data, especially ill-gotten data or really dubious acts of quantification, get used to build up & justify dangerous rhetoric.
but i just wanted to emphasize the extent to which data, especially ill-gotten data or really dubious acts of quantification, get used to build up & justify dangerous rhetoric.
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
Finally! 🤩 Our position piece: Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia:
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
September 6, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Finally! 🤩 Our position piece: Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia:
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
I wrote about the intentionally byzantine process of getting a COVID vaccine this fall
defector.com/how-the-fuck...
defector.com/how-the-fuck...
How Are You Supposed To Get The COVID Vaccine Now? An Explainer | Defector
As the muggy malaise of summer winds down, you might find yourself interested in taking advantage of one of several safe and proven vaccines to help protect you from the inevitable brumal surge of res...
defector.com
September 3, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I wrote about the intentionally byzantine process of getting a COVID vaccine this fall
defector.com/how-the-fuck...
defector.com/how-the-fuck...
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
With fall fast approaching, many students will start applying for graduate school. If you need tips and tricks when interviewing with the PI and deciding where to apply/accept - A thread 🧵
Feel free to add to this!
Feel free to add to this!
August 27, 2025 at 11:10 PM
With fall fast approaching, many students will start applying for graduate school. If you need tips and tricks when interviewing with the PI and deciding where to apply/accept - A thread 🧵
Feel free to add to this!
Feel free to add to this!
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
Learning how to linocut simply to illustrate my most banger bsky posts 😂
August 23, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Learning how to linocut simply to illustrate my most banger bsky posts 😂
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
Okay, an ill-advised story time. I do not talk about my body unless it is entirely on my terms and it is unidirectional. BUT, this is so familiar to me. I am not athletic. (I’ve written about that.) But I also don’t have much somatic sense — don’t know where my body is in space.
like, no matter how hard I work out, I am never going to be athletic
I know because I tried for two years—gym 6x a week, trainer 3x/week, 3-4 hours of exercise a day
I was still clumsy, tired all the time, and not particularly strong or competent at physical activities
I know because I tried for two years—gym 6x a week, trainer 3x/week, 3-4 hours of exercise a day
I was still clumsy, tired all the time, and not particularly strong or competent at physical activities
August 15, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Okay, an ill-advised story time. I do not talk about my body unless it is entirely on my terms and it is unidirectional. BUT, this is so familiar to me. I am not athletic. (I’ve written about that.) But I also don’t have much somatic sense — don’t know where my body is in space.
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
The First Lego League is a competition that schools from all over the place compete in. As part of the competition they need to consult with an expert. A lot of clubs use our program to make that connection.
This year's theme is archaeology. It's all-hands-on-deck for archaeologists.
This year's theme is archaeology. It's all-hands-on-deck for archaeologists.
This is an official Skype a Scientist HQ Mayday Alert to all Archaeologists.
We've already gotten more requests for archaeologists than we have archaeologists. We have 38. We need a lot more than 38!
Dig yourself into this database, we NEED ya
www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
We've already gotten more requests for archaeologists than we have archaeologists. We have 38. We need a lot more than 38!
Dig yourself into this database, we NEED ya
www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
Sign Up
Skype a Scientist gives you the opportunity to connect with students and the public around the world.
www.skypeascientist.com
August 13, 2025 at 11:45 PM
The First Lego League is a competition that schools from all over the place compete in. As part of the competition they need to consult with an expert. A lot of clubs use our program to make that connection.
This year's theme is archaeology. It's all-hands-on-deck for archaeologists.
This year's theme is archaeology. It's all-hands-on-deck for archaeologists.
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
I keep seeing this circulating, and I'm disappointed in my colleagues in the natural sciences who think if they can "shed" enough of their humanity they will some how be protected from fascism.
Scientists who are bending to jingoism to try and protect funding aren't asking the right questions.
Scientists who are bending to jingoism to try and protect funding aren't asking the right questions.
In which a Yale prof calls for jettisoning humanities to make way for science-only universities.
“scientists… are being punished for the sins of [humanities scholars] because we all live under one roof. I cannot see a compelling reason for our continued cohabitation.”
“scientists… are being punished for the sins of [humanities scholars] because we all live under one roof. I cannot see a compelling reason for our continued cohabitation.”
Unyoke the Sciences From the Humanities
Arts and sciences typically cohabitate. Should they?
thedispatch.com
August 13, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I keep seeing this circulating, and I'm disappointed in my colleagues in the natural sciences who think if they can "shed" enough of their humanity they will some how be protected from fascism.
Scientists who are bending to jingoism to try and protect funding aren't asking the right questions.
Scientists who are bending to jingoism to try and protect funding aren't asking the right questions.
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
The use of national security rhetoric to justify mass incarceration echoes the same logic that led to the forced removal and incarceration of over 125,000 Japanese Americans—our parents, grandparents and extended families—under Executive Order 9066.
#AlligatorAlcatraz #NeverAgainIsNow
#AlligatorAlcatraz #NeverAgainIsNow
July 2, 2025 at 6:43 PM
The use of national security rhetoric to justify mass incarceration echoes the same logic that led to the forced removal and incarceration of over 125,000 Japanese Americans—our parents, grandparents and extended families—under Executive Order 9066.
#AlligatorAlcatraz #NeverAgainIsNow
#AlligatorAlcatraz #NeverAgainIsNow
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
I have had death threats for my work on trans rights. I have been stalked. I have had people try and have me thrown out of my University. I am by no means alone, and lots of trans-inclusive academics have spoken publicly about the violence and harassment they face. But no mention of that here.
UK universities have failed to protect gender-critical academics, report finds
UK universities have failed to protect gender-critical academics, report finds
Report’s author raises ‘stark concerns about barriers to academic freedom’
UK universities have failed to protect gender-critical academics from bullying and career-threatening restrictions on their research, according to a report.
The report, by Prof Alice Sullivan of University College London, recommends that students and staff “taking part in freedom-restricting harassment should face consequences commensurate with the seriousness of the offence”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
July 2, 2025 at 9:35 AM
I have had death threats for my work on trans rights. I have been stalked. I have had people try and have me thrown out of my University. I am by no means alone, and lots of trans-inclusive academics have spoken publicly about the violence and harassment they face. But no mention of that here.
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
To restate; a woman from a movement known for threatening libel suits against their students to prevent criticism wrote an essay complaining about how her colleagues agreeing she sucks at her job is a threat to academic freedom.
Anyway, evergreen: www.gracelavery.org/undermining-...
Anyway, evergreen: www.gracelavery.org/undermining-...
July 2, 2025 at 8:38 AM
To restate; a woman from a movement known for threatening libel suits against their students to prevent criticism wrote an essay complaining about how her colleagues agreeing she sucks at her job is a threat to academic freedom.
Anyway, evergreen: www.gracelavery.org/undermining-...
Anyway, evergreen: www.gracelavery.org/undermining-...
Reposted by Alyssa Smith (job market era)
NEW: More women have nearly bled to death during miscarriage under Texas’ abortion ban.
Experts say the trend paints a troubling picture of the harms of unnecessary delays in care. “This is striking,” one doctor said. “The trend is very clear.”
Experts say the trend paints a troubling picture of the harms of unnecessary delays in care. “This is striking,” one doctor said. “The trend is very clear.”
A “Striking” Trend: After Texas Banned Abortion, More Women Nearly Bled to Death During Miscarriage
A new ProPublica data analysis adds to the mounting evidence that abortion bans have made the common experience of first-trimester miscarriage far more dangerous.
www.propublica.org
July 1, 2025 at 11:45 AM
NEW: More women have nearly bled to death during miscarriage under Texas’ abortion ban.
Experts say the trend paints a troubling picture of the harms of unnecessary delays in care. “This is striking,” one doctor said. “The trend is very clear.”
Experts say the trend paints a troubling picture of the harms of unnecessary delays in care. “This is striking,” one doctor said. “The trend is very clear.”
them: AI is the future
me, while trying desperately to turn off the AI "helpers" in powerpoint: this AI?
me, while trying desperately to turn off the AI "helpers" in powerpoint: this AI?
June 24, 2025 at 12:12 PM
them: AI is the future
me, while trying desperately to turn off the AI "helpers" in powerpoint: this AI?
me, while trying desperately to turn off the AI "helpers" in powerpoint: this AI?