Elizabeth (Bit) Meehan, PhD
@elizabethbitmeehan.com
Transparency, regulation, business & interest group politics, and polisci metascience. Run @apsa.bsky.social DDRIG. Go 'Cats. Always a Midwest Princess 👑
Pinned
THERE ARE NO JOBS IN ACADEMIA! NO JOBS! DOZENS OF HYPER QUALIFIED APPLICANTS PER JOB!
the analogy I use with friends and family all the time is the jump from collegiate to professional sports. as soon as I explain it that way, it clicks in their brains what the academic job market is like.
Reposted by Elizabeth (Bit) Meehan, PhD
I’m not crying you’re crying at the gift my brother and his partner gave to my parents
December 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I’m not crying you’re crying at the gift my brother and his partner gave to my parents
y’all my boomer republican aunts and uncles are hoping this man drops dead, he’s absolutely cooked
December 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
y’all my boomer republican aunts and uncles are hoping this man drops dead, he’s absolutely cooked
Goff has the yips jeez
December 26, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Goff has the yips jeez
Reposted by Elizabeth (Bit) Meehan, PhD
As you celebrate the holidays, here are 10 things to know about the dramatic changes to how NSF does business. This story looks at merit review. The second part will explain the significance of NSF's new structure. www.science.org/content/arti...
Five things to know about NSF’s new rules on merit review
Fewer outsiders, less feedback, and an uncertain fate for a new science board report
www.science.org
December 24, 2025 at 7:46 PM
As you celebrate the holidays, here are 10 things to know about the dramatic changes to how NSF does business. This story looks at merit review. The second part will explain the significance of NSF's new structure. www.science.org/content/arti...
I’m not crying you’re crying at the gift my brother and his partner gave to my parents
December 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I’m not crying you’re crying at the gift my brother and his partner gave to my parents
hey #polisky - besides the annual meeting, APSA has a Virtual Research Meeting in April. connect.apsanet.org/vrm2026/
We're entirely shifting to a format of research groups: eight 90-minute sessions over two days where you curate a research network of 10-30 people to do cool shit. Examples:
We're entirely shifting to a format of research groups: eight 90-minute sessions over two days where you curate a research network of 10-30 people to do cool shit. Examples:
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connect.apsanet.org
December 22, 2025 at 5:57 PM
hey #polisky - besides the annual meeting, APSA has a Virtual Research Meeting in April. connect.apsanet.org/vrm2026/
We're entirely shifting to a format of research groups: eight 90-minute sessions over two days where you curate a research network of 10-30 people to do cool shit. Examples:
We're entirely shifting to a format of research groups: eight 90-minute sessions over two days where you curate a research network of 10-30 people to do cool shit. Examples:
the analogy I use with friends and family all the time is the jump from collegiate to professional sports. as soon as I explain it that way, it clicks in their brains what the academic job market is like.
THERE ARE NO JOBS IN ACADEMIA! NO JOBS! DOZENS OF HYPER QUALIFIED APPLICANTS PER JOB!
December 19, 2025 at 3:52 PM
the analogy I use with friends and family all the time is the jump from collegiate to professional sports. as soon as I explain it that way, it clicks in their brains what the academic job market is like.
quickly coming up on the end of the year, so here's the early December #polisky eJobs update (12/1-12/15):
December 2024: 35 total positions (8 open to assistant TT)
December 2025: 29 total positions (9 open to assistant TT)
December 2024: 35 total positions (8 open to assistant TT)
December 2025: 29 total positions (9 open to assistant TT)
Alright alright alright post-Thanksgiving full November #polisky eJobs update (11/1-11/30):
November 2024: 99 total positions (50 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 69 total positions (22 open to assistant TT)
November 2024: 99 total positions (50 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 69 total positions (22 open to assistant TT)
Back again for the mid-November #polisky eJobs update (11/1-11/15):
November 2024: 60 total positions (31 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 36 total positions (12 open to assistant TT)
November 2024: 60 total positions (31 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 36 total positions (12 open to assistant TT)
December 16, 2025 at 4:36 PM
quickly coming up on the end of the year, so here's the early December #polisky eJobs update (12/1-12/15):
December 2024: 35 total positions (8 open to assistant TT)
December 2025: 29 total positions (9 open to assistant TT)
December 2024: 35 total positions (8 open to assistant TT)
December 2025: 29 total positions (9 open to assistant TT)
keep adding job status updates though #polisky - helps folks to know how the market is moving along
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
December 2, 2025 at 2:35 PM
keep adding job status updates though #polisky - helps folks to know how the market is moving along
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
Alright alright alright post-Thanksgiving full November #polisky eJobs update (11/1-11/30):
November 2024: 99 total positions (50 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 69 total positions (22 open to assistant TT)
November 2024: 99 total positions (50 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 69 total positions (22 open to assistant TT)
Back again for the mid-November #polisky eJobs update (11/1-11/15):
November 2024: 60 total positions (31 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 36 total positions (12 open to assistant TT)
November 2024: 60 total positions (31 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 36 total positions (12 open to assistant TT)
BOO it's Halloween and the end of October monthly #polisky eJobs update (10/1-10/31):
October 2024: 135 total positions (71 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 108 total positions (59 open to assistant TT) *
* possible miscount because multiple listings have 2+ positions included
October 2024: 135 total positions (71 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 108 total positions (59 open to assistant TT) *
* possible miscount because multiple listings have 2+ positions included
December 1, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Alright alright alright post-Thanksgiving full November #polisky eJobs update (11/1-11/30):
November 2024: 99 total positions (50 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 69 total positions (22 open to assistant TT)
November 2024: 99 total positions (50 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 69 total positions (22 open to assistant TT)
FYI: law and science, political science, and sociology all still have DDRIG programs run outside of the NSF but funded by NSF. The rest of these programs unfortunately do not.
I run the political science DDRIG.
I run the political science DDRIG.
NEW from me - NSF cancels grant scheme for social science research.
Seems the NSF quietly archived ALL calls for DDRIG grants in the SBE directorate. This is a massive blow for PhD students wanting to do cutting-edge social science research. 🏺🧪
Seems the NSF quietly archived ALL calls for DDRIG grants in the SBE directorate. This is a massive blow for PhD students wanting to do cutting-edge social science research. 🏺🧪
Today's biggest science news: Doomed comet explodes | Comet 3I/ATLAS course alteration | Dark matter detected?
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025: Your daily feed of the biggest discoveries and breakthroughs making headlines.
www.livescience.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
FYI: law and science, political science, and sociology all still have DDRIG programs run outside of the NSF but funded by NSF. The rest of these programs unfortunately do not.
I run the political science DDRIG.
I run the political science DDRIG.
Back again for the mid-November #polisky eJobs update (11/1-11/15):
November 2024: 60 total positions (31 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 36 total positions (12 open to assistant TT)
November 2024: 60 total positions (31 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 36 total positions (12 open to assistant TT)
BOO it's Halloween and the end of October monthly #polisky eJobs update (10/1-10/31):
October 2024: 135 total positions (71 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 108 total positions (59 open to assistant TT) *
* possible miscount because multiple listings have 2+ positions included
October 2024: 135 total positions (71 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 108 total positions (59 open to assistant TT) *
* possible miscount because multiple listings have 2+ positions included
scary spooky times for the mid-month #polisky eJobs update (10/1-10/15):
October 2024: 74 total positions (40 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 58 total positions (34 open to assistant TT)
October 2024: 74 total positions (40 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 58 total positions (34 open to assistant TT)
November 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Back again for the mid-November #polisky eJobs update (11/1-11/15):
November 2024: 60 total positions (31 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 36 total positions (12 open to assistant TT)
November 2024: 60 total positions (31 open to assistant TT)
November 2025: 36 total positions (12 open to assistant TT)
BOO it's Halloween and the end of October monthly #polisky eJobs update (10/1-10/31):
October 2024: 135 total positions (71 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 108 total positions (59 open to assistant TT) *
* possible miscount because multiple listings have 2+ positions included
October 2024: 135 total positions (71 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 108 total positions (59 open to assistant TT) *
* possible miscount because multiple listings have 2+ positions included
scary spooky times for the mid-month #polisky eJobs update (10/1-10/15):
October 2024: 74 total positions (40 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 58 total positions (34 open to assistant TT)
October 2024: 74 total positions (40 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 58 total positions (34 open to assistant TT)
5 more came in this afternoon:
September 2024: 167 total positions (105 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 143 total positions (86 open to assistant TT)
September 2024: 167 total positions (105 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 143 total positions (86 open to assistant TT)
October 31, 2025 at 6:29 PM
BOO it's Halloween and the end of October monthly #polisky eJobs update (10/1-10/31):
October 2024: 135 total positions (71 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 108 total positions (59 open to assistant TT) *
* possible miscount because multiple listings have 2+ positions included
October 2024: 135 total positions (71 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 108 total positions (59 open to assistant TT) *
* possible miscount because multiple listings have 2+ positions included
scary spooky times for the mid-month #polisky eJobs update (10/1-10/15):
October 2024: 74 total positions (40 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 58 total positions (34 open to assistant TT)
October 2024: 74 total positions (40 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 58 total positions (34 open to assistant TT)
5 more came in this afternoon:
September 2024: 167 total positions (105 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 143 total positions (86 open to assistant TT)
September 2024: 167 total positions (105 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 143 total positions (86 open to assistant TT)
October 15, 2025 at 8:44 PM
scary spooky times for the mid-month #polisky eJobs update (10/1-10/15):
October 2024: 74 total positions (40 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 58 total positions (34 open to assistant TT)
October 2024: 74 total positions (40 open to assistant TT)
October 2025: 58 total positions (34 open to assistant TT)
get in loser, we're doing politics by regenerating civil society and its connections with political organizations
We’re kicking the politics of the past aside and scoring a new generation of leadership — and we want you on our team.
Join us for The Cost of Living Classic, a free citywide soccer tournament in Coney Island this Sunday, co-hosted by NYC Footy.
Details + register at zohranfornyc.com/colclassic ⚽
Join us for The Cost of Living Classic, a free citywide soccer tournament in Coney Island this Sunday, co-hosted by NYC Footy.
Details + register at zohranfornyc.com/colclassic ⚽
October 15, 2025 at 4:25 PM
get in loser, we're doing politics by regenerating civil society and its connections with political organizations
End of September #polisky eJobs count, which is looking similar to May-August (9/1-9/30):
September 2024: 167 total positions (105 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 138 total positions (83 open to assistant TT)
September 2024: 167 total positions (105 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 138 total positions (83 open to assistant TT)
We are back with the #polisky halfway through September eJobs count, which is looking better (9/1-9/15):
September 2024: 64 total positions (46 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 54 total positions (39 open to assistant TT)
September 2024: 64 total positions (46 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 54 total positions (39 open to assistant TT)
Final #polisky eJobs count (including 8/30-8/31):
May-August 2024: 319 total positions (219 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 228 total positions (140 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2024: 319 total positions (219 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 228 total positions (140 open to assistant TT)
September 30, 2025 at 3:41 PM
End of September #polisky eJobs count, which is looking similar to May-August (9/1-9/30):
September 2024: 167 total positions (105 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 138 total positions (83 open to assistant TT)
September 2024: 167 total positions (105 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 138 total positions (83 open to assistant TT)
I was a huge booster of the magnetic chip clips at APSA this year (I always need another one)
What’s an actual useful, substantial item of swag people would want?
What’s an actual useful, substantial item of swag people would want?
I am calling for a moratorium on new tote bags. We all have more than enough tote bags already. Stop giving me tote bags at conferences. I do not want or need any more tote bags.
September 21, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I was a huge booster of the magnetic chip clips at APSA this year (I always need another one)
What’s an actual useful, substantial item of swag people would want?
What’s an actual useful, substantial item of swag people would want?
We are back with the #polisky halfway through September eJobs count, which is looking better (9/1-9/15):
September 2024: 64 total positions (46 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 54 total positions (39 open to assistant TT)
September 2024: 64 total positions (46 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 54 total positions (39 open to assistant TT)
Final #polisky eJobs count (including 8/30-8/31):
May-August 2024: 319 total positions (219 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 228 total positions (140 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2024: 319 total positions (219 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 228 total positions (140 open to assistant TT)
May-August total job number comparison is fucking brutal:
May-August 2024: 310 total positions (212 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 226 total positions (138 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2024: 310 total positions (212 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 226 total positions (138 open to assistant TT)
September 15, 2025 at 8:52 PM
We are back with the #polisky halfway through September eJobs count, which is looking better (9/1-9/15):
September 2024: 64 total positions (46 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 54 total positions (39 open to assistant TT)
September 2024: 64 total positions (46 open to assistant TT)
September 2025: 54 total positions (39 open to assistant TT)
Final #polisky eJobs count (including 8/30-8/31):
May-August 2024: 319 total positions (219 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 228 total positions (140 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2024: 319 total positions (219 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 228 total positions (140 open to assistant TT)
May-August total job number comparison is fucking brutal:
May-August 2024: 310 total positions (212 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 226 total positions (138 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2024: 310 total positions (212 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 226 total positions (138 open to assistant TT)
September 2, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Final #polisky eJobs count (including 8/30-8/31):
May-August 2024: 319 total positions (219 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 228 total positions (140 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2024: 319 total positions (219 open to assistant TT)
May-August 2025: 228 total positions (140 open to assistant TT)
Basically the end of August APSA eJobs check-in #polisky (8/1-8/29)
I remove non-ac positions & PhD studentships from the count & try not to miss individual listings with multiple jobs.
August 2024: 156 positions (118 open to asst. TT)
August 2025: 116 positions (82 open to asst. TT)
I remove non-ac positions & PhD studentships from the count & try not to miss individual listings with multiple jobs.
August 2024: 156 positions (118 open to asst. TT)
August 2025: 116 positions (82 open to asst. TT)
Halfway through August APSA eJobs check-in #polisky (8/1-8/14):
August 2024: 65 positions (51 assistant TT positions)
August 2025: 51 positions (38 assistant TT positions)
It's interesting that the ratio of positions seems stable, but the overall number of positions available is down
August 2024: 65 positions (51 assistant TT positions)
August 2025: 51 positions (38 assistant TT positions)
It's interesting that the ratio of positions seems stable, but the overall number of positions available is down
End of the month APSA eJobs update #polisky (there may be a few others listed today, will add later)
July 2024: 93 positions (62 assistant TT positions)
July 2025: 58 positions (40 assistant TT positions)
I exclude non-academic positions / PhD studentships from the total count.
July 2024: 93 positions (62 assistant TT positions)
July 2025: 58 positions (40 assistant TT positions)
I exclude non-academic positions / PhD studentships from the total count.
August 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Basically the end of August APSA eJobs check-in #polisky (8/1-8/29)
I remove non-ac positions & PhD studentships from the count & try not to miss individual listings with multiple jobs.
August 2024: 156 positions (118 open to asst. TT)
August 2025: 116 positions (82 open to asst. TT)
I remove non-ac positions & PhD studentships from the count & try not to miss individual listings with multiple jobs.
August 2024: 156 positions (118 open to asst. TT)
August 2025: 116 positions (82 open to asst. TT)