Emma Rackstraw
@emmarackstraw.bsky.social
Economist studying criminal justice issues and labor markets. Assistant Professor of Economics at Swarthmore College. #econsky
www.emmarackstraw.com
www.emmarackstraw.com
Pinned
When Reality TV Creates Reality: How “Copaganda” Affects Police, Communities, and Viewers
Television shows with police officer protagonists are ubiquitous on American television. Both fictional shows and reality shows portray a world where criminals
t.co
(1/many) #EconSky My job market paper investigates what police propaganda and its effects can teach us about the institution of policing. t.co/5bzHCTdmR2
Every time I tell a normal human that economists gather for work on the first weekend in January every year, and they are FLABBERGASTED, I am reminded that this is an odd choice we’ve made as a profession
January 5, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Every time I tell a normal human that economists gather for work on the first weekend in January every year, and they are FLABBERGASTED, I am reminded that this is an odd choice we’ve made as a profession
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
Post-doc positions:
"Academic freedom is under pressure today. This requires rescue havens of free research. ... [we] invite early career researchers, whose work is restricted due to political pressure in the USA..."
uni-freiburg.de/frias/call-f...
"Academic freedom is under pressure today. This requires rescue havens of free research. ... [we] invite early career researchers, whose work is restricted due to political pressure in the USA..."
uni-freiburg.de/frias/call-f...
Call for Applications: Early Career Rescue Fellowship – Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies
uni-freiburg.de
December 19, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Post-doc positions:
"Academic freedom is under pressure today. This requires rescue havens of free research. ... [we] invite early career researchers, whose work is restricted due to political pressure in the USA..."
uni-freiburg.de/frias/call-f...
"Academic freedom is under pressure today. This requires rescue havens of free research. ... [we] invite early career researchers, whose work is restricted due to political pressure in the USA..."
uni-freiburg.de/frias/call-f...
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
The Sadie Collective announces the theme for #SACE2026, our annual economics and related fields conference!
Rooted in Resilience: Shaping Policy and Building Hopeful Futures
📅 Feb 26–27, 2026
🎟️ Tickets coming soon
More details to follow.
Rooted in Resilience: Shaping Policy and Building Hopeful Futures
📅 Feb 26–27, 2026
🎟️ Tickets coming soon
More details to follow.
December 12, 2025 at 9:06 PM
The Sadie Collective announces the theme for #SACE2026, our annual economics and related fields conference!
Rooted in Resilience: Shaping Policy and Building Hopeful Futures
📅 Feb 26–27, 2026
🎟️ Tickets coming soon
More details to follow.
Rooted in Resilience: Shaping Policy and Building Hopeful Futures
📅 Feb 26–27, 2026
🎟️ Tickets coming soon
More details to follow.
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
I know that the job market is rough this year for Econ PhDs. @utoronto.ca has expanded its postdoc funding. If you are on the market and work on school finance or early childhood education and are interested in a PostDoc, let me know! #econsky #educsky postdoc.sgs.utoronto.ca/current-post...
Postdoctoral Talent Initiative – School of Graduate Studies Postdoctoral Fellows
postdoc.sgs.utoronto.ca
November 13, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I know that the job market is rough this year for Econ PhDs. @utoronto.ca has expanded its postdoc funding. If you are on the market and work on school finance or early childhood education and are interested in a PostDoc, let me know! #econsky #educsky postdoc.sgs.utoronto.ca/current-post...
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
A new era of government censorship has begun.
It started with the silencing of scientific speech, when the admin blocked release of research on bird flu. But MAGA has also cracked down on other wrongthink—on race, geography (!), and of course Trump himself
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
It started with the silencing of scientific speech, when the admin blocked release of research on bird flu. But MAGA has also cracked down on other wrongthink—on race, geography (!), and of course Trump himself
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | A new era of government censorship has dawned
Donald Trump fancies himself a champion of free speech. Oh, really?
www.washingtonpost.com
January 31, 2025 at 1:47 PM
A new era of government censorship has begun.
It started with the silencing of scientific speech, when the admin blocked release of research on bird flu. But MAGA has also cracked down on other wrongthink—on race, geography (!), and of course Trump himself
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
It started with the silencing of scientific speech, when the admin blocked release of research on bird flu. But MAGA has also cracked down on other wrongthink—on race, geography (!), and of course Trump himself
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
We love you @lkatz42.bsky.social!
Today, I'm unfortunately missing one of my favorite educators being recognized for being an amazing advisor, colleague, educator, researcher, and friend. Cheers to a man who has really changed my life!
@lkatz42.bsky.social thanks for being you. #econsky
@lkatz42.bsky.social thanks for being you. #econsky
The Inequality Economist
Bob Simison profiles Harvard’s Lawrence F. Katz, whose research changed economists’ understanding of economic disparity
www.imf.org
September 19, 2025 at 6:51 PM
We love you @lkatz42.bsky.social!
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
Over 125 economists signed the open letter calling on the President, Congress, and the American public to uphold the principles of Federal Reserve independence and not remove Lisa Cook without due process.
There's still time to sign! And please share.
#EconSky
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
There's still time to sign! And please share.
#EconSky
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Open letter
Click here to add your signature. An Open Letter from Economists in Support of Governor Lisa Cook and Federal Reserve Independence To the President, Members of Congress, and the American public: We wr...
docs.google.com
August 27, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Over 125 economists signed the open letter calling on the President, Congress, and the American public to uphold the principles of Federal Reserve independence and not remove Lisa Cook without due process.
There's still time to sign! And please share.
#EconSky
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
There's still time to sign! And please share.
#EconSky
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
You guys. The Lisa Cook story isn’t about her mortgages. Please please please stop being so credulous.
August 20, 2025 at 10:11 PM
You guys. The Lisa Cook story isn’t about her mortgages. Please please please stop being so credulous.
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
POTUS and the AG abusing their public powers to try to gain more public power.
The Fed has 7 governors. Trump appointed 2 last term. One is vacant. One more vacant seat will yield a majority.
Dr. Cook fills the seat with the longest term (to 2038) & is the only Black woman on the board.
The Fed has 7 governors. Trump appointed 2 last term. One is vacant. One more vacant seat will yield a majority.
Dr. Cook fills the seat with the longest term (to 2038) & is the only Black woman on the board.
August 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
POTUS and the AG abusing their public powers to try to gain more public power.
The Fed has 7 governors. Trump appointed 2 last term. One is vacant. One more vacant seat will yield a majority.
Dr. Cook fills the seat with the longest term (to 2038) & is the only Black woman on the board.
The Fed has 7 governors. Trump appointed 2 last term. One is vacant. One more vacant seat will yield a majority.
Dr. Cook fills the seat with the longest term (to 2038) & is the only Black woman on the board.
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
Statement from the largest economics association about the BLS firing
As context: AEA approximately never makes such public statements
This is a big deal
As context: AEA approximately never makes such public statements
This is a big deal
August 2, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Statement from the largest economics association about the BLS firing
As context: AEA approximately never makes such public statements
This is a big deal
As context: AEA approximately never makes such public statements
This is a big deal
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
What to make of POTUS's attempt to fire the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)?
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
August 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
What to make of POTUS's attempt to fire the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)?
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
TFW your FOIA request from 9 months ago arrives in your mailbox…
July 25, 2025 at 7:31 PM
TFW your FOIA request from 9 months ago arrives in your mailbox…
It’s been such a privilege to learn from the amazing folks at @quattronecenter.org this year
Congratulations to our brilliant outgoing fellows, @lauragabelson.bsky.social and @emmarackstraw.bsky.social, who are moving on to change the world and educate the next generation of systems-based criminal justice reformers.
July 22, 2025 at 6:43 PM
It’s been such a privilege to learn from the amazing folks at @quattronecenter.org this year
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
ICE is nabbing far more noncriminals off the streets than people with criminal convictions: four times more. cato.org/blog/ice-arr...
June 24, 2025 at 9:11 PM
ICE is nabbing far more noncriminals off the streets than people with criminal convictions: four times more. cato.org/blog/ice-arr...
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
New data show that ICE is pulling record numbers of people off the streets who have no criminal convictions of any kind. This is not just a change from the Biden admin. This is a radical tactical shift compared to Trump 1.0. These arrests are up over 1,000% from 2017.
www.cato.org/blog/ice-arr...
www.cato.org/blog/ice-arr...
June 24, 2025 at 9:11 PM
New data show that ICE is pulling record numbers of people off the streets who have no criminal convictions of any kind. This is not just a change from the Biden admin. This is a radical tactical shift compared to Trump 1.0. These arrests are up over 1,000% from 2017.
www.cato.org/blog/ice-arr...
www.cato.org/blog/ice-arr...
@harvard.edu what are you doing to protect and support your grad students whose NSF GRFP grants were terminated today?
June 10, 2025 at 9:15 PM
@harvard.edu what are you doing to protect and support your grad students whose NSF GRFP grants were terminated today?
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
Call for papers: NBER meeting on The Economics of Firearm Markets, Crime, and Gun Violence - October 10 in Cambridge, MA
Deadline: June 4
www.nber.org/calls-papers...
Deadline: June 4
www.nber.org/calls-papers...
May 30, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Call for papers: NBER meeting on The Economics of Firearm Markets, Crime, and Gun Violence - October 10 in Cambridge, MA
Deadline: June 4
www.nber.org/calls-papers...
Deadline: June 4
www.nber.org/calls-papers...
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
Controversies have prompted at least a half-dozen cities to cancel their contracts or end their relationships with “The First 48.”
Here’s why Dallas, Memphis and Mobile have stopped working with the long-running cop reality show.
Here’s why Dallas, Memphis and Mobile have stopped working with the long-running cop reality show.
Police Across the U.S. Welcomed Cop Show “The First 48.” Then Relationships Soured.
Partnerships between police and the popular reality show, once enthusiastic and mutually beneficial, have often turned into breakups. Here’s how that has played out in three cities.
www.propublica.org
May 26, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Controversies have prompted at least a half-dozen cities to cancel their contracts or end their relationships with “The First 48.”
Here’s why Dallas, Memphis and Mobile have stopped working with the long-running cop reality show.
Here’s why Dallas, Memphis and Mobile have stopped working with the long-running cop reality show.
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
This investigation echoes the findings of QC Research Fellow @emmarackstraw.bsky.social, whose paper on "copaganda" found that arrests for low-level, victimless crimes increase by 20% while departments film with reality television shows.
Her 2023 paper is here:
Her 2023 paper is here:
When Reality TV Creates Reality: How “Copaganda” Affects Police, Communities, and Viewers
Television shows with police officer protagonists are ubiquitous on American television. Both fictional shows and reality shows portray a world where criminals
papers.ssrn.com
April 22, 2025 at 1:46 PM
This investigation echoes the findings of QC Research Fellow @emmarackstraw.bsky.social, whose paper on "copaganda" found that arrests for low-level, victimless crimes increase by 20% while departments film with reality television shows.
Her 2023 paper is here:
Her 2023 paper is here:
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
🙏 We need your help 🙏
The government continues to cancel grants at both NIH and NSF to censor science it doesn't like.
We're tracking terminations to organize and advocate. Please report your terminated grants:
NIH:
forms.gle/J2znQ7y7YpeP...
NSF: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
w/ @noamross.net
The government continues to cancel grants at both NIH and NSF to censor science it doesn't like.
We're tracking terminations to organize and advocate. Please report your terminated grants:
NIH:
forms.gle/J2znQ7y7YpeP...
NSF: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
w/ @noamross.net
April 19, 2025 at 1:25 AM
🙏 We need your help 🙏
The government continues to cancel grants at both NIH and NSF to censor science it doesn't like.
We're tracking terminations to organize and advocate. Please report your terminated grants:
NIH:
forms.gle/J2znQ7y7YpeP...
NSF: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
w/ @noamross.net
The government continues to cancel grants at both NIH and NSF to censor science it doesn't like.
We're tracking terminations to organize and advocate. Please report your terminated grants:
NIH:
forms.gle/J2znQ7y7YpeP...
NSF: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
w/ @noamross.net
Econ of crime folks, what are your favorite books you’ve read on the criminal justice system? Not written by an economist, but something one could read through an economist’s lens. (I’m looking for book report project ideas for undergrads!)
April 18, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Econ of crime folks, what are your favorite books you’ve read on the criminal justice system? Not written by an economist, but something one could read through an economist’s lens. (I’m looking for book report project ideas for undergrads!)
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
JOE is still open for posting jobs! It's one of the things we, the AEA committee on the job market, would like to officially encourage especially given the current environment
@johncawley.bsky.social
@aeainformation.bsky.social
@johncawley.bsky.social
@aeainformation.bsky.social
#econsky Has anyone been compiling resources, openings, leads, something for laid off federal economists?
Obviously there’s JOE but we’re also off cycle.
Much thanks.
Obviously there’s JOE but we’re also off cycle.
Much thanks.
April 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
JOE is still open for posting jobs! It's one of the things we, the AEA committee on the job market, would like to officially encourage especially given the current environment
@johncawley.bsky.social
@aeainformation.bsky.social
@johncawley.bsky.social
@aeainformation.bsky.social
There are so many reasons I feel so privileged to work in education, but ordering instructor copies of books I’m thinking of assigning is up there. No one talks about the free book loophole!!!!! We are among the luckiest people alive!!
April 18, 2025 at 10:12 PM
There are so many reasons I feel so privileged to work in education, but ordering instructor copies of books I’m thinking of assigning is up there. No one talks about the free book loophole!!!!! We are among the luckiest people alive!!
Reposted by Emma Rackstraw
Very excited to have this paper with @franciscaantman.bsky.social Bruce Weinberg, and Sgeng Qu out on the (positive!) long run effects of the @aeainformation.bsky.social Mentoring program.
www.nber.org/papers/w33689
www.nber.org/papers/w33689
April 14, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Very excited to have this paper with @franciscaantman.bsky.social Bruce Weinberg, and Sgeng Qu out on the (positive!) long run effects of the @aeainformation.bsky.social Mentoring program.
www.nber.org/papers/w33689
www.nber.org/papers/w33689
The inevitable result of the ways reality TV cameras supercharge the desire to make an arrest — ANY arrest.
The first known exoneration tied to the reality cop show “The First 48” had multiple hallmarks of a wrongful conviction, our reporter @jlussenhop.bsky.social explains.
One example: young witnesses being interrogated for a long time, without parents or lawyers involved.
One example: young witnesses being interrogated for a long time, without parents or lawyers involved.
What Reality TV Gets Wrong About Criminal Investigations. (Spoiler: So Much.)
When Edgar Barrientos-Quintana was cleared of murder charges last year, reporter Jessica Lussenhop noticed something she had never seen before in a wrongful conviction case: the involvement of…
www.propublica.org
April 14, 2025 at 2:50 AM
The inevitable result of the ways reality TV cameras supercharge the desire to make an arrest — ANY arrest.