Heather Swadley
@heatherswadley.bsky.social
independent scholar, developmental editor, and archival researcher | passionate about health and civil rights | loves cats, coffee, clarinets, and Taylor Swift | she/her
http://heatherannswadley.com | heatherswadley.substack.com
http://heatherannswadley.com | heatherswadley.substack.com
Pinned
UPDATE: I'm now offering both developmental editing and archival research support services! I've wanted to stay academic-adjacent even though I needed to leave my TT-job for personal reasons. And this feels like a great way to do that.
So what does this mean?
So what does this mean?
Reposted by Heather Swadley
who decided to call it Secret Santa when Nondisclosure Claus was right there
December 1, 2025 at 10:55 PM
who decided to call it Secret Santa when Nondisclosure Claus was right there
Reposted by Heather Swadley
I also think that if this is not immediately obvious to you, you should probably know: the TA undoubtedly knew what was happening the minute they got this essay, and their nightmare started that instant, not in the last two days. It’s horrifying. Feeding the discourse fire is prolonging it
December 1, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I also think that if this is not immediately obvious to you, you should probably know: the TA undoubtedly knew what was happening the minute they got this essay, and their nightmare started that instant, not in the last two days. It’s horrifying. Feeding the discourse fire is prolonging it
Reposted by Heather Swadley
All of this is to say two things.
1. “Now” is at least the last decade. It’s escalating exponentially, but this has never not been a fear as long as I’ve been in academia. People have a short memory, and frankly, don’t care about the real human impact as much as they think.
1. “Now” is at least the last decade. It’s escalating exponentially, but this has never not been a fear as long as I’ve been in academia. People have a short memory, and frankly, don’t care about the real human impact as much as they think.
December 1, 2025 at 10:04 PM
All of this is to say two things.
1. “Now” is at least the last decade. It’s escalating exponentially, but this has never not been a fear as long as I’ve been in academia. People have a short memory, and frankly, don’t care about the real human impact as much as they think.
1. “Now” is at least the last decade. It’s escalating exponentially, but this has never not been a fear as long as I’ve been in academia. People have a short memory, and frankly, don’t care about the real human impact as much as they think.
Helpful thread about the OU situation. As an Oklahoman, I'm so embarrassed by this situation.
A quick thread on the academic freedom angle to the OU situation:
First, grading is part of academic freedom b/c it involves instructors applying their disciplinary expertise - both when they set assignments, and when they grade student work
First, grading is part of academic freedom b/c it involves instructors applying their disciplinary expertise - both when they set assignments, and when they grade student work
December 1, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Helpful thread about the OU situation. As an Oklahoman, I'm so embarrassed by this situation.
OU's actions against a graduate instructor are appalling.
This is why we need stronger grad unions.
This is why we need stronger grad unions.
OU is in the wrong if it is treating this situation differently than it would any other grade appeal. Does OU usually suspend instructors at the outset of a grade appeal? Does it usually make statements to the media about the actions they've taken against the instructor?
December 1, 2025 at 7:24 PM
OU's actions against a graduate instructor are appalling.
This is why we need stronger grad unions.
This is why we need stronger grad unions.
Reposted by Heather Swadley
Hello! @adamsopko.bsky.social and I have been working on a proposal to charter an AALS Section on State Constitutional Law. We believe that such a section is long overdue and that it is urgent to foster scholarly community and support in a growing discipline. Links to support this effort below: ⬇️
December 1, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Hello! @adamsopko.bsky.social and I have been working on a proposal to charter an AALS Section on State Constitutional Law. We believe that such a section is long overdue and that it is urgent to foster scholarly community and support in a growing discipline. Links to support this effort below: ⬇️
Reposted by Heather Swadley
One is that teaching university students *well* requires much more work (and frankly, compassion) now than it did when I started nine years ago. 2/
November 29, 2025 at 4:20 PM
One is that teaching university students *well* requires much more work (and frankly, compassion) now than it did when I started nine years ago. 2/
Reposted by Heather Swadley
The key word is "dictate." As 186 University of California law faculty wrote at the end of our own letter begging our Regents not to sign an agreement with a similar savings clause, the word "dictate" sets the bar WAY too low.
Home
UC Law Faculty to Regents: Resist the Unlawful Demands
sites.google.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The key word is "dictate." As 186 University of California law faculty wrote at the end of our own letter begging our Regents not to sign an agreement with a similar savings clause, the word "dictate" sets the bar WAY too low.
New Substack! Also, if anyone needs developmental editing, archival research support, or law review placement help over the holidays, please let me know!
open.substack.com/pub/heathers...
open.substack.com/pub/heathers...
November 29, 2025 at 5:31 PM
New Substack! Also, if anyone needs developmental editing, archival research support, or law review placement help over the holidays, please let me know!
open.substack.com/pub/heathers...
open.substack.com/pub/heathers...
Reposted by Heather Swadley
IMO, while there's always a fair amount of politics interfering with lawmaking, we've had nothing the past few years. The bipartisan _children's cancer_ package went down last year. If you're in it to actually make improvements and you're not able to even move the most basic, bipartisan things...
PUNCHBOWL: “.. GOP members messaged us over the weekend saying that they, too, are considering retiring in the middle of the term. Here’s one particularly exercised senior House Republican:
@punchbowlnews.bsky.social
@punchbowlnews.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
IMO, while there's always a fair amount of politics interfering with lawmaking, we've had nothing the past few years. The bipartisan _children's cancer_ package went down last year. If you're in it to actually make improvements and you're not able to even move the most basic, bipartisan things...
Reposted by Heather Swadley
"As long as policymakers continue to flood money into AI, small press publishers will only grow in importance. The quality of the books they produce, driven by that creative, alternative thinking & integrative design focus is only set to become more in demand." www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
Don’t invest in AI, invest in the future of the book
Why the publishing industry must back small presses, rather than LLMs.
www.thebookseller.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
"As long as policymakers continue to flood money into AI, small press publishers will only grow in importance. The quality of the books they produce, driven by that creative, alternative thinking & integrative design focus is only set to become more in demand." www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
Reposted by Heather Swadley
As we all wait for Callais to come down, our piece showing that Shelby County increased the racial turnout gap in most of the covered parts of the country has cleared the replication check and is incoming at JOP.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
November 24, 2025 at 12:47 AM
As we all wait for Callais to come down, our piece showing that Shelby County increased the racial turnout gap in most of the covered parts of the country has cleared the replication check and is incoming at JOP.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
Reposted by Heather Swadley
To fill the growing vacuum of history education in the U.S., racial justice organizers are offering truth-based curricula. Read my reporting: newsletter.mariannedhenin.com/educators-fi....
Educators Fight Suppression to Teach America’s Real History
To fill the growing vacuum of history education in the U.S., racial justice organizers are offering truth-based curricula.
newsletter.mariannedhenin.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
To fill the growing vacuum of history education in the U.S., racial justice organizers are offering truth-based curricula. Read my reporting: newsletter.mariannedhenin.com/educators-fi....
Reposted by Heather Swadley
Another
bsky.app/profile/prop...
bsky.app/profile/prop...
After reporting by ProPublica and other publications, the administration is dropping an effort that could have led 830,000 people to lose eligibility for Social Security disability payments.
How the Trump Administration Abandoned Plans for a Major Cut in Disability Benefits for Older Workers
After meeting with advocates, the Trump administration confirmed it has scrapped a controversial regulation that would have cut disability benefits for older workers.
www.propublica.org
November 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Another
bsky.app/profile/prop...
bsky.app/profile/prop...
Reposted by Heather Swadley
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)
UPDATE: I'm now offering both developmental editing and archival research support services! I've wanted to stay academic-adjacent even though I needed to leave my TT-job for personal reasons. And this feels like a great way to do that.
So what does this mean?
So what does this mean?
November 17, 2025 at 10:33 PM
UPDATE: I'm now offering both developmental editing and archival research support services! I've wanted to stay academic-adjacent even though I needed to leave my TT-job for personal reasons. And this feels like a great way to do that.
So what does this mean?
So what does this mean?
Reposted by Heather Swadley
Alice Wong was one of the most effective people challenging the Whiteness of disability communities and its many flaws, but who believed fiercely in us as a community, in disabled people as oracles.
Alice brought so much to so many of us, it’s hard to measure the kind of gratitude I have for that.
Alice brought so much to so many of us, it’s hard to measure the kind of gratitude I have for that.
November 15, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Alice Wong was one of the most effective people challenging the Whiteness of disability communities and its many flaws, but who believed fiercely in us as a community, in disabled people as oracles.
Alice brought so much to so many of us, it’s hard to measure the kind of gratitude I have for that.
Alice brought so much to so many of us, it’s hard to measure the kind of gratitude I have for that.
Reposted by Heather Swadley
Alice Wong. i could literally teach an entire semester of philosophy of technology & disability through a lens of just her. You should all go spend time with her work. Her essays, podcasts, TV appearances, books, all of it; it is all so good.
Good night Alice. Rest in power, pending justice & peace
Good night Alice. Rest in power, pending justice & peace
About
The Disability Visibility Project is an online community dedicated to creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture. What does the DVP do? Believes that disabled narratives matter …
disabilityvisibilityproject.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Alice Wong. i could literally teach an entire semester of philosophy of technology & disability through a lens of just her. You should all go spend time with her work. Her essays, podcasts, TV appearances, books, all of it; it is all so good.
Good night Alice. Rest in power, pending justice & peace
Good night Alice. Rest in power, pending justice & peace
Reposted by Heather Swadley
What a privilege it is to be a younger disabled person in a community shaped by Alice Wong. Rest in peace, Alice.
November 15, 2025 at 8:19 AM
What a privilege it is to be a younger disabled person in a community shaped by Alice Wong. Rest in peace, Alice.
Reposted by Heather Swadley
Those claiming Dems should retreat on racial justice aren't hard-headed realists, they're pushing against the electoral tide rather than leaning into it. The story of Gen Z isn't about racist backlash or red-pilled young men. It's the most racially progressive generation in American history. 🧵
November 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Those claiming Dems should retreat on racial justice aren't hard-headed realists, they're pushing against the electoral tide rather than leaning into it. The story of Gen Z isn't about racist backlash or red-pilled young men. It's the most racially progressive generation in American history. 🧵
Reposted by Heather Swadley
congress is a russian nesting doll of counter-majoritarian structures. seems to me that there's no need for a supermajority rule on top of that!
November 8, 2025 at 10:27 PM
congress is a russian nesting doll of counter-majoritarian structures. seems to me that there's no need for a supermajority rule on top of that!
Do I have any friends or friends of friends currently working on book manuscripts who would benefit from a free or very low cost developmental editor?
If so, please DM me!
If so, please DM me!
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Do I have any friends or friends of friends currently working on book manuscripts who would benefit from a free or very low cost developmental editor?
If so, please DM me!
If so, please DM me!
Reposted by Heather Swadley
This is what I meant yesterday when I said the blue wave wasn’t about the Democratic Party
The Party didn’t do much. In some cases, it risked doing damage by approving or disapproving candidates regardless of what voters wanted
The wave was created by voters DESPITE the Party
And that’s democracy
The Party didn’t do much. In some cases, it risked doing damage by approving or disapproving candidates regardless of what voters wanted
The wave was created by voters DESPITE the Party
And that’s democracy
November 6, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This is what I meant yesterday when I said the blue wave wasn’t about the Democratic Party
The Party didn’t do much. In some cases, it risked doing damage by approving or disapproving candidates regardless of what voters wanted
The wave was created by voters DESPITE the Party
And that’s democracy
The Party didn’t do much. In some cases, it risked doing damage by approving or disapproving candidates regardless of what voters wanted
The wave was created by voters DESPITE the Party
And that’s democracy
Reposted by Heather Swadley
Jeremy Peters byline so of course it's terrible
Typically terrible so of course he includes an attack on elitist Mamdani's education by Yale Law's JD Vance
Typically terrible so of course he includes an attack on elitist Mamdani's education by Yale Law's JD Vance
I honestly don't think the NY Times has been this bad in my lifetime, it's deeply shameful.
October 29, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Jeremy Peters byline so of course it's terrible
Typically terrible so of course he includes an attack on elitist Mamdani's education by Yale Law's JD Vance
Typically terrible so of course he includes an attack on elitist Mamdani's education by Yale Law's JD Vance
Meet my midlife crisis.
Her name is Samantha. If anyone knows good [adult] clarinet teachers over zoom or in the DMV, lmk. I’m relearning much quicker than expected but would like some lessons. :)
Her name is Samantha. If anyone knows good [adult] clarinet teachers over zoom or in the DMV, lmk. I’m relearning much quicker than expected but would like some lessons. :)
October 28, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Meet my midlife crisis.
Her name is Samantha. If anyone knows good [adult] clarinet teachers over zoom or in the DMV, lmk. I’m relearning much quicker than expected but would like some lessons. :)
Her name is Samantha. If anyone knows good [adult] clarinet teachers over zoom or in the DMV, lmk. I’m relearning much quicker than expected but would like some lessons. :)