Michaela DeSoucey
@mdesoucey.bsky.social
sociologist of culture, food, consumption, markets, risk & trust, organizations, authenticity, heritage politics, likes vintage stuff & tennis
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell
Somewhat devastating news today from the CIA: One of CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, The World Factbook, has sunset. There's not even a hint as to why they …
simonwillison.net
February 5, 2026 at 12:25 AM
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
“You need only know this: Whatever is happening with your data, it is important enough to the most egregiously lawless administration in American history that it be collected and consolidated.” Always read @tressiemcphd.bsky.social (gift link)
Opinion | Democracy Dies by Database
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:19 PM
“You need only know this: Whatever is happening with your data, it is important enough to the most egregiously lawless administration in American history that it be collected and consolidated.” Always read @tressiemcphd.bsky.social (gift link)
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
Happening right now. In America.
ICE is changing tactics in Maine: "Now, the volunteers in Maine say federal agents have started showing up at their homes and intimidating them or threatening arrest. Some of them, masked and wearing tactical gear, have issued stark warnings not to follow them." www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
ICE watchers in Maine say they were threatened by federal agents
Community members have been monitoring the activity of immigration agents in Greater Portland.
www.pressherald.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Happening right now. In America.
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
We're mourning yet again in Minnesota — and struggling to square the gut-churning video of Alex Pretti's final moments with official accounts.
I'm teaching techniques of neutralization this term, so I made this quick slide on the DHS statement. Share if it's useful. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/us...
I'm teaching techniques of neutralization this term, so I made this quick slide on the DHS statement. Share if it's useful. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/us...
January 25, 2026 at 12:05 AM
We're mourning yet again in Minnesota — and struggling to square the gut-churning video of Alex Pretti's final moments with official accounts.
I'm teaching techniques of neutralization this term, so I made this quick slide on the DHS statement. Share if it's useful. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/us...
I'm teaching techniques of neutralization this term, so I made this quick slide on the DHS statement. Share if it's useful. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/us...
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
The Department of Sociology at UNC-Chapel Hill invites applications for a Teaching Assistant/Associate Professor (teaching track) to begin July 1, 2026. Review of applications will begin February 16, 2026. More details here: unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/312...
Teaching Assistant or Associate Professor
The Department of Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites applications for a Teaching Assistant Professor or Teaching Associate Professor (depending on the selected candid...
unc.peopleadmin.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:28 PM
The Department of Sociology at UNC-Chapel Hill invites applications for a Teaching Assistant/Associate Professor (teaching track) to begin July 1, 2026. Review of applications will begin February 16, 2026. More details here: unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/312...
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
TikTok is now under US ownership and their new ToS reads like a guide to giving fascists everything they need to put you on a list.
They’re collecting information about immigration status, citizenship, sexual orientation, whether you’re trans or non binary and physical or mental disabilities.
They’re collecting information about immigration status, citizenship, sexual orientation, whether you’re trans or non binary and physical or mental disabilities.
January 23, 2026 at 9:11 PM
TikTok is now under US ownership and their new ToS reads like a guide to giving fascists everything they need to put you on a list.
They’re collecting information about immigration status, citizenship, sexual orientation, whether you’re trans or non binary and physical or mental disabilities.
They’re collecting information about immigration status, citizenship, sexual orientation, whether you’re trans or non binary and physical or mental disabilities.
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
JOB! I'm hiring a postdoc for 2 years on my ERC MaMo project.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
January 21, 2026 at 12:32 PM
JOB! I'm hiring a postdoc for 2 years on my ERC MaMo project.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
Please share - multiple summer 2026 in-person undergrad internship opportunities at @pewresearch.org!
- religion
- digital
- social trends
- data journalism
- global
- news
- internet
- AI
- admin
- race
- science
- methods
- politics
Apply soon!
pewtrusts.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Center...
- religion
- digital
- social trends
- data journalism
- global
- news
- internet
- AI
- admin
- race
- science
- methods
- politics
Apply soon!
pewtrusts.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Center...
January 20, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Please share - multiple summer 2026 in-person undergrad internship opportunities at @pewresearch.org!
- religion
- digital
- social trends
- data journalism
- global
- news
- internet
- AI
- admin
- race
- science
- methods
- politics
Apply soon!
pewtrusts.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Center...
- religion
- digital
- social trends
- data journalism
- global
- news
- internet
- AI
- admin
- race
- science
- methods
- politics
Apply soon!
pewtrusts.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Center...
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
As a social movements scholar, I absolutely love the diversity of tactics being developed by each city, reflecting their local flavor
Portland kept it weird with inflatable costumes
Chicago protected its street vendors by buying up their food each day
Charlotte chased ICE agents into the woods
Portland kept it weird with inflatable costumes
Chicago protected its street vendors by buying up their food each day
Charlotte chased ICE agents into the woods
Naaaaaaailed it
January 16, 2026 at 12:38 AM
As a social movements scholar, I absolutely love the diversity of tactics being developed by each city, reflecting their local flavor
Portland kept it weird with inflatable costumes
Chicago protected its street vendors by buying up their food each day
Charlotte chased ICE agents into the woods
Portland kept it weird with inflatable costumes
Chicago protected its street vendors by buying up their food each day
Charlotte chased ICE agents into the woods
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
THREAD of offers of guest lectures (via Zoom) for Minneapolis-area classes so faculty can offer their students a top-quality education while dealing with other crises
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Finally, a note to the many professors in my networks: One other specific, small thing you can do from outside of Minneapolis is reach out to colleagues who are heavily affected (because of their own or their family's risk, or because they're very busy protecting neighbors) and offer a guest lecture
January 15, 2026 at 7:43 PM
THREAD of offers of guest lectures (via Zoom) for Minneapolis-area classes so faculty can offer their students a top-quality education while dealing with other crises
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Ethnographers/qual researchers among you: What note-writing software do you use and do you recommend it? Not the physical jottings, but when you get back to your computer and write it all out. Like Evernote, Google Keep, OneNote, etc. I've only used Word, and that becomes a mess. TIA!
January 9, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Ethnographers/qual researchers among you: What note-writing software do you use and do you recommend it? Not the physical jottings, but when you get back to your computer and write it all out. Like Evernote, Google Keep, OneNote, etc. I've only used Word, and that becomes a mess. TIA!
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
ah, time to take a big sip of coffee and check the morning news, as is my daily tradition
January 3, 2026 at 1:56 PM
ah, time to take a big sip of coffee and check the morning news, as is my daily tradition
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
It’s the “season of love and giving”…but this year, doesn’t it seem more like a “season of fear and taking”? Like many of you, I’ve been saddened by the human impact of draconian government budget cuts and how angry many housed Americans are at unhoused Americans.
🧵 1 of 9
🧵 1 of 9
December 21, 2025 at 2:51 AM
It’s the “season of love and giving”…but this year, doesn’t it seem more like a “season of fear and taking”? Like many of you, I’ve been saddened by the human impact of draconian government budget cuts and how angry many housed Americans are at unhoused Americans.
🧵 1 of 9
🧵 1 of 9
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
This is the institutionalization of Turning Point's professor watchlist. It invites mass harassment and declares war on independent ideas. If unlearned sociopaths can influence your teaching through threats, academic freedom is essentially dead.
It’s the entire point. There’s no plan to make this meaningful for students. No plan to use it administratively. Its design and implementation signals its only real intent. It’s best and easiest use case is for systematic harassment and to scare faculty into complying in advance.
We know the students don’t read the syllabuses. So who will? Right-wing activists looking for excuses to hound profs.
December 20, 2025 at 1:53 PM
This is the institutionalization of Turning Point's professor watchlist. It invites mass harassment and declares war on independent ideas. If unlearned sociopaths can influence your teaching through threats, academic freedom is essentially dead.
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
The UNC system just released its final policy on mandatory syllabi disclosure, stating that syllabi are university (not faculty) IP and certain course info must be posted on new, publicly searchable databases before every semester.
A thread about what's changed from the draft I reported on earlier:
A thread about what's changed from the draft I reported on earlier:
NEW: Public universities in red states, from Texas to Florida, are increasingly required to make their syllabi public. The University of North Carolina may be next. Does "syllabi transparency" help combat distrust in higher ed, or feed ill-informed suspicions of it? www.chronicle.com/article/when...
When Everyone Can See Your Syllabus
More states are requiring public colleges to make class syllabi available to the masses. Proponents say these measures boost higher ed’s credibility, while faculty fear being targeted.
www.chronicle.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
The UNC system just released its final policy on mandatory syllabi disclosure, stating that syllabi are university (not faculty) IP and certain course info must be posted on new, publicly searchable databases before every semester.
A thread about what's changed from the draft I reported on earlier:
A thread about what's changed from the draft I reported on earlier:
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
So Harvard is keeping this guy, but Claudine Gay had to step down over ginned up plagiarism accusations and bad-faith accusations of anti-Semitism.
Got it.
Got it.
Larry Summers tells @theharvardcrimson.bsky.social
he’s stepping back from all public commitments in light of his messages with Epstein, saying he is “deeply ashamed” and hopes “to rebuild trust and repair relationships.”
He will continue teaching.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
he’s stepping back from all public commitments in light of his messages with Epstein, saying he is “deeply ashamed” and hopes “to rebuild trust and repair relationships.”
He will continue teaching.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
November 18, 2025 at 5:10 AM
So Harvard is keeping this guy, but Claudine Gay had to step down over ginned up plagiarism accusations and bad-faith accusations of anti-Semitism.
Got it.
Got it.
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
The Department of Unsubtle Metaphors continues to exceed expectations
President Trump walking past the flag at the Whitehouse which has fallen to the ground
November 18, 2025 at 1:25 AM
The Department of Unsubtle Metaphors continues to exceed expectations
recommendation letter season again, and this is the first time I've ever seen this category....
November 13, 2025 at 10:53 PM
recommendation letter season again, and this is the first time I've ever seen this category....
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
Invitation! Interested in in beauty, bodies, decoloniality and inequality? Please join us for an online seminar series on "decolonizing bodies". With our very special guest Walter Mignolo; and @tommytse.bsky.social, Patricio Simonetto, Ashley Mears, Ladan Rahbari & @carorabasarucki.bsky.social >>
November 11, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Invitation! Interested in in beauty, bodies, decoloniality and inequality? Please join us for an online seminar series on "decolonizing bodies". With our very special guest Walter Mignolo; and @tommytse.bsky.social, Patricio Simonetto, Ashley Mears, Ladan Rahbari & @carorabasarucki.bsky.social >>
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
Interesting read on schisms, but I thought we were well past calling WF a 'healthy' store. It's a high-end(ish) chain with mass produced organic products. There's a place for that + I'd rather see it than McDonalds. But 'healthy' is not my first (or second) thought.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/d...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/d...
Whole Foods, MAHA and the Battle Over Healthy Eating in America
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Interesting read on schisms, but I thought we were well past calling WF a 'healthy' store. It's a high-end(ish) chain with mass produced organic products. There's a place for that + I'd rather see it than McDonalds. But 'healthy' is not my first (or second) thought.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/d...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/d...
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
Nothing subtle in what's being said about gender and race here
I made an image of all the art posted by US DOL on X since approximately Labor Day
October 26, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Nothing subtle in what's being said about gender and race here
Reposted by Michaela DeSoucey
In social movement studies, we talk about how marches and protests expand the threshold of acceptable risk so that people take more and bigger social risks IN PUBLIC, EN MASSE. This is extremely important for the bourgeois white folks holding signs and building social rapport.
Not a shitpost: #NoKings is feel-good performative activism for comfortable mostly upper and upper middle class white folks and that’s good, actually. Millions of people in the streets protesting a fascist regime is good. It is good for the normie baseline to be massive displays of public dissent.
October 19, 2025 at 1:44 AM
In social movement studies, we talk about how marches and protests expand the threshold of acceptable risk so that people take more and bigger social risks IN PUBLIC, EN MASSE. This is extremely important for the bourgeois white folks holding signs and building social rapport.