Michael Stambolis
@mstambolis.bsky.social
Sociologist. Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of Toulouse - Jean Jaurès. Author of: By the Power Vested in Me (Columbia University Press, 2025). I study how experts participate in controversial political debates.
Pinned
Michael Stambolis
@mstambolis.bsky.social
· May 14
By the Power Vested in Me | Columbia University Press
In both the United States and France, each side of the legal battle over same-sex marriage and parenthood relied heavily on experts. Despite the similarity o... | CUP
tinyurl.com
By the Power Vested in Me is here!
Through the story of the fight over same-sex marriage in the United States and France, this book sheds new light on the contested power of experts to influence high-stakes democratic debates.
Get your copy wherever books are sold or here: tinyurl.com/37t88xme
1/
Through the story of the fight over same-sex marriage in the United States and France, this book sheds new light on the contested power of experts to influence high-stakes democratic debates.
Get your copy wherever books are sold or here: tinyurl.com/37t88xme
1/
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
The 1 century old association 'Union Rationaliste' funded by French physicist Jean Perrin award its 2025 Grand Prize to the American movement @standupforscience.bsky.social for their struggle resisting MAGA politicians' attack against Science and human mind! ✊🏻
January 19, 2026 at 6:50 PM
The 1 century old association 'Union Rationaliste' funded by French physicist Jean Perrin award its 2025 Grand Prize to the American movement @standupforscience.bsky.social for their struggle resisting MAGA politicians' attack against Science and human mind! ✊🏻
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i feel like Americans don't get the level of eye-rolling this is getting from Europe
January 19, 2026 at 10:42 AM
🙄😒
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
These elected Dems still don’t get it. @booker.senate.gov
January 17, 2026 at 11:34 PM
These elected Dems still don’t get it. @booker.senate.gov
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
"Neighbors in neon vests dot the neighborhood... Information-sharing networks have been built. Residents have connected with non-profits and churches to deliver food to people who are locked in their homes out of fear. Resistance signs are everywhere..."
www.liberalcurrents.com/so-hows-the-...
www.liberalcurrents.com/so-hows-the-...
So, How’s the Occupation Going for You?
What’s it like to live in America with a domestic military occupation? Minnesota has the answer.
www.liberalcurrents.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:31 PM
"Neighbors in neon vests dot the neighborhood... Information-sharing networks have been built. Residents have connected with non-profits and churches to deliver food to people who are locked in their homes out of fear. Resistance signs are everywhere..."
www.liberalcurrents.com/so-hows-the-...
www.liberalcurrents.com/so-hows-the-...
😂
January 18, 2026 at 8:08 PM
😂
I made chicken ginger soup and I'm happy about that.
January 17, 2026 at 7:34 PM
I made chicken ginger soup and I'm happy about that.
The Mirail neighborhood of Toulouse has a plaque commemorating Martin Luther King. While the fascist leaders of the United States are erasing the memory of King, let us remember him and all those who risked it all for the civil rights movement. They were not consensual and they did not back down.
January 17, 2026 at 5:55 PM
The Mirail neighborhood of Toulouse has a plaque commemorating Martin Luther King. While the fascist leaders of the United States are erasing the memory of King, let us remember him and all those who risked it all for the civil rights movement. They were not consensual and they did not back down.
"L'augmentation de la prime d'activité pose problème parce que ça va creuser le déficit" dixit Stéphanie Villers, la salariée du cabinet de conseil britannique PwC, présentée comme simple "économiste" neutre par le journal de France 2. Fatigue....
January 17, 2026 at 12:17 PM
"L'augmentation de la prime d'activité pose problème parce que ça va creuser le déficit" dixit Stéphanie Villers, la salariée du cabinet de conseil britannique PwC, présentée comme simple "économiste" neutre par le journal de France 2. Fatigue....
Wait I thought academia shunned right-wing thinkers and canceled anyone that doesn't toe the line. 🤔 Meanwhile there is a whole-ass award in the honor of Leo Strauss at APSA. 😃
January 17, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Wait I thought academia shunned right-wing thinkers and canceled anyone that doesn't toe the line. 🤔 Meanwhile there is a whole-ass award in the honor of Leo Strauss at APSA. 😃
J'ai beaucoup de mal à me concentrer pour écrire en ce moment. Je culpabilise et je me sens nul... mais le contexte est tout sauf propice au travail. L'assassinat méthodique des universités françaises, la montée du fascisme, mes proches en danger là bas et ici, la planète qui crame...
January 17, 2026 at 8:07 AM
J'ai beaucoup de mal à me concentrer pour écrire en ce moment. Je culpabilise et je me sens nul... mais le contexte est tout sauf propice au travail. L'assassinat méthodique des universités françaises, la montée du fascisme, mes proches en danger là bas et ici, la planète qui crame...
This "university" is 5 minutes old and they already a have a marble bust of a founder? Hilarious and embarrassing!
There's a picture of it, actually.
January 16, 2026 at 7:49 PM
This "university" is 5 minutes old and they already a have a marble bust of a founder? Hilarious and embarrassing!
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
NEW — ICE violence has spread well beyond Minneapolis, with agents landing in small cities like St. Cloud. I spoke with Alice Valentine, a local queer trans woman, who protested ICE on Monday and was pepper sprayed, beaten and jailed as a result, along with her girlfriend.
This is Alice's story:
This is Alice's story:
Queer trans ICE protester in small Minn. city recounts agents' violence and humiliation
Alice Valentine of St. Cloud was pepper sprayed and jailed by ICE for trying to protect immigrant neighbors.
www.thehandbasket.co
January 16, 2026 at 6:58 PM
NEW — ICE violence has spread well beyond Minneapolis, with agents landing in small cities like St. Cloud. I spoke with Alice Valentine, a local queer trans woman, who protested ICE on Monday and was pepper sprayed, beaten and jailed as a result, along with her girlfriend.
This is Alice's story:
This is Alice's story:
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
It's been just over a year since many academics and sociology folks came over to Bluesky. Thought Id share for some more community building and the later arrivals. Feel free to add other sections and areas to the list and or request to be added to any packs!
January 16, 2026 at 6:41 PM
It's been just over a year since many academics and sociology folks came over to Bluesky. Thought Id share for some more community building and the later arrivals. Feel free to add other sections and areas to the list and or request to be added to any packs!
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
Qu'est-ce que ces "Parents Vigilants" trouvent scandaleux ? Que les femmes ne soient plus des citoyennes de seconde zone et qu'elles aient le droit d'exercer leurs droits ? Ou alors qu'on apprenne aux petits Français à parler l'anglais, langue woke s'il en est ? 🤔
Parents Vigilants, l'association satellite du parti d'extrême droite Reconquête d'Eric Zemmour et de Sarah Knafo, qui harcèle sur les réseaux les enseignants et l'école publique, vient de diffuser ceci sur Telegram au sujet d'un devoir d'anglais qui aurait été donné à des lycéens en Bourgogne.
January 16, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Qu'est-ce que ces "Parents Vigilants" trouvent scandaleux ? Que les femmes ne soient plus des citoyennes de seconde zone et qu'elles aient le droit d'exercer leurs droits ? Ou alors qu'on apprenne aux petits Français à parler l'anglais, langue woke s'il en est ? 🤔
If you're in Oxford on Wednesday, March 4th, come join the discussion :
www.rai.ox.ac.uk/event/by-the...
www.rai.ox.ac.uk/event/by-the...
By the Power Vested in Me: How Experts Shape Same-Sex Marriage Debates
www.rai.ox.ac.uk
January 16, 2026 at 9:31 AM
If you're in Oxford on Wednesday, March 4th, come join the discussion :
www.rai.ox.ac.uk/event/by-the...
www.rai.ox.ac.uk/event/by-the...
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
If anyone was still pretending this isn’t just about excluding trans kids from public life, the Trump administration just opened a Title IX investigation into a Maine school district because a trans student is on a *co-ed* cheerleading squad.
Newport co-ed cheerleading team is at center of Trump transgender athlete crackdownTrump admin focuses on swimming, cheerleading in Maine transgender athlete probes
The U.S. Department of Education announced a slew of Title IX-related investigations this week that include 2 school districts in Maine.
www.pressherald.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:09 AM
If anyone was still pretending this isn’t just about excluding trans kids from public life, the Trump administration just opened a Title IX investigation into a Maine school district because a trans student is on a *co-ed* cheerleading squad.
This man wants centrist parties to move to the right because he is most certainly a racist right-winger. This "we have to shift because of voters" is never used to support a move to the left and comes from people who want racist policies but don't want to claim responsibility for them.
The EU’s centrist powers need to move to the right to reflect the new political reality, the leader of the European People’s Party Manfred Weber has told in an exclusive interview with POLITICO.
Europe shifted right — it’s time centrists do too, says Manfred Weber
EPP chief says he still wants to work with traditional allies, but they need to adapt.
www.politico.eu
January 15, 2026 at 1:35 PM
This man wants centrist parties to move to the right because he is most certainly a racist right-winger. This "we have to shift because of voters" is never used to support a move to the left and comes from people who want racist policies but don't want to claim responsibility for them.
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
America has tried to be a real multiracial democracy for just over 60 years and that attempt has been contested at every step along the way.
The dinner has been held every year, without fail, since 1969.
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
The dinner has been held every year, without fail, since 1969.
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Indiana University Cancels MLK Celebration Dinner
Indiana University in Indianapolis canceled a dinner in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. hosted annually in January by the Black Student Union, Mirror Indy reported.
www.insidehighered.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:08 PM
America has tried to be a real multiracial democracy for just over 60 years and that attempt has been contested at every step along the way.
The dinner has been held every year, without fail, since 1969.
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
The dinner has been held every year, without fail, since 1969.
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
White supremacy explains many apparent contradictions.
Conservative calls for free speech were always about freedom to use slurs without sanction.
Calls for small government were always about denying Black folks rights and state protections.
This is conservatives achieving their goals.
Conservative calls for free speech were always about freedom to use slurs without sanction.
Calls for small government were always about denying Black folks rights and state protections.
This is conservatives achieving their goals.
The so-called party of free speech and small government is happily supporting armed, masked government agents conducting “show me your papers” stops and brutalizing U.S. citizens.
Their real “party values” are terrorizing communities of color and anyone else who speaks out.
Remember this.
Their real “party values” are terrorizing communities of color and anyone else who speaks out.
Remember this.
January 15, 2026 at 12:38 AM
White supremacy explains many apparent contradictions.
Conservative calls for free speech were always about freedom to use slurs without sanction.
Calls for small government were always about denying Black folks rights and state protections.
This is conservatives achieving their goals.
Conservative calls for free speech were always about freedom to use slurs without sanction.
Calls for small government were always about denying Black folks rights and state protections.
This is conservatives achieving their goals.
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
Si l'Université et la recherche sont exsangues, c'est par choix politique et pas par contrainte budgétaire. La réforme de l'apprentissage, sans le plus petit effet sur l'emploi ou sur l'économie, a conduit à gaver un enseignement privé lucratif médiocre d'argent public.
rogueesr.fr/on-ne-baillo...
rogueesr.fr/on-ne-baillo...
January 14, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Si l'Université et la recherche sont exsangues, c'est par choix politique et pas par contrainte budgétaire. La réforme de l'apprentissage, sans le plus petit effet sur l'emploi ou sur l'économie, a conduit à gaver un enseignement privé lucratif médiocre d'argent public.
rogueesr.fr/on-ne-baillo...
rogueesr.fr/on-ne-baillo...
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
On peut en dire autant des électeurs de Marine Le Pen, Jordan Bardella, Éric Ciotti, Bruno Retailleau, et cetera. Je crois qu’ils savent pertinemment que ces personnages politiques rêvent d’une politique trumpiste et c’est précisément pour cela qu’ils votent pour eux 🤷♂️
I wonder how many Dutch voters fully realize that what ICE is doing in Minnesota is *exactly* what Wilders (and van der Plas, Baudet, Eerdmans etc) would like to see happen here. It’s a free preview of what far right government actually looks like.
January 14, 2026 at 11:31 AM
On peut en dire autant des électeurs de Marine Le Pen, Jordan Bardella, Éric Ciotti, Bruno Retailleau, et cetera. Je crois qu’ils savent pertinemment que ces personnages politiques rêvent d’une politique trumpiste et c’est précisément pour cela qu’ils votent pour eux 🤷♂️
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
Hard to find a bigger treat to freedom of the press than the President openly reminding a powerful journalist, on TV, that the journalist only has his job because of the President, and everyone being so lazily used to this sort of thing they don't even bother to edit it out for propriety's sake.
DOKOUPIL: When I travel the country, they tell me they don't feel it because grocery prices are up--
TRUMP: They're going to now. I've only been here for 11 months. I inherited a mess. If she got in, you wouldn't have this job right now.
TRUMP: They're going to now. I've only been here for 11 months. I inherited a mess. If she got in, you wouldn't have this job right now.
January 14, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Hard to find a bigger treat to freedom of the press than the President openly reminding a powerful journalist, on TV, that the journalist only has his job because of the President, and everyone being so lazily used to this sort of thing they don't even bother to edit it out for propriety's sake.
Je supprime. Je n'arrive pas à m'exprimer convenablement sur ce sujet ici. Vous aviez raison de pointer les choses qui n'allaient pas. Je suis globalement d'accord avec ces critiques. Je suis également très inquiet de voir ce sujet instrumentalisé par les fascistes pour attaquer nos libertés.
January 14, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Je supprime. Je n'arrive pas à m'exprimer convenablement sur ce sujet ici. Vous aviez raison de pointer les choses qui n'allaient pas. Je suis globalement d'accord avec ces critiques. Je suis également très inquiet de voir ce sujet instrumentalisé par les fascistes pour attaquer nos libertés.
Reposted by Michael Stambolis
On dirait un exercice d'arithmétique.
Sachant qu'il faut au moins 10 ans pour qu'un homme politique soit condamné, qu'il faut au moins trois condamnations avant une application de peine, et qu'il n'y a plus d'application de peine après 75 ans, à quel âge commence l'impunité ?
Sachant qu'il faut au moins 10 ans pour qu'un homme politique soit condamné, qu'il faut au moins trois condamnations avant une application de peine, et qu'il n'y a plus d'application de peine après 75 ans, à quel âge commence l'impunité ?
⚖️ Le tribunal d'application des peines d'Evreux a accordé lundi à Patrick Balkany la libération conditionnelle pour les 18 mois de prison qu'il lui reste à purger après sa condamnation en 2023 pour plusieurs délits financiers.
➡️ u.afp.com/SXRy
➡️ u.afp.com/SXRy
January 14, 2026 at 8:28 AM
On dirait un exercice d'arithmétique.
Sachant qu'il faut au moins 10 ans pour qu'un homme politique soit condamné, qu'il faut au moins trois condamnations avant une application de peine, et qu'il n'y a plus d'application de peine après 75 ans, à quel âge commence l'impunité ?
Sachant qu'il faut au moins 10 ans pour qu'un homme politique soit condamné, qu'il faut au moins trois condamnations avant une application de peine, et qu'il n'y a plus d'application de peine après 75 ans, à quel âge commence l'impunité ?
It will unironically be called Skynet
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the integration of Elon Musk's xAI platform, Grok, into military networks as part of a new "AI acceleration strategy" during a visit to SpaceX.
January 13, 2026 at 4:31 PM
It will unironically be called Skynet