Pamela Metz
@pamelametz.bsky.social
Founding Associate Director, Harvard Inequality & Social Policy (1998-2021). Director of Chapter Development @scholars.org (2022-2025).
Pinned
Pamela Metz
@pamelametz.bsky.social
· Aug 8
SSN and our chapter leaders look forward to #ASA2025 in Chicago! Please stop by and say hello!
Hello Sociology friends! Excited to be in Chicago for #ASA2025 with @scholars.org. Point me to your sessions!
Reposted by Pamela Metz
It has been deeply surreal to be trying to fight this occupation while also doing my usual job, parenting, etc. Just describing the basic facts sounds unreal. Really appreciate this clarity about what's happening in Mpls and how much worse it might get from the NYT today.
I went to Minneapolis last week. What I saw was horrifying and inspiring in equal measure. Gift link to my latest column: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/o...
Opinion | In Minneapolis, I Glimpsed a Civil War
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:07 PM
It has been deeply surreal to be trying to fight this occupation while also doing my usual job, parenting, etc. Just describing the basic facts sounds unreal. Really appreciate this clarity about what's happening in Mpls and how much worse it might get from the NYT today.
Reposted by Pamela Metz
There is nothing complicated or subtle or hard to understand about what is going on.
Trump may not succeed. But he will only fail if patriots stand up and defend our democracy and the Constitution. We must act, as @mashagessen.bsky.social writes, while we still can. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/o...
Trump may not succeed. But he will only fail if patriots stand up and defend our democracy and the Constitution. We must act, as @mashagessen.bsky.social writes, while we still can. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/o...
January 18, 2026 at 5:49 PM
There is nothing complicated or subtle or hard to understand about what is going on.
Trump may not succeed. But he will only fail if patriots stand up and defend our democracy and the Constitution. We must act, as @mashagessen.bsky.social writes, while we still can. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/o...
Trump may not succeed. But he will only fail if patriots stand up and defend our democracy and the Constitution. We must act, as @mashagessen.bsky.social writes, while we still can. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/o...
Reposted by Pamela Metz
A book never feels real until you hold it in you hands. @profsorelle.bsky.social & I can now confirm that Uncivil Democracy is real! If you care about #peoplepower #housingjustice, #tenantorganizing & transforming our perverse political economy, this is a book for you.
Order here: bit.ly/3NLYCCw
Order here: bit.ly/3NLYCCw
January 16, 2026 at 6:40 PM
A book never feels real until you hold it in you hands. @profsorelle.bsky.social & I can now confirm that Uncivil Democracy is real! If you care about #peoplepower #housingjustice, #tenantorganizing & transforming our perverse political economy, this is a book for you.
Order here: bit.ly/3NLYCCw
Order here: bit.ly/3NLYCCw
Reposted by Pamela Metz
We all know the federal government is dysfunctional and chaotic. The critical democratic work is happening closer to home.
@kcolempls.bsky.social (Metro State in MN) and I make the case in @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social — explaining why teaching students to build power locally matters more than ever.
@kcolempls.bsky.social (Metro State in MN) and I make the case in @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social — explaining why teaching students to build power locally matters more than ever.
The Problem Isn’t Apathy. It’s about Teaching Students Where Power Lives.
American politics has become so nationalized that many people—especially students—no longer know where their participation ought to be focused. Every issue feels federal, every fight existential, and ...
thefulcrum.us
January 15, 2026 at 3:41 PM
We all know the federal government is dysfunctional and chaotic. The critical democratic work is happening closer to home.
@kcolempls.bsky.social (Metro State in MN) and I make the case in @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social — explaining why teaching students to build power locally matters more than ever.
@kcolempls.bsky.social (Metro State in MN) and I make the case in @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social — explaining why teaching students to build power locally matters more than ever.
Reposted by Pamela Metz
Look what just arrived!
Excited to share that @povertyscholar.bsky.social and my new book hits shelves this month! If you're interested in #justice, #housing, and building collective #PoliticalPower, this book has something for you!
You can order here bit.ly/3NLYCCw or at your favorite bookstore.
Excited to share that @povertyscholar.bsky.social and my new book hits shelves this month! If you're interested in #justice, #housing, and building collective #PoliticalPower, this book has something for you!
You can order here bit.ly/3NLYCCw or at your favorite bookstore.
January 14, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Look what just arrived!
Excited to share that @povertyscholar.bsky.social and my new book hits shelves this month! If you're interested in #justice, #housing, and building collective #PoliticalPower, this book has something for you!
You can order here bit.ly/3NLYCCw or at your favorite bookstore.
Excited to share that @povertyscholar.bsky.social and my new book hits shelves this month! If you're interested in #justice, #housing, and building collective #PoliticalPower, this book has something for you!
You can order here bit.ly/3NLYCCw or at your favorite bookstore.
Reposted by Pamela Metz
I can’t emphasize enough how shocked my out of state friends and family are when I tell them what has happened in Minneapolis since Renee Good’s murder.
Without reliable media, most not-chronically-online people are completely in the dark. If you want to help Minnesota, tell people what you know.
Without reliable media, most not-chronically-online people are completely in the dark. If you want to help Minnesota, tell people what you know.
January 13, 2026 at 3:21 AM
I can’t emphasize enough how shocked my out of state friends and family are when I tell them what has happened in Minneapolis since Renee Good’s murder.
Without reliable media, most not-chronically-online people are completely in the dark. If you want to help Minnesota, tell people what you know.
Without reliable media, most not-chronically-online people are completely in the dark. If you want to help Minnesota, tell people what you know.
Reposted by Pamela Metz
Luke Shaefer named Chief Executive of Health, Human Services, and Poverty Solutions for the City of Detroit as part of Mayor Mary Sheffield's incoming administration. 🎉
Read more: https://myumi.ch/e32Py
Read more: https://myumi.ch/e32Py
Luke Shaefer named Chief Executive of Health, Human Services & Poverty Solutions for City of Detroit
Ford School professor Luke Shaefer has been named to the newly-formed role as Chief Executive of Health, Human Services & Poverty Solutions for City of Detroit.
myumi.ch
January 12, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Luke Shaefer named Chief Executive of Health, Human Services, and Poverty Solutions for the City of Detroit as part of Mayor Mary Sheffield's incoming administration. 🎉
Read more: https://myumi.ch/e32Py
Read more: https://myumi.ch/e32Py
Reposted by Pamela Metz
I tried to turn my rage yesterday into something that brings us some light. For @newrepublic.com, I wrote about how 2020 prepared Minneapolis for the current crisis of Trump's DHS. newrepublic.com/article/2050...
Minneapolis Knows How to Resist This Violence
From George Floyd to Renee Good, the city has become all too familiar with fatal violence by law enforcement—and it knows exactly how to respond.
newrepublic.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:18 PM
I tried to turn my rage yesterday into something that brings us some light. For @newrepublic.com, I wrote about how 2020 prepared Minneapolis for the current crisis of Trump's DHS. newrepublic.com/article/2050...
Reposted by Pamela Metz
And here is the Q&A I did for @minneapolisfed.bsky.social... if anyone would like to hear about taxi cab medallion numbers, owls, and the descriptive statistic 29%:
www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2025...
www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2025...
Inquiring minds: Q&A with Alex Albright | Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
www.minneapolisfed.org
January 6, 2026 at 10:10 PM
And here is the Q&A I did for @minneapolisfed.bsky.social... if anyone would like to hear about taxi cab medallion numbers, owls, and the descriptive statistic 29%:
www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2025...
www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2025...
Reposted by Pamela Metz
Ended 2025 with a Q&A interview saying I'd like to meet Janet Yellen
Started 2026 by meeting Janet Yellen
Started 2026 by meeting Janet Yellen
January 6, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Ended 2025 with a Q&A interview saying I'd like to meet Janet Yellen
Started 2026 by meeting Janet Yellen
Started 2026 by meeting Janet Yellen
Reposted by Pamela Metz
Thanks for the opportunity to share our work, @donmoyn.bsky.social!
With @lizananat.bsky.social: Service work is highly volatile! OBBBA's work requirements will make it hard for hourly service workers and their families to get supports they need, even when they're working consistently.
With @lizananat.bsky.social: Service work is highly volatile! OBBBA's work requirements will make it hard for hourly service workers and their families to get supports they need, even when they're working consistently.
New at Can We Still Govern: @agpines.bsky.social & @lizananat.bsky.social explain how the work volatility of low income service employees will make it hard for them to satisfy new SNAP/Medicaid work requirements, even when they work lots of hours. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/when-volat...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/when-volat...
When Volatile Work Schedules Meet SNAP Work Requirements
New policies put low income workers in jeopardy of losing vital supports
donmoynihan.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Thanks for the opportunity to share our work, @donmoyn.bsky.social!
With @lizananat.bsky.social: Service work is highly volatile! OBBBA's work requirements will make it hard for hourly service workers and their families to get supports they need, even when they're working consistently.
With @lizananat.bsky.social: Service work is highly volatile! OBBBA's work requirements will make it hard for hourly service workers and their families to get supports they need, even when they're working consistently.
Reposted by Pamela Metz
New with @agpines.bsky.social: on Can We Still Govern, we show how OBBBA's new work requirements will deny benefits to families due to volatile hours and employment in the service industry--which is caused by bosses, not workers
New at Can We Still Govern: @agpines.bsky.social & @lizananat.bsky.social explain how the work volatility of low income service employees will make it hard for them to satisfy new SNAP/Medicaid work requirements, even when they work lots of hours. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/when-volat...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/when-volat...
When Volatile Work Schedules Meet SNAP Work Requirements
New policies put low income workers in jeopardy of losing vital supports
donmoynihan.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:13 PM
New with @agpines.bsky.social: on Can We Still Govern, we show how OBBBA's new work requirements will deny benefits to families due to volatile hours and employment in the service industry--which is caused by bosses, not workers
Reposted by Pamela Metz
As of today, I am a FULL professor. I do not care much for occupational status markers. Still, it is not lost on me that only 2% of full professors are Black women. This goes beyond personal accomplishment. It is a responsibility to do as much as I can for others. That is exactly what I aim to do.
January 1, 2026 at 9:09 PM
As of today, I am a FULL professor. I do not care much for occupational status markers. Still, it is not lost on me that only 2% of full professors are Black women. This goes beyond personal accomplishment. It is a responsibility to do as much as I can for others. That is exactly what I aim to do.
Reposted by Pamela Metz
If you are a young student in the US and you are worried that you, a classmate, or a loved one could be deported by ICE agents, as you have seen on social media, TV, or in your neighborhood, this short text is for you.
https://theimmigrationlab.org/blog/f/understanding-deportation-for-children
https://theimmigrationlab.org/blog/f/understanding-deportation-for-children
December 28, 2025 at 1:26 PM
If you are a young student in the US and you are worried that you, a classmate, or a loved one could be deported by ICE agents, as you have seen on social media, TV, or in your neighborhood, this short text is for you.
https://theimmigrationlab.org/blog/f/understanding-deportation-for-children
https://theimmigrationlab.org/blog/f/understanding-deportation-for-children
Reposted by Pamela Metz
A short text explaining what is going on with ICE as a resource for kids (like … teens?) to read or for parents to read and had to talk to kids.
Hi Doug, Thanks for the feedback. Here a revised version:
theimmigrationlab.org/blog/f/under...
theimmigrationlab.org/blog/f/under...
Understanding Deportation for Children
By Ernesto Castañeda, PhD
theimmigrationlab.org
December 27, 2025 at 11:09 PM
A short text explaining what is going on with ICE as a resource for kids (like … teens?) to read or for parents to read and had to talk to kids.
Reposted by Pamela Metz
#1: The most read piece of last year asked a hard question — can we consider America to be a functioning democracy — and offers a hard answer: no. Trump has moved through the authoritarian checklist with remarkable speed, but has least control over elections.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
The authoritarian checklist
It is time to admit that America is no longer a functioning democracy
donmoynihan.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
#1: The most read piece of last year asked a hard question — can we consider America to be a functioning democracy — and offers a hard answer: no. Trump has moved through the authoritarian checklist with remarkable speed, but has least control over elections.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-author...
Reposted by Pamela Metz
As a grim year comes to an end, sharing the best of Can We Still Govern? These are the five nost read stories from the last year, ungated. Take a gander and read one! 🧵https://open.substack.com/pub/donmoynihan/p/best-of-can-we-still-govern-2025?r=slfke&utm_medium=ios
Best of Can We Still Govern 2025: Readers Picks
The most-read stories of the year
open.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:18 PM
As a grim year comes to an end, sharing the best of Can We Still Govern? These are the five nost read stories from the last year, ungated. Take a gander and read one! 🧵https://open.substack.com/pub/donmoynihan/p/best-of-can-we-still-govern-2025?r=slfke&utm_medium=ios
Reposted by Pamela Metz
If you are a Barnes & Noble Premium or Rewards member, you can pre-order my forthcoming book (or any other book) b/t now and Thursday and receive 25% off, with the code "PREORDER25". #BNPreorder
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/owning-the...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/owning-the...
Owning the Green Grid: The Political Economy of Renewable Energy Policy Design|Paperback
How corporate ownership of the electricity grid matters to state-level renewable energy policymaking.Historically (and for the foreseeable future), most public policy action in the United States to co...
www.barnesandnoble.com
December 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
If you are a Barnes & Noble Premium or Rewards member, you can pre-order my forthcoming book (or any other book) b/t now and Thursday and receive 25% off, with the code "PREORDER25". #BNPreorder
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/owning-the...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/owning-the...
Reposted by Pamela Metz
New piece on how veterans can find themselves in debt to the VA, including the involvement of predatory third parties. Something I wrote about in my essay for the South Atlantic Quarterly a few months ago. www.military.com/feature/2025...
December 26, 2025 at 8:34 PM
New piece on how veterans can find themselves in debt to the VA, including the involvement of predatory third parties. Something I wrote about in my essay for the South Atlantic Quarterly a few months ago. www.military.com/feature/2025...
Reposted by Pamela Metz
We're thrilled to highlight Scholar Affiliate Dr. Ernesto Castañeda in the latest entry of our interview series: "¡Hablemos! With Dr. Ernesto Castañeda."
Learn more in the full interview here:
iwbcollab.org/hablemos-wit...
Learn more in the full interview here:
iwbcollab.org/hablemos-wit...
¡Hablemos! With Dr. Ernesto Castañeda - Im/migrant Well-Being Scholar Collaborative
By Rick Tzompa Chimal Dr. Ernesto Castañeda is Professor of Sociology and Director of both the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab at American University, where he inv...
iwbcollab.org
December 22, 2025 at 6:03 PM
We're thrilled to highlight Scholar Affiliate Dr. Ernesto Castañeda in the latest entry of our interview series: "¡Hablemos! With Dr. Ernesto Castañeda."
Learn more in the full interview here:
iwbcollab.org/hablemos-wit...
Learn more in the full interview here:
iwbcollab.org/hablemos-wit...
Reposted by Pamela Metz
As 2025 comes to a close, we want to say a big thank you to all of our scholar affiliates, community partners, and readers for continuing to produce, share, and translate important empirical research on im/migrant well-being!
theiwbcollaborative.substack.com/p/the-immigr...
theiwbcollaborative.substack.com/p/the-immigr...
The Im/migrant Well-Being Newsletter, Volume 2, Fall 2025
The latest on im/migrant well-being
theiwbcollaborative.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:05 PM
As 2025 comes to a close, we want to say a big thank you to all of our scholar affiliates, community partners, and readers for continuing to produce, share, and translate important empirical research on im/migrant well-being!
theiwbcollaborative.substack.com/p/the-immigr...
theiwbcollaborative.substack.com/p/the-immigr...
Reposted by Pamela Metz
In 2019 the National Academies laid out a roadmap for cutting child poverty in half relying on CTC expansions. Those ideas became part of the pandemic response. And it worked!
So I asked members of the 2025 committee, some of the best poverty researchers in the US, to explain what we learned.
So I asked members of the 2025 committee, some of the best poverty researchers in the US, to explain what we learned.
December 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
In 2019 the National Academies laid out a roadmap for cutting child poverty in half relying on CTC expansions. Those ideas became part of the pandemic response. And it worked!
So I asked members of the 2025 committee, some of the best poverty researchers in the US, to explain what we learned.
So I asked members of the 2025 committee, some of the best poverty researchers in the US, to explain what we learned.
Reposted by Pamela Metz
New, at Can We Still Govern?
Poverty is not some insurmountable problem, we can fix it.
A group of National Academies of Science researchers review the temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit during the pandemic, showing it cut child poverty in half. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-have-...
Poverty is not some insurmountable problem, we can fix it.
A group of National Academies of Science researchers review the temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit during the pandemic, showing it cut child poverty in half. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-have-...
What have we learned about child poverty in America?
Members of a National Academy of Sciences committee share insights
donmoynihan.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:18 PM
New, at Can We Still Govern?
Poverty is not some insurmountable problem, we can fix it.
A group of National Academies of Science researchers review the temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit during the pandemic, showing it cut child poverty in half. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-have-...
Poverty is not some insurmountable problem, we can fix it.
A group of National Academies of Science researchers review the temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit during the pandemic, showing it cut child poverty in half. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-have-...
Reposted by Pamela Metz
Inside the federal government as Trump and DOGE pushed it past its breaking point in 2025, as told by some of the more than 1,200 federal workers @hannahnatanson.bsky.social and @merylkornfield.bsky.social have spoken to this year
The year Trump broke the federal government
How DOGE and the White House carried out a once-unthinkable transformation of the nation’s sprawling bureaucracy.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Inside the federal government as Trump and DOGE pushed it past its breaking point in 2025, as told by some of the more than 1,200 federal workers @hannahnatanson.bsky.social and @merylkornfield.bsky.social have spoken to this year