Polarization Research Lab
@prl.bsky.social
We produce research and public resources on democratic attitudes and political behavior. Founded and directed by Sean Westwood (Dartmouth) and Yphtach Lelkes (Penn). www.polarizationresearchlab.org and americaspoliticalpulse.com
PRL welcomes postdoc applications at Dartmouth for 2026-2027. Work with @seanjwestwood.bsky.social & @ylelkes.bsky.social on projects like www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... and elite rhetoric analysis using americaspoliticalpulse.com/elites/
Pls apply by Jan 5 on Interfolio 🙏 apply.interfolio.com/175722
Pls apply by Jan 5 on Interfolio 🙏 apply.interfolio.com/175722
Elected Officials
americaspoliticalpulse.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:52 PM
PRL welcomes postdoc applications at Dartmouth for 2026-2027. Work with @seanjwestwood.bsky.social & @ylelkes.bsky.social on projects like www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... and elite rhetoric analysis using americaspoliticalpulse.com/elites/
Pls apply by Jan 5 on Interfolio 🙏 apply.interfolio.com/175722
Pls apply by Jan 5 on Interfolio 🙏 apply.interfolio.com/175722
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
Very few Americans support actual political violence.
Many more support intimidation.
Almost no one thinks it’s appropriate to kill your political opponents, but many more would dox them.
Read the latest: goodauthority.org/news/very-fe...
Many more support intimidation.
Almost no one thinks it’s appropriate to kill your political opponents, but many more would dox them.
Read the latest: goodauthority.org/news/very-fe...
Very few Americans support actual political violence. Many more support intimidation.
Almost no one thinks it’s appropriate to kill your political opponents, but many more would dox them.
goodauthority.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Very few Americans support actual political violence.
Many more support intimidation.
Almost no one thinks it’s appropriate to kill your political opponents, but many more would dox them.
Read the latest: goodauthority.org/news/very-fe...
Many more support intimidation.
Almost no one thinks it’s appropriate to kill your political opponents, but many more would dox them.
Read the latest: goodauthority.org/news/very-fe...
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
A non-partisan team has found reducing polarization and “partisan animosity” is remarkably difficult. “Without systemic change, America’s political divisions will only deepen,” says Annenberg associate professor Yphtach Lelkes.
Research Shows There Are No Easy Fixes to Political Hatred
www.asc.upenn.edu
October 28, 2025 at 7:18 PM
A non-partisan team has found reducing polarization and “partisan animosity” is remarkably difficult. “Without systemic change, America’s political divisions will only deepen,” says Annenberg associate professor Yphtach Lelkes.
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
⚠️New paper fothcoming in POQ! ⚠️
With @marcjacob.bsky.social and @seanjwestwood.bsky.social, we worried about norm-violating local politicians rising to higher office. We tested when voters defect from such politicians in local, state and federal races.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵...
With @marcjacob.bsky.social and @seanjwestwood.bsky.social, we worried about norm-violating local politicians rising to higher office. We tested when voters defect from such politicians in local, state and federal races.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵...
October 25, 2025 at 9:32 AM
⚠️New paper fothcoming in POQ! ⚠️
With @marcjacob.bsky.social and @seanjwestwood.bsky.social, we worried about norm-violating local politicians rising to higher office. We tested when voters defect from such politicians in local, state and federal races.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵...
With @marcjacob.bsky.social and @seanjwestwood.bsky.social, we worried about norm-violating local politicians rising to higher office. We tested when voters defect from such politicians in local, state and federal races.
osf.io/preprints/ps...
🧵...
Job 🚨! PRL is looking for a postdoc based at Dartmouth College for next year. Candidates should bring advanced data skills and enjoy writing. Read more about our work at polarizationresearchlab.org and apply through Interfolio by February 15, 2026: apply.interfolio.com/175722
Polarization Research Lab
Research on the origins, effects, limits and solutions to polarization
polarizationresearchlab.org
October 16, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Job 🚨! PRL is looking for a postdoc based at Dartmouth College for next year. Candidates should bring advanced data skills and enjoy writing. Read more about our work at polarizationresearchlab.org and apply through Interfolio by February 15, 2026: apply.interfolio.com/175722
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
“This isn’t a problem that can be fixed at the grassroots level alone.” Research from @prl.bsky.social, co-led by professor @seanjwestwood.bsky.social, finds most attempts to reduce partisan animosity are modest and fleeting. Structural reform and civic education are key to lasting depolarization.
Research Shows There Are No Easy Fixes to Political Hatred | Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Study finds that interventions to reduce partisan animosity have fleeting effects.
fas.dartmouth.edu
September 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
“This isn’t a problem that can be fixed at the grassroots level alone.” Research from @prl.bsky.social, co-led by professor @seanjwestwood.bsky.social, finds most attempts to reduce partisan animosity are modest and fleeting. Structural reform and civic education are key to lasting depolarization.
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
"We are collecting data continuously so we have a baseline understanding of what level of support for political violence exists in our country.” Professor @seanjwestwood.bsky.social, director of @prl.bsky.social, discusses political violence in the U.S. on @theguardian.com’s Science Weekly podcast.
Is the US on the brink of a new era of political violence? – podcast
The murder of political activist Charlie Kirk has prompted fears about rising levels of political violence in the US after a number of high-profile assassinations and attempted assassinations of polit...
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:09 PM
"We are collecting data continuously so we have a baseline understanding of what level of support for political violence exists in our country.” Professor @seanjwestwood.bsky.social, director of @prl.bsky.social, discusses political violence in the U.S. on @theguardian.com’s Science Weekly podcast.
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
New in PNAS with @seanjwestwood.bsky.social and @ylelkes.bsky.social: Why depolarization is hard: Evaluating attempts to decrease partisan animosity in America
@prl.bsky.social @pnas.org
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
@prl.bsky.social @pnas.org
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
September 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
New in PNAS with @seanjwestwood.bsky.social and @ylelkes.bsky.social: Why depolarization is hard: Evaluating attempts to decrease partisan animosity in America
@prl.bsky.social @pnas.org
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
@prl.bsky.social @pnas.org
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
“The core problem is not a widespread desire for violence, but a profound misperception of the other side.” Professor @seanjwestwood.bsky.social, director of the @prl.bsky.social, reflects on a seeming cycle of political violence in America, via @politico.com.
10 Political Violence Experts on What Comes Next for America
Can America escape the spiral of political violence after Charlie Kirk’s killing?
www.politico.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:57 PM
“The core problem is not a widespread desire for violence, but a profound misperception of the other side.” Professor @seanjwestwood.bsky.social, director of the @prl.bsky.social, reflects on a seeming cycle of political violence in America, via @politico.com.
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
A bullet casing found after the killing of Charlie Kirk had an inscription reading, “Hey fascist! Catch!” Charges of fascism have become a fixture of the nation’s political dialogue.
‘Fascist’ Ended Up on an Assassin’s Bullet. It Has Become Common Currency in Politics.
Democrats and Republicans alike call each other fascist. That is unlikely to stop after the killing of Charlie Kirk.
on.wsj.com
September 15, 2025 at 12:12 PM
A bullet casing found after the killing of Charlie Kirk had an inscription reading, “Hey fascist! Catch!” Charges of fascism have become a fixture of the nation’s political dialogue.
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
Experts on political violence say Charlie Kirk’s assassination alone won’t tear the country apart. Here’s what would.
Why We’re Not Doomed to a Cycle of Violence After Charlie Kirk
Experts on political violence say Charlie Kirk’s assassination alone won’t tear the country apart. Here’s what would.
nymag.com
September 13, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Experts on political violence say Charlie Kirk’s assassination alone won’t tear the country apart. Here’s what would.
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
Can America escape its spiral of political violence? 10 experts in the US and abroad give their takes on what comes next👇
10 Political Violence Experts on What Comes Next for America
Can America escape the spiral of political violence after Charlie Kirk’s killing?
www.politico.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Can America escape its spiral of political violence? 10 experts in the US and abroad give their takes on what comes next👇
PRL brought 10 Dartmouth undergraduates to DC in June to introduce them to people and orgs across the political spectrum working for democracy. Many thanks to those who hosted us!!
home.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/07...
home.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/07...
Democracy Fellows Explore How to Bridge the Partisan Divide | Dartmouth
home.dartmouth.edu
July 14, 2025 at 1:04 PM
PRL brought 10 Dartmouth undergraduates to DC in June to introduce them to people and orgs across the political spectrum working for democracy. Many thanks to those who hosted us!!
home.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/07...
home.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/07...
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
📢 The final piece of my dissertation is out in @polbehavior.bsky.social! Does being an ideologue matter for political disagreement—beyond how many issues are involved? It does, shaping both animosity and how people engage. 🧵https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-025-10049-z
May 27, 2025 at 12:35 PM
📢 The final piece of my dissertation is out in @polbehavior.bsky.social! Does being an ideologue matter for political disagreement—beyond how many issues are involved? It does, shaping both animosity and how people engage. 🧵https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-025-10049-z
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
Partisanship swamps other factors in determining support for recent policies, even when they seemingly implicate traditional support for free expression.
Data from @thefireorg.bsky.social's April 2025 National Speech Index, part of @prl.bsky.social's fantastic national panel.
Data from @thefireorg.bsky.social's April 2025 National Speech Index, part of @prl.bsky.social's fantastic national panel.
April 30, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Partisanship swamps other factors in determining support for recent policies, even when they seemingly implicate traditional support for free expression.
Data from @thefireorg.bsky.social's April 2025 National Speech Index, part of @prl.bsky.social's fantastic national panel.
Data from @thefireorg.bsky.social's April 2025 National Speech Index, part of @prl.bsky.social's fantastic national panel.
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
Negative partisanship is a helluva drug:
Up until a few months ago, liberal and conservative Americans held pretty much the same views on free trade.
Now, not so much…
Up until a few months ago, liberal and conservative Americans held pretty much the same views on free trade.
Now, not so much…
April 18, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Negative partisanship is a helluva drug:
Up until a few months ago, liberal and conservative Americans held pretty much the same views on free trade.
Now, not so much…
Up until a few months ago, liberal and conservative Americans held pretty much the same views on free trade.
Now, not so much…
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
More partisan atttitudinal asymmetries -- since the presidential election, Democrats' national pride/trust in government has collapsed, while Republicans' values have only edged upwards.
Data from @prl.bsky.social
Data from @prl.bsky.social
April 16, 2025 at 7:11 PM
More partisan atttitudinal asymmetries -- since the presidential election, Democrats' national pride/trust in government has collapsed, while Republicans' values have only edged upwards.
Data from @prl.bsky.social
Data from @prl.bsky.social
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
Prof. @ylelkes.bsky.social has been awarded a 2025 Andrew Carnegie Fellowship. Lelkes, co-director of @prl.bsky.social, will study how political hostility is shaped in an overloaded information environment.
Yphtach Lelkes Awarded 2025 Andrew Carnegie Fellowship
www.asc.upenn.edu
April 16, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Prof. @ylelkes.bsky.social has been awarded a 2025 Andrew Carnegie Fellowship. Lelkes, co-director of @prl.bsky.social, will study how political hostility is shaped in an overloaded information environment.
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
Dr. Sean Westwood studies how political hatred takes root—and why Americans may still be more committed to democracy than we think.
A powerful look at polarization, resilience, and the future of civic life.
🎧 pod.link/1519411454
A powerful look at polarization, resilience, and the future of civic life.
🎧 pod.link/1519411454
April 15, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Dr. Sean Westwood studies how political hatred takes root—and why Americans may still be more committed to democracy than we think.
A powerful look at polarization, resilience, and the future of civic life.
🎧 pod.link/1519411454
A powerful look at polarization, resilience, and the future of civic life.
🎧 pod.link/1519411454
Pre-doc job🚨 PRL is looking for a post-graduate associate (pre-doc) researcher to join our team at Dartmouth studying elections and democracy. Have expertise in data science or political science? Pls apply and share!
polarizationresearchlab.org/hiring/
polarizationresearchlab.org/hiring/
Hiring
Visit the post for more.
polarizationresearchlab.org
April 14, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Pre-doc job🚨 PRL is looking for a post-graduate associate (pre-doc) researcher to join our team at Dartmouth studying elections and democracy. Have expertise in data science or political science? Pls apply and share!
polarizationresearchlab.org/hiring/
polarizationresearchlab.org/hiring/
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
While liberals have grown far more supportive of free trade during Trump's presidnecy, conservatives are unmoved.
Data from @prl.bsky.social
Data from @prl.bsky.social
April 8, 2025 at 3:32 PM
While liberals have grown far more supportive of free trade during Trump's presidnecy, conservatives are unmoved.
Data from @prl.bsky.social
Data from @prl.bsky.social
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
🚨Why do masses support democratic backsliding?🚨
A new @AJPS_Editor paper with Yotam Margalit, @liorsheffer.bsky.social and Itamar Yakir explores this question in the Israeli context. Our findings emphasize the role of leader attachment and affective polarization.
doi.org/10.1111/ajps...
A new @AJPS_Editor paper with Yotam Margalit, @liorsheffer.bsky.social and Itamar Yakir explores this question in the Israeli context. Our findings emphasize the role of leader attachment and affective polarization.
doi.org/10.1111/ajps...
March 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
🚨Why do masses support democratic backsliding?🚨
A new @AJPS_Editor paper with Yotam Margalit, @liorsheffer.bsky.social and Itamar Yakir explores this question in the Israeli context. Our findings emphasize the role of leader attachment and affective polarization.
doi.org/10.1111/ajps...
A new @AJPS_Editor paper with Yotam Margalit, @liorsheffer.bsky.social and Itamar Yakir explores this question in the Israeli context. Our findings emphasize the role of leader attachment and affective polarization.
doi.org/10.1111/ajps...
In a new report using our global survey data, we show other democracies didn't expect Trump would win and were concerned about their country's relationship with the US under a Trump presidency, with only Israelis expressing optimism. Full report: prlpublic.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/reports/repo...
March 19, 2025 at 6:55 PM
In a new report using our global survey data, we show other democracies didn't expect Trump would win and were concerned about their country's relationship with the US under a Trump presidency, with only Israelis expressing optimism. Full report: prlpublic.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/reports/repo...
Reposted by Polarization Research Lab
NEW -
The Demand Side of Democratic Backsliding: How Divergent Understandings of Democracy Shape Political Choice - cup.org/4hy5Nrf
- Natasha Wunsch, @marcjacob.bsky.social & Laurenz Derksen
#OpenAccess
The Demand Side of Democratic Backsliding: How Divergent Understandings of Democracy Shape Political Choice - cup.org/4hy5Nrf
- Natasha Wunsch, @marcjacob.bsky.social & Laurenz Derksen
#OpenAccess
March 17, 2025 at 8:30 AM
NEW -
The Demand Side of Democratic Backsliding: How Divergent Understandings of Democracy Shape Political Choice - cup.org/4hy5Nrf
- Natasha Wunsch, @marcjacob.bsky.social & Laurenz Derksen
#OpenAccess
The Demand Side of Democratic Backsliding: How Divergent Understandings of Democracy Shape Political Choice - cup.org/4hy5Nrf
- Natasha Wunsch, @marcjacob.bsky.social & Laurenz Derksen
#OpenAccess
We're grateful to be a @carnegiecorp.bsky.social grantee studying how elected officials are driving polarization among Americans and capturing democratic attitudes over time.
Pundits, politicians, and social media deepen our divisions for their gain. Grant makers of almost every kind, meanwhile, have ample opportunity to unify us, writes Carnegie Corporation of New York president Dame Louise Richardson for #TheCommons.
phlnthrp.com/3DDGF4B
phlnthrp.com/3DDGF4B
How Philanthropy Can Bring Red and Blue Together
Grant makers of almost every kind have an abundance of opportunities to unify us for the common good.
phlnthrp.com
March 14, 2025 at 5:42 PM
We're grateful to be a @carnegiecorp.bsky.social grantee studying how elected officials are driving polarization among Americans and capturing democratic attitudes over time.