Robert Chung
@rchung.bsky.social
Anti-social social scientist with low amusement threshold.
When you do theoretical mathematical demography it's good to have a Plan B so I ride a bike.
When you do theoretical mathematical demography it's good to have a Plan B so I ride a bike.
Last week I was at a memorial for Gene Hammel, the founding chair of Berkeley's Demography Dept. We shared many funny and moving stories about Gene. One I hadn't previously heard was from Peter Bickel, who co-wrote the enormously influential 1973 paper "Sex Bias in Graduate Admissions" with Gene.
February 9, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Last week I was at a memorial for Gene Hammel, the founding chair of Berkeley's Demography Dept. We shared many funny and moving stories about Gene. One I hadn't previously heard was from Peter Bickel, who co-wrote the enormously influential 1973 paper "Sex Bias in Graduate Admissions" with Gene.
Reposted by Robert Chung
"Let the party in power count the votes" isn't a formula for a healthy democracy.
Trump’s recent comments about Republicans taking over elections are just about as fascist as he’s ever sounded:
https://bit.ly/4kBBX8J
https://bit.ly/4kBBX8J
Trump Ratchets Up Talk of Taking Over Elections
This is one of many signs that Trump knows his party is in big trouble in the coming midterm elections.
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 9:05 PM
"Let the party in power count the votes" isn't a formula for a healthy democracy.
Reposted by Robert Chung
1/ I went to the Alex Pretti Honor Ride in Minneapolis. I allowed time for traffic disruptions, there were no traffic disruption. So I got there early.
There was a guy with boxes of high vis safety vests, getting there early meant that I got one. There were several boxes, 1000 in total.
There was a guy with boxes of high vis safety vests, getting there early meant that I got one. There were several boxes, 1000 in total.
February 4, 2026 at 7:17 AM
1/ I went to the Alex Pretti Honor Ride in Minneapolis. I allowed time for traffic disruptions, there were no traffic disruption. So I got there early.
There was a guy with boxes of high vis safety vests, getting there early meant that I got one. There were several boxes, 1000 in total.
There was a guy with boxes of high vis safety vests, getting there early meant that I got one. There were several boxes, 1000 in total.
Reposted by Robert Chung
It’s wild to look at that list of mostly major college football schools, including 3 of the past 8 national champions, and instead of realizing that 18-year-olds want to go to fun tailgate parties they assume they just want to get away from Asian kids
February 2, 2026 at 5:54 PM
It’s wild to look at that list of mostly major college football schools, including 3 of the past 8 national champions, and instead of realizing that 18-year-olds want to go to fun tailgate parties they assume they just want to get away from Asian kids
Reposted by Robert Chung
Revised plans for critical 2026 census test raise some 🚩
🔴 Dropped test site in Colorado
🔴 Dropped language support for online response (English only)
🔴 Asking USPS workers, rather than trained Census Bureau staff, to conduct in-field operations
Details in 🧵
🔴 Dropped test site in Colorado
🔴 Dropped language support for online response (English only)
🔴 Asking USPS workers, rather than trained Census Bureau staff, to conduct in-field operations
Details in 🧵
February 2, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Revised plans for critical 2026 census test raise some 🚩
🔴 Dropped test site in Colorado
🔴 Dropped language support for online response (English only)
🔴 Asking USPS workers, rather than trained Census Bureau staff, to conduct in-field operations
Details in 🧵
🔴 Dropped test site in Colorado
🔴 Dropped language support for online response (English only)
🔴 Asking USPS workers, rather than trained Census Bureau staff, to conduct in-field operations
Details in 🧵
Reposted by Robert Chung
At the direction of Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Dr. Trisha Pasricha has been arrested for obstruction of justice
If you get pepper-sprayed, avoid rubbing your eyes. Instead, irrigate them with lots of water, says Dr. Trisha Pasricha, our Ask a Doctor columnist.
February 1, 2026 at 1:01 AM
At the direction of Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Dr. Trisha Pasricha has been arrested for obstruction of justice
Map of local rides this Saturday in remembrance of Alex Pretti. There's a reasonable chance there'll be a ride near you but if not or if the weather is too inclement, there will also be virtual memorial rides on Zwift and Rouvy.
bikepacking.com/news/alex-pr...
bikepacking.com/news/alex-pr...
This Weekend, We Ride in Remembrance of Alex Pretti (+ Event Map)
Bike shops and groups across the United States are hosting memorial rides this weekend for slain bikepacker Alex Pretti...
bikepacking.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Map of local rides this Saturday in remembrance of Alex Pretti. There's a reasonable chance there'll be a ride near you but if not or if the weather is too inclement, there will also be virtual memorial rides on Zwift and Rouvy.
bikepacking.com/news/alex-pr...
bikepacking.com/news/alex-pr...
Reposted by Robert Chung
Hey #bikesky, there's a nationwide ride this Saturday to honor Alex Pretti and show solidarity against ICE and the fascists! His local bike shop, Angry Catfish, is spearheading. Check their insta for rides happening near you. Early East Bay & later SF info attached www.instagram.com/angrycatfish/
January 28, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Hey #bikesky, there's a nationwide ride this Saturday to honor Alex Pretti and show solidarity against ICE and the fascists! His local bike shop, Angry Catfish, is spearheading. Check their insta for rides happening near you. Early East Bay & later SF info attached www.instagram.com/angrycatfish/
Reposted by Robert Chung
When the president was calling all Somali immigrants "garbage" who "come from hell" and "contribute nothing" to America and therefore needed to go "back where they came from" did you ask him to "stop the rhetoric," Tom?
Homan: "I begged for the last two months on TV for the rhetoric to stop. I said in March -- if the rhetoric doesn't stop, there is gonna be bloodshed. And there has been. I wish I wasn't right. I don't want to see anybody die."
January 29, 2026 at 2:07 PM
When the president was calling all Somali immigrants "garbage" who "come from hell" and "contribute nothing" to America and therefore needed to go "back where they came from" did you ask him to "stop the rhetoric," Tom?
Reposted by Robert Chung
Does your work or field of study relate to counting or characterizing populations, or generating/using population data to make decisions? If "Yes" to any of these, then this conference is for you!
Join colleagues February 10–12 for the VIRTUAL PAA Applied Demography Conference: buff.ly/SwZMdvC
Join colleagues February 10–12 for the VIRTUAL PAA Applied Demography Conference: buff.ly/SwZMdvC
January 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Does your work or field of study relate to counting or characterizing populations, or generating/using population data to make decisions? If "Yes" to any of these, then this conference is for you!
Join colleagues February 10–12 for the VIRTUAL PAA Applied Demography Conference: buff.ly/SwZMdvC
Join colleagues February 10–12 for the VIRTUAL PAA Applied Demography Conference: buff.ly/SwZMdvC
Reposted by Robert Chung
BREAKING NEWS: #Nipah virus outbreak in #India
After cases confirmed in #WestBengal some countries bring in airport screening.
Kaja Abbas & Sol Kim comment on Nipah symptoms & transmission, efforts to control outbreak & risk to wider region. #PublicHealth
👉 www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/n...
After cases confirmed in #WestBengal some countries bring in airport screening.
Kaja Abbas & Sol Kim comment on Nipah symptoms & transmission, efforts to control outbreak & risk to wider region. #PublicHealth
👉 www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/n...
January 28, 2026 at 4:08 PM
BREAKING NEWS: #Nipah virus outbreak in #India
After cases confirmed in #WestBengal some countries bring in airport screening.
Kaja Abbas & Sol Kim comment on Nipah symptoms & transmission, efforts to control outbreak & risk to wider region. #PublicHealth
👉 www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/n...
After cases confirmed in #WestBengal some countries bring in airport screening.
Kaja Abbas & Sol Kim comment on Nipah symptoms & transmission, efforts to control outbreak & risk to wider region. #PublicHealth
👉 www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/n...
I'm happy to be affiliated with this workshop. Apply !
We're now accepting applications for our Annual Workshop on Formal Demography, taking place in-person at UC Berkeley on June 1-5, 2026. Deadline to apply: March 1.
See more information on the workshop and how to apply here: populationsciences.berkeley.edu/wp-content/u...
Please share widely!
See more information on the workshop and how to apply here: populationsciences.berkeley.edu/wp-content/u...
Please share widely!
January 27, 2026 at 9:48 PM
I'm happy to be affiliated with this workshop. Apply !
Reposted by Robert Chung
BREAKING NEWS: UK loses its #measles elimination status
@benk-d.bsky.social highlights failure to reach 95% measles #vaccine coverage target in UK
+ need for secure funding for vaccine outreach efforts & joined-up #PublicHealth response
Read more: www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/n...
@benk-d.bsky.social highlights failure to reach 95% measles #vaccine coverage target in UK
+ need for secure funding for vaccine outreach efforts & joined-up #PublicHealth response
Read more: www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/n...
January 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM
BREAKING NEWS: UK loses its #measles elimination status
@benk-d.bsky.social highlights failure to reach 95% measles #vaccine coverage target in UK
+ need for secure funding for vaccine outreach efforts & joined-up #PublicHealth response
Read more: www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/n...
@benk-d.bsky.social highlights failure to reach 95% measles #vaccine coverage target in UK
+ need for secure funding for vaccine outreach efforts & joined-up #PublicHealth response
Read more: www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/n...
Reposted by Robert Chung
PhD opportunity!
CPop is opening a fully funded three year PhD position on lifespan inequalities.
Apply here 👇
fa-eosd-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
CPop is opening a fully funded three year PhD position on lifespan inequalities.
Apply here 👇
fa-eosd-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
PhD scholarship for research project on lifespan inequalities across social determinants of health
The Interdisciplinary Centre on population Dynamics (CPop) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a fully funded three year PhD position within a Danish Research Council ...
fa-eosd-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:02 PM
PhD opportunity!
CPop is opening a fully funded three year PhD position on lifespan inequalities.
Apply here 👇
fa-eosd-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
CPop is opening a fully funded three year PhD position on lifespan inequalities.
Apply here 👇
fa-eosd-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Reposted by Robert Chung
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
January 25, 2026 at 10:39 PM
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
Reposted by Robert Chung
If our administration is as racist as the Left claims, then why have the past two civilians we've murdered been white?
by J.D. Vance
by J.D. Vance
January 24, 2026 at 11:43 PM
If our administration is as racist as the Left claims, then why have the past two civilians we've murdered been white?
by J.D. Vance
by J.D. Vance
Reposted by Robert Chung
The people who spent years defending and even lionizing Kyle Rittenhouse and Ashli Babbitt now want us to believe that an unarmed mother in her car and a disarmed nurse were domestic terrorists who deserved to be murdered by law enforcement.
January 25, 2026 at 4:26 AM
The people who spent years defending and even lionizing Kyle Rittenhouse and Ashli Babbitt now want us to believe that an unarmed mother in her car and a disarmed nurse were domestic terrorists who deserved to be murdered by law enforcement.
Reposted by Robert Chung
The ICU nurse who loved dogs and helping veterans was no angel.
January 24, 2026 at 11:43 PM
The ICU nurse who loved dogs and helping veterans was no angel.
Reposted by Robert Chung
This year for the billionaire astroturf “School Choice Week” I wanted to do something different.
Join me with Holding it Together author @jessicacalarco.com 1/27 10am ET
We’ll be chatting about what Milton Friedman’s you’re-on-your-own economy *really* means for kids and families.
Join me with Holding it Together author @jessicacalarco.com 1/27 10am ET
We’ll be chatting about what Milton Friedman’s you’re-on-your-own economy *really* means for kids and families.
January 25, 2026 at 7:42 PM
This year for the billionaire astroturf “School Choice Week” I wanted to do something different.
Join me with Holding it Together author @jessicacalarco.com 1/27 10am ET
We’ll be chatting about what Milton Friedman’s you’re-on-your-own economy *really* means for kids and families.
Join me with Holding it Together author @jessicacalarco.com 1/27 10am ET
We’ll be chatting about what Milton Friedman’s you’re-on-your-own economy *really* means for kids and families.
Renee Good and Alex Pretti weren't killed by immigrants, they were killed by ICE. I'd rather have immigrants than ICE. They do more good and cause fewer problems.
January 25, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Renee Good and Alex Pretti weren't killed by immigrants, they were killed by ICE. I'd rather have immigrants than ICE. They do more good and cause fewer problems.
During COVID, people in this Administration were fond of saying, "Don't let the cure be worse than the disease." ICE? It's worse than having immigrants.
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
During COVID, people in this Administration were fond of saying, "Don't let the cure be worse than the disease." ICE? It's worse than having immigrants.
The NRA said if we voted for the Democrat, government agents would shoot innocent people just for exercising their 2nd Amendment rights. I voted for her and they are.
January 24, 2026 at 9:47 PM
The NRA said if we voted for the Democrat, government agents would shoot innocent people just for exercising their 2nd Amendment rights. I voted for her and they are.
Reposted by Robert Chung
Call for Abstracts:
Spring Symposium on Population Research: New Findings, New Directions (April 17, 2026, Faculty Club at UC Berkeley)
Sponsors: Berkeley Population Center & Center on Economics and Demography of Aging
Deadline: February 16, 2026
populationsciences.berkeley.edu/conferences/...
Spring Symposium on Population Research: New Findings, New Directions (April 17, 2026, Faculty Club at UC Berkeley)
Sponsors: Berkeley Population Center & Center on Economics and Demography of Aging
Deadline: February 16, 2026
populationsciences.berkeley.edu/conferences/...
Call for Abstracts: Spring Symposium on Population Research: New Findings, New Directions - Population Sciences
This symposium is an opportunity for the UC Berkeley population sciences community to share and discuss new findings, innovative ideas, and future directions of their research.
populationsciences.berkeley.edu
January 23, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Call for Abstracts:
Spring Symposium on Population Research: New Findings, New Directions (April 17, 2026, Faculty Club at UC Berkeley)
Sponsors: Berkeley Population Center & Center on Economics and Demography of Aging
Deadline: February 16, 2026
populationsciences.berkeley.edu/conferences/...
Spring Symposium on Population Research: New Findings, New Directions (April 17, 2026, Faculty Club at UC Berkeley)
Sponsors: Berkeley Population Center & Center on Economics and Demography of Aging
Deadline: February 16, 2026
populationsciences.berkeley.edu/conferences/...
Reposted by Robert Chung
Knowledge is power. When the state acts to prevent its people from gaining knowledge, it is an act designed to keep them submissive and subordinate to maintain the current power structure.
Florida escalates its battle on sociology with new curriculum, textbook. Professors push back (via @danielrivero.bsky.social)
Florida escalates its battle on sociology with new curriculum, textbook. Professors push back
FIU faculty allege that new state mandates for an Introduction to Sociology course amount to an attack on academic freedom and censorship of the discipline. "There are no discussions of systemic or st...
www.wlrn.org
January 22, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Knowledge is power. When the state acts to prevent its people from gaining knowledge, it is an act designed to keep them submissive and subordinate to maintain the current power structure.
Reposted by Robert Chung
Mainstream US press is utterly failing in its duty to inform readers that the US *already* controls land in the Arctic, and that this land is far better positioned than Greenland to stave off any Russian or Chinese threats.
It's called "Alaska." It's a state. It even looks big on the map.
It's called "Alaska." It's a state. It even looks big on the map.
January 20, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Mainstream US press is utterly failing in its duty to inform readers that the US *already* controls land in the Arctic, and that this land is far better positioned than Greenland to stave off any Russian or Chinese threats.
It's called "Alaska." It's a state. It even looks big on the map.
It's called "Alaska." It's a state. It even looks big on the map.