Sarah Shugars
@shugars.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Communication @ Rutgers University. Computational social science, political communication, civic studies. First gen. They/them
Pinned
Sarah Shugars
@shugars.bsky.social
· May 13
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My newest paper, The Character of Connection: Platform Affordances and Connective Democracy, is now out in Social Media + Society!
This work was done in collaboration with fantastic @rutgerscomminfo.bsky.social PhD student Eunbin Ha
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
This work was done in collaboration with fantastic @rutgerscomminfo.bsky.social PhD student Eunbin Ha
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
This is an excellent, accessible, if long, piece by @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social & @adambonica.bsky.social. Drawing on scientific evidence and ground-truth logic, they dismantle calls for Democratic moderation and prescribe a path that is pragmatic and courageous.
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
How Not to Defeat Authoritarianism
Moderation used to help Democrats win, but its advantages now have been greatly exaggerated.
www.bostonreview.net
February 3, 2026 at 3:14 PM
This is an excellent, accessible, if long, piece by @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social & @adambonica.bsky.social. Drawing on scientific evidence and ground-truth logic, they dismantle calls for Democratic moderation and prescribe a path that is pragmatic and courageous.
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
Hey sociologists, I'm organizing an ASA Methodology session on AI! Submissions are due by 2/25. Looking forward to a timely cross-method convo on emerging research best practices and disciplinary norms and ethics in August.
February 2, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Hey sociologists, I'm organizing an ASA Methodology session on AI! Submissions are due by 2/25. Looking forward to a timely cross-method convo on emerging research best practices and disciplinary norms and ethics in August.
Cause all the devs are being fired and replaced by mediocre text regurgitation machines.
February 2, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Cause all the devs are being fired and replaced by mediocre text regurgitation machines.
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
We're excited about the next edition of our Summer School for Women* in Political Methodology, this time organized by the 💫 local team in Mannheim!
🚨 Join us for the next edition Summer School for Women* in Political Methodology in Mannheim 🚨
7 days of hands-on advanced methods + networking for PhDs, postdocs & early-career researchers.
Free of charge (limited travel support).
Deadline 1 March 2026: summerschoolwpm.org
#methodsky #polisky
7 days of hands-on advanced methods + networking for PhDs, postdocs & early-career researchers.
Free of charge (limited travel support).
Deadline 1 March 2026: summerschoolwpm.org
#methodsky #polisky
February 2, 2026 at 3:19 PM
We're excited about the next edition of our Summer School for Women* in Political Methodology, this time organized by the 💫 local team in Mannheim!
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
The book will be written about geographies of authoritarianism and how this regime zeroed in on cities w/ large Black populations, African immigrant populations, Black leadership and histories of Black protest. That book has already been written many times over about US history, but history repeats
Far From Minneapolis, Memphis Remains Under a Different Federal Crackdown
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:06 PM
The book will be written about geographies of authoritarianism and how this regime zeroed in on cities w/ large Black populations, African immigrant populations, Black leadership and histories of Black protest. That book has already been written many times over about US history, but history repeats
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
An article about this political moment, the role of journalism, and the very real dangers of state repression—told as a cheeky guide to buying a gas mask.
I’ve been sending it to everyone; it both delights and horrifies me.
Well done @sarahjeong.bsky.social
www.theverge.com/policy/86857...
I’ve been sending it to everyone; it both delights and horrifies me.
Well done @sarahjeong.bsky.social
www.theverge.com/policy/86857...
Best gas masks
“How did these people go out and get gas masks?” AG Bondi asked.
www.theverge.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:55 PM
An article about this political moment, the role of journalism, and the very real dangers of state repression—told as a cheeky guide to buying a gas mask.
I’ve been sending it to everyone; it both delights and horrifies me.
Well done @sarahjeong.bsky.social
www.theverge.com/policy/86857...
I’ve been sending it to everyone; it both delights and horrifies me.
Well done @sarahjeong.bsky.social
www.theverge.com/policy/86857...
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
Attention graduate students! The 15th annual Communication & Technology / Mobile Doctoral Consortium is now accepting student proposals to participate at #ICA26 in Cape Town. Proposals are due 2 Feb. Please read the requirements closely. sites.google.com/view/2026ica...
January 28, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Attention graduate students! The 15th annual Communication & Technology / Mobile Doctoral Consortium is now accepting student proposals to participate at #ICA26 in Cape Town. Proposals are due 2 Feb. Please read the requirements closely. sites.google.com/view/2026ica...
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
Reminder that, as of the latest reports, Liam Ramos is still in prison in Texas - now for 5 days.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
January 27, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Reminder that, as of the latest reports, Liam Ramos is still in prison in Texas - now for 5 days.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
Had so much fun using my CSS and communication skills to create these cards for my pals over at @ircbpodcast.com. Congratulations on 500 episodes! 🎉❤️🔥
As part of our 500th Episode celebration, our pal @shugars.bsky.social crunched an incredible amount of IRCB data and dropped these fantastic infographics on our door. Check them out!
buff.ly/Mi9R9Ng
buff.ly/Mi9R9Ng
500 Episodes of I Read Comic Books, By The Numbers — I Read Comic Books Podcast
Crunched and Designed by Shugars
buff.ly
January 26, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Had so much fun using my CSS and communication skills to create these cards for my pals over at @ircbpodcast.com. Congratulations on 500 episodes! 🎉❤️🔥
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
We had a blast hosting Sarah @craicexeter.bsky.social . We should be having more of these much needed discussions as scholars - Sarah’s talk featured a great mix of critical edge and openness to dialogue
I had the absolute pleasure to visit @craicexeter.bsky.social, where I laid out an argument for how critical & computational scholars should lead the conversation on AI. We need to expand research on harms, interrogate corporate hype, and support people’s critical understanding these technologies
January 22, 2026 at 7:27 PM
We had a blast hosting Sarah @craicexeter.bsky.social . We should be having more of these much needed discussions as scholars - Sarah’s talk featured a great mix of critical edge and openness to dialogue
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
absolutely incredible title slide.
I had the absolute pleasure to visit @craicexeter.bsky.social, where I laid out an argument for how critical & computational scholars should lead the conversation on AI. We need to expand research on harms, interrogate corporate hype, and support people’s critical understanding these technologies
January 22, 2026 at 4:50 PM
absolutely incredible title slide.
I had the absolute pleasure to visit @craicexeter.bsky.social, where I laid out an argument for how critical & computational scholars should lead the conversation on AI. We need to expand research on harms, interrogate corporate hype, and support people’s critical understanding these technologies
January 22, 2026 at 4:32 PM
I had the absolute pleasure to visit @craicexeter.bsky.social, where I laid out an argument for how critical & computational scholars should lead the conversation on AI. We need to expand research on harms, interrogate corporate hype, and support people’s critical understanding these technologies
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
Is this who we are?
January 22, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Is this who we are?
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
So deserved! Kate is a fantastic researcher and a fantastic public scholar. Congrats!!!
HCDE Professor Kate Starbird has been named an ACM Fellow, one of the highest honors in computing. She's recognized for contributions to understanding and improving information ecosystems, including during crisis events and addressing misinformation. www.hcde.washington.edu/news/article...
Professor Kate Starbird named ACM Fellow for advancing research on misinformation and information ecosystems
HCDE Professor Kate Starbird has been named an ACM Fellow, one of the highest honors in computing, for her groundbreaking research on misinformation and online information ecosystems. The honor recogn...
www.hcde.washington.edu
January 22, 2026 at 12:52 PM
So deserved! Kate is a fantastic researcher and a fantastic public scholar. Congrats!!!
Excited to be visiting the University of Manchester to discuss the challenges and benefits of linking survey and digital trace data.
Thanks to Rachel Gibson and her team for hosting—they have been doing incredible work advancing methods and building community in this space.
Thanks to Rachel Gibson and her team for hosting—they have been doing incredible work advancing methods and building community in this space.
January 13, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Excited to be visiting the University of Manchester to discuss the challenges and benefits of linking survey and digital trace data.
Thanks to Rachel Gibson and her team for hosting—they have been doing incredible work advancing methods and building community in this space.
Thanks to Rachel Gibson and her team for hosting—they have been doing incredible work advancing methods and building community in this space.
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
I'm pleased to report that my forthcoming book is now available for pre-sale. What's more, if you become a paid subscriber to Tusk, I'll send you a complimentary copy of the book!
More about the book below (1/4):
smotus.substack.com/p/my-new-boo...
More about the book below (1/4):
smotus.substack.com/p/my-new-boo...
January 5, 2026 at 8:18 PM
I'm pleased to report that my forthcoming book is now available for pre-sale. What's more, if you become a paid subscriber to Tusk, I'll send you a complimentary copy of the book!
More about the book below (1/4):
smotus.substack.com/p/my-new-boo...
More about the book below (1/4):
smotus.substack.com/p/my-new-boo...
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
January 3, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
In 2026 I want all of the decent people to remember one thing.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
January 1, 2026 at 10:30 PM
In 2026 I want all of the decent people to remember one thing.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
The horrific tragedy at Brown University is the 389th mass shooting this year and the 230th gun incident on school grounds so far this year.
This is not normal and we don't have to live this way.
bradyunited.org
@bradyunited.org
This is not normal and we don't have to live this way.
bradyunited.org
@bradyunited.org
December 14, 2025 at 1:04 AM
The horrific tragedy at Brown University is the 389th mass shooting this year and the 230th gun incident on school grounds so far this year.
This is not normal and we don't have to live this way.
bradyunited.org
@bradyunited.org
This is not normal and we don't have to live this way.
bradyunited.org
@bradyunited.org
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
Wisconsin-Madison CS is recruiting faculty for natural language processing!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/assista...
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/assista...
Assistant Professor of Computer Sciences: Natural Language Processing (RISE-AI) - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:FacultyEmployment Type:Regula...
jobs.wisc.edu
November 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Wisconsin-Madison CS is recruiting faculty for natural language processing!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/assista...
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/assista...
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
Ah yes, the great electron shortage of 2025.
I laughed at loud. These people are so pathetic; our enemies are numbskulls. They will kill us all and still not know hs physics.
COWEN: The stupidest question possible: Why don’t we just make more GPUs?
ALTMAN: Because we need to make more electrons.
conversationswithtyler.com/episodes/sam...
COWEN: The stupidest question possible: Why don’t we just make more GPUs?
ALTMAN: Because we need to make more electrons.
conversationswithtyler.com/episodes/sam...
November 19, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Ah yes, the great electron shortage of 2025.
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
What’s the story behind my book’s cover art?
A thread🧵
A thread🧵
Hey y’all, it’s my birthday! 🎉
If care about #transitionaljustice, #humanrights and #globalgovernance, or you just want to celebrate my 33 revolutions around the sun, you can pre-order my first book, GOVERNING TRUTH, out with @oxfordunipress.bsky.social in Feb.
See global.oup.com/academic/pro...
If care about #transitionaljustice, #humanrights and #globalgovernance, or you just want to celebrate my 33 revolutions around the sun, you can pre-order my first book, GOVERNING TRUTH, out with @oxfordunipress.bsky.social in Feb.
See global.oup.com/academic/pro...
November 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
What’s the story behind my book’s cover art?
A thread🧵
A thread🧵
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
IU shuts down all DEI activities and scrubs DEI mentions from websites and courses, despite no laws requiring it.
iubaaup.org/2025/10/23/e...
iubaaup.org/2025/10/23/e...
November 17, 2025 at 11:25 PM
IU shuts down all DEI activities and scrubs DEI mentions from websites and courses, despite no laws requiring it.
iubaaup.org/2025/10/23/e...
iubaaup.org/2025/10/23/e...
So excited to be hosting @jeremydfoote.com today at Rutgers’ Computational Social Science lab to hear more about his work around LLMs as social actors
November 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
So excited to be hosting @jeremydfoote.com today at Rutgers’ Computational Social Science lab to hear more about his work around LLMs as social actors
Reposted by Sarah Shugars
There is a network of rapist bros who trade tips and best practices
Jeffrey Epstein advised Steve Bannon that the lawyers representing Brett Kavanaugh in his confirmation hearing should accuse Christine Blasey Ford of being on medications that cause false memories or memory loss.
November 12, 2025 at 11:43 PM
There is a network of rapist bros who trade tips and best practices