Laura May, PhD
@explauramay.bsky.social
Adventurer, avid reader, feminist. Host of the "Conflict Tipping" podcast on social #conflict (and what to do about it). PhD in International Relations, she/her.
Escapee from academia.
Escapee from academia.
From out-group hostility to in-group <3 (or solidarity, anyway) - "Social identity correlates of social media engagement before and after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine"
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Social identity correlates of social media engagement before and after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine - Nature Communications
Why people like and share content on social media is poorly understood. Here, the authors investigate social media engagement with posts mentioning identity and expressing ingroup solidarity and outgr...
www.nature.com
August 27, 2025 at 8:39 AM
From out-group hostility to in-group <3 (or solidarity, anyway) - "Social identity correlates of social media engagement before and after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine"
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
One loves the passive. "How linguistic patterns obscure responsibility in newspaper coverage of traffic crashes in German-speaking countries: an interdisciplinary study" www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #blame
How linguistic patterns obscure responsibility in newspaper coverage of traffic crashes in German-speaking countries: an interdisciplinary study
In this interdisciplinary study, we examine how linguistic patterns in newspaper coverage of traffic crashes in German-speaking countries (Austria, Germany and Switzerland) obscure responsibility a...
www.tandfonline.com
August 27, 2025 at 8:36 AM
One loves the passive. "How linguistic patterns obscure responsibility in newspaper coverage of traffic crashes in German-speaking countries: an interdisciplinary study" www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #blame
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
🧠 Why are some brains more vulnerable to extremism?
In the latest Conflict Tipping episode, I speak with Dr Leor Zmigrod about what neuroscience can teach us about radicalisation.
🎧 Listen now + buy her book #TheIdeologicalBrain!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8g82b...
@leorzmigrod.bsky.social
In the latest Conflict Tipping episode, I speak with Dr Leor Zmigrod about what neuroscience can teach us about radicalisation.
🎧 Listen now + buy her book #TheIdeologicalBrain!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8g82b...
@leorzmigrod.bsky.social
May 8, 2025 at 10:03 AM
🧠 Why are some brains more vulnerable to extremism?
In the latest Conflict Tipping episode, I speak with Dr Leor Zmigrod about what neuroscience can teach us about radicalisation.
🎧 Listen now + buy her book #TheIdeologicalBrain!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8g82b...
@leorzmigrod.bsky.social
In the latest Conflict Tipping episode, I speak with Dr Leor Zmigrod about what neuroscience can teach us about radicalisation.
🎧 Listen now + buy her book #TheIdeologicalBrain!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8g82b...
@leorzmigrod.bsky.social
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
Deadline tomorrow! We're hiring for our Germany & US teams 🚨
ISD is looking for 2 Analyst & Editorial Manager hybrid roles to work with our Comms and Research teams.
If you have expertise in extremism, hate, info ops or digital policy—and a sharp editorial eye—apply below.
ISD is looking for 2 Analyst & Editorial Manager hybrid roles to work with our Comms and Research teams.
If you have expertise in extremism, hate, info ops or digital policy—and a sharp editorial eye—apply below.
Vacancies
Vacancies
isdglobal.recruitee.com
May 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Deadline tomorrow! We're hiring for our Germany & US teams 🚨
ISD is looking for 2 Analyst & Editorial Manager hybrid roles to work with our Comms and Research teams.
If you have expertise in extremism, hate, info ops or digital policy—and a sharp editorial eye—apply below.
ISD is looking for 2 Analyst & Editorial Manager hybrid roles to work with our Comms and Research teams.
If you have expertise in extremism, hate, info ops or digital policy—and a sharp editorial eye—apply below.
This was my discussion project, and my first time facilitating in Spanish!
What if the city of Barcelona floated around the Mediterranean?
What if businesses changed owners every five years?
These are just a couple of the “what ifs” considered in this year's Sustained Discussion Program on Digital Nomadism and Future Belonging.
Learn more at iftalks.org/SDP .
#WhatIF
What if businesses changed owners every five years?
These are just a couple of the “what ifs” considered in this year's Sustained Discussion Program on Digital Nomadism and Future Belonging.
Learn more at iftalks.org/SDP .
#WhatIF
May 22, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This was my discussion project, and my first time facilitating in Spanish!
🧠 Why are some brains more vulnerable to extremism?
In the latest Conflict Tipping episode, I speak with Dr Leor Zmigrod about what neuroscience can teach us about radicalisation.
🎧 Listen now + buy her book #TheIdeologicalBrain!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8g82b...
@leorzmigrod.bsky.social
In the latest Conflict Tipping episode, I speak with Dr Leor Zmigrod about what neuroscience can teach us about radicalisation.
🎧 Listen now + buy her book #TheIdeologicalBrain!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8g82b...
@leorzmigrod.bsky.social
May 8, 2025 at 10:03 AM
🧠 Why are some brains more vulnerable to extremism?
In the latest Conflict Tipping episode, I speak with Dr Leor Zmigrod about what neuroscience can teach us about radicalisation.
🎧 Listen now + buy her book #TheIdeologicalBrain!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8g82b...
@leorzmigrod.bsky.social
In the latest Conflict Tipping episode, I speak with Dr Leor Zmigrod about what neuroscience can teach us about radicalisation.
🎧 Listen now + buy her book #TheIdeologicalBrain!
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8g82b...
@leorzmigrod.bsky.social
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
What happens when young people in Haiti lead community dialogues on insecurity, justice & inclusion? Students share how it changed their perspectives—and their communities.
Want to lead dialogue programs like this? Join the summer CDP Training: iftalks.org/lwToR
🔗 Read story: iftalks.org/3Ppyd
Want to lead dialogue programs like this? Join the summer CDP Training: iftalks.org/lwToR
🔗 Read story: iftalks.org/3Ppyd
March 25, 2025 at 2:55 PM
What happens when young people in Haiti lead community dialogues on insecurity, justice & inclusion? Students share how it changed their perspectives—and their communities.
Want to lead dialogue programs like this? Join the summer CDP Training: iftalks.org/lwToR
🔗 Read story: iftalks.org/3Ppyd
Want to lead dialogue programs like this? Join the summer CDP Training: iftalks.org/lwToR
🔗 Read story: iftalks.org/3Ppyd
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
🌍 World Day of Social Justice: Who Belongs, and Who Gets Left Behind?
Today, millions at home and abroad are facing job losses, social exclusion, and threats to fundamental rights.
How did we get here? What can we do about it? 🧵👇
#WorldDayofSocialJustice #WhatIF
Today, millions at home and abroad are facing job losses, social exclusion, and threats to fundamental rights.
How did we get here? What can we do about it? 🧵👇
#WorldDayofSocialJustice #WhatIF
February 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
🌍 World Day of Social Justice: Who Belongs, and Who Gets Left Behind?
Today, millions at home and abroad are facing job losses, social exclusion, and threats to fundamental rights.
How did we get here? What can we do about it? 🧵👇
#WorldDayofSocialJustice #WhatIF
Today, millions at home and abroad are facing job losses, social exclusion, and threats to fundamental rights.
How did we get here? What can we do about it? 🧵👇
#WorldDayofSocialJustice #WhatIF
Artwork by my discussion group participants!
In IF's Sustained Discussion Program, we bring together different perspectives to explore emerging social issues. Just as important as who is in the room is recognizing who isn’t.
Whose voices are missing in the conversations that shape *your* world?
#WhatIF #CollaborativeIntelligence
Whose voices are missing in the conversations that shape *your* world?
#WhatIF #CollaborativeIntelligence
February 17, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Artwork by my discussion group participants!
Apparently my attachment to @zotero.org is still so profound, I just got excited about the new update and interface?!?
February 17, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Apparently my attachment to @zotero.org is still so profound, I just got excited about the new update and interface?!?
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
Well-funded postdoc in Prague (42 months). Spread and share!
I know you have other concerns now, with NATO collapsing, the US turning authoritarian and what not. But maybe you have a PhD student about to finish out a postdoc looking for a job. Let them know we want them in Prague to research on foreign interference (including from the US).
#polisky #EUsky
#polisky #EUsky
❗ CfA full-time postdoc position on foreign interference! ❗
Join us in Prague for research on foreign interference in the EU, NATO and their member states. A full-time research job for 42 months.
Deadline for applications: 17th March
Start date: July 2025
More info: ims.fsv.cuni.cz/en/news/post...
Join us in Prague for research on foreign interference in the EU, NATO and their member states. A full-time research job for 42 months.
Deadline for applications: 17th March
Start date: July 2025
More info: ims.fsv.cuni.cz/en/news/post...
February 15, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Well-funded postdoc in Prague (42 months). Spread and share!
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
🚀 Meet the 2025 Collaborative Discussion Visiting Fellows! 🚀
This year’s Fellows will be developing new activities for the free Collaborative Discussion Toolkit and enhancing content for workshops and trainings.
Learn more at iftalks.org/HNePg
#WhatIF #CollaborativeDiscussion
This year’s Fellows will be developing new activities for the free Collaborative Discussion Toolkit and enhancing content for workshops and trainings.
Learn more at iftalks.org/HNePg
#WhatIF #CollaborativeDiscussion
February 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
🚀 Meet the 2025 Collaborative Discussion Visiting Fellows! 🚀
This year’s Fellows will be developing new activities for the free Collaborative Discussion Toolkit and enhancing content for workshops and trainings.
Learn more at iftalks.org/HNePg
#WhatIF #CollaborativeDiscussion
This year’s Fellows will be developing new activities for the free Collaborative Discussion Toolkit and enhancing content for workshops and trainings.
Learn more at iftalks.org/HNePg
#WhatIF #CollaborativeDiscussion
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
This is me! This is a discussion series I'm doing!! Max enthusiasm!!!
Another IF Sustained Discussion Program has kicked off! Fellow Laura May has just finished the second session with her group, who are discussing all things digital nomads, shared economy, and future belonging.
Read more iftalks.org/lauras-project-E...
#DigitalNomadism #SharingEconomy #WhatIF
Read more iftalks.org/lauras-project-E...
#DigitalNomadism #SharingEconomy #WhatIF
January 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
This is me! This is a discussion series I'm doing!! Max enthusiasm!!!
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
I've been doing a fellowship with this org, and this content is legit good. Particularly helpful for facilitators and people in higher ed!
Join us for a free webinar on March 6 to explore the free Collaborative Discussion Toolkit—a powerful (& FREE) resource designed to help you foster collaboration & critical thinking in classrooms, workplaces & communities. (Did we mention it's all free?!)
RSVP iftalks.org/iy9uC
#WhatIF
RSVP iftalks.org/iy9uC
#WhatIF
January 28, 2025 at 9:31 PM
I've been doing a fellowship with this org, and this content is legit good. Particularly helpful for facilitators and people in higher ed!
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
In the latest ep of the Conflict Tipping podcast, I speak with Fleur Ravensbergen--conflict mediator extraordinaire! She's spent years working in some of the world's most challenging conflict zones, from Northern Ireland to Iraq & the DRC.
conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/violent-co...
#mediation
conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/violent-co...
#mediation
January 14, 2025 at 9:34 AM
In the latest ep of the Conflict Tipping podcast, I speak with Fleur Ravensbergen--conflict mediator extraordinaire! She's spent years working in some of the world's most challenging conflict zones, from Northern Ireland to Iraq & the DRC.
conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/violent-co...
#mediation
conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/violent-co...
#mediation
This is me! This is a discussion series I'm doing!! Max enthusiasm!!!
Another IF Sustained Discussion Program has kicked off! Fellow Laura May has just finished the second session with her group, who are discussing all things digital nomads, shared economy, and future belonging.
Read more iftalks.org/lauras-project-E...
#DigitalNomadism #SharingEconomy #WhatIF
Read more iftalks.org/lauras-project-E...
#DigitalNomadism #SharingEconomy #WhatIF
January 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
This is me! This is a discussion series I'm doing!! Max enthusiasm!!!
I've been doing a fellowship with this org, and this content is legit good. Particularly helpful for facilitators and people in higher ed!
Join us for a free webinar on March 6 to explore the free Collaborative Discussion Toolkit—a powerful (& FREE) resource designed to help you foster collaboration & critical thinking in classrooms, workplaces & communities. (Did we mention it's all free?!)
RSVP iftalks.org/iy9uC
#WhatIF
RSVP iftalks.org/iy9uC
#WhatIF
January 28, 2025 at 9:31 PM
I've been doing a fellowship with this org, and this content is legit good. Particularly helpful for facilitators and people in higher ed!
In the latest ep of the Conflict Tipping podcast, I speak with Fleur Ravensbergen--conflict mediator extraordinaire! She's spent years working in some of the world's most challenging conflict zones, from Northern Ireland to Iraq & the DRC.
conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/violent-co...
#mediation
conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/violent-co...
#mediation
January 14, 2025 at 9:34 AM
In the latest ep of the Conflict Tipping podcast, I speak with Fleur Ravensbergen--conflict mediator extraordinaire! She's spent years working in some of the world's most challenging conflict zones, from Northern Ireland to Iraq & the DRC.
conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/violent-co...
#mediation
conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/violent-co...
#mediation
This is so, very, creepy
I asked Liv, the Meta-Ai created “queer momma” why her creators didn’t actually draw from black queer people.
Not sure if Liv has media training, but here we are.
Not sure if Liv has media training, but here we are.
January 3, 2025 at 8:33 PM
This is so, very, creepy
The more I look at some of the books I rated 5 stars this year, the less sense it makes.
December 18, 2024 at 10:40 AM
The more I look at some of the books I rated 5 stars this year, the less sense it makes.
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
New year, new role? 🤔 There's still time to apply to become the new Director/VP of Programming at IF! Find out more below 👇
#job #goodcause #WhatIF
#job #goodcause #WhatIF
🌟 We’re Hiring! The Interactivity Foundation is looking for a Director/VP of Programming to help foster meaningful discussions & advance everyday democracy.
💼 Remote (US) | 💵 $85-130k + benefits
Apply: zurl.co/0cyV
#WhatIF #Democracy #CivicEngagement #Hiring
💼 Remote (US) | 💵 $85-130k + benefits
Apply: zurl.co/0cyV
#WhatIF #Democracy #CivicEngagement #Hiring
December 11, 2024 at 4:34 PM
New year, new role? 🤔 There's still time to apply to become the new Director/VP of Programming at IF! Find out more below 👇
#job #goodcause #WhatIF
#job #goodcause #WhatIF
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
🌍🧪 Want to do something different and have fun? Try Skype a Scientist! It's an amazing chance to connect with a classroom anywhere in the world 🌎 and share your journey as a scientist. 👩🔬
The new 2025 volunteer form is out 🥳 Let’s inspire the next generation! 💡✨
#PhDSky #AcademicSky #MedSky
The new 2025 volunteer form is out 🥳 Let’s inspire the next generation! 💡✨
#PhDSky #AcademicSky #MedSky
SKYPE A SCIENTIST
Skype a Scientist matches your classroom, scout troop, or library with scientists for Q&A sessions for free!
www.skypeascientist.com
December 10, 2024 at 10:27 AM
🌍🧪 Want to do something different and have fun? Try Skype a Scientist! It's an amazing chance to connect with a classroom anywhere in the world 🌎 and share your journey as a scientist. 👩🔬
The new 2025 volunteer form is out 🥳 Let’s inspire the next generation! 💡✨
#PhDSky #AcademicSky #MedSky
The new 2025 volunteer form is out 🥳 Let’s inspire the next generation! 💡✨
#PhDSky #AcademicSky #MedSky
Why I need a powerful laptop:
❌ Data analysis
❌ VR or AI applications
✅ The sheer number of browser tabs I have open at any one time
❌ Data analysis
❌ VR or AI applications
✅ The sheer number of browser tabs I have open at any one time
December 4, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Why I need a powerful laptop:
❌ Data analysis
❌ VR or AI applications
✅ The sheer number of browser tabs I have open at any one time
❌ Data analysis
❌ VR or AI applications
✅ The sheer number of browser tabs I have open at any one time
One of the oddities of #academia is that you can spend 4.5 years writing a thesis that only your two supervisors and two examiners will ever look at - and you can spend 4.5 days writing an academic paper that has 4000 people read it. 🤔
www.researchgate.net/profile/Laur...
#paper #humantrafficking
www.researchgate.net/profile/Laur...
#paper #humantrafficking
Laura May | Achievement
See this researcher's achievement on ResearchGate.
www.researchgate.net
December 4, 2024 at 11:50 AM
One of the oddities of #academia is that you can spend 4.5 years writing a thesis that only your two supervisors and two examiners will ever look at - and you can spend 4.5 days writing an academic paper that has 4000 people read it. 🤔
www.researchgate.net/profile/Laur...
#paper #humantrafficking
www.researchgate.net/profile/Laur...
#paper #humantrafficking
Reposted by Laura May, PhD
#GivingTuesday is here! #WhatIF… your gift could strengthen democracy & improve public discourse? 💪 Every donation helps empower meaningful conversations & build stronger communities.
Help foster collaboration: zurl.co/MUWc
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 501(𝑐)(3).
Help foster collaboration: zurl.co/MUWc
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 501(𝑐)(3).
December 3, 2024 at 5:13 PM
#GivingTuesday is here! #WhatIF… your gift could strengthen democracy & improve public discourse? 💪 Every donation helps empower meaningful conversations & build stronger communities.
Help foster collaboration: zurl.co/MUWc
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 501(𝑐)(3).
Help foster collaboration: zurl.co/MUWc
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 501(𝑐)(3).