Michael Hankinson
@hankinson.bsky.social
Political Scientist at George Washington University
www.mhankinson.com
www.mhankinson.com
Next week, I will be at the #2025APPAM Annual Fall Research Conference in Seattle. I will be presenting new work on the local politics of renewable energy siting as well as updates on building a national housing permits database.
If you want to connect, please reach out: hankinson@gwu.edu
If you want to connect, please reach out: hankinson@gwu.edu
November 7, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Next week, I will be at the #2025APPAM Annual Fall Research Conference in Seattle. I will be presenting new work on the local politics of renewable energy siting as well as updates on building a national housing permits database.
If you want to connect, please reach out: hankinson@gwu.edu
If you want to connect, please reach out: hankinson@gwu.edu
On Friday at #APSA, I'll be presenting new research on how political geography shapes the siting of collective goods. We use the consolidation of municipalities in Denmark to show how the distribution of entire electorate affects where wind energy is politically viable.
September 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM
On Friday at #APSA, I'll be presenting new research on how political geography shapes the siting of collective goods. We use the consolidation of municipalities in Denmark to show how the distribution of entire electorate affects where wind energy is politically viable.
In Vancouver for the APSA Annual Meeting. First time visiting the city and I rented a bike for a 2-hour spin. Blown away. Bike infrastructure on par with Denmark plus miles of trails in the middle of UBC’s campus (4 miles from downtown).
September 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
In Vancouver for the APSA Annual Meeting. First time visiting the city and I rented a bike for a 2-hour spin. Blown away. Bike infrastructure on par with Denmark plus miles of trails in the middle of UBC’s campus (4 miles from downtown).
Open-ended responses also show more focus on compensation ("dollar") for the market-rate proposals. Respondents evaluating affordable housing may have paid more attention to other features, such as whether the housing itself would benefit the community. 7/11
October 24, 2024 at 2:53 PM
Open-ended responses also show more focus on compensation ("dollar") for the market-rate proposals. Respondents evaluating affordable housing may have paid more attention to other features, such as whether the housing itself would benefit the community. 7/11
Notably, more $ increased support for market-rate housing, but it had no effect on mixed-income housing. We believe the inclusion of affordable units activates symbolic attitudes which are more calcified, harder to move via material benefits. 6/11
October 24, 2024 at 2:53 PM
Notably, more $ increased support for market-rate housing, but it had no effect on mixed-income housing. We believe the inclusion of affordable units activates symbolic attitudes which are more calcified, harder to move via material benefits. 6/11
Respondents preferred mixed-income housing and larger amounts of compensation, but didn’t respond to the form of compensation. Proximity did not have significant effect, likely because the proposals were all within a mile of the respondents’ home but rarely on their block. 5/11
October 24, 2024 at 2:53 PM
Respondents preferred mixed-income housing and larger amounts of compensation, but didn’t respond to the form of compensation. Proximity did not have significant effect, likely because the proposals were all within a mile of the respondents’ home but rarely on their block. 5/11
For each proposal, we randomized a) the distance to the respondent, b) whether the proposal was for 100% market-rate or 50% affordable housing, c) the amount of compensation offered, and d) whether it would be a cash payment or an investment in nearby parks and streets. 4/11
October 24, 2024 at 2:52 PM
For each proposal, we randomized a) the distance to the respondent, b) whether the proposal was for 100% market-rate or 50% affordable housing, c) the amount of compensation offered, and d) whether it would be a cash payment or an investment in nearby parks and streets. 4/11
How does compensation affect public support? In our survey, Bostonians indicated where they lived and we showed them proposals which would triple the residential density of nearby properties. We even included street-level images and a rendering of the proposed development. 3/11
October 24, 2024 at 2:52 PM
How does compensation affect public support? In our survey, Bostonians indicated where they lived and we showed them proposals which would triple the residential density of nearby properties. We even included street-level images and a rendering of the proposed development. 3/11
In 1/2 of the largest US cities, developers must meet w/ a formal community group; 1/3 require those groups vote on whether to endorse the project. These meetings often lead to compensation. In Boston (2016-21), there were 421 agreements totaling $5.35m in cash benefits. 2/11
October 24, 2024 at 2:52 PM
In 1/2 of the largest US cities, developers must meet w/ a formal community group; 1/3 require those groups vote on whether to endorse the project. These meetings often lead to compensation. In Boston (2016-21), there were 421 agreements totaling $5.35m in cash benefits. 2/11
Can developers compensate nearby residents to win support for their housing projects? In a new @jpublicpolicy.bsky.social article, @jdbk.bsky.social and I unpack how compensation works, when it fails, and what that teaches us about symbolic attitudes and housing policy. 1/11
October 24, 2024 at 2:51 PM
Can developers compensate nearby residents to win support for their housing projects? In a new @jpublicpolicy.bsky.social article, @jdbk.bsky.social and I unpack how compensation works, when it fails, and what that teaches us about symbolic attitudes and housing policy. 1/11
Thank you UC Possibility Lab for organizing a forum for my work (w/ A. Magazinnik) on housing, local gov’t, & state preemption. To the practitioners who shared insights from their own experience in CA housing policy: those were nuggets of gold! Only fitting to find them in the Bay Area
September 26, 2024 at 2:45 PM
Thank you UC Possibility Lab for organizing a forum for my work (w/ A. Magazinnik) on housing, local gov’t, & state preemption. To the practitioners who shared insights from their own experience in CA housing policy: those were nuggets of gold! Only fitting to find them in the Bay Area
Thank you to the UC-Berkeley Research Workshop in American Politics for inviting me to share my work (w/ Asya Magazinnik) on housing, local gov’t, and state preemption in CA. It was truly the most generative feedback I’ve received via a workshop. The vibes are good at RWAP!
September 26, 2024 at 2:25 PM
Thank you to the UC-Berkeley Research Workshop in American Politics for inviting me to share my work (w/ Asya Magazinnik) on housing, local gov’t, and state preemption in CA. It was truly the most generative feedback I’ve received via a workshop. The vibes are good at RWAP!
Is “bitter exasperation” a new treatment arm?
Also, they can save a few bucks by verifying that I am not Gordon, the 80+ y.o. Pennsylvania Republican (info gleaned from two election cycles worth of campaign texts)
Also, they can save a few bucks by verifying that I am not Gordon, the 80+ y.o. Pennsylvania Republican (info gleaned from two election cycles worth of campaign texts)
September 12, 2024 at 5:13 PM
Is “bitter exasperation” a new treatment arm?
Also, they can save a few bucks by verifying that I am not Gordon, the 80+ y.o. Pennsylvania Republican (info gleaned from two election cycles worth of campaign texts)
Also, they can save a few bucks by verifying that I am not Gordon, the 80+ y.o. Pennsylvania Republican (info gleaned from two election cycles worth of campaign texts)
This year, I am on sabbatical and excited to be a Fellow at the Center for the Study of Democratic Politics (@Princeton SPIA). If you are passing through campus or NYC and want to connect and chat research, don’t hesitate to out via email/DM. That’s what this time is for!
September 10, 2024 at 2:29 PM
This year, I am on sabbatical and excited to be a Fellow at the Center for the Study of Democratic Politics (@Princeton SPIA). If you are passing through campus or NYC and want to connect and chat research, don’t hesitate to out via email/DM. That’s what this time is for!
Very proud to receive the Lawrence Longley Award for Best Article from the APSA Representation and Electoral Systems Section #APSA2024
Attending the section underscored how much Amer. pol. researchers can learn from comparative pol. in this space.
Ungated: www.mhankinson.com/documents/su...
Attending the section underscored how much Amer. pol. researchers can learn from comparative pol. in this space.
Ungated: www.mhankinson.com/documents/su...
September 7, 2024 at 1:01 PM
Very proud to receive the Lawrence Longley Award for Best Article from the APSA Representation and Electoral Systems Section #APSA2024
Attending the section underscored how much Amer. pol. researchers can learn from comparative pol. in this space.
Ungated: www.mhankinson.com/documents/su...
Attending the section underscored how much Amer. pol. researchers can learn from comparative pol. in this space.
Ungated: www.mhankinson.com/documents/su...
In cities with higher zoning taxes, there is a greater likelihood of a union member speaking about housing dev. at a city council/planning comm. meeting. This relationship is NOT simply liberal cities having high zoning taxes & greater union density; We control for ideology. 6/10
September 3, 2024 at 7:49 PM
In cities with higher zoning taxes, there is a greater likelihood of a union member speaking about housing dev. at a city council/planning comm. meeting. This relationship is NOT simply liberal cities having high zoning taxes & greater union density; We control for ideology. 6/10
To measure local regulatory complexity, we use Gyourko and Krimmel’s “zoning tax,” which represents the value of land attributable to local zoning. To test our theory, we regress union activity on the zoning tax, controlling for local ideology. Below is a DAG of our model: 5/10
September 3, 2024 at 7:49 PM
To measure local regulatory complexity, we use Gyourko and Krimmel’s “zoning tax,” which represents the value of land attributable to local zoning. To test our theory, we regress union activity on the zoning tax, controlling for local ideology. Below is a DAG of our model: 5/10
Because discretionary review over new housing requires legislative vote, groups members speak publicly at these meetings. By either opposing or supporting the housing proposal, groups can pressure developers to deliver their members benefits. Here’s an example: 2/10
September 3, 2024 at 7:48 PM
Because discretionary review over new housing requires legislative vote, groups members speak publicly at these meetings. By either opposing or supporting the housing proposal, groups can pressure developers to deliver their members benefits. Here’s an example: 2/10
When do interest groups — like organized labor — use the housing entitlement process to secure benefits? Now published in JPIPE, A. Magazinnik, Anna Weissman, and I find a relationship with big implications for the housing supply & attempts to reform local permitting. 1/10
September 3, 2024 at 7:47 PM
When do interest groups — like organized labor — use the housing entitlement process to secure benefits? Now published in JPIPE, A. Magazinnik, Anna Weissman, and I find a relationship with big implications for the housing supply & attempts to reform local permitting. 1/10
This postcard is very nice! I guess I’m in the treatment group. But I won’t post the back; need to maintain a shred of SUTVA.
October 24, 2023 at 11:36 PM
This postcard is very nice! I guess I’m in the treatment group. But I won’t post the back; need to maintain a shred of SUTVA.
Am teaching "participation beyond voting" today, focusing on how public meetings shape elected officials' behavior. Who knew my opening slide, with an image from the 2013, would be so prescient?
September 28, 2023 at 5:22 PM
Am teaching "participation beyond voting" today, focusing on how public meetings shape elected officials' behavior. Who knew my opening slide, with an image from the 2013, would be so prescient?
Very excited to watch @goodauth.bsky.social grow. A real buzz in the room. Congratulations!
September 20, 2023 at 10:52 PM
Very excited to watch @goodauth.bsky.social grow. A real buzz in the room. Congratulations!
What’s the best writing on stronger/more professionalized legislatures for urban planning?
Campanella (2011) rants about the death of planning post-Jacobs, but his argument mirrors calls for representative democracy (not a planner-philosopher king). placesjournal.org/article/jane...
Campanella (2011) rants about the death of planning post-Jacobs, but his argument mirrors calls for representative democracy (not a planner-philosopher king). placesjournal.org/article/jane...
September 20, 2023 at 1:21 PM
What’s the best writing on stronger/more professionalized legislatures for urban planning?
Campanella (2011) rants about the death of planning post-Jacobs, but his argument mirrors calls for representative democracy (not a planner-philosopher king). placesjournal.org/article/jane...
Campanella (2011) rants about the death of planning post-Jacobs, but his argument mirrors calls for representative democracy (not a planner-philosopher king). placesjournal.org/article/jane...
Chapter 2 from Altshuler and Luberoff is still _the_ standard in digesting 70+ years of local politics theory. If you’re teaching local pol. or a grad student trying to get oriented in the lit, start here. You could build an entire seminar from the footnote citations alone.
September 19, 2023 at 9:27 PM
Chapter 2 from Altshuler and Luberoff is still _the_ standard in digesting 70+ years of local politics theory. If you’re teaching local pol. or a grad student trying to get oriented in the lit, start here. You could build an entire seminar from the footnote citations alone.