Rifat Salam
@profsalam.bsky.social
Sociologist, prof at CUNY BMCC, pedagogy,WAC, teach about tech/society #communitycollege
Neurodivergent, invisible disability, and in my non-work life, I’m a NJ mom, politics junkie, with a lot of hobbies. 🪴👻🪄🧙♀️ (opinions and thoughts are my own.)
Neurodivergent, invisible disability, and in my non-work life, I’m a NJ mom, politics junkie, with a lot of hobbies. 🪴👻🪄🧙♀️ (opinions and thoughts are my own.)
Reposted by Rifat Salam
ASA President Shelley Correll has selected 2 Presidential Panels for the ASA 2026 Annual Meeting: “Bridging Scholarship and Struggle: The Long Arc of Community-Engaged Sociology” and “Putting Sociology to Work in Research Funding.” Get all the meeting details here: https://bit.ly/ASA2026.
December 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
ASA President Shelley Correll has selected 2 Presidential Panels for the ASA 2026 Annual Meeting: “Bridging Scholarship and Struggle: The Long Arc of Community-Engaged Sociology” and “Putting Sociology to Work in Research Funding.” Get all the meeting details here: https://bit.ly/ASA2026.
Reposted by Rifat Salam
I wish we had educational institutions that were robust enough to maintain a pedagogical mission. But the imbrications with carceral logics and deep investments in ed tech have made the path ahead very narrow.
November 29, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I wish we had educational institutions that were robust enough to maintain a pedagogical mission. But the imbrications with carceral logics and deep investments in ed tech have made the path ahead very narrow.
Reposted by Rifat Salam
I have to resist the tech determinist impulse to blame all of this on social media and LLMs, although that's incredibly tempting. The social contract around public education was already incredibly broken by the time the tech came around. >>
November 29, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I have to resist the tech determinist impulse to blame all of this on social media and LLMs, although that's incredibly tempting. The social contract around public education was already incredibly broken by the time the tech came around. >>
Reposted by Rifat Salam
This thread is incredibly depressing, although I've heard much of the same from other instructors. >>
An issue we're seeing at all levels of university is that many students are simply refusing to do *anything*. They aren't reading the syllabus, aren't following assignment guidelines, aren't engaging with material, ignoring deadlines. And this might seem like old news, but it truly has ramped up.
November 29, 2025 at 11:35 PM
This thread is incredibly depressing, although I've heard much of the same from other instructors. >>
Too bad, companies are laying people off before they find out AI can’t replace them.
Headline: "AI can replace 11.7% of workforce"
Actual study: Anthropic paid MIT to use a "labor simulation tool" that said 11.7% of TASKS could be done by AI
Actual study: Anthropic paid MIT to use a "labor simulation tool" that said 11.7% of TASKS could be done by AI
MIT study finds AI can already replace 11.7% of U.S. workforce
Artificial intelligence can already replace 11.7% of the U.S. labor market, across finance, health care and professional services, according to MIT's study.
www.cnbc.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Too bad, companies are laying people off before they find out AI can’t replace them.
Reposted by Rifat Salam
More and more convinced that an unexpected effect of AI in education is changing evidentiary practices in edu policy. "Testbeds" and live pilot tests are replacing "evidence-based" policy. This means schools are treated as "wild" sites that are modified to produce evidence for policy. >>
How come the policy obsession with "evidence-based" policy and technology in education of at least the last 20 years has completely evaporated with "AI"? ...
November 29, 2025 at 10:25 PM
More and more convinced that an unexpected effect of AI in education is changing evidentiary practices in edu policy. "Testbeds" and live pilot tests are replacing "evidence-based" policy. This means schools are treated as "wild" sites that are modified to produce evidence for policy. >>
Reposted by Rifat Salam
I have many papers here if you're interested in my views: olivia.science/ai
Critical AI
On this page are some resources for Critical AI Literacy (CAIL) from my perspective.
olivia.science
November 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I have many papers here if you're interested in my views: olivia.science/ai
BMCC Faculty Development Day-keynote speaker Dr. Lesley Rennis presenting “Teaching with Purpose: Creating Learning Spaces That Respect and Challenge Students.” Discussing the effects of trauma in higher education and sympathy versus empathy. #bmcc #cuny #communitycollege
November 21, 2025 at 3:47 PM
BMCC Faculty Development Day-keynote speaker Dr. Lesley Rennis presenting “Teaching with Purpose: Creating Learning Spaces That Respect and Challenge Students.” Discussing the effects of trauma in higher education and sympathy versus empathy. #bmcc #cuny #communitycollege
Reposted by Rifat Salam
This below is in the context of computer science but we all need to be having this conversation about whether "using AI" in classes prepares you for future jobs or whether actually doing the thing yourself prepares you for a world in which you may or may not use AI. The idea that using AI to write/1
![A degree in CS mostly prepares students to become computer scientists, just as a history degree mostly prepares students to be historians. The idea is not that every student will become an academic— few do—but that the initial training in this direction will prepare students for varied pursuits. When the world changes, Erat argues, the student who studied CS will have the creativity to “learn how to search, how to integrate things.” But for the student who just used AI to make programs, he said, “It’s going to be impossible.”
Conversely, CS professor Lin Zhong thinks Yale’s core CS curriculum is “stuck in the 1980s.” He wants students to develop the AI expertise that they would need as professional software engineers. “If your student[s] don’t learn how to use [AI], they lose their job,” he said. Students in Zhong’s Computer Systems Design course earn extra credit for using AI creatively to do their homework.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:a6m5puxjmwuwxhuviabkhg67/bafkreidr3hlf3v5bi3c4dwzguxvi2khyjm4tmr5unm4funrdwyqjgvys2m@jpeg)
November 16, 2025 at 5:24 PM
This below is in the context of computer science but we all need to be having this conversation about whether "using AI" in classes prepares you for future jobs or whether actually doing the thing yourself prepares you for a world in which you may or may not use AI. The idea that using AI to write/1
Reposted by Rifat Salam
It really is the best election map. Thank you, Center for Urban Research @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social!
www.urbanresearchmaps.org/electioncomp...
www.urbanresearchmaps.org/electioncomp...
November 5, 2025 at 1:26 PM
It really is the best election map. Thank you, Center for Urban Research @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social!
www.urbanresearchmaps.org/electioncomp...
www.urbanresearchmaps.org/electioncomp...
Reposted by Rifat Salam
A view from the college teaching trenches coping with AI. Writing loses while tech readiness sees no gains. A thread
I am a coordinator of the
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program and a sociologist teaching at a community college in NYC. The stories I’m hearing from faculty about students’ AI use, or rather, their inability and unwillingness to do assignments without AI is blowing my mind. 1/x
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program and a sociologist teaching at a community college in NYC. The stories I’m hearing from faculty about students’ AI use, or rather, their inability and unwillingness to do assignments without AI is blowing my mind. 1/x
October 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM
A view from the college teaching trenches coping with AI. Writing loses while tech readiness sees no gains. A thread
I am a coordinator of the
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program and a sociologist teaching at a community college in NYC. The stories I’m hearing from faculty about students’ AI use, or rather, their inability and unwillingness to do assignments without AI is blowing my mind. 1/x
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program and a sociologist teaching at a community college in NYC. The stories I’m hearing from faculty about students’ AI use, or rather, their inability and unwillingness to do assignments without AI is blowing my mind. 1/x
October 16, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I am a coordinator of the
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program and a sociologist teaching at a community college in NYC. The stories I’m hearing from faculty about students’ AI use, or rather, their inability and unwillingness to do assignments without AI is blowing my mind. 1/x
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program and a sociologist teaching at a community college in NYC. The stories I’m hearing from faculty about students’ AI use, or rather, their inability and unwillingness to do assignments without AI is blowing my mind. 1/x
Reposted by Rifat Salam
Normies absolutely have no idea that there are any of the concerns or negative externalities with the major AI platforms, because media absolutely refuse to cover the topic.
having returned to the workplace and being around the general public recently has shown me that there are a vast number of people who are completely unaware of the problems with using generative AI, or even the fact that there are problems with it
October 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Normies absolutely have no idea that there are any of the concerns or negative externalities with the major AI platforms, because media absolutely refuse to cover the topic.
Reposted by Rifat Salam
Wed, Oct 29, 10am on Zoom.
A monthly online workshop series on responding to urgency. Sessions will employ writing, deep listening and discussion, and somatic practices to facilitate meaningful relationships with each other and communities.
All are welcome. centerforthehumanities.org/event/compas...
A monthly online workshop series on responding to urgency. Sessions will employ writing, deep listening and discussion, and somatic practices to facilitate meaningful relationships with each other and communities.
All are welcome. centerforthehumanities.org/event/compas...
October 14, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Wed, Oct 29, 10am on Zoom.
A monthly online workshop series on responding to urgency. Sessions will employ writing, deep listening and discussion, and somatic practices to facilitate meaningful relationships with each other and communities.
All are welcome. centerforthehumanities.org/event/compas...
A monthly online workshop series on responding to urgency. Sessions will employ writing, deep listening and discussion, and somatic practices to facilitate meaningful relationships with each other and communities.
All are welcome. centerforthehumanities.org/event/compas...
Reposted by Rifat Salam
Ran into this poster on our campus today 😊
September 23, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Ran into this poster on our campus today 😊
Reposted by Rifat Salam
“Russia has a new way to surveil its citizens: a ‘super app.’ Made by the Russian tech company VK, the app is called Max, and as of September 1, it’s required on every new phone sold in Russia.”
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Putin Has a New Tool to Monitor Russians
Russia is pushing a “super app” for citizens. What could possibly go wrong?
www.theatlantic.com
October 12, 2025 at 1:15 AM
“Russia has a new way to surveil its citizens: a ‘super app.’ Made by the Russian tech company VK, the app is called Max, and as of September 1, it’s required on every new phone sold in Russia.”
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Reposted by Rifat Salam
(1)🎙️ Faculty Spotlight: Jen Siaca Curry
Adjunct professor, social impact leader, and advocate for youth and the arts—Jen Siaca Curry joins MA in Youth Studies student and host Leonor Pereaus for a lively conversation on the latest Youth Studies podcast.
Adjunct professor, social impact leader, and advocate for youth and the arts—Jen Siaca Curry joins MA in Youth Studies student and host Leonor Pereaus for a lively conversation on the latest Youth Studies podcast.
October 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM
(1)🎙️ Faculty Spotlight: Jen Siaca Curry
Adjunct professor, social impact leader, and advocate for youth and the arts—Jen Siaca Curry joins MA in Youth Studies student and host Leonor Pereaus for a lively conversation on the latest Youth Studies podcast.
Adjunct professor, social impact leader, and advocate for youth and the arts—Jen Siaca Curry joins MA in Youth Studies student and host Leonor Pereaus for a lively conversation on the latest Youth Studies podcast.
Reposted by Rifat Salam
On top of everything else, it’s just so massively unnecessary- If sites want these things, actual experts on this stuff would be queuing up to write them for free!
AI slop and the destruction of knowledge irisvanrooijcogsci.com/2025/08/12/a...
AI slop and the destruction of knowledge
This week I was looking for info on what cognitive scientists mean when they speak of ‘domain-general’ cognition. I was curious, because the nuances are relevant for something I am researching at t…
irisvanrooijcogsci.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM
On top of everything else, it’s just so massively unnecessary- If sites want these things, actual experts on this stuff would be queuing up to write them for free!
At the Section on Teaching and Learning in Sociology Hans O. Mauksch Address, “Pedagogical Dirty Work: Lessons about Respectability from Sexuality Studies” given by Allison Better at CUNY Kingsborough CC. Congrats on this deeply authentic account of an academic and pedagogical journey. #ASA2025
August 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
At the Section on Teaching and Learning in Sociology Hans O. Mauksch Address, “Pedagogical Dirty Work: Lessons about Respectability from Sexuality Studies” given by Allison Better at CUNY Kingsborough CC. Congrats on this deeply authentic account of an academic and pedagogical journey. #ASA2025
Reposted by Rifat Salam
The AI Con at #ASA2025! Grab a copy at the @harperbooks.bsky.social exhibit.
(w/ @emilymbender.bsky.social)
(w/ @emilymbender.bsky.social)
August 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The AI Con at #ASA2025! Grab a copy at the @harperbooks.bsky.social exhibit.
(w/ @emilymbender.bsky.social)
(w/ @emilymbender.bsky.social)
Reposted by Rifat Salam
It's probably going to be deployed for things it can't do well versus things it can probably do well e.g. a single prompt that sets all assignments due dates. www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
Faculty Are Latest Targets of Higher Ed’s AI-ification
A new partnership between OpenAI and Instructure will embed generative AI in Canvas. It may make grading easier, but faculty are skeptical it will enhance teaching and learning.
www.insidehighered.com
August 3, 2025 at 12:06 PM
It's probably going to be deployed for things it can't do well versus things it can probably do well e.g. a single prompt that sets all assignments due dates. www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
Reposted by Rifat Salam
It’s almost here! #ASA2025 starts the day after tomorrow. There’s still time to grab a train, plane, or automobile and meet us in Chicago for this gathering of sociologists that all your colleagues will be talking about! Register online or on site! bit.ly/RegisterASA25
#Chicago #ASA #sociology
#Chicago #ASA #sociology
August 6, 2025 at 8:16 PM
It’s almost here! #ASA2025 starts the day after tomorrow. There’s still time to grab a train, plane, or automobile and meet us in Chicago for this gathering of sociologists that all your colleagues will be talking about! Register online or on site! bit.ly/RegisterASA25
#Chicago #ASA #sociology
#Chicago #ASA #sociology
Superheroes who look out for people and fight villains to protect them is now “woke”? What are they supposed to be doing? And Superman was always a nice guy.
Superman is a Box Office Hit. But is it 'Woke'? fantastic !!! open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Superman is a Box Office Hit. But is it 'Woke'?
In James Gunn's reboot, the Man of Steel loves his girlfriend, cares about his dog, and treats people with kindness. Who could possibly object to that?
open.substack.com
July 15, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Superheroes who look out for people and fight villains to protect them is now “woke”? What are they supposed to be doing? And Superman was always a nice guy.
Reposted by Rifat Salam
Omg someone please DO THIS STUDY?!?
One of the research projects I will probably never get to, but hope someone does is a mixed-methods study of college professor AND student LMS use, w/ diary studies, observational ethnography, qual interviewing, and quant analysis of digital behaviors.
🧵 addressing the argument: "AI won’t replace teachers, but it will save them time and make them more effective.”
Adding edtech doesn't necessarily save teachers time. A recent study found that LMSs sold to schools over the past decade+ as time-savers aren’t delivering on making teaching easier.
Adding edtech doesn't necessarily save teachers time. A recent study found that LMSs sold to schools over the past decade+ as time-savers aren’t delivering on making teaching easier.
June 29, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Omg someone please DO THIS STUDY?!?