sarah edwards
@seedwards.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Media Studies, North Central College. Feminist media studies // influencer industry // platforms // labor // tech. Formerly: UW-Madison Comm Arts, Social Media Collective. She/her.
https://sarahedwardsphd.com/
https://sarahedwardsphd.com/
Reposted by sarah edwards
New preprint alert! 🚨
“Let Them Eat Large Language Models: Artificial Intelligence and Austerity in the Neoliberal University”
“Let Them Eat Large Language Models: Artificial Intelligence and Austerity in the Neoliberal University”
October 25, 2025 at 5:05 PM
New preprint alert! 🚨
“Let Them Eat Large Language Models: Artificial Intelligence and Austerity in the Neoliberal University”
“Let Them Eat Large Language Models: Artificial Intelligence and Austerity in the Neoliberal University”
Reposted by sarah edwards
Just in time for Halloween, our @asapjournal.bsky.social cluster on Algorithms and the Occult is out! 👻
Featuring @emmaquilty.bsky.social, @aketchum22.bsky.social, @xrw.bsky.social, @drs.bsky.social, @serife.bsky.social, @thechristinet.bsky.social, @jessrauchberg.bsky.social, and more!
Featuring @emmaquilty.bsky.social, @aketchum22.bsky.social, @xrw.bsky.social, @drs.bsky.social, @serife.bsky.social, @thechristinet.bsky.social, @jessrauchberg.bsky.social, and more!
Algorithms and the Occult - ASAP/Review
asapjournal.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Just in time for Halloween, our @asapjournal.bsky.social cluster on Algorithms and the Occult is out! 👻
Featuring @emmaquilty.bsky.social, @aketchum22.bsky.social, @xrw.bsky.social, @drs.bsky.social, @serife.bsky.social, @thechristinet.bsky.social, @jessrauchberg.bsky.social, and more!
Featuring @emmaquilty.bsky.social, @aketchum22.bsky.social, @xrw.bsky.social, @drs.bsky.social, @serife.bsky.social, @thechristinet.bsky.social, @jessrauchberg.bsky.social, and more!
Reposted by sarah edwards
🚨New publication alert! This one was a personal favorite of mine to work on, including fun facts about such topics as streamers farting into microphones for money. “Hot tubs, yoga pants, and gamba” is out now and open access in Platforms & Society. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
October 9, 2025 at 12:20 PM
🚨New publication alert! This one was a personal favorite of mine to work on, including fun facts about such topics as streamers farting into microphones for money. “Hot tubs, yoga pants, and gamba” is out now and open access in Platforms & Society. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by sarah edwards
[New paper] "You and TikTok are, and will remain at all times, independent contractors", By @taylorannabell.bsky.social, @sophiebishop.bsky.social, & @cgoanta.bsky.social policyreview.info/articles/ana... #TikTok #Monetisation #PlatformGovernance
July 26, 2025 at 10:51 AM
[New paper] "You and TikTok are, and will remain at all times, independent contractors", By @taylorannabell.bsky.social, @sophiebishop.bsky.social, & @cgoanta.bsky.social policyreview.info/articles/ana... #TikTok #Monetisation #PlatformGovernance
Reposted by sarah edwards
I’m studying what communication and media scholars think about Twitter/X and its recent whirlwind of changes. If this sounds like you (and you've ever used twitter), please take this survey and share your thoughts.
sl.richmond.edu/Ee
And please share/circulate to help this reach the right people!
sl.richmond.edu/Ee
And please share/circulate to help this reach the right people!
September 26, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I’m studying what communication and media scholars think about Twitter/X and its recent whirlwind of changes. If this sounds like you (and you've ever used twitter), please take this survey and share your thoughts.
sl.richmond.edu/Ee
And please share/circulate to help this reach the right people!
sl.richmond.edu/Ee
And please share/circulate to help this reach the right people!
Reposted by sarah edwards
You can add up all the enjoyable pursuits of LLMs and the work productivity hacks and none of them, separately or together, will be more important than AI’s ecological costs or political disruption.
“We” is more important here.
“We” is more important here.
August 23, 2025 at 7:02 PM
You can add up all the enjoyable pursuits of LLMs and the work productivity hacks and none of them, separately or together, will be more important than AI’s ecological costs or political disruption.
“We” is more important here.
“We” is more important here.
Reposted by sarah edwards
Reposted by sarah edwards
New from 404 Media: the open-source piece of software saving the internet from AI bot scrapers. Anubis has been downloaded almost 200,000 times. We spoke to the creator: www.404media.co/the-open-sou...
The Open-Source Software Saving the Internet From AI Bot Scrapers
Anubis, which block AI scrapers from scraping websites to death, has been downloaded almost 200,000 times.
www.404media.co
July 7, 2025 at 1:24 PM
New from 404 Media: the open-source piece of software saving the internet from AI bot scrapers. Anubis has been downloaded almost 200,000 times. We spoke to the creator: www.404media.co/the-open-sou...
Reposted by sarah edwards
OPPOSITION TO AI workshop at #cscw2025 with @saysvera.bsky.social @richmondywong.bsky.social and more... Position papers due by July 1, details and CFP at oppositiontoai.wordpress.com
The resistance is growing --JOIN US!
The resistance is growing --JOIN US!
June 21, 2025 at 1:36 PM
OPPOSITION TO AI workshop at #cscw2025 with @saysvera.bsky.social @richmondywong.bsky.social and more... Position papers due by July 1, details and CFP at oppositiontoai.wordpress.com
The resistance is growing --JOIN US!
The resistance is growing --JOIN US!
Reposted by sarah edwards
✨New publication! My article “The limits of 'zero tolerance' policies for animated pornographic media” just got released in @pornstudiesjournal.bsky.social!! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reach out if you don’t have access and want a copy (preprint below) 📩
🧵 of the findings 👇
Reach out if you don’t have access and want a copy (preprint below) 📩
🧵 of the findings 👇
May 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
✨New publication! My article “The limits of 'zero tolerance' policies for animated pornographic media” just got released in @pornstudiesjournal.bsky.social!! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reach out if you don’t have access and want a copy (preprint below) 📩
🧵 of the findings 👇
Reach out if you don’t have access and want a copy (preprint below) 📩
🧵 of the findings 👇
Reposted by sarah edwards
I spoke to WaPo for this story and I think it overlooks the most interesting part. Yes tech corporations are taking a hard line (we’ve known that for a while), what’s surprising is people are still fighting back. And they will continue to do so.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Big Tech takes a harder line against worker activism, political dissent
A tighter labor market and lower corporate tolerance has stifled employee input on controversies over company policy, AI safety and the Israel-Gaza war.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 16, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I spoke to WaPo for this story and I think it overlooks the most interesting part. Yes tech corporations are taking a hard line (we’ve known that for a while), what’s surprising is people are still fighting back. And they will continue to do so.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by sarah edwards
🔥CFP HOT OFF THE PRESS!🔥 I'm really excited to be editing this special issue on Cultural Workers and Generative AI with @grohmannrafael.bsky.social and Daphne Idiz for AI & Society. Abstract submission deadline 30th June, get in touch with questions!
MORE INFO: link.springer.com/journal/146/...
MORE INFO: link.springer.com/journal/146/...
April 9, 2025 at 9:33 PM
🔥CFP HOT OFF THE PRESS!🔥 I'm really excited to be editing this special issue on Cultural Workers and Generative AI with @grohmannrafael.bsky.social and Daphne Idiz for AI & Society. Abstract submission deadline 30th June, get in touch with questions!
MORE INFO: link.springer.com/journal/146/...
MORE INFO: link.springer.com/journal/146/...
Reposted by sarah edwards
Hello I've decided to use Blue Sky now. In unrelated news, my book 'Influencer Creep' will be published with University of California press in October 2025. It's about the ways influencer culture has transformed creative work.
Preorder here: www.ucpress.edu/books/influe...
Preorder here: www.ucpress.edu/books/influe...
April 13, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Hello I've decided to use Blue Sky now. In unrelated news, my book 'Influencer Creep' will be published with University of California press in October 2025. It's about the ways influencer culture has transformed creative work.
Preorder here: www.ucpress.edu/books/influe...
Preorder here: www.ucpress.edu/books/influe...
Reposted by sarah edwards
new essay with @brookeerinduffy.bsky.social out in @newsweek.com this morning!
we examine the influencer industry's oft-overlooked gender politics and what this oversight means for the future of digital work.
www.newsweek.com/when-social-...
we examine the influencer industry's oft-overlooked gender politics and what this oversight means for the future of digital work.
www.newsweek.com/when-social-...
When Social Media Influencers Were Women | Opinion
Influencing's third decade marks a gendered difference in digital entrepreneurship as the industry strays from its roots in fashion and style. As the industry transforms, will we remember a time when ...
www.newsweek.com
March 28, 2025 at 2:11 PM
new essay with @brookeerinduffy.bsky.social out in @newsweek.com this morning!
we examine the influencer industry's oft-overlooked gender politics and what this oversight means for the future of digital work.
www.newsweek.com/when-social-...
we examine the influencer industry's oft-overlooked gender politics and what this oversight means for the future of digital work.
www.newsweek.com/when-social-...
Reposted by sarah edwards
Join us APRIL 14TH for #CCSNChats: "Archiving the Internet?" ft. Sakyra Abbitt, Camille Lawrence, Meredith Clark & Zakiya Collier!
These all-stars will discuss the practices & politics of archiving the internet in the volatile context of platforms 🔗🧵👇
www.eventbrite.com/e/ccsn-chats...
These all-stars will discuss the practices & politics of archiving the internet in the volatile context of platforms 🔗🧵👇
www.eventbrite.com/e/ccsn-chats...
CCSN Chats: Archiving the Internet?
Join us for CCSN Chats where we explore the practices and politics of archiving the internet and social media platforms.
www.eventbrite.com
March 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Join us APRIL 14TH for #CCSNChats: "Archiving the Internet?" ft. Sakyra Abbitt, Camille Lawrence, Meredith Clark & Zakiya Collier!
These all-stars will discuss the practices & politics of archiving the internet in the volatile context of platforms 🔗🧵👇
www.eventbrite.com/e/ccsn-chats...
These all-stars will discuss the practices & politics of archiving the internet in the volatile context of platforms 🔗🧵👇
www.eventbrite.com/e/ccsn-chats...
Reposted by sarah edwards
Really excited to share my latest article, "Articulating algorithmic ableism: The suppression and surveillance of disabled TikTok creators," is now published in Journal of Gender Studies!
A beautiful conversation between disability + creator studies.
Read here ↪️ shorturl.at/ft5
A beautiful conversation between disability + creator studies.
Read here ↪️ shorturl.at/ft5
March 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Really excited to share my latest article, "Articulating algorithmic ableism: The suppression and surveillance of disabled TikTok creators," is now published in Journal of Gender Studies!
A beautiful conversation between disability + creator studies.
Read here ↪️ shorturl.at/ft5
A beautiful conversation between disability + creator studies.
Read here ↪️ shorturl.at/ft5
Reposted by sarah edwards
Hot take: education is a Good Thing™ and net positive for society. I guess that's why the techno-fascists are hell-bent on destroying it. Fuck 'em
#HigherEd #LaborForHigherEd
On W Feb 19 there are lots of actions planed at campuses and capitols across the nation. More info at:
labor4highered.org
#HigherEd #LaborForHigherEd
On W Feb 19 there are lots of actions planed at campuses and capitols across the nation. More info at:
labor4highered.org
February 18, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Hot take: education is a Good Thing™ and net positive for society. I guess that's why the techno-fascists are hell-bent on destroying it. Fuck 'em
#HigherEd #LaborForHigherEd
On W Feb 19 there are lots of actions planed at campuses and capitols across the nation. More info at:
labor4highered.org
#HigherEd #LaborForHigherEd
On W Feb 19 there are lots of actions planed at campuses and capitols across the nation. More info at:
labor4highered.org
Reposted by sarah edwards
Platforms aren't forever, but I predict the TikTok ban is going to hurt those who rely on the app the most: millions of American creators & small business owners as they navigate economic uncertainty and inflation.
A highly unregulated economy just became much more precarious.
A highly unregulated economy just became much more precarious.
January 17, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Platforms aren't forever, but I predict the TikTok ban is going to hurt those who rely on the app the most: millions of American creators & small business owners as they navigate economic uncertainty and inflation.
A highly unregulated economy just became much more precarious.
A highly unregulated economy just became much more precarious.
Reposted by sarah edwards
🎉 The CCSN is now on Bluesky! 🎉 The Content Creator Scholars Network: Your community for critical studies on digital creators, platform economies & cultures. Join us for resources, events, blogs, and collaborative knowledge—there’s something for everyone interested in creator culture www.ccsn.site
CCSN
The Content Creator Scholars Network
www.ccsn.site
December 18, 2024 at 4:55 PM
🎉 The CCSN is now on Bluesky! 🎉 The Content Creator Scholars Network: Your community for critical studies on digital creators, platform economies & cultures. Join us for resources, events, blogs, and collaborative knowledge—there’s something for everyone interested in creator culture www.ccsn.site
Reposted by sarah edwards
🚨 The CCSN is coming to ICA! 🚨 If you're exploring creator culture, don't forget to submit your work and join us (due - Jan 31) for our full-day pre-conf packed with insightful speakers, workshops & research talks. Check out the full CFP on our website and follow our newsletter! 👇 ccsn.site/ica
December 18, 2024 at 8:58 AM
🚨 The CCSN is coming to ICA! 🚨 If you're exploring creator culture, don't forget to submit your work and join us (due - Jan 31) for our full-day pre-conf packed with insightful speakers, workshops & research talks. Check out the full CFP on our website and follow our newsletter! 👇 ccsn.site/ica
Reposted by sarah edwards
Publication news! 🎺 It’s Wrapped season… and Taylor’s (@taylorannabell.bsky.social) and my article on our Spotify (Un)wrapped project is now out in the Journal of Gender Studies. The article outlines how creative workshops can be used to critically analyse ‘algorithmic events’ like Wrapped.
Spotify (Un)wrapped: how ordinary users critically reflect on Spotify’s datafication of the self within creative workshops
Each year, Spotify nudges users to share aesthetically pleasing data stories ‘wrapped’ and repackaged from their listening behavior. This article approaches Spotify Wrapped as an annual algorithmic...
doi.org
November 26, 2024 at 8:56 PM
Publication news! 🎺 It’s Wrapped season… and Taylor’s (@taylorannabell.bsky.social) and my article on our Spotify (Un)wrapped project is now out in the Journal of Gender Studies. The article outlines how creative workshops can be used to critically analyse ‘algorithmic events’ like Wrapped.
Reposted by sarah edwards
⚠️New Publication Alert⚠️ My article "Standing in as a Famed, Diverse Virtual Influencer : Proxy Labor and Identity Construction in Computer-Generated Influencer Production" is out, as part of the Velvet Light Trap Fall 2024 Special Issue on Creative Labor and Precacity. doi.org/10.7560/VLT9...
Standing In as a Famed, Diverse Virtual Influencer: Proxy Labor and Identity Construction in Computer-Generated Influencer Production | The Velvet Light Trap
This article examines issues of labor and representation in computer-generated influencer production. I explore the implications of this production for behind-the-scene workers and identity constructi...
doi.org
November 27, 2024 at 6:34 PM
⚠️New Publication Alert⚠️ My article "Standing in as a Famed, Diverse Virtual Influencer : Proxy Labor and Identity Construction in Computer-Generated Influencer Production" is out, as part of the Velvet Light Trap Fall 2024 Special Issue on Creative Labor and Precacity. doi.org/10.7560/VLT9...
Reposted by sarah edwards
my latest with @jessmaddox.bsky.social is out this morning in @femmediastudies.bsky.social! We propose influencer snark as a feminist media practice to address concerns of credibility, authenticity, and representation in the influencer industry.
please share!!!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/XZSZD...
please share!!!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/XZSZD...
November 19, 2024 at 1:47 PM
my latest with @jessmaddox.bsky.social is out this morning in @femmediastudies.bsky.social! We propose influencer snark as a feminist media practice to address concerns of credibility, authenticity, and representation in the influencer industry.
please share!!!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/XZSZD...
please share!!!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/XZSZD...
Deadline extended for the Velvet Light Trap's CFP on Creative Labor and Precarity 💫! New submission deadline is October 1, 2023. Read more about the CFP here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
VLT 94 CFP — Labor and Precarity
CFP: Creative Labor and Precarity The Velvet Light Trap, Issue 94 (to be published Fall 2024) Special Issue Theme Work in the media industries has always been characterized by precarity and instabili...
docs.google.com
September 5, 2023 at 4:58 PM
Deadline extended for the Velvet Light Trap's CFP on Creative Labor and Precarity 💫! New submission deadline is October 1, 2023. Read more about the CFP here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...