Joseph Sexton

@josephfsexton.bsky.social

Research tech at Vanderbilt. Critical approaches to measurement, suicide, and mental health, somewhere between statistics, psychology, and science studies (he/him) 🏳️‍🌈

If Metro Nashville wants to build dedicated transit lanes on state-controlled corridors, it needs the sign-off of the TN General Assembly. This week, the legislature is nearing approval of the city’s plans for dedicated lanes downtown and along Gallatin and Nolensville pikes. @stelliott.bsky.social

Dedicated transit lanes in Nashville nearing state approval - Nashville Banner

The Tennessee General Assembly is close to approving dedicated transit lanes in Nashville, paving the way for transportation improvements.

nashvillebanner.com

NSF updated the GRFP website with FAQs, mostly to do with outcry about (many) applications being returned without review. "The number of applications RWR has not changed substantially" they say. Translated: the proportion RWR likely ~doubled.

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INVESTIGATION: Over the last 5 months, the Banner and a coalition of partners analyzed 52 hours of footage and thousands of pages of documents from a joint THP/ICE operation targeting Nashville’s predominantly immigrant neighborhoods. Here’s what we found: (1/11) ✍️ @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social

How ICE, THP targeted Nashville immigrants, inflated safety claims - Nashville Banner

Analysis shows Tennessee state troopers and ICE agents profiled and disparaged immigrants during Nashville enforcement operation in May 2025.

nashvillebanner.com

I’m reading Susan Sontag’s Regarding the Pain of Others, about the development of wartime photography. Sontag is so arresting, always: “To catch a death actually happening and embalm it for all time is something only cameras can do”. If only she were still around.

As NSF GRFP is in the news, PLEASE spread the word about the new EGFP program they have for past GRFP honorable mentions. Universities in eligible states can apply to get funding for HMs in the same amount as GRFP. My impression is that many depts don't know this exists and so don't apply.

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Sorry, but if you're in a top-tier PhD program, with a stipend of $40k+, and/or you otherwise have the material resources and clout to afford conferences -- the student travel award is 99.9% chance not for you