AI has much promise for research wrt qualitative coding, potentially taking a process that provides a rich source of data but is expensive and time-intensive, and making it more affordable and timelier. BUT we have to keep humans in the loop (and ensure it's humans that we're actually studying).

Jamie Cummins@jamiecummins.bsky.social · 12mo ago

Can large language models stand in for human participants? Many social scientists seem to think so, and are already using "silicon samples" in research. One problem: depending on the analytic decisions made, you can basically get these samples to show any effect you want. THREAD 🧵

Most folks who have ever taught have a private account for personal stuff. It's an effort to hide from students - including, for example, the one who once figured out my friend's home address and appeared on her front porch to plea for a better grade. Boundaries are healthy, not criminal.

Marisa Kabas@marisakabas.bsky.social · last yr.

NEW—Rubio issues State Dept. cable instructing enhanced social media vetting for ALL people (students, faculty, etc) seeking travel visas to Harvard under guise of “antisemitism.” All social media profiles must be public, otherwise seen “as an effort to evade or hide certain activity.” Full cable:

Looks like that flight from Akron to Fort Lauderdale is about to get pretty popular.

The New York Times@nytimes.com · last yr.

The ongoing crisis at Newark Airport has put a spotlight on the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers. As of May 7, only two of 313 facilities met staffing targets set by the FAA and the union representing controllers, according to an analysis by The New York Times. nyti.ms/4mqoUYe

💯 This is a critical moment for science in the US: as we lose the ability to take public support for granted, we must do a better job of demonstrating the value of publicly-funded research in translational ways. Let's all think creatively about how to engage.

Stand Up for Science!@standupforscience.net · last yr.

Ready to crank it up a notch: Open your lab to the public! This can be virtual or IRL!

For folks affected by the NSF cuts - glad to see Spencer, Kapor, William T. Grant, and Alfred P. Sloan collaborate on bridge grants to help people thoughtfully and gracefully wind down their projects. Let's keep the science moving forward - even as we figure out the new pathways.

Meeting the Moment Together

We are returning from the AERA Annual Meeting in Denver reinvigorated and with a deep appreciation for all that scholars and higher education leaders are holding in this moment. Rapid shifts in fed...

spencer.org

Sometimes it is hard for the general public to follow the inside baseball of the US research system - we need more pieces like this, please. (also, this is the stuff that makes a #GDTBATH)

Rob Taber@robtaber.bsky.social · last yr.

Great to see this op-ed by UNC System President Peter Hans on WHY the federal government funds research through competitive grants. #HigherEd

I keep coming across new lists of education research (and adjacent) job opportunities so if you are looking for work, check out these links. 👇 docs.google.com/spreadsheets... docs.google.com/spreadsheets... docs.google.com/spreadsheets... www.purposephilcareer.com

As a sociologist and third generation Levittowner, this one hits hard. What a life and legacy. Thank you, Dr. Gans.

American Sociological Association@asanews.bsky.social · last yr.

Herbert J. Gans, groundbreaking sociologist and the 78th President of the American Sociological Association, passed away on April 21. His work included unpacking misconceptions about poverty, class, urban renewal, & suburban malaise. bit.ly/42rxgXq

An oldie but goodie from @randyau.com. #databs www.counting-stuff.com/whys-it-hard...

Why's it hard to teach data cleaning?

Vicki Boykis did a great post about ghost knowledge this past week. “Ghost knowledge” being the term she cites from David Maclever for unwritten knowledge that’s only known to people of a field, like ...

counting-stuff.com

The thing about scientific research is that it’s one of the few national investments that’s a clear public good even if you entirely discount the actual ostensible point of it.

Sherry Pagoto, PhD@drsherrypagoto.bsky.social · last yr.

New report shows that NIH grants fueled $95 billion in economic activity and 407,782 jobs in 2024. That's not to mention the countless lives that biomedical research has saved. Show me a better investment than that. www.forbes.com/sites/michae...

#Communitycollege #sociology faculty-did you know we have a new Community for ASA members who teach (or are interested in teaching) at CC’s? You can join a Community with no extra fee through the member’s portal. www.asanet.org/communities-... @asanews.bsky.social

Communities | American Sociological Association

ASA Communities are a member-generated organizational structure approved by the Council on the recommendation of the ASA Task Force on Membership. Communities

asanet.org

Organizational sociology is often concerned with organizational disasters and malfeasance. I've thought about that a lot this weekend watching the DC crash unfold (pro-tip for journalists: someone get Diane Vaughan into an interview, stat). This is going to be complicated... 1/5

Very important conversation at Brookings as we pass the first 24 hours of Trump 2.0. The future of the US Department of Education www.brookings.edu/events/the-f...

The future of the US Department of Education

Join Brookings for a webinar to discuss the future of the U.S. Department of Education under the incoming administration.

brookings.edu

One snow dog and one southern belle.

@bstabler.bsky.social June the hen contemplates a new winter-friendly watering hole.

Tough news for college enrollment - seems the 2025 enrollment cliff is arriving ahead of schedule.

Fewer 18-year-olds enrolled in college this fall

New data shows enrollment among 18-year-old freshmen dropped this year. Some higher ed experts say last year’s botched FAFSA rollout is at least partly to blame.

insidehighered.com