Laia Balcells
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laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells
@laiabalcells.bsky.social
7.2K followers 1.6K following 800 posts

Yale educated political scientist. Georgetown professor. Views here are personal. Reskeets are not endorsements.

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Political science 60%
Sociology 17%
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Reposted by Laia Balcells

unu-wider.bsky.social
UNU-WIDER @unu-wider.bsky.social · 19h
How do violent pasts shape democratic politics decades later?

A new Broadstreet blog by @laiabalcells.bsky.social, @apvjustino.bsky.social and @andrearuggeri.bsky.social dives into findings from the Comparative Political Studies special issue.

Read more: go.unu.edu/fc9rP
Black and white image of Italian partisans of the Brigade Garibaldi.

Reposted by Laia Balcells

yalesph.bsky.social
Yale School of Public Health @yalesph.bsky.social · 1d
Beyond the financial toll, the researchers found that withdrawing support for rapidly advancing mRNA vaccine technology could result in over 49,000 preventable deaths annually among patients diagnosed with four major cancers.

3/3

Reposted by Joshua S. Weitz, Scott L. Greer, Daniel Webster , and 11 more

yalesph.bsky.social
Yale School of Public Health @yalesph.bsky.social · 1d
A new report from researchers at the Yale School of Public Health warns that the U.S. government’s abrupt cancellation of funding for mRNA vaccine research could have devastating health and economic consequences for the nation.
New report sounds alarm on health fallout from mRNA vaccine funding cuts
A new report from the Yale School of Public Health warns that the U.S. government’s abrupt cancellation of funding for mRNA vaccine research could have
ysph.yale.edu

Reposted by David Darmofal

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 1d
First time writing for Broadstreet blog! With @apvjustino.bsky.social and @andrearuggeri.bsky.social, we wrote about the Special Issue just published at Comparative Political Studies: www.broadstreet.blog/p/legacies-o...
Legacies of Repression: How Europe’s Violent 20th Century Still Shapes Its Politics
by Laia Balcells, Patricia Justino, and Andrea Ruggeri
www.broadstreet.blog

Reposted by Marco Festa‐Bianchet, Jonathan A. Foley, Laia Balcells , and 18 more

nkalamb.bsky.social
Nathan Kalman-Lamb @nkalamb.bsky.social · 3d
I’m sorry, but it is disgraceful to be an academic who uses this technology to conduct research. It should be prohibited in all of our scholarly institutions, including universities and journals.

Reposted by David Darmofal

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 4d
Polarized Equality? Ideological and Affective Divides Over Gender Equality in Europe onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Polarized Equality? Ideological and Affective Divides Over Gender Equality in Europe
Objective This study examines polarization over gender equality in Europe, an issue that has received limited attention in the polarization literature despite growing politicization and opposition, ...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 5d
Very sad and distressing news from UNC: www.dailytarheel.com/article/a4ee...
UNC cuts all six area studies research centers, effective 2026
As part of the University's plan to make $70 million in budget cuts across the institution, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations Nate Knuffman projected that cutting 14 centers and institutes in...
www.dailytarheel.com

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Michael W. Kraus

olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social
Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 8d
guys is it happening??

www.mediaite.com/politics/two...

Reposted by Anne Applebaum, Kim L. Scheppele, Valerie P. Hans , and 18 more

raypride.bsky.social
Ray Pride @raypride.bsky.social · 8d
Rob Reiner: “Silence in the face of authoritarianism is complicity. Speaking out is a patriotic act. Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It requires participation, vigilance, and courage from ordinary people."

Reposted by Laia Balcells

casmudde.bsky.social
Cas Mudde @casmudde.bsky.social · 9d
Unlike in the U.S., in Hungary sexual abuse of children is leading to massive protests that pose a serious threat to the power of their far-right leader.
24hoursukraine.bsky.social 24Hours Ukraine @24hoursukraine.bsky.social · 9d
🇭🇺Massive demonstrations in Budapest, Hungary against the Viktor Orbán’s regime.

Protesters carried toys and torches under the banner “Protect the children!” showing solidarity with children who became victims of abuse in the state care system

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Aviel Roshwald, David Darmofal

nytimes.com
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 9d
The pilot of a JetBlue flight reported on Friday that he narrowly avoided colliding with a U.S. military aircraft over the Caribbean after an Air Force refueling tanker passed in front of the commercial plane without broadcasting its position, according to air traffic control radio communications.
U.S. Military Plane and JetBlue Flight Nearly Collided Over Caribbean, Radio Traffic Shows
The Air Force refueling tanker was flying without its location transponder activated and could not be detected by air traffic control.
nyti.ms

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Scott A. Imberman, Seth Masket , and 1 more

williamadler78.bsky.social
William Adler @williamadler78.bsky.social · 9d
Jews everywhere understand that this is the omnipresent reality of being Jewish now. There's a reason my synagogue built a 10-foot tall fence around the whole building and has armed security guards.

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Sebastian Karcher

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 9d
Murphy: "We need to understand the choice we've made in this nation to subject our kids to daily exposure to violence is not just about what happens inside schools. For many kids in our violent urban neighborhoods, it's about trauma that's breaking their brains & causing them to be unable to learn"

Reposted by Laia Balcells

meidastouch.com
MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 9d
Today, on what should have been a day of celebration, the Jewish community is instead mourning once again after a horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia, where two men opened fire and killed at least 12 people in a targeted terror attack against Jews celebrating Hanukkah.

Antisemitism is evil.

Reposted by Will Jennings, Benjamin Mason Meier, Rita Rubin , and 8 more

irishtimes.com
The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 9d
‘I heard 40, 50 shots’: Witnesses fled Bondi Beach as gunmen targeted Jewish event
‘I heard 40, 50 shots’: Witnesses fled Bondi Beach as gunmen targeted Jewish event
Gunshots ripped through a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, killing at least 12 people
www.irishtimes.com

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 10d
Thinking of all the community of Brown University people, including friends.

Reposted by Shannon Vallor, Laia Balcells, Smith , and 5 more

sarabrinton.bsky.social
Sara Brinton @sarabrinton.bsky.social · 10d
I am a student at Brown in communication with a friend at RIBC.

There is an urgent need for blood donations to support RI. Donations in NY, NJ, MN, NB, DE or NJ can help supply RI.

Spread the word.

www.ribc.org/donate-blood/
Donate Blood
Check your eligibility to donate blood, learn about the process and why blood matters, and enroll in a RIBC Donor Loyalty Rewards programs.
www.ribc.org

Reposted by Robert W. Wallace, Laia Balcells, Alan Richardson , and 2 more

chanda.blacksky.app
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 10d
AS A PROFESSOR, I AM ASKING

HOW ARE OUR STUDENTS SUPPOSED TO LEARN IN THESE CONDITIONS?

HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO GO TO SCHOOL AND TAKE EXAMS KNOWING SOMEONE MIGHT JUST SHOW UP WITH AN EASY TO ACQUIRE AUTOMATIC WEAPON?

HOW??????????
joshuajfriedman.com Joshua J. Friedman @joshuajfriedman.com · 10d
Longer statement from Brown University:

"We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of multiple shooting victims, but we are not able to share their condition. They have been transported to local hospitals."
DECEMBER 13, 6:05PM: At 4:22 p.m., we alerted our campus to an active shooter incident near Barus & Holley Engineering. We informed our community to shelter in place by locking doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. This remains an active crime scene, and law enforcement continues to search for the suspect. The situation is ongoing, and all members of the community should continue to shelter in place. We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of multiple shooting victims, but we are not able to share their condition. They have been transported to local hospitals. Our first priority is the safety of our community and coordinating closely with local law enforcement and medical personnel to ensure their safety. We are working immediately to determine who was in the building at the time of the shooting. We had multiple exams scheduled in that building from 2 pm to 5 pm. We can confirm that support services are on site. Senior administrative leaders from across the university are convened in emergency command to mobilize ongoing response and support for our community. We are establishing support for our community and families. We have been and continue to be very grateful to law enforcement and emergency medical personnel. We have relocated students to get support services at a secure location. Please continue to take all steps to remain safe. Follow the instructions of law enforcement personnel and avoid the area.

Reposted by Lisa W. Fazio, Laia Balcells, Michael Zimmer , and 4 more

matthewboedy.bsky.social
Matthew Boedy @matthewboedy.bsky.social · 10d
It’s been fun while it lasted: “Purdue University will begin requiring that all of its undergraduate students demonstrate basic competency in artificial intelligence starting with freshmen who enter the university in 2026.”

www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
Purdue University Approves New AI Requirement For All Undergrads
Purdue University will begin requiring that all of its undergraduate students meet an AI competency requirement starting with freshmen who enter the university in 2026.
www.forbes.com

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 10d
Fotografías muestran cómo quedó el Ala Este de la Casa Blanca tras ser demolida
cnnespanol.cnn.com/2025/10/23/e...
Fotografías muestran cómo quedó el Ala Este de la Casa Blanca tras ser demolida | CNN
La totalidad del Ala Este de la Casa Blanca parece haber sido derribada, según muestran fotos publicadas este jueves, mientras el presidente Donald Trump avanza rápidamente con los planes de construir...
cnnespanol.cnn.com

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 11d
Una de les coses més xules de ser catalanoparlant és tenir un idioma "secret" a la major part del món. Només això hauria de convèncer als joves de seguir parlant-lo.

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 11d
Abstract of the paper below. We are excited that this paper will be out in the world soon!

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 11d
Very exciting news to start the weekend. My paper with Fran Villamil, entitled "Generational Legacies of Authoritarianism: Evidence from Spain", has been accepted for publication at the European Journal of Political Research. This paper has had a journey, but I believe it has made it better.

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 14d
How to juice your Google Scholar h-index, preprint by preprint
retractionwatch.com/2025/12/08/h...
How to juice your Google Scholar h-index, preprint by preprint
A screenshot of Yousaf’s Google Scholar profile before it was removed. Muhammad Zain Yousaf, a postdoc at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, became a scholar of note overnight. Or so it …
retractionwatch.com

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Erica Chenoweth, Florence Faucher , and 5 more

gcapoccia.bsky.social
Giovanni Capoccia @gcapoccia.bsky.social · 14d
PhD opportunity at the University of Oxford. The Morelli scholarship funds a doctoral student to work with me on on democratic backsliding, strategies of democratic defense and regeneration, or the rise of illiberalism. Deadline Jan 9. More information at users.ox.ac.uk/~ssfc0073/

Reposted by Laia Balcells

amadeuantonio.bsky.social
Amadeu Antonio Stiftung @amadeuantonio.bsky.social · 15d
"Der Rechtsextremismus
in Deutschland
macht mir Angst"

Sagen 74 % der Deutschen.

Eine repräsentative Umfrage der CDU-nahen Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung zeigt klar: Rechtsextremismus ist nach wie vor die größte Bedrohung für die innere Sicherheit dieses Landes und für unser Zusammenleben.
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung: Deutsche machen sich mehr Sorgen über Rechtsextremismus als Zuwanderer
Drei Viertel der Deutschen ohne Migrationshintergrund haben Angst vor Rechtsextremismus. Auch Zuwanderer zeigten sich in einer Umfrage besorgt – aber etwas weniger.
www.zeit.de

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Michael Larkin

eliothiggins.bsky.social
Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 15d
‘I feel it’s a friend’: quarter of teenagers turn to AI chatbots for mental health support www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
‘I feel it’s a friend’: quarter of teenagers turn to AI chatbots for mental health support
Experts warn of dangers as England and Wales study shows 13- to 17-year-olds consulting AI amid long waiting lists for services
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Laia Balcells

kaimthaler.bsky.social
Kai Thaler @kaimthaler.bsky.social · 15d
Great to have When Rebels Win now in physical form! It’s available from Cornell University Press (use code 09BCARD for 30% off) or other major booksellers www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
Copies of the book When Rebels Win: Ideology, Statebuilding, and Power after Civil Wars by Kai M. Thaler

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Sebastian Karcher

cambup-polsci.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press Political Science & IR @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org · 15d
NEW ISSUE from @apsrjournal.bsky.social -

American Political Science Review - Volume 119 - Issue 4 - https://cup.org/4pzLcrt

cc @apsa.bsky.social
Cover of APSR (American Political Science Review) November 2025 issue, featuring a group of individuals taking an oath of allegiance with US flags and a person at the forefront holding an 'Oath of Allegiance' booklet.

Reposted by Laia Balcells, David Darmofal

pbsnews.org
PBS News @pbsnews.org · 18d
Frank Gehry, who designed some of most imaginative buildings ever constructed and achieved a level of worldwide acclaim seldom afforded any architect, has died. He was 96. https://to.pbs.org/3Y9b15s
Frank Gehry, celebrated architect of wildly imaginative buildings, dies at 96
Among his many masterpieces are the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and Berlin’s DZ Bank Building. Gehry was awarded every major prize architecture has ...
to.pbs.org