Diana O'Brien
@dzobrien.bsky.social
Professor at @washu.edu researching gender and politics and women’s political representation. More info at: www.dianaobrien.com
The same people who claim they want to "defend women." Gender studies departments have incredibly committed instructors. They get students to read, write, and think, exposing them to interdisciplinary coursework that helps them make sense of the world. They do this with limited resources & support.
Breaking News: Texas A&M ended its women’s studies program and changed hundreds of courses over race and gender to comply with new policies limiting how race and gender ideology may be discussed in classrooms.
Texas A&M Ends Women’s Studies and Overhauls Hundreds of Classes on Race and Gender
New policies limiting the teaching of race and gender issues led administrators and professors to change hundreds of courses. School leaders say the rules could hurt A&M’s reputation.
nyti.ms
January 30, 2026 at 8:25 PM
The same people who claim they want to "defend women." Gender studies departments have incredibly committed instructors. They get students to read, write, and think, exposing them to interdisciplinary coursework that helps them make sense of the world. They do this with limited resources & support.
One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year was "The Politics of Perception," sent to me by the brilliant author, @kstauffer.bsky.social. It's a must-read book about how & why Americans' (mis)perceptions of 🚺's political representation influence their efficacy, trust, approval of institutions.
January 29, 2026 at 8:48 PM
One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year was "The Politics of Perception," sent to me by the brilliant author, @kstauffer.bsky.social. It's a must-read book about how & why Americans' (mis)perceptions of 🚺's political representation influence their efficacy, trust, approval of institutions.
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
January 15, 2026 at 3:10 AM
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
Does news about a more diverse Congress change how Americans see democracy?
In POQ, Olson et al. find that diversity boosts Democrats’ trust in Congress, has no effect on Republicans, and does not weaken support for democratic norms.
Read now: doi.org/10.1093/poq/...
In POQ, Olson et al. find that diversity boosts Democrats’ trust in Congress, has no effect on Republicans, and does not weaken support for democratic norms.
Read now: doi.org/10.1093/poq/...
January 13, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Does news about a more diverse Congress change how Americans see democracy?
In POQ, Olson et al. find that diversity boosts Democrats’ trust in Congress, has no effect on Republicans, and does not weaken support for democratic norms.
Read now: doi.org/10.1093/poq/...
In POQ, Olson et al. find that diversity boosts Democrats’ trust in Congress, has no effect on Republicans, and does not weaken support for democratic norms.
Read now: doi.org/10.1093/poq/...
🚨Free book alert (for 2 weeks)!
In her new CUP Element, @caglayanbaser.bsky.social shows that rebel groups with♀️combatants are seen as more gender-equal, democratic and morally legitimate, even when they perpetrate violence. This increases public support for government sponsorship of rebel groups!
In her new CUP Element, @caglayanbaser.bsky.social shows that rebel groups with♀️combatants are seen as more gender-equal, democratic and morally legitimate, even when they perpetrate violence. This increases public support for government sponsorship of rebel groups!
🎉New book alert! 📢Do female combatants shape foreign support for rebel groups?
My new @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org
book shows that groups with women fighters receive more foreign backing because they’re seen as more democratic, gender equal and less violent.
🔓Free to read for 2 weeks👇
My new @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org
book shows that groups with women fighters receive more foreign backing because they’re seen as more democratic, gender equal and less violent.
🔓Free to read for 2 weeks👇
Excited to share a new Cambridge Element in the Gender & Politics Series. 📚 Read for free for the next 2 weeks cup.org/49HjK5q
Congratulations @caglayanbaser.bsky.social
👏👏👏
@cambup-polsci.cambridge.org
@dzobrien.bsky.social
@rblaifeder.bsky.social
Congratulations @caglayanbaser.bsky.social
👏👏👏
@cambup-polsci.cambridge.org
@dzobrien.bsky.social
@rblaifeder.bsky.social
January 8, 2026 at 4:51 PM
🚨Free book alert (for 2 weeks)!
In her new CUP Element, @caglayanbaser.bsky.social shows that rebel groups with♀️combatants are seen as more gender-equal, democratic and morally legitimate, even when they perpetrate violence. This increases public support for government sponsorship of rebel groups!
In her new CUP Element, @caglayanbaser.bsky.social shows that rebel groups with♀️combatants are seen as more gender-equal, democratic and morally legitimate, even when they perpetrate violence. This increases public support for government sponsorship of rebel groups!
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
Now on my substack, Gender Gap: 5 notable gaps discussed in 2025.
1. leaving the U.S.
2. marriage aspirations
3. social media use
4. loneliness
5. college plans
I picked these bc they signal how men/women structure their social lives and are imagining their futures.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
1. leaving the U.S.
2. marriage aspirations
3. social media use
4. loneliness
5. college plans
I picked these bc they signal how men/women structure their social lives and are imagining their futures.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
December 23, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Now on my substack, Gender Gap: 5 notable gaps discussed in 2025.
1. leaving the U.S.
2. marriage aspirations
3. social media use
4. loneliness
5. college plans
I picked these bc they signal how men/women structure their social lives and are imagining their futures.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
1. leaving the U.S.
2. marriage aspirations
3. social media use
4. loneliness
5. college plans
I picked these bc they signal how men/women structure their social lives and are imagining their futures.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Excited that "Race, Gender, and Nascent Political Ambition" is now out in @bjpols.bsky.social. W/ survey of white, Hispanic, and Black American respondents, we show primary gap in nascent political ambition is not between men and women but between white men and the majority of the polity.
December 18, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Excited that "Race, Gender, and Nascent Political Ambition" is now out in @bjpols.bsky.social. W/ survey of white, Hispanic, and Black American respondents, we show primary gap in nascent political ambition is not between men and women but between white men and the majority of the polity.
I once had the privilege of teaching a women & politics courses at Texas A&M. I inherited the class from a colleague, but I made it fully my own (no one double-checked my syllabi). And the course addressed gender, sexuality, and intersectionality—b/c, obvi. I have never enjoyed teaching more! 1/
Texas A&M University adopts a policy requiring professors to get approval from the school president to discuss certain race and gender issues.
Texas A&M University professors now need approval for some race and gender topics
Texas A&M University has adopted a new policy requiring professors to first get approval to discuss some race and gender topics.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
I once had the privilege of teaching a women & politics courses at Texas A&M. I inherited the class from a colleague, but I made it fully my own (no one double-checked my syllabi). And the course addressed gender, sexuality, and intersectionality—b/c, obvi. I have never enjoyed teaching more! 1/
Feeling grateful to @jennpiscopo.bsky.social for including our co-authored @apsrjournal.bsky.social article on gender quotas in this piece for @policyoptions.irpp.org. Despite pundits' fears, we find that 🚹's overrepresentation is much more corrosive to democratic legitimacy than gender quotas.
For @policyoptions.irpp.org, I wrote about how Canada lags its European and Anglo peers in electing women to parliament, how that harms their reputation, and, drawing on research w/ @dzobrien.bsky.social & Amanda Clayton, why voters prefer gender parity. policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/10/gend...
Canada ranks 71st for women in politics
Canada ranks 71st in the world for women in parliament. Voters support gender quotas to make politics more representative.
policyoptions.irpp.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Feeling grateful to @jennpiscopo.bsky.social for including our co-authored @apsrjournal.bsky.social article on gender quotas in this piece for @policyoptions.irpp.org. Despite pundits' fears, we find that 🚹's overrepresentation is much more corrosive to democratic legitimacy than gender quotas.
I’m really proud of (and grateful to) my colleagues for writing this op-ed. As a @washu.edu alumna and faculty member, I forcefully echo their statement. Faculty excellence and student success should be our lodestar. Signing the compact moves us further from those aims.
New editorial from me and @keithschnak.bsky.social.
“Why Washington University must not sign Trump's 'compact'”
“Why Washington University must not sign Trump's 'compact'”
Opinion: Why Washington University must not sign Trump's 'compact'
Washington University in St. Louis has built its reputation on a simple ideal: excellence wins. For decades, our researchers have competed for and won federal grants based on the quality
www.stltoday.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I’m really proud of (and grateful to) my colleagues for writing this op-ed. As a @washu.edu alumna and faculty member, I forcefully echo their statement. Faculty excellence and student success should be our lodestar. Signing the compact moves us further from those aims.
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
#OpenAccess from August 2025 -
Voter Sexism and Electoral Penalties for Women Candidates: Evidence from Four Democracies - cup.org/4m4smXP
"research suggests sexism is prevalent and consequential for voter behaviour"
- @rosieshorrocks.bsky.social, Elizabeth Ralph-Morrow & Roosmarijn de Geus
Voter Sexism and Electoral Penalties for Women Candidates: Evidence from Four Democracies - cup.org/4m4smXP
"research suggests sexism is prevalent and consequential for voter behaviour"
- @rosieshorrocks.bsky.social, Elizabeth Ralph-Morrow & Roosmarijn de Geus
October 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
#OpenAccess from August 2025 -
Voter Sexism and Electoral Penalties for Women Candidates: Evidence from Four Democracies - cup.org/4m4smXP
"research suggests sexism is prevalent and consequential for voter behaviour"
- @rosieshorrocks.bsky.social, Elizabeth Ralph-Morrow & Roosmarijn de Geus
Voter Sexism and Electoral Penalties for Women Candidates: Evidence from Four Democracies - cup.org/4m4smXP
"research suggests sexism is prevalent and consequential for voter behaviour"
- @rosieshorrocks.bsky.social, Elizabeth Ralph-Morrow & Roosmarijn de Geus
Are you attending #APSA2025 and (thinking of) writing a book on the topic of gender and politics?! Come meet the editors of the @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org Cambridge Studies in Gender & Politics! Friday at 2:30pm at the Sutton Place Hotel (Salon Cezanne). We want to talk w/ you!
📢 Meet the Editors: Cambridge Studies in Gender and Politics
📅 APSA Annual Meeting, Fri 12, 2:30–3:30pm
📍 Salon Cezanne, Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver
Join the editors for an informal gathering to learn about the series & share your research on gender and politics
www.cambridge.org/core/series/...
📅 APSA Annual Meeting, Fri 12, 2:30–3:30pm
📍 Salon Cezanne, Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver
Join the editors for an informal gathering to learn about the series & share your research on gender and politics
www.cambridge.org/core/series/...
Cambridge Studies in Gender and Politics
Welcome to Cambridge Core
www.cambridge.org
September 11, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Are you attending #APSA2025 and (thinking of) writing a book on the topic of gender and politics?! Come meet the editors of the @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org Cambridge Studies in Gender & Politics! Friday at 2:30pm at the Sutton Place Hotel (Salon Cezanne). We want to talk w/ you!
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
Here's the catalog description the now-fired Texas A&M lecturer allegedly transgressed by giving a lecture about gender in children's literature.
ENGL 360 Literature for Children
Credits 3. 3 Lecture hours. Representative writers, genres, texts and movements.
president.tamu.edu/messages/an-...
ENGL 360 Literature for Children
Credits 3. 3 Lecture hours. Representative writers, genres, texts and movements.
president.tamu.edu/messages/an-...
September 10, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Here's the catalog description the now-fired Texas A&M lecturer allegedly transgressed by giving a lecture about gender in children's literature.
ENGL 360 Literature for Children
Credits 3. 3 Lecture hours. Representative writers, genres, texts and movements.
president.tamu.edu/messages/an-...
ENGL 360 Literature for Children
Credits 3. 3 Lecture hours. Representative writers, genres, texts and movements.
president.tamu.edu/messages/an-...
So proud of @gdilandro.bsky.social for successfully defending his thesis "Political Parties and the Gender Voting Gap in Western Democracies: A Supply and Demand Framework." He's already published one dissertation paper in @bjpols.bsky.social & there's more great gender & politics work to come! 🍾
August 8, 2025 at 4:44 PM
So proud of @gdilandro.bsky.social for successfully defending his thesis "Political Parties and the Gender Voting Gap in Western Democracies: A Supply and Demand Framework." He's already published one dissertation paper in @bjpols.bsky.social & there's more great gender & politics work to come! 🍾
📘 New from Cambridge & free to download for the next two weeks!
"Attitudes toward Political Authoritarianism in Economically Advanced Democracies: The Role of Gender Values and Norms" by Amy C. Alexander & @gefjonoff.bsky.social!
Check out the 🧵 below for a great summary!
"Attitudes toward Political Authoritarianism in Economically Advanced Democracies: The Role of Gender Values and Norms" by Amy C. Alexander & @gefjonoff.bsky.social!
Check out the 🧵 below for a great summary!
Our Element is out! 🎉
Why do authoritarian-leaning leaders target women’s and LGBTQ+ rights? Is there a systematic pattern that reaches beyond individual country cases, and how is this reflected in people’s attitudes and societal norms?
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Why do authoritarian-leaning leaders target women’s and LGBTQ+ rights? Is there a systematic pattern that reaches beyond individual country cases, and how is this reflected in people’s attitudes and societal norms?
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Attitudes toward Political Authoritarianism in Economically Advanced Democracies
Cambridge Core - Politics: General Interest - Attitudes toward Political Authoritarianism in Economically Advanced Democracies
www.cambridge.org
July 2, 2025 at 3:04 PM
📘 New from Cambridge & free to download for the next two weeks!
"Attitudes toward Political Authoritarianism in Economically Advanced Democracies: The Role of Gender Values and Norms" by Amy C. Alexander & @gefjonoff.bsky.social!
Check out the 🧵 below for a great summary!
"Attitudes toward Political Authoritarianism in Economically Advanced Democracies: The Role of Gender Values and Norms" by Amy C. Alexander & @gefjonoff.bsky.social!
Check out the 🧵 below for a great summary!
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
Today was the last day of the EITM Summer School in Mannheim. I am so more knowledgeable, wise and much grateful to Prof. Thomas König for this opportunity, and to Prof. Thomas Bräuninger, Prof. Richard Traunmüller, Prof. @dzobrien.bsky.social & Prof. @fortunato.bsky.social for teaching all of us 🙏🏼
June 20, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Today was the last day of the EITM Summer School in Mannheim. I am so more knowledgeable, wise and much grateful to Prof. Thomas König for this opportunity, and to Prof. Thomas Bräuninger, Prof. Richard Traunmüller, Prof. @dzobrien.bsky.social & Prof. @fortunato.bsky.social for teaching all of us 🙏🏼
🚨 New Cambridge Element! Glass Ceilings, Glass Cliffs, and Quicksands by Andrea S. Aldrich & @zeynsom.bsky.social uses original data from 11 democracies (1980–2020) to examine how gender shapes party leadership selection & survival. Free for 2 more days: cup.org/3HqJXty #gender #politics
June 17, 2025 at 1:28 PM
🚨 New Cambridge Element! Glass Ceilings, Glass Cliffs, and Quicksands by Andrea S. Aldrich & @zeynsom.bsky.social uses original data from 11 democracies (1980–2020) to examine how gender shapes party leadership selection & survival. Free for 2 more days: cup.org/3HqJXty #gender #politics
Congratulations to Dr. @ietchacq.bsky.social! She's such a tenacious, ambitious, and brilliant young scholar, and I'm lucky to have been able to play some small part in her Ph.D. journey! Keep a look out for her great CP work on the representation of marginalized groups!
A few weeks ago, we returned to Houston to celebrate my graduation.
I wouldn’t have done it without her.
I’m grateful for your continued support, mentorship, and many teachings, @dzobrien.bsky.social. Honored to have shared my journey with you!
I wouldn’t have done it without her.
I’m grateful for your continued support, mentorship, and many teachings, @dzobrien.bsky.social. Honored to have shared my journey with you!
June 2, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Congratulations to Dr. @ietchacq.bsky.social! She's such a tenacious, ambitious, and brilliant young scholar, and I'm lucky to have been able to play some small part in her Ph.D. journey! Keep a look out for her great CP work on the representation of marginalized groups!
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
Including:
Gendered jobs and local leaders by @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social Fellow @rivb.bsky.social and @mirya.bsky.social
Also available as an ebook: solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44...
Gendered jobs and local leaders by @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social Fellow @rivb.bsky.social and @mirya.bsky.social
Also available as an ebook: solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44...
May 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Including:
Gendered jobs and local leaders by @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social Fellow @rivb.bsky.social and @mirya.bsky.social
Also available as an ebook: solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44...
Gendered jobs and local leaders by @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social Fellow @rivb.bsky.social and @mirya.bsky.social
Also available as an ebook: solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44...
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
Want to hear more from fantastic EGEN scholars? Follow this starter pack!
go.bsky.app/SeabEZc
go.bsky.app/SeabEZc
May 21, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Want to hear more from fantastic EGEN scholars? Follow this starter pack!
go.bsky.app/SeabEZc
go.bsky.app/SeabEZc
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
I am honored & humbled working w/ Amanda Clayton & @dzobrien.bsky.social. Our latest @apsrjournal.bsky.social shows that gender quotas do *not* erode legitimacy: across democracies, voters prefer legislatures w/ gender balance to those w/ male dominance, full stop.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Electoral Gender Quotas and Democratic Legitimacy | American Political Science Review | Cambridge Core
Electoral Gender Quotas and Democratic Legitimacy
www.cambridge.org
May 1, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I am honored & humbled working w/ Amanda Clayton & @dzobrien.bsky.social. Our latest @apsrjournal.bsky.social shows that gender quotas do *not* erode legitimacy: across democracies, voters prefer legislatures w/ gender balance to those w/ male dominance, full stop.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
📢New issue of #PAG21 is out!📢
@erincassese.bsky.social & @amandafriesen.bsky.social outline the major contributions to the literature on women voters published by P&G over the last 20 years and suggest future research agendas.
gendersky polisky
buff.ly/4hDqyIU
@erincassese.bsky.social & @amandafriesen.bsky.social outline the major contributions to the literature on women voters published by P&G over the last 20 years and suggest future research agendas.
gendersky polisky
buff.ly/4hDqyIU
April 9, 2025 at 1:02 PM
📢New issue of #PAG21 is out!📢
@erincassese.bsky.social & @amandafriesen.bsky.social outline the major contributions to the literature on women voters published by P&G over the last 20 years and suggest future research agendas.
gendersky polisky
buff.ly/4hDqyIU
@erincassese.bsky.social & @amandafriesen.bsky.social outline the major contributions to the literature on women voters published by P&G over the last 20 years and suggest future research agendas.
gendersky polisky
buff.ly/4hDqyIU
Reposted by Diana O'Brien
📢New issue of #PAG21 is out!📢
Our twentieth anniversary issue is now out! Our editor @mlkrook.bsky.social introduces the issue reflecting on founding of the journal and previewing all of the wonderful research featured in this special edition of P&G.
polisci gendersky
buff.ly/jHgKiwp
Our twentieth anniversary issue is now out! Our editor @mlkrook.bsky.social introduces the issue reflecting on founding of the journal and previewing all of the wonderful research featured in this special edition of P&G.
polisci gendersky
buff.ly/jHgKiwp
April 4, 2025 at 5:44 PM
📢New issue of #PAG21 is out!📢
Our twentieth anniversary issue is now out! Our editor @mlkrook.bsky.social introduces the issue reflecting on founding of the journal and previewing all of the wonderful research featured in this special edition of P&G.
polisci gendersky
buff.ly/jHgKiwp
Our twentieth anniversary issue is now out! Our editor @mlkrook.bsky.social introduces the issue reflecting on founding of the journal and previewing all of the wonderful research featured in this special edition of P&G.
polisci gendersky
buff.ly/jHgKiwp