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John Gastil

@jgastil.bsky.social

820 followers 290 following 16 posts

Penn State professor who studies deliberative democracy and group decision making. Currently on sabbatical at the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg Public Policy Center. Recent books: Hope for Democracy, Legislature by Lot, and Dungeon Party (a novel). .. more

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John Gastil currently holds a joint appointment as Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences and Professor of Political Science at Penn State University. He is known for his research on deliberative democracy and group decision making. .. more

Communication & Media Studies 37%

Political science 32%

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John Gastil @jgastil.bsky.social · 3d

100% agree

John Gastil @jgastil.bsky.social · Jul 24

And I'm also the proud co-author of this article. TLDR = deliberation works.

Who Learns from Deliberative Minipublics? Identity-Based Differences in Knowledge Gains across Thirteen Citizens' Initiative Review Experiments (lead author: Kristinn Már Ársælsson)
sociologicalscience.com/articles-v12...

John Gastil @jgastil.bsky.social · Jul 24

Quick note that I'm the proud co-author of a new article. TLDR = listening is powerful.

The Evidentiary Basis for Political Listening: A Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Feeling Heard (lead author: Elisa Vogel) www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

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John Gastil @jgastil.bsky.social · May 7

Well done. It's a fun set of essays on a great topic. Good job.

John Gastil @jgastil.bsky.social · May 7

I've had more than one academic colleague tell me that they're considering writing an op-ed about what's happening in higher ed, with federal grants, and other issues related to their expertise. Here's a great resource for this; reach out to them, and they can help. scholars.org/local-impact...

Home | Scholars Strategy Network

Your one-stop resource for timely and reliable research. Get the expertise you need from our responsive network of America's top experts.

scholars.org

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John Gastil @jgastil.bsky.social · Apr 25

Feel the power of Trump's diplomatic prowess. (Apologies to those who haven't been watching White Lotus.)

John Gastil @jgastil.bsky.social · Apr 22

Can the idea of "civic lotteries" (random selection for empowered citizen deliberation) gain as much traction in the US as it has elsewhere? We'll see. Here's hoping the anti-democratic moment we're in now spurs a more powerful pro-democratic movement. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/22/o...

It’s time for a fourth branch of government - The Boston Globe

When politicians fail to solve thorny policy issues, they should put the question to a House of the People.

www.bostonglobe.com

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John Gastil @jgastil.bsky.social · Apr 22

What I've been up to on sabbatical this year at U Penn's Annenberg Public Policy Center. Love that they lead with what I wear to work (though they're not wrong). @detroitlions.bsky.social
www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/qa-appc-visi...

Q&A: APPC Visiting Scholar John Gastil on Democracy and Digital Media | The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania

Penn State Professor & APPC visiting scholar John Gastil talks about his new book on democracy and digital media.

www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org

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John Gastil @jgastil.bsky.social · Apr 6

I'm often at a loss when considering how to respond to vitriol or nonsense posted in social media. I've started just posting a link in reply, which I hope will lead to clicks from those with a smidge of curiosity. Simply, leavingmaga.org

Leaving MAGA - Leaving MAGA

MISSION STATEMENT Empower others to leave MAGA and tell their stories. Foster reconciliation with their friends and family. Develop movement leaders to help others leave. Dear MAGA Americans, I was a ...

leavingmaga.org

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John Gastil @jgastil.bsky.social · Jan 14

The Journal of Sortition is launching soon. It should interest anyone hoping to see more experiments with random selection in democracy. For any skeptics out there, remember that the venerable jury system is doing just fine, thank you. www.imprint.co.uk/product/jos/

Journal of Sortition - Imprint Academic

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE JOURNAL OF SORTITION NEWSLETTER FOR A FREE PRINTED AND BOUND COPY OF THE FIRST ISSUE! Launching in Spring 2025 Call for papers Little more than a decade ago the word ‘sortition...

www.imprint.co.uk

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John Gastil @jgastil.bsky.social · Jan 14

I'll definitely take a look at that. Great idea for a study