Laura K. Nelson
@lauraknelson.bsky.social
Associate Professor @ UBC
computational sociology
machine learning is feminist
You only have to look at the Medusa straight on to see her. And she’s not deadly. She’s beautiful and she’s laughing.
www.lauraknelson.com
computational sociology
machine learning is feminist
You only have to look at the Medusa straight on to see her. And she’s not deadly. She’s beautiful and she’s laughing.
www.lauraknelson.com
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
💥 Northeastern University in Boston is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Network Science & Communication! Joint appointment with Communication Studies & College of Science. Review of applications begins 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. Please share!!
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...
Assistant Professor in Network Science and Communication
About the Opportunity About the Opportunity The College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) at Northeastern University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Network Science, to b...
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
💥 Northeastern University in Boston is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Network Science & Communication! Joint appointment with Communication Studies & College of Science. Review of applications begins 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. Please share!!
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
Many people don't know this but arXiv is maintained and operated by @cornelltech.bsky.social (that does NOT mean you can send me complaints or feature requests!)
Everyone in the community should be excited that arXiv got $7M to upgrade from Schmidt Sciences, NASA
news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...
Everyone in the community should be excited that arXiv got $7M to upgrade from Schmidt Sciences, NASA
news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...
$7M grant from NASA, Schmidt Sciences to upgrade arXiv | Cornell Chronicle
The funding will help arXiv – which is maintained and operated by Cornell Tech – finish migrating to cloud infrastructure and modernizing its code.
news.cornell.edu
November 24, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Many people don't know this but arXiv is maintained and operated by @cornelltech.bsky.social (that does NOT mean you can send me complaints or feature requests!)
Everyone in the community should be excited that arXiv got $7M to upgrade from Schmidt Sciences, NASA
news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...
Everyone in the community should be excited that arXiv got $7M to upgrade from Schmidt Sciences, NASA
news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
For all three positions, we welcome applicants with backgrounds in technical fields (e.g., ML, AI, NLP, statistics) and sociotechnical fields (e.g., human--computer interaction, information science, law, media studies, philosophy, science and technology studies, sociology).
November 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
For all three positions, we welcome applicants with backgrounds in technical fields (e.g., ML, AI, NLP, statistics) and sociotechnical fields (e.g., human--computer interaction, information science, law, media studies, philosophy, science and technology studies, sociology).
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
Three exciting opportunities at
@msftresearch.bsky.social in NYC!!! 🎉
Internship w/ FATE: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
Internship w/ STAC on AI evaluation and measurement: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
Postdoc w/ FATE: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
@msftresearch.bsky.social in NYC!!! 🎉
Internship w/ FATE: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
Internship w/ STAC on AI evaluation and measurement: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
Postdoc w/ FATE: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
FATE internships: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
FATE postdocs: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
And internships with our close collaborators at STAC: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
FATE postdocs: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
And internships with our close collaborators at STAC: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
November 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Three exciting opportunities at
@msftresearch.bsky.social in NYC!!! 🎉
Internship w/ FATE: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
Internship w/ STAC on AI evaluation and measurement: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
Postdoc w/ FATE: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
@msftresearch.bsky.social in NYC!!! 🎉
Internship w/ FATE: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
Internship w/ STAC on AI evaluation and measurement: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
Postdoc w/ FATE: apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job?...
I'm seeing a trend in our students at UBC as well. STEM students, but particularly CS students, looking to the humanities to provide more depth and meaning to their studies. Lean in and stay strong, humanities. Your time is here!
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
This interview originally appeared on the Division of Arts
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
I'm seeing a trend in our students at UBC as well. STEM students, but particularly CS students, looking to the humanities to provide more depth and meaning to their studies. Lean in and stay strong, humanities. Your time is here!
Looking at online syllabuses for classical social theory courses, as one does on a Friday evening instead of reading that thing everyone is talking about. ANYWAY, one syllabus assigns Durkheim's The Division of Labor in Society for Week 4. **Can we assign entire books in one week, in AY 2026/27?**
November 22, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Looking at online syllabuses for classical social theory courses, as one does on a Friday evening instead of reading that thing everyone is talking about. ANYWAY, one syllabus assigns Durkheim's The Division of Labor in Society for Week 4. **Can we assign entire books in one week, in AY 2026/27?**
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
Honored to contribute to “Machine Decision Is Not Final,” a fascinating collection of global (and especially Chinese) perspectives on the future of AI.
In my chapter, “The Mother of Ten Thousand Things,” I explore perception and collective creativity.
In my chapter, “The Mother of Ten Thousand Things,” I explore perception and collective creativity.
November 21, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Honored to contribute to “Machine Decision Is Not Final,” a fascinating collection of global (and especially Chinese) perspectives on the future of AI.
In my chapter, “The Mother of Ten Thousand Things,” I explore perception and collective creativity.
In my chapter, “The Mother of Ten Thousand Things,” I explore perception and collective creativity.
I almost assigned this in my theory course, then walked it back and assigned the German Ideology instead. But next time I teach this course I might work it back in.
Whoo boy
Whoo boy
I am finally re-reading the 18th Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte and, boy, is it THE read for our times
November 21, 2025 at 6:30 AM
I almost assigned this in my theory course, then walked it back and assigned the German Ideology instead. But next time I teach this course I might work it back in.
Whoo boy
Whoo boy
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
I am finally re-reading the 18th Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte and, boy, is it THE read for our times
November 21, 2025 at 4:42 AM
I am finally re-reading the 18th Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte and, boy, is it THE read for our times
the Watts-Strogatz model, on stage!
𝗗𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝘁𝘀 & 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗮𝘁𝘇 will give their first-ever 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 at NetSci 2026! Their groundbreaking work has shaped how we understand networks, & this session will be a highlight of NetSci’s 20th anniversary.
Call for abstracts: tinyurl.com/3tbj2v83
Call for satellites: tinyurl.com/42sru6kz
Call for abstracts: tinyurl.com/3tbj2v83
Call for satellites: tinyurl.com/42sru6kz
November 20, 2025 at 8:22 PM
the Watts-Strogatz model, on stage!
www.nature.com/collections/...
Call for Papers, due April 30, 2026
"Reframing artificial intelligence: critical perspectives from AI social science"
Call for Papers, due April 30, 2026
"Reframing artificial intelligence: critical perspectives from AI social science"
Reframing artificial intelligence: critical perspectives from AI social science
To untangle the links between technological and social forces, this Collection invites social science perspectives to advance the study of AI’s ...
www.nature.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:17 PM
www.nature.com/collections/...
Call for Papers, due April 30, 2026
"Reframing artificial intelligence: critical perspectives from AI social science"
Call for Papers, due April 30, 2026
"Reframing artificial intelligence: critical perspectives from AI social science"
👀
Sociologists & Demographers:
My program is considering changing how we approach qualifying exams in the age of ChatGPT.
How have your departments adjusted to this new world? Have you made changes? What’s your approach?
My program is considering changing how we approach qualifying exams in the age of ChatGPT.
How have your departments adjusted to this new world? Have you made changes? What’s your approach?
November 19, 2025 at 11:36 PM
👀
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
Visualizing the DOGE Firings
D. Bloome’s new #datavisualization in #Socius highlights commonalities, inequalities, and the majority composition of #federalworkers targeted by the Department of Government Efficiency.
Read: doi.org/10.1177/2378...
D. Bloome’s new #datavisualization in #Socius highlights commonalities, inequalities, and the majority composition of #federalworkers targeted by the Department of Government Efficiency.
Read: doi.org/10.1177/2378...
November 19, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Visualizing the DOGE Firings
D. Bloome’s new #datavisualization in #Socius highlights commonalities, inequalities, and the majority composition of #federalworkers targeted by the Department of Government Efficiency.
Read: doi.org/10.1177/2378...
D. Bloome’s new #datavisualization in #Socius highlights commonalities, inequalities, and the majority composition of #federalworkers targeted by the Department of Government Efficiency.
Read: doi.org/10.1177/2378...
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
if you are considering submitting an application for this position, you still have just under 2 weeks to do so
any and all suitable candidates, please apply. everyone else, pls share with your networks
any and all suitable candidates, please apply. everyone else, pls share with your networks
📣 I am hiring a postdoc! aial.ie/hiring/postd...
applications from suitable candidates that are passionate about investigating the use of genAI in public service operations with the aim of keeping governments transparent and accountable are welcome
pls share with your networks
applications from suitable candidates that are passionate about investigating the use of genAI in public service operations with the aim of keeping governments transparent and accountable are welcome
pls share with your networks
November 19, 2025 at 2:44 PM
if you are considering submitting an application for this position, you still have just under 2 weeks to do so
any and all suitable candidates, please apply. everyone else, pls share with your networks
any and all suitable candidates, please apply. everyone else, pls share with your networks
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
Nov 17: "Viral Authors: Postwar American Literature in the Age of Social Media and AI " with Melanie Walsh (@mellymeldubs.bsky.social), Assistant Professor in the Information School and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the English Department at the University of Washington. Info/RSVP:
Viral Authors: Postwar American Literature in the Age of Social Media and AI
Viral Authors: Postwar American Literature in the Age of Social Media and AI
cdh.princeton.edu
September 15, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Nov 17: "Viral Authors: Postwar American Literature in the Age of Social Media and AI " with Melanie Walsh (@mellymeldubs.bsky.social), Assistant Professor in the Information School and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the English Department at the University of Washington. Info/RSVP:
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
It’s Day One of our Computational Social Science Meets Qualitative Research workshop ✍️
We kicked things off with the first paper from @audreyalejandro.bsky.social @dandekadt.bsky.social 💡
We kicked things off with the first paper from @audreyalejandro.bsky.social @dandekadt.bsky.social 💡
November 13, 2025 at 10:42 AM
It’s Day One of our Computational Social Science Meets Qualitative Research workshop ✍️
We kicked things off with the first paper from @audreyalejandro.bsky.social @dandekadt.bsky.social 💡
We kicked things off with the first paper from @audreyalejandro.bsky.social @dandekadt.bsky.social 💡
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
Unintentional poetry from the lab notebooks of Millikan, Nobel Prize in Physics 1923
November 9, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Unintentional poetry from the lab notebooks of Millikan, Nobel Prize in Physics 1923
Setting aside whether resources should go to hiring AI faculty, the comments on this thread suggest that no one could possibly be an expert in AI yet.
I'm begging and pleading y'all: AI DID NOT START IN 2022. IT GOES BACK TO THE 1940s. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERTS IN AI AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS.
I'm begging and pleading y'all: AI DID NOT START IN 2022. IT GOES BACK TO THE 1940s. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERTS IN AI AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS.
November 7, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Setting aside whether resources should go to hiring AI faculty, the comments on this thread suggest that no one could possibly be an expert in AI yet.
I'm begging and pleading y'all: AI DID NOT START IN 2022. IT GOES BACK TO THE 1940s. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERTS IN AI AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS.
I'm begging and pleading y'all: AI DID NOT START IN 2022. IT GOES BACK TO THE 1940s. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERTS IN AI AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS.
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
We're hiring 2 Assistant Professors of Sociology: Gender and Sexuality and Environmental Sociology. At @tcdsociology.bsky.social, we aspire to be a method-agnostic group of solution-oriented sociologists. Join our welcoming community at @tcdschoolssp.bsky.social. Deadline 1 Dec. Link in the comment.
November 7, 2025 at 8:04 PM
We're hiring 2 Assistant Professors of Sociology: Gender and Sexuality and Environmental Sociology. At @tcdsociology.bsky.social, we aspire to be a method-agnostic group of solution-oriented sociologists. Join our welcoming community at @tcdschoolssp.bsky.social. Deadline 1 Dec. Link in the comment.
4+ faculty searches at UIUC 👀
Our School of Information Sciences is running four searches, and we can hire more than four candidates. Here’s the first link, for a job that might appeal to people working in history of information, history of science, or digital humanities. +
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Information, Culture & Society - School of Information Science
Duties & Responsibilities
illinois.csod.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:03 PM
4+ faculty searches at UIUC 👀
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
Our School of Information Sciences is running four searches, and we can hire more than four candidates. Here’s the first link, for a job that might appeal to people working in history of information, history of science, or digital humanities. +
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Information, Culture & Society - School of Information Science
Duties & Responsibilities
illinois.csod.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Our School of Information Sciences is running four searches, and we can hire more than four candidates. Here’s the first link, for a job that might appeal to people working in history of information, history of science, or digital humanities. +
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
why intern at Ai2?
🐟interns own major parts of our model development, sometimes even leading whole projects
🐡we're committed to open science & actively help our interns publish their work
reach out if u wanna build open language models together 🤝
links 👇
🐟interns own major parts of our model development, sometimes even leading whole projects
🐡we're committed to open science & actively help our interns publish their work
reach out if u wanna build open language models together 🤝
links 👇
November 5, 2025 at 11:11 PM
why intern at Ai2?
🐟interns own major parts of our model development, sometimes even leading whole projects
🐡we're committed to open science & actively help our interns publish their work
reach out if u wanna build open language models together 🤝
links 👇
🐟interns own major parts of our model development, sometimes even leading whole projects
🐡we're committed to open science & actively help our interns publish their work
reach out if u wanna build open language models together 🤝
links 👇
Read this whole, excellent thread (especially if you're in higher ed in Canada)
I've seen an alternative argument going around that academics should instead step back and essentially see how things play out with AI, having confidence that if it sticks around (and doesn't go the way of the MOOC) it'll be adapted to academic needs and vice versa, like email, the internet +
Wrote a short piece arguing that higher ed must help steer AI. TLDR: If we outsource this to tech, we outsource our whole business. But rejectionism is basically stalling. If we want to survive, schools themselves must proactively shape AI for education & research. [1/6, unpaywalled at 5/6] +
November 5, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Read this whole, excellent thread (especially if you're in higher ed in Canada)
Reposted by Laura K. Nelson
I've seen an alternative argument going around that academics should instead step back and essentially see how things play out with AI, having confidence that if it sticks around (and doesn't go the way of the MOOC) it'll be adapted to academic needs and vice versa, like email, the internet +
Wrote a short piece arguing that higher ed must help steer AI. TLDR: If we outsource this to tech, we outsource our whole business. But rejectionism is basically stalling. If we want to survive, schools themselves must proactively shape AI for education & research. [1/6, unpaywalled at 5/6] +
Opinion | AI Is the Future. Higher Ed Should Shape It.
If we want to stay at the forefront of knowledge production, we must fit technology to our needs.
www.chronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I've seen an alternative argument going around that academics should instead step back and essentially see how things play out with AI, having confidence that if it sticks around (and doesn't go the way of the MOOC) it'll be adapted to academic needs and vice versa, like email, the internet +
"[I]f disciplines move proactively, they can dramatize their central role, and show that our campuses are not just lovely places to scribble in blue books but sites where students discover things that aren’t yet contained in any model."
♥️
Approach AI with curiosity and a little wonder, not dread.
♥️
Approach AI with curiosity and a little wonder, not dread.
Wrote a short piece arguing that higher ed must help steer AI. TLDR: If we outsource this to tech, we outsource our whole business. But rejectionism is basically stalling. If we want to survive, schools themselves must proactively shape AI for education & research. [1/6, unpaywalled at 5/6] +
Opinion | AI Is the Future. Higher Ed Should Shape It.
If we want to stay at the forefront of knowledge production, we must fit technology to our needs.
www.chronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:20 AM
"[I]f disciplines move proactively, they can dramatize their central role, and show that our campuses are not just lovely places to scribble in blue books but sites where students discover things that aren’t yet contained in any model."
♥️
Approach AI with curiosity and a little wonder, not dread.
♥️
Approach AI with curiosity and a little wonder, not dread.