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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · 13d

Excited that Becoming a Regular is conditionally accepted at Social Currents! This ethnography explores how barroom patrons earn & negotiate the informal status of “regular” and what that means for identity, ritual, & belonging.

a man in a pink shirt holds a red cup in his hand

ALT: a man in a pink shirt holds a red cup in his hand

media.tenor.com

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · 23d

But then again, maybe I'm approaching this task wrong. There is plenty of research that is adjacent to this topic that I can use.

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · 23d

I'm currently stuck on finding research that has been conducted on student experience with college (or high school) hangouts (whether it be dorms OR someone's house). I'm interested in the experiences that students have in these social spaces and the value they place on them.

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Sep 3

Who Cares? The Building Blocks for Communities of Care 4/4

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Sep 3

Incubators of Care: Games, Gatherings, and Guided Encounters 3/4

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Sep 3

Please consider submitting your paper to one of the two sessions that I'm organizing for the annual meeting. The titles for these two sessions are: "Incubators of Care: Games, Gatherings, and Guided Encounters" AND "Who Cares? The Building Blocks for Communities of Care". 2/4

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Sep 3

2026 MSS Annual Meeting (March 26-29 in St. Louis, MO) - Call for Submissions (closes October 17, 2025) 📢📢 themss.org/2026-annual-... 🧵1/4

2026 Annual Meeting

themss.org

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Aug 25

Day 1 of 16th year teaching Sociology at William Penn University. What a great feeling it was to be back on campus today!

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Aug 25

Call for Papers
We’re preparing an edited volume to extend the conversation from Home Cultures about the impact of #artificialintelligence on #homeculture.

Abstract deadline: Nov 28, 2025
📧 abstracts to: Michael O. Johnston, Ph.D. – [email protected]

#CFP #AI #Sociology #Design

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Aug 25

On Friday and Saturday I had the privilege to take part in #NewStudentOrientation where I shared info about the tech that students use at William Penn University. It was a great honor to meet all of these fine students before classes even begin. Here is the cover page for my presentation:

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 29

Scaffolded assignments mirror how people become professionals.

Becker saw this in med school. Fine saw the same in MFA programs.

Students build competence through guided practice, not just final tasks.
Structure matters. Belonging grows when learning has a path.

#HigherEd #TeachingMatters

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jan 23

Don't forget about the upcoming episode of #Culture & Contemporary Life Talk Series (@ASACulture, @ASAnews) at 3 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on Feb 11 about #Gender, #Religion, & #Nationalism in #Global Perspective. Past episodes can be found here: asaculturesection.org/culture-in-c...

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 18

Are you an escape room designer? I'm researching how designers shape player experiences and emotions in escape rooms. I'd love your insights! Complete this short survey here: forms.office.com/r/bvMkTcDXxe #EscapeRoom #GameDesign #Survey

Microsoft Forms

forms.office.com

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 15

Call for Panelist!

I'm seeking a last-minute panelist for my #SSSP2025 session: #InsurgentProductions: The Use of #Culture for #SocialChange.

Interested? Join @sssp1org.bsky.social + register no later than TODAY (July 15) + DM me.🎭🎶⚽

Details: lnkd.in/gJVdECv5

#InsurgentSociology #Sociology

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

lnkd.in

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 15

Belonging isn’t just about being present. It is about how we advance. Social capital, networks, & performance all play a role in who gets ahead & who doesn’t. It isn't enough to fit in. Thrive!
www.linkedin.com/posts/michae...

#Sociology #SenseOfBelonging #Bourdieu #Goffman

www.linkedin.com

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 12

When it rains, it pours.

The concerts for FabFoodie Friday & the Lake Red Rock Annual Hot Air Balloon Race and night glow for opening ceremonies were cancelled.

The story moved inside & online.
Disappointment, memories, & weather updates filled the barroom & social media feeds!

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 10

Some of the most meaningful moments in academic life are the ones you don’t see coming. A kind invitation. A quiet acknowledgment. A chance to share your work. Unexpected recognition reminds us: people are listening. Keep going. #AcademicLife #Sociology

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 9

More information here: www.sssp1.org/index.cfm/m/...

The Society for the Study of Social Problems | 2025 Annual Meeting Program Theme

2025 AM: Annual Meeting Program Theme

www.sssp1.org

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 9

Does your research explore how cultural products (like art, comedy, music, or sport) contribute to social transformation?

If so, we’d love to hear from you! Become a member of
@sssp1org.bsky.social and register for the annual conference no later than July 15. Join us! 🎤🎨

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 9

I’m organizing a session @sssp1org.bsky.social that is titled “Insurgent #Productions: The Use of Culture as a Vehicle for Social Change”—we’re looking for one more panelist!

#SSSP2025 #SocialChange #Culture #ArtsForJustice

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Bluesky

org.bsky.social

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 9

Does your research explore how cultural products (like art, comedy, music, or sport) contribute to social transformation?

If so, we’d love to hear from you! Become a member of @sssp1org.bsky.social, register for the annual conference, and join us! 🎤🎨

🧵2/2

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 3

Wouldn't it be interesting if employers offered the same cascading or transfer services that academic presses do. Applicants deemed unsuitable for a job they applied would be offered the service to have their app materials transferred to a more appropriate college or university!

a poster that says rejection is redirecting

ALT: a poster that says rejection is redirecting

media.tenor.com

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 3

I connect with people across all disciplines. Why? Because I am a seeker of #KNOWLEDGE . Given our disciplinary differences, the best way to learn is from one another.

If I want to know the 🌎, I must learn from those who live in it. That includes YOU! 🪢💪🤝

#NODISCIPLINE #NODIVIDE #STRONGERTOGETHER

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 2

📣 William Penn Univ is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Prof of Psych, starting Aug 2025.

We’re looking for passionate educators ready to inspire students and engage in campus life.

Apply 👉 www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/42...

#AcademicJobs #Psychology @spspnews.bsky.social @psychscience.bsky.social

William Penn University hiring Assistant Professor of Psychology in Oskaloosa, IA | LinkedIn

Posted 6:44:30 PM. William Penn University (Oskaloosa, Iowa) announces a full-time, nine-month tenure-track position…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.

www.linkedin.com

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 1

William Penn University (IA) is hiring a tenure-track Asst. Professor of Psych starting Aug 2025. Passion for student learning, interdisciplinarity, & Gen AI. Teach courses like Intro to Psych, Soc Psych, Lifespan, & Experimental Psych, Neuropsych. ✉️ [email protected] #AcademicJobs #Psychology

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 1

I'm available to guest lecture (Zoom/Teams or in-person). I’ve spoken on gender & pageantry, innovative methods, festivals, escape rooms, space & design, and belonging in higher ed. I can even set up a joint session w/ my class. DM if interested!

#Sociology #GuestLecture

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jul 1

From rural Iowa, I’ve conducted nearly 100 interviews on @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social/ Sociology. With just two sociologists in the division, podcasting keeps me in conversation with the discipline. It allows me to remain visible, connected, and community—all from a microphone! 🎧🎙️📘

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Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jun 29

From escape rooms to beach resorts, emotions are now products. Hochschild, Ahmed, Illouz, Giddens, Massumi, Rosa—they all warned us: #identity, #meaning, and #feeling are #upforsale.

When was the last time you paid to feel something?

Let’s talk #affect and #capitalism.

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jun 27

Yes, a #senseofplace is often complex. A part of the #sociologicalimagination is to make the strange familiar & the familiar strange. I think that much of what is familiar to us is taken for granted. We aren’t even always fully aware of said things.

Michael O. Johnston @professorjohnst.bsky.social · Jun 27

Places aren't passive. They’re built from biography, history, memory, and struggle.

A park bench, a church, a town square—none of these are neutral. They carry the weight of who used them, who was excluded, and how people remember.

#Placemaking #Sociology #PlaceMatters

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