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simsjames.bsky.social
James Sims
@simsjames.bsky.social
3.1K followers 1.9K following 1.7K posts
Associate Vice President for Communications, Wesleyan University | Prior: Center Theatre Group, Lincoln Center, AMNH | Columbia Journalism Alum | Air Force Veteran 🇺🇸✈️ | Arts & Theatre Geek 🎭 Film/TV, Media, HigherEd & Democracy ✡️
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by James Sims
newyorker.com
In “Kim’s Game,” by Sadia Shepard, an expat in Brazil becomes intrigued by the personal life of an anthropologist after he uses her mailing address. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
“Kim’s Game,” by Sadia Shepard
She didn’t much care for him or his video camera. But then, she’s never much cared for anthropologists.
www.newyorker.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:00 PM
simsjames.bsky.social
Couldn’t visit home without grabbing a bite at my favorite west side deli (❤️ you, Nate ‘n Al’s) and exploring the Academy Museum (it opened after I moved back east). Pastrami and motion pictures. Nothing better. Until next time, L.A. 💙
January 16, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Reposted by James Sims
lebassett.bsky.social
The network's top editor, Bari Weiss, expressed a high level of interest in the story on an editorial call Wednesday morning, according to staffers who listened. "There was big internal dissension about the 'internal bleeding' report here last night," the CBS News staffer, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said. "It was viewed as a thinly-veiled, anonymous leak by [the Trump administration] to someone who'd carry it online." "Felt to many here like we were carrying water for the admin's justifying of the shooting to keep our access to our sources," said a second network staffer, who was also not authorized to comment.
January 16, 2026 at 5:28 AM
simsjames.bsky.social
Last night, Wesleyan University President @msroth.bsky.social and writer Maggie Nelson engaged in a captivating conversation with fellow alumni at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles as they explored the practicing of freedom through artistry, authorship, and challenging conventional categorization.
January 16, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by James Sims
samadams.bsky.social
It’s disgusting that Tony Kushner had to stand up to a man who was saying Renee Good got what was coming to her. But without that happening we might never have known that he needlepoints pillows with scenes from The Shining
markharris.bsky.social Mark Harris @markharris.bsky.social · 3d
As long as I'm sharing Tony's non-writing work, these are two of my favorites--a birthday present he made for me in 2018. Needless to say, I treasure these.
A needlepointed image of Jack Nicholson trying to break through the door in The Shining... ...and Shelley Duvall on the other side of the door.
January 15, 2026 at 1:48 AM
simsjames.bsky.social
Visiting your hometown for the first time in 4 1/2 years makes for a great excuse to stop by your favorite old gig. I’ll always love the magic of Center Theatre Group and The Music Center. ❤️🎭 #LosAngeles #TheaterSKY
January 15, 2026 at 1:29 AM
simsjames.bsky.social
“Theater lovers must recognize that their values are a reflection of where they place their attention and invest their time and money. They must also realize that the art form hasn’t a chance of flourishing without their robust support.” @charlesmcnulty.bsky.social @latimes.com #TheaterSKY
The theater world is holding on for dear life. How are L.A.'s top companies performing?
Center Theatre Group, Geffen Playhouse and Pasadena Playhouse leaders face political and cultural headwinds amid economic hardships battering L.A.’s theater landscape.
www.latimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by James Sims
simsjames.bsky.social
Great to be out in San Francisco for a conversation with Wesleyan University’s President @msroth.bsky.social and alum @ianbassin.bsky.social on the importance of defending our democracy and the power of Wesleyans in the world. #HigherEd
January 14, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Reposted by James Sims
judithweisenfeld.com
Postdoc at Wesleyan Center for the Study of Guns and Society focused on "religion and firearms as part of a pilot project titled 'Moving Past God and Guns: Strengthening Scholarly and Public Understanding of the Intersection of Guns and Religion'.”

Deadline: March 1. 2026
CSGS Hiring Postdoctoral Faculty Researcher - CSGS | Center for the Study of Guns & Society
CSGS Seeks Postdoctoral PhD with Expertise in Religion and Firearms CSGS is honored to be awarded a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to hire a postdoctoral faculty researcher with...
gunsandsocietycenter.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:09 AM
simsjames.bsky.social
Great to be out in San Francisco for a conversation with Wesleyan University’s President @msroth.bsky.social and alum @ianbassin.bsky.social on the importance of defending our democracy and the power of Wesleyans in the world. #HigherEd
January 14, 2026 at 3:28 AM
simsjames.bsky.social
Let’s do this! ❤️ #GoldenGlobes (love that @marcmalkin.bsky.social keeps the red carpet zazzy!) Awards season is a religion in this household!
January 12, 2026 at 12:56 AM
simsjames.bsky.social
A story of passion and the beauty of artistic craftsmanship confronted by the devastation of wildfires. “Every time I play [the violin], I am reminded of how the people of Los Angeles rose with humanity, generosity and grace during a moment of profound loss.” —Gustavo Dudamel #arts @nytimes.com
In the Path of a Raging Wildfire, a Luthier’s Precious Wood
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:24 PM
simsjames.bsky.social
"The desire to withhold familiar levels of research funding to colleges may be frustrated for the time being." #HigherEd @chronicle.com
Trump Wanted to Slash Scientific Research Funding. So Far, Congress Has Said No.
Legislators this week indicated that they will keep funding steady at three key agencies, effectively rejecting the White House’s effort to slash their appropriations.
www.chronicle.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Reposted by James Sims
conradhackett.bsky.social
Please share - @pewresearch.org wants to hire a data archivist who will be an advocate for data users, helping to ensure that our datasets are easy to discover and reuse by researchers, journalists, and the public.
pewtrusts.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CenterExtern...
Pew Research Center is seeking a Data Archivist to support our commitment to open science and data transparency. This newly created role will play a key part in enhancing the accessibility, usability, and reproducibility of our research data while continuing to protect the privacy and identity of our survey participants. As Data Archivist, you will lead efforts to create and implement best practices for preparing, documenting, and disseminating datasets. These best practices should maximize FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles while minimizing disclosure risk. You will work across teams to ensure our data is well-organized and thoroughly documented. You will serve as an internal advocate for data users, helping to ensure that our datasets are not only accurate and comprehensive but also easy to discover and reuse by researchers, journalists, and the public. This is a full-time, Pew Research Center position. The position is funded by an external grant and limited to a two-year term. Primary Responsibilities Develop optimization procedures to improve discoverability of our datasets on internal and external platforms Develop and maintain standards to improve accessibility of our microdata and tab plans by changing/adding formats and/or adding documentation Identify metadata documentation best practices and a process to implement those best practices at the Center Work with Legal to evaluate most appropriate license to publicly share the Center's survey data, including Creative Common options Identify and correct processing inefficiencies in our data publication process Sit on the internal Disclosure Risk Taskforce Document analytical decisions and code to support transparency and replicability, including the development of a RACI chart for publishing code to recreate derived variables that are used in reports but are not included in the microdata Manage/create merged time series datasets for select Center datasets Identify a process for internally archiving data and projects that are no longer in active use Identify and implement a process to assign Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) to microdata Prepare and upload public-facing datasets and restricted-use datasets for external sharing. Train staff on FAIR principles and best practices in data archiving. Education/Training/Experience Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in library sciences, organizational management, or a related field. 5-7 years of experience with data archiving, database management, or survey research. This may include graduate training at the MA/PhD level or equivalent experience in an applied setting. At least 3-5 years of experience applying FAIR and open science principles. Background in social science research or data curation. Experience in data management, archiving, or research support. Familiarity with FAIR principles, Creative Common licensing, data privacy principles, and exposure risk. Proficiency in metadata standards and documentation tools. Experience managing research projects, including working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team. Experience with statistical software (e.g., R, Python, Stata) and reproducible research workflows. Knowledge, Skill and Workplace Requirements Strong organizational and communication skills. Detail oriented with exacting standards to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products. Ability to work independently to carry out special projects from start to finish. Ability to balance numerous tasks simultaneously. Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with other team members, as well as with staff from other Pew Research Center teams. Ability to balance competing priorities and identify optimal solutions FLSA Status: Exempt Compensation: Starting salary is commensurate with experience within the range of $100,000 - $120,000. Hybrid Work Schedule: Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office three core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week.
January 6, 2026 at 6:27 PM
simsjames.bsky.social
Appreciating the official reference to the “John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” in the @nytimes.com remaining as it should, without dignifying the unofficial renaming attempted by the Trump party.
“A lot of times they’ll say, ‘I wish Mike were tougher,’” Mr. Trump said while addressing House Republicans at a one-day party retreat at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. “He’s tough. He’s tough as anybody in the room, actually. But can’t be tough when you have a majority of three, and now sadly, a little bit less than that.” In the weeks to come, it will indeed be less than that. A disproportionately large number of Republican lawmakers in the House are running for statewide offices this year, meaning that they are checked out of Washington and prioritizing time at home. To name just a few: Representative Chip Roy of Texas is running for attorney general; Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina is running for governor; Representatives Andy Biggs and David Schweikert of Arizona are running against each other for governor
January 7, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Reposted by James Sims
simsjames.bsky.social
God forbid news relied on “academics” for the facts. Best to rely on what my neighbor is hearing…that clearly should be what informs the nation. Trust in the media has eroded because people crying “fake news” have been given far too many platforms of power. Don’t dumb it down. Stop platforming dumb.
January 2, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Reposted by James Sims
carlquintanilla.bsky.social
Comical, @wsj.com.
January 2, 2026 at 1:02 AM
simsjames.bsky.social
God forbid news relied on “academics” for the facts. Best to rely on what my neighbor is hearing…that clearly should be what informs the nation. Trust in the media has eroded because people crying “fake news” have been given far too many platforms of power. Don’t dumb it down. Stop platforming dumb.
January 2, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Reposted by James Sims
postopinions.bsky.social
The latest from @msroth.bsky.social:
 Michael S Roth @msroth.bsky.social · 20d
We can reject sycophancy in #HigherEducation “we should look for examples of people who just say “no,” refusing to cave to social pressures or power moves intended to force us to live at odds with our values.” wapo.st/4jgWdf5 @aacu.org @aceducation.bsky.social @wesleyanuniversity.bsky.social
Opinion | The epidemic of toxic flattery is spreading
What do AI, Trump’s cabinet and the academy have in common? They aim to please.
wapo.st
December 30, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Reposted by James Sims
simsjames.bsky.social
“Sycophancy may spread like an epidemic, but so can efforts to practice freedom by telling people things they don’t want to hear. This will require less fawning and more fortitude — on campus and beyond. Nothing artificial required.” Wesleyan University’s @msroth.bsky.social in @washingtonpost.com
Opinion | The epidemic of toxic flattery is spreading
What do AI, Trump’s cabinet and the academy have in common? They aim to please.
wapo.st
December 29, 2025 at 1:44 PM
simsjames.bsky.social
“Only a few, like Wesleyan University’s @msroth.bsky.social, have been willing to say that we must be ‘steadfast in opposition to extortion,’ and that the threat to higher education is a threat to civil society itself.” #HigherEd @chronicle.com
jeffreyinsko.bsky.social Jeffrey Insko @jeffreyinsko.bsky.social · 20d
Everybody's going to be reposting this. As they should.

"Privately funded educational technology is a threat to the very idea of public education."
The ‘Crisis of the Humanities’ Is Over. That’s Not a Good Thing.
All of higher ed now suffers the attacks of politics and technology.
www.chronicle.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Reposted by James Sims
micahbateman.bsky.social
I'm a structuralist so I don't think there are "good guy" and "bad guy" university execs so much as are positions with more or less affordance to do right. But boy am I looking at Wesleyan going, look at that affordance! I want to send my kids there!
December 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Reposted by James Sims
evincentelli.bsky.social
My first A1! Old-school thrill for sure.
December 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by James Sims
talkingpointsmemo.com
Reactionaries managed to control the historical curriculum for generations of students, particularly in the South.
Under President Donald Trump, this blueprint is being adapted and disseminated directly from the White House.
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-e...
Trump’s Takeover of Education Is Taking A Page From the Confederacy
The thread of partisan power and control is stitched through America’s public...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Reposted by James Sims
robertscotthorton.bsky.social
Trump's DOJ was monitoring all the movements of the Miami Herald reporter who was covering the Epstein case.
December 28, 2025 at 9:03 PM