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Stefan Müller

@stefanmueller.bsky.social

3.9K followers 1.5K following 240 posts

Associate Professor @ucddublin.bsky.social • party competition, public opinion, political communication, computational social science • Maintainer @irishpollingind.bsky.social • Executive Committee Member @yai.ie muellerstefan.net .. more

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Environmental science 18%

Communication & Media Studies 16%

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Reposted by Simon Hix, Stefan Müller

EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · 1d

▶️ Political Methodology

👉🏽 Section chairs:
Andy Eggers
&
@stefanmueller.bsky.social

📢 Our section welcomes submissions for lightning rounds, author-meets-critics panels, and topical roundtables on political methodology.

/end

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Reposted by Stefan Müller

Stefan Müller @stefanmueller.bsky.social · 4d

There goes the paper on support for Jim Gavin among those interested in Gaelic games in Dublin versus rival counties.

Liam Kneafsey and I successfully applied for including these questions in the Irish Presidential Election Study, and we completed the pre-analysis plan and code last week. 😬😢

Pre-Analysis Plan: Rivalries and Celebrity Candidates: How Sport Shapes Voting Behaviour in Ireland
Authors: Liam Kneafsey and Stefan Müller

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Reposted by Stefan Müller

Gavan Reilly @gavreilly.com · 5d

Wrote a Substack on this #aras25 poll:

Catherine Connolly is surviving her scrapes - yet Heather Humphreys is within the margin of error for winning

open.substack.com/pub/gavreill...

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Reposted by Stefan Müller, Alexander Cooley, Ben Tonra

Alex Dukalskis @alexdukalskis.bsky.social · 7d

If you're in Dublin next week come join me & @cooleyoneurasia.bsky.social at the Institute of International & European Affairs (IIEA) on Thursday where we'll talk about our new book Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics

Details: www.iiea.com/images/uploa...

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Reposted by Stefan Müller, Ben Tonra

Prof. Kevin Rafter @kevinrafter.bsky.social · 9d

Enjoyed discussing presidential politics with Art O’Leary & moderated by RTE’s Sheila Naughten. The first in a series of talks organised by @ucdpolitics.bsky.social Thank you @stefanmueller.bsky.social & colleagues for the invite. And best of luck with the new alumni initiatives.

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Reposted by Sara B. Hobolt, Stefan Müller, Stefanie Walter , and 5 more Sara B. Hobolt, Stefan Müller, Stefanie Walter, Lucas Leemann, Thomas M. Meyer, Miriam Rehm, Stuart J. Turnbull‐Dugarte, Tarik Abou‐Chadi

Simon Hix @simonhix.bsky.social · 9d

What's the difference between @epssnet.bsky.social and the "old" EPSA, and why you should come to our conference in Belfast in June 2026: epssnet.org/uncategorize...

Difference Between EPSS and EPSA: What to Know for 2026

Confused about the difference between EPSS and EPSA? Learn how they differ in governance, structure, and their 2026 conferences.

epssnet.org

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Reposted by Stefan Müller

Claudia Deane @cdeane.bsky.social · 13d

For those profs teaching data literacy.... www.pewresearch.org/decoded/2025...

Understanding error bars in charts

Error bars illustrate the margin of error for a survey estimate by showing how precise that estimate is. Here are some answers to common questions that might help you better understand charts with err...

www.pewresearch.org

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Reposted by Stefan Müller, Claudia Landwehr

theresa gessler @gessler.bsky.social · 17d

Some professional news as I took my oath of office today:
On September 1st, I joined the University of Hamburg as a full professor of democratic political decision making👋

I'm very excited about this job & the chance to continue researching democracy, party competition and digitalization here
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Reposted by Stephen P. Jenkins, Ruth Dassonneville, Stefan Müller , and 5 more Stephen P. Jenkins, Ruth Dassonneville, Stefan Müller, Sona Golder, Thomas M. Meyer, Martin Kreidl, Florian Keusch, Claudia Landwehr

MZES Uni Mannheim @mzesunimannheim.bsky.social · 18d

📣 Attention, postdoctoral researchers!

❗ Apply now for our MZES Visiting Fellowships 😊

💡 Spend 2-4 weeks at the MZES to share ideas
💰 Funding for accommodation, travel, daily allowance
📆 Deadline: 28 November

Full information:
👉 www.mzes.uni-mannheim.de/en/news/deta...

Screenshot of the call for applications for MZES Visiting Fellowships, 22 September 2025. For the full text, please follow the link.

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Stefan Müller @stefanmueller.bsky.social · 23d

New paper in Computational Communication Research with James Cross, @derekgreene.bsky.social & Martijn Schoonvelde: “Mapping Digital Campaign Strategies: How Political Candidates Use Social Media to Communicate Constituency Connection and Policy Stance”

PDF (open access): doi.org/10.5117/CCR2...

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Reposted by Kevin Rafter

Stefan Müller @stefanmueller.bsky.social · 24d

Are you a @ucdpolitics.bsky.social graduate? Join our discussion event on the upcoming presidential election.

🎙️ Panelists: @kevinrafter.bsky.social, Art O'Leary & Sheila Naughton
🗓️ 30 Sept, 18:30
📍 Museum of Literature Ireland

Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
@ucddublin.bsky.social

Ireland's Presidency: More Than a Figurehead?

UCD School of Politics and International Relations

SPIRe alumni in conversation with
Art O'Leary, Executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin/The Electoral Commission
Kevin Rafter, Full Professor of Political Communication at DCU
Moderator: Sheila Naughton, RTÉ

RSVP and join us
Tuesday, September 30 6:30pm, Museum of Literature Ireland

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Stefan Müller @stefanmueller.bsky.social · 27d

Very happy to have been appointed to the Young Academy Ireland Executive Committee.

Many thanks to the outgoing EC members for their outstanding work in establishing and developing @yai.ie over the past two years!

www.ria.ie/2025/09/12/y...
@ria.ie

Young Academy Ireland appoints new Executive Committee Members - Royal Irish Academy

Announcing new Executive Committee members at Young Academy Ireland — new leadership for the dynamic network of early career researchers and innovators on the island of Ireland

www.ria.ie

Reposted by Stefan Müller

Nature @nature.com · 28d

Young Academies give a voice to and represent the interests of young scientists in academia, helping them to be heard by national governments and wider society

go.nature.com/4nr8SNh

Why we launched Denmark’s second Young Academy (and what’s different about it)

YATSI aims to represent scientists based in academia and in industry, and to build bridges between the two sectors.

go.nature.com

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Reposted by Stefan Müller

Richard Chambers @newschambers.bsky.social · 28d

New podcast out on your favourite/least-hated audio platforms now.

- Dissecting the 'powder keg' narrative of America.
- Threats against politicians here.
- The Áras race and whether Sinn Féin have bungled the whole thing.
- RTÉ's Eurovision move.

Fill your boots.

linktr.ee/TheGroupChat...

The Group Chat - Listen on Spotify - Linktree

View TheGroupChatPod’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!

linktr.ee

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Reposted by Dave O’Brien, Mark J. Brandt, Stefan Müller , and 10 more Dave O’Brien, Mark J. Brandt, Stefan Müller, Caroline Krafft, Nathan Nunn, Olivier Godechot, Justin H. Kirkland, Étienne Ollion, Brian Keegan, Christopher Barrie, Alice Reid, Joost van Spanje, Maria Sobolewska

LSE Methodology @lsemethodology.bsky.social · 28d

We're hiring an Assistant Professor in Computational Social Science ❗

📚 jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...

Apply before 26 October and join an internationally outstanding group of social science methodologists 🌎

we're hiring assistant professor in computational social science, applications close 26/10/2025

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Reposted by Stefan Müller

Connor Bamford @connorggbamford.bsky.social · 29d

Inspiring day at the @yai.ie ‘s “evidence for policy summit” with a big focus on how early career researchers fit into the system across the island, with a focus on sustainability and a fair and inclusive society. Big thanks to Johnathan Dalzell from DAERA coming down from NI.

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Reposted by Simon Hix, Sara B. Hobolt, Stefan Müller , and 4 more Simon Hix, Sara B. Hobolt, Stefan Müller, Stefanie Walter, Robert Huber, Simon Weschle, Stuart White

EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · Sep 10

🚨 Reposting to avoid any confusion between EPSS & EPSA 🚨

If you want to support non-for-profit, member-led political science association, EPSS is the place to be!

More here 👇🏽

EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · Aug 7

EPSA have announced that they will hold a conference in July 2026.

😵‍💫 We understand that there might be some confusion about EPSS and EPSA.

👉🏽 So we thought we would clarify some things.

A short 🧵

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Reposted by Stefan Müller, Tom Louwerse

Sara Hobolt @sarahobolt.bsky.social · Sep 9

We're excited to share some EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social updates with you - and we're so grateful to the political science community in Europe (and beyond!) for the amazing support 👇

EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · Sep 9

📢 EPSS community updates! 

We’re excited to share some milestones and announcements with you 👇

epssnet.org/news/

EPSS News & Updates | Political Science Announcements

Get the latest news, conference announcements, and organizational updates from the European Political Science Society (EPSS).

epssnet.org

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Stefan Müller @stefanmueller.bsky.social · Sep 9

Auch der EXPRESS berichtet: „Die Uni Köln steht vor einem massiven Sparprogramm. Ab 2026 müssen jährlich zehn Millionen Euro eingespart werden. Besonders die Studierenden der Politikwissenschaft zittern nun um ihre Zukunft.”

www.express.de/koeln/brutal...

Uni Köln spart: Droht das Aus für den Politikwissenschaft-Masterstudiengang?

Die Uni Köln steht vor einem massiven Sparprogramm. Ab 2026 müssen jährlich zehn Millionen Euro eingespart werden. Besonders die Studierenden der Politikwissenschaft zittern nun um ihre Zukunft.

www.express.de

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Reposted by Stefan Müller, Manuela Moschella

Ben Ansell @benansell.bsky.social · Sep 9

Some of the very best and most internationally renowned political scientists in Germany are at Cologne. This is a very real threat to a globally strong group.

Stefan Müller @stefanmueller.bsky.social · Sep 8

The University of Cologne plans drastic cuts to its Political Science department, potentially abolishing the MSc in Political Science and eliminating the professorships in IR and Comparative Politics. This would severely weaken the social sciences at @unicologne.bsky.social.
Petition (de/en) ⤵️

Petition unterschreiben

Keine WiSo ohne PoWi! Für eine starke Politikwissenschaft im Bachelor & Master

https://www.change.org/p/keine-wiso-ohne-powi-für-eine-starke-politikwissenschaft-im-bachelor-master

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Stefan Müller @stefanmueller.bsky.social · Sep 8

Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger:
„Die Uni Köln muss ab 2026 jährlich 10 Millionen Euro einsparen. Derzeit diskutieren die Fakultäten intensiv. Das Politik-Institut an der Wiso-Fakultät soll überproportional betroffen sein.“

„Drastische“ Einschnitte geplant: Politik-Studierende der Uni Köln befürchten Streichung von Master

Die Uni Köln muss ab 2026 jährlich 10 Millionen Euro einsparen. Derzeit diskutieren die Fakultäten intensiv. Das Politik-Institut an der Wiso-Fakultät soll überproportional betroffen sein.

www.ksta.de

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Reposted by Stefan Müller

Carlo "Realism, Gedankenfetzen und Rants" Masala @carlomasala1.bsky.social · Sep 8

As a former assistant at the IR Chair (1993-1998) and Managing Director of the Institute (1998-2002) I kindly ask you to sign

Stefan Müller @stefanmueller.bsky.social · Sep 8

Petition unterschreiben

Keine WiSo ohne PoWi! Für eine starke Politikwissenschaft im Bachelor & Master

https://www.change.org/p/keine-wiso-ohne-powi-für-eine-starke-politikwissenschaft-im-bachelor-master

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Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, David M. Farrell, Maarten Vink , and 11 more Ben H. Ansell, David M. Farrell, Maarten Vink, Thorsten Faas, Robert Huber, Thomas M. Meyer, Jacob T. Levy, Matthijs Rooduijn, Christian Rauh, James Cameron, Tom Louwerse, Aleksandra Urman, Carlo Masala, David Darmofal

Stefan Müller @stefanmueller.bsky.social · Sep 8

Petition unterschreiben

Keine WiSo ohne PoWi! Für eine starke Politikwissenschaft im Bachelor & Master

https://www.change.org/p/keine-wiso-ohne-powi-für-eine-starke-politikwissenschaft-im-bachelor-master

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Reposted by Stefan Müller

Christian Rauh @chrauh.bsky.social · Sep 8

Very interesting work on extracting 'scalar constructs' from #TextData with #LLMs by @haukelicht.bsky.social and colleagues: arxiv.org/abs/2509.03116

Measuring Scalar Constructs in Social Science with LLMs

Many constructs that characterize language, like its complexity or emotionality, have a naturally continuous semantic structure; a public speech is not just "simple" or "complex," but exists on a cont...

arxiv.org

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Reposted by Stefan Müller

Emiliano Grossman @egrossman.bsky.social · Sep 8

now with page numbers: Grossman & Guinaudeau (2025), "Tunnels of Attention: Reconsidering Issue Competition", Comparative Political Studies, vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 2559-2593.

Emiliano Grossman @egrossman.bsky.social · Nov 28

Some papers are a long time in the making. This one, written with the excellent @iguinaudeau.bsky.social, took long and I am incredibly grad to see it published. 1/8 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

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Reposted by Stefan Müller

University College Dublin @ucddublin.bsky.social · Sep 4

💙💛 Warmest congratulations to Assistant Professors Mary O’Keeffe, Lucía Tiscornia, Kevin Daly and Graham Benham, who have each been awarded prestigious European Research Council (@erc.europa.eu) Starting Grants worth over €1.5m.
www.ucd.ie/newsandopini...

Four UCD early-career researchers receive coveted ERC Starting Grants

www.ucd.ie

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Stefan Müller @stefanmueller.bsky.social · Sep 3

Some of the findings:
– Quality of training data is more important than quantity
– Separate binary classifiers performed best
– Grant peer review is much more positive than negative

We are now working on substantive applications (see thread below).

Classifiers: huggingface.co/snsf-data

Pipeline for identifying, classifying, and validating textual characteristics in grant peer review reports

Keyness analysis revealing predictive terms for each category in the full sample of project funding review

The predicted prevalence of each category on the level of reviews. Vertical dashed lines show the average prevalence across the 47,522 review reports.

F1 scores (macro-average) depending on the size of the training set

Stefan Müller @stefanmueller.bsky.social · Sep 3

Our paper “A Supervised Machine Learning Approach for Assessing Grant Peer Review Reports” has been accepted at Quantitative Science Studies.

We present a workflow and fine-tuned transformer models to analyse grant peer review reports at scale.

Paper (open access): doi.org/10.1162/qss....

Abstract: Peer review is essential to the research lifecycle, yet the contents of grant peer review reports remain underexplored. Our study addresses this gap by developing a pipeline to systematically analyze these reports using Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning. We define twelve categories relevant to funding agencies, create an annotation codebook, fine-tune and validate transformer models, and apply these classifiers to a novel text corpus consisting of 1.6 million sentences from 47,522 grant peer review reports submitted to the Swiss National Science Foundation. This work has critical implications for the academic community. It provides novel insights into the content of grant peer review reports and openly available tools to enhance transparency, fairness, and consistency in grant evaluation. Our findings also highlight differences between journal and grant peer reviews, while the developed framework enables funding agencies and researchers to refine practices, fostering a more trustworthy and efficient evaluation process.

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