iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

📢 Free book alert! What happens to the gender gap in political ambition in local government—the “best case” for women? Men STILL report more ambition. Using 3 datasets, this book unpacks why & shows that 🚺 are also much more likely to have “local-only” ambition. Free download + author 🧵 below!

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The WhoGov Project @whogov.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

We are so grateful to everyone who participated in the 2026 WhoGov Mini-Conference on Political Elites and made it such an enjoyable and enriching experience. The tentative dates for the next edition are 19–20 August 2027, and the call will come out in early 2027. We already can't wait!

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The WhoGov Project @whogov.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

We especially want to thank @dzobrien.bsky.social and @tiffanydbarnes.bsky.social for their splendid and incredibly entertaining keynote. Moreover, congratulations to @alucardi1.bsky.social bsky.social with winning the 2026 edition of the quiz: the prize was a beautiful pair of WhoGov branded socks!

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

20 years ago today, I started the PhD program at @washupolisci.bsky.social .😮😎 Perfect way to celebrate: with the 10(!) amazing PhD students in my Identity, Power & Politics workshop—asking big questions about who gets political power, why, and with what consequences. Full circle. ❤️

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Back from the 3rd annual @whogov.bsky.social conference at @uio.no ! A terrific few days with scholars of political elites and Oslo’s excellent grad students. Very grateful to give the keynote--Who Governs and Why it Matters: Lessons from Cabinet Appointments--alongside @tiffanydbarnes.bsky.social.

Photo of two presenters at keynote address.

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

This @bjpols.bsky.social paper on women's support for left-wing parties by @gdilandro.bsky.social just won the 2026 GESIS Klingemann Prize! Congratulations Gonzalo! So proud of you! 🎉

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Terrific new work from my PhD student Alexis Jang, now out in @jpeaceresearch.bsky.social! Using social media analysis + survey experiments, Alexis examines how portrayals of women’s wartime victimization shape perceptions of their leadership potential. Check it out: doi.org/10.1093/jopr...

doi.org

How portraying women's wartime victimization shapes perceptions of their leadership potential

Abstract. Does portraying women as wartime victims shape citizens’ perceptions of their leadership potential? Conflict-related media coverage disproportion

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

As an aside, I think you're doing a great job connecting APSA to its membership through your Bluesky account. I really appreciate seeing you here. You're a great follow!

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I suppose I fear that there's a looming existential threat for political science as a discipline (and thus APSA). How will APSA continue to support its members if its membership shrinks dramatically? I want APSA to be proactive about growing (or at least stabilizing) the # of political scientists! 😃

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I'd love to know what lobbying APSA is doing on our behalf at the national level, but also at the state level. For example, Texas universities require that all students take two political science courses, which has been GREAT for poli sci in the state! Are we pushing for that elsewhere?

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Congratulations to my brilliant colleague @luciamotoliniac.bsky.social on receiving the Legislative Studies Emerging Scholar Award! A well-deserved recognition for a terrific scholar. If you haven't yet checked out her book, Unity Through Particularism (CUP, 2026), now's the perfect time. 🎉

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Matthijs Rooduijn @mrooduijn.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Today we launch the new version of The PopuList! The PopuList provides an overview of far-left, far-right and populist parties in 31 European countries from 1989 until 1 May 2026. Explore the new website here: popu-list.org

popu-list.org

Home - The PopuList

The PopuList Interactive Version 4.0 Static Version 4.0 CSV Version 4.0 What is the PopuList? The PopuList offers researchers, journalists, […]

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EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣ A particularly warm welcome to all those participants that are attending #EPSS for the very first time. We are so happy you are here! A huge thanks to Queens University for sponsoring the first-time attendee reception tonight! 🙏

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Guy Grossman @guygrossman.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Out today at the Annual Review of Political Science, my article with @alicexu.bsky.social and Audrey Sacks "The Politics of Climate Change in the Developing World." www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...

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South European Society & Politics @sespjournal.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Heading to #ECPG26? 🎓 Our editor, @bonniefield.bsky.social, will be available to meet If you want to... 👩‍💻 Learn more about the journal 📖 Ask questions about submissions 💡 Discuss your paper and special issue ideas 👉 e-mail us at sespeditors@gmail.com to arrange a meeting...

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

My first thought as well. Imagine sending our colleagues back to their home countries as they wait for green cards. Just appalling.

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Trump 2 has been considerably more stable than Trump’s first admin, but 🚺 account for 4 of 5 cabinet departures, sending strong signals about whose voice belongs in decision-making. This cabinet is about to be as male as George H.W. Bush's! More on 🚺 & executive branch politics: tinyurl.com/yrvc5je7

annualreviews.org

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

It’s the very best time of year: commencement! So delighted to hood Dr. Annie Jarman, 14 years after my own commencement at @washu.edu I’m especially excited to help keep our WashU gender and politics community going strong. Congratulations again to Annie and to all of our amazing PhD graduates!

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Happy to learn that Farida Jalalzai received the Midwest Women’s Caucus Outstanding Professional Achievement Award at this year's @mpsa.bsky.social conference! Farida is a pathbreaking scholar of 🚺 presidents and prime ministers and a generous leader and colleague. This honor is richly deserved!

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Still thinking about the Spring 2026 @egenpolisci.bsky.social conference @ Stanford. Terrific papers, lightning talks and thoughtful conversations about how research can inform real-world change. Huge thanks to Solé Prillaman for organizing such a rich event. kingcenter.stanford.edu/events/confe...

kingcenter.stanford.edu

Expanding Women’s Access to Politics Through Academic and Policy Partnerships

The 2026 Empirical Gender Network (EGEN) Conference at Stanford’s King Center on Global Development will bring together students and faculty with leaders and policymakers from around the world who are...

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Plus super excited for Annie to head to the Representation and Politics in Legislatures (RPL) Lab in the @rooneyinstitute.bsky.social @ Notre Dame. How lucky is she to get to continue her academic journey w/ @rachelporter.bsky.social, Jim Curry & Jeff Harden?! Yay for a new gender & politics PhD!!

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Grateful to Annie for allowing me to chair her committee, and to her other wonderful committee members: Taylor Carlson, Dan Butler, @luciamotoliniac.bsky.social & @mirya.bsky.social, plus all my great colleagues @washupolisci.bsky.social.

anniejarman.github.io

Annie Jarman

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Proud of Dr. Annie Jarman for defending her thesis, Breaking the Glass Screen: Gendered Hostility Online and Women’s Political Representation. She examines the gendered online hostility 🚺 politicians face and how it shapes nascent + progressive ambition. Learn more: anniejarman.github.io/index.html

anniejarman.github.io

Annie Jarman

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Tiffany Barnes @tiffanydbarnes.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Our @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org author shared insights from her book: “The truth is, they’d always been standing in political quicksand. As @zeynsom.bsky.social describes in her book “Glass Ceilings, Glass Cliffs, and Quicksands,” female leaders often operate in more precarious environments.”

huffpost.com

MAGA Women Are Learning The Hard Way What The 'Glass Cliff' Phenomenon Is

Experts break down what women in Trump's orbit should learn from his latest dismissals.

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Tiffany Barnes @tiffanydbarnes.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Big deliveries today @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org Elements by @ladyprofessor.bsky.social and @fthames.bsky.social; @yesolakweon.bsky.social & @jeonghyunkim.bsky.social; and @lizziebrannon.bsky.social & Jakana Thomas arrived in my mailbox!! 💌📥📚 @dzobrien.bsky.social & I love these deliveries 📬

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Super useful FREE new @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org Gender & Politics Element by @cbolzendahl.bsky.social & @hildecoffe.bsky.social shows how gender shapes political participation across Europe, w/ 8 forms of political activity over 10 waves of the European Social Survey (2002–2020) in 26 countries!

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

New @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org Gender & Politics Element on LGBTQ politics by Daby and Rau. Focusing on Latin America, authors use survey data and interviews to identify multiple processes by which individuals move from prejudice and rejection to tolerance and acceptance towards LGBTQ+ citizens! 🏳️‍🌈

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

New @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org Gender & Politics Element by @lizziebrannon.bsky.social & Jakana Thomas, “Legislating Peace,” shows that 🚺's representation, especially former rebels in rebel parties, improves compliance with post-conflict gender provisions. www.cambridge.org/core/element...

cambridge.org

Legislating Peace

Cambridge Core - Politics: General Interest - Legislating Peace

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Up next: "Double Glass Ceiling The Class Effects of Gender Representation" by @yesolakweon.bsky.social & @jeonghyunkim.bsky.social. They argue that the link between 🚺's descriptive and symbolic representation differs across economic class, w/ implications for 🚺's political attitudes & behavior.

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

In this Element, @fthames.bsky.social + @ladyprofessor.bsky.social takes a large-N approach to exploring whether inequality variation in states at conflict leads to variation in women's health outcomes. Free to download now! 2/ www.cambridge.org/core/element...

cambridge.org

Conflict and Maternal Health

Cambridge Core - Politics: General Interest - Conflict and Maternal Health

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Free 📚🚨! I've got 2 great, short monographs for you to download today! Up first, "Conflict and Maternal Health Linking the Gendered Causes and Gendered Consequences of War" by @fthames.bsky.social + @ladyprofessor.bsky.social. 1/

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

I am a political scientist. I am also the proud chair of WashU's small but mighty women, gender, and sexuality studies department. Political scientists: it's time to stand w/ gender studies, Black studies and similar units. We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

The same people who claim they want to "defend women." Gender studies departments have incredibly committed instructors. They get students to read, write, and think, exposing them to interdisciplinary coursework that helps them make sense of the world. They do this with limited resources & support.

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

The world can feel bleak these days, so I’m grateful to have a book on gender, political trust, and efficacy—written by someone so smart and generous—to flip through when I feel a little low. Get yourself a copy, too! The Politics of Perception by @kstauffer.bsky.social: shorturl.at/6BOTS

global.oup.com

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year was "The Politics of Perception," sent to me by the brilliant author, @kstauffer.bsky.social. It's a must-read book about how & why Americans' (mis)perceptions of 🚺's political representation influence their efficacy, trust, approval of institutions.

The politics of perception: how beliefs about women’s inclusion shape democratic legitimacy in the US, by Katelyn Stauffer

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British Journal of Political Science @bjpols.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

All articles from our 2025 volume can be accessed here - cup.org/49tQEFp #OpenAccess

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Public Opinion Quarterly - POQ @poqjournal.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Does news about a more diverse Congress change how Americans see democracy? In POQ, Olson et al. find that diversity boosts Democrats’ trust in Congress, has no effect on Republicans, and does not weaken support for democratic norms. Read now: doi.org/10.1093/poq/...

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

🚨Free book alert (for 2 weeks)! In her new CUP Element, @caglayanbaser.bsky.social shows that rebel groups with♀️combatants are seen as more gender-equal, democratic and morally legitimate, even when they perpetrate violence. This increases public support for government sponsorship of rebel groups!

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Meredith Conroy @meredithconroy.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Now on my substack, Gender Gap: 5 notable gaps discussed in 2025. 1. leaving the U.S. 2. marriage aspirations 3. social media use 4. loneliness 5. college plans I picked these bc they signal how men/women structure their social lives and are imagining their futures. substack.com/home/post/p-...

Line chart showing the share of men/women ages 18-40 who want to leave the US permanently from 2008 to 2025. In 2025, 40% of women, and 19% of men, in this age cohort say they want to leave.

Line chart from 1993 to 2023 showing the share of 12th grader boys and girls who want to get married. In 2023, there is a 23 point gap, with girls less likely to want to get married.

Bar chart showing share of men/women who interact with their friends on social media, and how often. 30% of men say "never" compared to 18% of women.

Horizontal bar chart showing share of teen girls and teen boys who plan to go to college. 60% of girls but 46% of boys say they plan to go to college.

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Thanks Eric! Your work on minority candidate emergence/supply was really useful for shaping our thinking on this!

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Excited that "Race, Gender, and Nascent Political Ambition" is now out in @bjpols.bsky.social. W/ survey of white, Hispanic, and Black American respondents, we show primary gap in nascent political ambition is not between men and women but between white men and the majority of the polity.

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Anyway, this is a long thread to say how deeply sad I feel about this news. As a gender and politics scholar, I loved my time working with A&M students and faculty. I hate to think about what current and future students and colleagues are missing out on. 5/5

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

We generated hypotheses together. We looked at data. We learned, together. My colleagues trusted me, and my students trusted me. It was one of the most rewarding teaching experiences of my career. 4/

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

But the overwhelming majority came in indifferent, and a non-trivial share were skeptical. And honestly? I welcomed it. I’m an empirical social scientist. I’m always asking (and asking my students): How would you know if you were right? And, more importantly, how would you know if you were wrong? 3/

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

I taught my A&M women and politics class several times, and each instance was a joy. A minority of my students arrived already interested in gender equality in politics. It was a delight to connect with them. 2/

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

I once had the privilege of teaching a women & politics courses at Texas A&M. I inherited the class from a colleague, but I made it fully my own (no one double-checked my syllabi). And the course addressed gender, sexuality, and intersectionality—b/c, obvi. I have never enjoyed teaching more! 1/

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Feeling grateful to @jennpiscopo.bsky.social for including our co-authored @apsrjournal.bsky.social article on gender quotas in this piece for @policyoptions.irpp.org. Despite pundits' fears, we find that 🚹's overrepresentation is much more corrosive to democratic legitimacy than gender quotas.

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Diana O'Brien @dzobrien.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

I’m really proud of (and grateful to) my colleagues for writing this op-ed. As a @washu.edu alumna and faculty member, I forcefully echo their statement. Faculty excellence and student success should be our lodestar. Signing the compact moves us further from those aims.

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