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Kate Lowe (she/hers)

@kateontransport.bsky.social
6.5K followers 2.6K following 837 posts

Mobility justice/transportation equity/urban planning and policy. Chicago!!! Proud union member (UIC United Faculty). Day job @ @uiccuppa.bsky.social

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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The proposed Amtrak facility in Chinatown & Bridgeport is an environmental justice issue in real-time. With AJ Kim in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/04/o... Also check out how many more people & schools would be near the facility bridgeportenviros.github.io/canal-street...
chicagotribune.com
Professors: Amtrak’s proposed rail yard would add to the area’s already sizable environmental burden
We predict the neighborhood around the site of Amtrak’s proposed rail yard would see greater future negative cumulative health impacts.
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NITA Chicago @nitachicago.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
More frequent service. Safer, more accessible stations and stops. 🚇 Tell NITA which improvements would make the biggest difference in your transit experience. Your feedback will help shape regional budget priorities. 🗓️ Take the survey by Oct. 16: bit.ly/4AJCzRe
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Hi environmental justice, transportation equity and health friends! I recently saw an amazing issue brief on the health impacts of noise; I think it was on Bluesky. I neglected to save it. Anyone else see it or know of a go to resource on noise & health?
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Anna Kornbluh @annakornbluh.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
we're hosting a daylong workshop on how to track the financial interests of university trustees who offer such funding, how to work for legislative protections and workplace protections in the classroom and far beyond, join us! www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...
zeffy.com
Against the AI Campus: Building Power in Higher Ed
Welcome Reception / October 23 / 6-8 PM Central / Chicago, ILWorkshop / October 24 / 9AM-5 PM Central / University of Illinois-Chicago Email us to inquire…
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Great @uiccuppa.bsky.social class trip to North Lawndale with insights from the Foundation for Homan Square (the tower view is the best in the city) and Ms. Rochelle Jackson of NLCCC Transportation Committee.
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Joseph Rezek @rezekjoe.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
BREAKING: Boston University's English department (my dept) recently voted to approve new learning outcomes for the English major, including an anti-AI provision that requires students to “craft and revise writing that is sustained, original, and generated without the assistance of AI."
bu.edu
New Learning Outcomes Announced | English
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Laurie! Live! @laurie-merrell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Cool job hr.myu.umn.edu/psc/hrprd/EM...
Screenshot of research data analyst job posting at the University of Minnesota: "The Accessibility Observatory or AO (https://access.umn.edu),  a CTS research program, is a leading national resource for the research and application of access to destinations data to transportation system planning and evaluation. This position will support the Observatory’s National Access Evaluation project as well as other research projects related to destination access, transportation planning, and land use planning. 

Purpose of Position:
The Research Data Analyst will assist with the analysis, data sharing, communication, and data management of the Center’s AO program. This includes delivering analysis and evaluation projects; communicating research results; creating and supporting data tools for sponsors and the public; supporting business development activities; and assisting with program management and administration. Position will include tasks from a mix of key functions as described below."
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Gillian Branstetter @gbbranstetter.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The fact that Musk himself is sponsoring so many of the anti-trans ads this cycle presents a pretty golden opportunity for Dems to point out that of course the guy who literally wants to build a gas-powered data center in your backyard wants this election to be about trans people.
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Glad to have @chi.streetsblog.org Chicago as I was trying to dig up how much the the 606 right of way cost and it was easily findable. Intriguing that Canadian Pacific sold for $1 plus 105k in admin costs chi.streetsblog.org/2013/01/24/c....
chi.streetsblog.org
City of Chicago Finally Takes Possession of the Bloomingdale - Streetsblog Chicago
After a few months of relative quiet since the last community meeting in September, there’s some news about the highly anticipated project to build a multi-use trail and “linear park” along the Bloomi...
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Hi UIC friends, colleagues, and alums! Please show your support for UIC and our faculty union (UICUF) by signing this petition to support our work for a contract that protects academic freedom and guarantees fair wages. actionnetwork.org/petitions/ui...
actionnetwork.org
UIC United Faculty - Contract Now!
UIC United Faculty members have been working without a contract since August 16th, 2026. Under cover of the current federal assault on higher education, administrators at UIC and across the Universit...
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Very excited folks receiving SNAP benefits will be eligible for reduced fares on @chicagocta.bsky.social & Pace!
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I was looking for the Amtrak maintenance yard in CMAP's 2050 plan but instead found the O'Hare Express was already in the 2050 plan! cmap.illinois.gov/wp-content/u... (p. 38)
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Andy Boyle @andymboyle.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
McDonalds CEO: If You Aren’t Eating McGriddles The Economy Will ‘Leave You Behind’ Fast Food Experts Predict Every Meal Will Be Drive-Thru By 2028 Regional Franchise Managers Admit Grills Becoming So Large They Could ‘Develop Own Gravity Wells,’ Ensuing Blackhole Could Kill Everyone
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Leigh Giangreco @leighgiangreco.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I’m very good at freelancing (I’ve been published in the New York Times multiple times!) but I need everyone to know that I want a full-time job. Please let me know if you have leads in: -journalism -communications/PR -public affairs
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Asheesh Kapur Siddique @asheeshks.org · 11/09/2026
So rather than increase faculty payroll and lower student:teacher ratios, UMass would rather spend it on Claude. I would argue that a better investment would be hiring 100-200 tenure-line faculty.
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Stephanie Lulay @slulay2.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
INTERNSHIP ALERT: @blockclubchi.bsky.social is hiring paid fall investigative interns! 🔍 Work w/ + learn from The Watch team ✍️ Contribute to published stories + pitch your ideas 💰 $22/hour 🤝 Supported by Gary Marx Fund for Emerging Journalists Apply by 9/20: blockclubchicago.org/investigativ...
blockclubchicago.org
Gary Marx Journalism Fund for Emerging Journalists: We're Hiring Investigative Interns
Block Club Chicago’s investigative team, the Watch, accepts internship applications periodically throughout the year. Applications for the fall 2026 are currently being accepted and are due by 11:59 p...
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SideStreets @sidestreets.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The new chair of the NITA board, in the first five minutes, is really out here suggesting robotaxis and autonomous vehicles are the future of Chicago's transit network.
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NCS Enjoyer @fixingnorthamerica.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
To piggyback off this while they’re in executive session, microtransit, even done with AVs, are not a replacement for good bus service. The ONLY place you should be using them is rural and edge suburban places where you can’t justify running a bus.
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Anyone live posting from the @nitachicago.bsky.social meeting? I know its streaming, but was looking for highlights as I multi-task.
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Monique Morrissey @moniquemorrissey.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
@chloeneast.bsky.social and @caitlinpatler.bsky.social are hiring a post-doc at Berkeley. Fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming researchers interested in studying the impact of the anti-immigration agenda and doing impactful research with great mentors. aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05505
aprecruit.berkeley.edu
PostDoctoral Scholar Employee - Goldman School of Public Policy
University of California, Berkeley is hiring. Apply now!
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NITA Chicago @nitachicago.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Want to help shape the future of transit in Northern Illinois? NITA is hiring for several key roles that will have a direct hand in building a safer, more seamless, more rider-focused regional transit system. A few exciting opportunities open right now:
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
UIC--Chicago's public research university is setting enrollment records while pursuing access and excellence!
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Julie Cidell @jlcidell.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Not my department, but they do great work and often collaborate with geographers! Asst/Assoc/Full Professor in Land Use, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?...
higheredjobs.com
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I see you NDLD!
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Delighted to see to things I love together University of Illinois Chicago Aspire program (free.uic.edu) ad at a @chicagocta.bsky.social Students from households with less than $75,000 can enroll for free!
Advertisement at a train station that reads free your mind.
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A. Zivarts @nondriver.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I'm having a moment with transit bros. Have you tried walking to a bus stop with a toddler? Every foot counts, and stop consolidation doesn't work for so many of us. Talk to someone who uses a wheelchair about the rain. Or a walker on broken sidewalks. Your 3 min faster bus leaves us out.
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
These devices are a shiny tech in search of a problem AND cause sidewalk problems! Meanwhile, bike couriers (and pedestrians) face tremendous traffic danger. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/21/o...
chicagotribune.com
Kate Lowe: Delivery robots are shiny technology in search of a problem
Robots are getting attention and space when human street safety is a crisis.
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Brandon @bedubble.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
BREAKING: The 43rd Ward’s Timmy Knudsen announces Coco on Clark robotization in response to La Spata’s Meet me on Milwaukee.
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Freight track as a back up on shared ROW. Curious if freight operators will actually agree. In other cases, liability concerns/barriers to passenger on freight ROW. More credible than the Boring/Rahm situation (!) but still worried we might subsidize when ridership $ isn't enough to cover costs/debt
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A state of good repair on the Blue Line would benefit riders with a speedy trip & indirectly everyone in the region & state. It's a better shared investment than expanding roadways. Imagine if we balanced highway/public transit spending! At least IDOT could flex more federal highway dollars like NJ
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Anna Kornbluh @annakornbluh.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
cognitive sabotage, you can ban it extra credit to U Chicago for bans on professional AND undergrad programs; smart SLACs are going to market AI free campuses soon chicagomaroon.com/53262/news/s...
chicagomaroon.com
Sosc Core to Institute AI Ban, Technology-Free Classrooms This Fall
All social science Core classes will transition to an “analog” approach for the upcoming academic year, restricting in-classroom technology use and banning AI-assisted writing and grading for students...
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
I link to this policy in my syllabi. Some elite institutions are recognizing the continued importance of critical thinking and writing while some less resourced institutions are hype-chasing.
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Anyone know who is behind these ads? AVs will almost certainly drive up total miles driven and the safety claims are challenged by study from NYC. So, I'm very wary of Waymo et al but would love more transparency on who is funding these instagram ads. Little info on their website.
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Jenn Dowd @drjenndowd.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Come to Oxford and join our amazing Nuffield community! Postdoctoral Prize Research Fellows (PPRFs) in Sociology, include sociology, demography, criminology, social and medical statistics, public policy, and social policy. www.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/the-college/... @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social
nuffield.ox.ac.uk
Postdoctoral Prize Research Fellowships in Sociology (two posts) - Nuffield College Oxford University
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Jarrett Walker @humantransit.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
The humanities go in and out of style, but they never stop being a great foundation for a versatile life and career. Because if you dig deep enough, everything that matters is in the humanities. Science can tell you how. The humanities are about why.
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Janet D. Stemwedel @docfreeride.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Stop sacrificing your human agency to narratives of inevitability.
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Great @rtachicago.bsky.social school fare news! k-12 @chicagocta.bsky.social student fare now all hours, year round! More access to opportunities, from internships to recreation is great for youth & our city. With more $, free for CPS would be a boon for equity chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/...
rtachicago.org
Regional Transportation Authority | With new funding from the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, transit agencies team up to make student fare…
14, 2026 — K-12 students across the Chicago region will start the school year with free rides on public transit and will experience a more coordinated…
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Berkeley Population Sciences @berkeleypopcenter.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
The UC Berkeley Department of Demography is recruiting a tenure-track Assistant Professor, open field. Applications are due October 15, 2026. See details and applications: aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05488 Please share widely.
aprecruit.berkeley.edu
Assistant Professor - Open Field - Demography
University of California, Berkeley is hiring. Apply now!
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Penny advice: touch grass!
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Really important step towards funding care and de-escalation on/by @chicagocta.bsky.social ! Of course, they can't go it alone, we need more collective investment in affordable housing, social services, & education. Congrats to many folks who worked on this!
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Research Associate job opening at the Indigenous Futures Research Lab (IFRL) at the University of Oklahoma apply.interfolio.com/190539
apply.interfolio.com
Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
From plagiarism to environmental destruction to cognitive surrender to misinformation, many reasons to oppose generative AI/LLMs and the data centers they spawn. Deeply troubling how IL public policy has enabled them with $983 million million of tax incentives in 4 yrs. We can make different choices
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Chris Goodman @cbgoodman.co · 11/08/2026
Endorse. You may not realize it, but pretty much all you have in academia is your reputation. It’s the key to unlocking things (and a huge dose of luck on the front end). If you destroy your reputation, no amount of luck will help you.
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Aparna Nair @disabilitystor1.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
all we are teaching students is dependence and superficiality; that deep engagement does not matter; that they can rely on Big Tech to tell them what to think and do; that they cannot trust themselves; that learning anything does not matter or count.
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 10/08/2026
More like this in other states please, so many companies use this tactic (and distance themselves by insisting they're not 'joint employers' with contracting companies even though they very much dictate terms and conditions of employment).
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Hope to see you all at this amazing event by @equiticity.bsky.social and UIC partners!
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
We all should have easy access to grocery stores. Subsidizing the for-profit sector has failed. Chi can show that the public sector can play a critical role in grocery access. Malasi of @economicsecurityproject.org in @chicago.suntimes.com chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/...
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Kate Lowe (she/hers) @kateontransport.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Oh geez! Feeling disoriented this summer of interface transitions. Our university switched everyone on gmail to outlook and we're moving from Blackboard to Canvas. I have heard Canvas is an improvement, but there's still a learning curve.
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Next City @nextcity.org · 03/08/2026
A new study says NYC’s drivers-for-hire already outperform Waymo's national crash rate – and robotaxis cars may just increase traffic congestion. nextcity.org/urbanist-new...
nextcity.org
The Safety Case for Robotaxis Doesn’t Really Hold Up in New York City, Report Finds
A new study says NYC’s drivers-for-hire already outperform Waymo's national crash rate – and robotaxis cars may just increase traffic congestion.
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