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Laia Balcells

@laiabalcells.bsky.social
7.3K followers 1.6K following 894 posts

Catalan American; Yale educated political scientist; Georgetown professor. Mother of two. Views here are personal. Reskeets are not endorsements.

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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 1h
Ian Shapiro Says the Left’s “Preemptive Capitulation” to Neoliberalism Paved the Way for Populism democracyparadox.com/2026/09/30/i...
democracyparadox.com
Ian Shapiro Says the Left's "Preemptive Capitulation" to Neoliberalism Paved the Way for Populism - Democracy Paradox
Ian Shapiro explains how the left's preemptive capitulation to neoliberalism after the Cold War paved the way for today's populist backlash
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Dan Silverman @dmsilverman.bsky.social · 11h
They find weaker effects on attitudes toward Jews and antisemitism Some ⬆️ in feeling thermometer but it’s short term, and ⬇️ in stereotypes but only if you weren’t already warm toward Jews and its short term as well
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Dan Silverman @dmsilverman.bsky.social · 11h
Their premise is that the USHMM has both universal messages about democracy, appeasement, and atrocity prevention — and specific ones about Jews and antisemitism They find pretty solid effects on the former, especially opposition to appeasement and desire to prevent atrocities. “Never again” landed
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Dan Silverman @dmsilverman.bsky.social · 11h
Does visiting a major Holocaust museum impact your political views? New study in JOP by @laiabalcells.bsky.social et al uses a field experiment at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum to see They find a visit: -stokes more “never again” universalist views -has limited and fleeting fx on antisemitism
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"Consequential histories: A field experiment at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum" Just accepted at the Journal of Politics www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
journals.uchicago.edu
Consequential histories: A field experiment at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum | The Journal of Politics: Vol 0, No ja
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Paul Gardner @ppgardne.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I'm happy to say I have managed to report all 12 faked systematic reviews that we discovered on PubPeer. The corresponding URLs are in the ALT text. I'm awaiting responses from most of the publishers/authors -- other than one author admission:
1. https://pubpeer.com/publications/E858A6B3492DB679121B1358E1CDEA#null
2. https://pubpeer.com/publications/E223A9D5CF9F48D2BA6E31A5B7B163
3. https://pubpeer.com/publications/5EA00303B5EDCCDAF82304D93F0A1C
4. https://pubpeer.com/publications/339F22D24DEBFB96025FC31675A9F4
5. https://pubpeer.com/publications/650876481D7FC858E2F95148AB264C#null
6. https://pubpeer.com/publications/BE8365B6373075786A0DE05323125A#null
7. https://pubpeer.com/publications/ABE3AB3258181CD400EDFC900E3851
8. https://pubpeer.com/publications/A87CFEBAA1950F2D96195B8B8088B8
9. https://pubpeer.com/publications/233E9B0E67EAB1C92CD3904F5587C2#null
10. https://pubpeer.com/publications/365A43971AC6C7292696BA05F2300D
11. https://pubpeer.com/publications/A8F0DC88104363F2E9334CE67A03EA
12. https://pubpeer.com/publications/FFC531637B4932529E46082BC0004E
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Interesting!
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Gen AI is clearly changing the way some researchers are working. Now more than ever we need to evaluate the quality of the contributions more than the number of contributions. And academic systems that tend to value more the latter than the former need to be changed.
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I agree with my friend Tom.
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Noah Zucker @noahzucker.com · 01/09/2026
Princeton Niehaus Center (@niehauscenter.bsky.social) now accepting applications for 2027–28 postdoctoral fellowships: niehaus.princeton.edu/fellowships Deadline: Thursday, October 15, 2026
niehaus.princeton.edu
Apply for our Fellowships
Apply NowThe Niehaus Center for Globalization and Governance (NCGG) at Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs invites applications for postdoctoral research associates from ...
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Crawford Kilian @crof.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
They finally noticed: www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
cbc.ca
Stressed out about politics? It could be impacting your health | CBC News
Political stress is a distinct type of stress that refers to how political events, decisions and actors, can cause anxiety, even depression, and other health impacts. Academics like a team of research...
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Started the morning with my kids reading Coat of Many Colors (Imagination Library had sent us the book) and listening to her singing it. We then listened and sang "I will always love you". Thank you, Dolly Parton. R.I.P.
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Dan Silverman @dmsilverman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Article available here: doi.org/10.1017/S000...
doi.org
National Attachment, Past In-Group Perpetratorhood, and Out-Group Attitudes | British Journal of Political Science | Cambridge Core
National Attachment, Past In-Group Perpetratorhood, and Out-Group Attitudes - Volume 56
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Dan Silverman @dmsilverman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Interesting article by @laiabalcells.bsky.social @eliasdinas.bsky.social and Ethan vanderWilden out in BJPS on past perpetratorhood and prejudice They show that priming historical Spanish persecution of Jews generates sympathy among non-nationalistic Spaniards but backlash among strong nationalists
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KJ Shepherd @kjshepherd.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
there will be many ways to celebrate dolly parton and the one I want to point out is that she was a friend of Miss Piggy
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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Why we should NOT be reassured by the idea that Trump very likely won't be able to rig the election. The fact that he's trying is very, very bad and there's no guarantee he won't succeed.
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Joan Ricart-Huguet @ricarthuguet.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
New pre-APSA "workshop": tennis social! 🎾 Wed Sep 2, 3–6pm at MIT, w/ @jguardado.bsky.social & @evlieb.bsky.social All levels welcome - even Djokovic fans 😜 Details + sign up (join list even if you can't make it this year): docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
Pre-APSA tennis social at MIT
When: Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026, 3-6 pm. Where: MIT Outdoor Tennis Courts (Briggs, courts 7/8/9). 133 Amherst Alley, Cambridge, MA 02139 Organizers: Joan Ricart-Huguet (jricart-huguet@loyola.ed...
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
I don't know anything about this story, but I know what it is like to be bullied on social media, as it happened to me once many years ago (led by a man who is still obsessed, apparently). There are very ugly people on the internet, unfortunately.
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Hakeem Jefferson @hakeemjefferson.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Sending love to friends who, like me, are feeling especially close to this tragedy today. There is so much I want to say, but for now, just sending love. Take care of yourselves.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 10/08/2026
Trump: "Very importantly, vaccinations for hepatitis B, covid-19, and influenza, among others, are no longer recommended for all children"
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British Journal of Political Science @bjpols.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
From May 2026 - National Attachment, Past In-Group Perpetratorhood, and Out-Group Attitudes - cup.org/3Pe9gDf - @laiabalcells.bsky.social, @eliasdinas.bsky.social & Ethan vanderWilden #OpenAccess
BJPolS abstract text titled "Exclusionary attitudes" discussing how in-group victimhood impacts antisemitism in contemporary Spain. Examines attachment levels to Spanish nation and attitudes towards Jews from Spain, noting that historical exposure may influence responses.
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Felipe De La Hoz @felipedlh.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
I would love to hear a FIFA official explain why Argentina got that VAR review on Egypt’s goal scoring play and not vice versa. Not even why they didn’t grant Salah the penalty; maybe they wouldn’t have. But why no review? Why yes for one team and not for another?
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
I don't know, I don't think Messi is an altruistic god.
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Perspectives on Politics @poppublicsphere.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
NOW OUT ON FIRSTVIEW!! It’s Not #Polarization; It’s the #Radicalization of the #Political #Right By @pettertornberg.com doi.org/10.1017/S153...
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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 27/06/2026
When they said, "wear a suit," I just assumed…  Find a public pool near you at nycgovparks.org.
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Chris Polansky @chrispolansky.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Cape Verde advance!!!!! From the Cape Verdean Association in Bridgeport, Connecticut
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
I thought it was a welcome to naturalized US citizens.
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Thor Benson @thorbenson.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
If we can find the tallest animal in the world, we can do anything
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Brendan Cantwell @cantb.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Faculty are forever making fun of students for asking questions that are answered on the syllabus but if you’ve ever been to a faculty meeting you know that faculty constantly ask questions that are answered by the program handbook or departmental bylaws. Constantly (me included).
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
From a PIIE policy brief: "Given the key role of STEM workers in US innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity growth, that decline would cut annual US real GDP by $240 billion to $481 billion within a decade." www.piie.com/publications...
piie.com
Class dismissed: The effect of international student exclusion on the US STEM workforce and economic growth
Restrictive US government policies since 2025 have reduced international student enrollment in US universities and made it harder for foreign graduates to work in the United States. This shift, if sus...
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
The APSA conference program is now live: connect.apsanet.org/apsa2026/onl...
connect.apsanet.org
Online Program
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Jonathan Peelle @jpeelle.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
America: hold my beer
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Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Texas and Florida may have passed it by now, but Indiana was an early leader in dismantling academic freedom in its university system, and it certainly hasn't gotten any *better* just because other states have gotten worse.
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 23/06/2026
i think it is great that conservative students functionally work as a volunteer stasi for republican politicians and conservative media
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
How does a nation's past impact its present? My latest research (joint with Elias Dinas and Ethan vanderWilden) explores in-group perpetratorhood.
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
The APSA conference program is now live: connect.apsanet.org/apsa2026/onl...
connect.apsanet.org
Online Program
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Cap Verd!
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Mar Hicks @histoftech.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
thank goodness this isn’t a metaphor or anything
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Evan Bernick, a finite mode with a smol hooman and a lorg floof @evanbernick.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
gonna put this on my first slide next semester when I teach constitutional law
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Edo Navot @edonavot.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Not sure about GenAI but high schoolers getting RA with profs is the current frontier in high income household strategies for resume padding for college applications so AI piling on makes sense.
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
A new thing is that they are now talking about one of the papers I published or my book; some of them even include it in the email subject. In this way, the impression is that they are very interested in my work. I am pretty sure genAI is giving them tips along these lines.
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Steven Van de Walle @stevenvdwalle.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Those are the worst - not responding. Declining to review - no problem, but please do it fast. Not responding - horrible for an editor and delays the process. But there is a special place in hell for people who accept a review request and then do not deliver or even ghost the journal.
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Michelle L. Dion @michelledion.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
True. But in my APSR experience, there are some Big Names who never even respond to requests. At all. Really uncool. OTOH, some other Big Names are really lovely and do more than their share quickly.
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Anyone else getting emails from undergraduates and high school students from around the world, reaching out for RAships, potential collaborations, etc.? I noticed a big increase in this kind of emails and I wonder if genAI has something to do with it.
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Brendan Cantwell @cantb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Academic conferences should return to simple PDF and printed programs. The apps and conference management systems are very annoying and work very badly. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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Vicente Valentim @valentimvicente.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Our department has three calls for tenure track positions. IE is a fast growing group of scholars doing top-notch work, which offers very attractive conditions in a great European city. If you are looking for an academic job in Europe, definitely do consider applying.
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Tarik Abou-Chadi @tabouchadi.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
The Berlin Social Science Center (@wzb.bsky.social) is looking for a new director for the study of international relations. The director will establish and lead a new research research department. I am happy to chat with interested candidates. www.wzb.eu/en/jobs/dire...
Job ad. Text in the link.
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Congratulations to the @ces-europe.bsky.social Carolina de Miguel Moyer Young Scholar Award 2026 Winner: Björn Bremer (Central European University). I would like to thank everyone who submitted nominations. They were truly excellent. councilforeuropeanstudies.org/uncategorize...
councilforeuropeanstudies.org
Carolina de Miguel Moyer Young Scholar Award 2026 Winner – Council for European Studies
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Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
I've been there.
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