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Matt Nelsen

@mattnelsen.bsky.social
1.7K followers 678 following 315 posts

Associate Professor of Political Science | Assistant Director of GenForward Survey | Author of The Color of Civics | Civic Education Advocate | Race, Place, and Young People | All Things Chicago

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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Ctrl-F “school closures” <Not found> Wild to devote part of this feature to Emanuel’s education policies while overlooking the fact that he did not run for re-election as mayor partially because of the public backlash that came from closing 50 public schools, which largely impacted Black children.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Hopping on the “New York City sky tonight” trend.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I have spent a lot of time waiting in Lincoln Center for my partner to be released from rehearsals at the Met. It is not uncommon to hear people walk by and say things like “I’ve always wanted to see an opera, but it’s too expensive.”
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[Christopher M. Federico] @chrispps.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I'd go further: at this point, the NYT and other mainstream journalistic outlets -- given their business-related need to continuously ship both-sides polarization porn -- are doing way more than El-Sayed is to keep Piker relevant and make him a more influential figure than he otherwise might be
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Hakeem Jefferson @hakeemjefferson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
One of my big academic rules: only write papers you really care about on topics you really care about. I try to follow this rule 99% of the time. This paper is one of the best examples of that, and I’m stoked it’s one step closer to being in the world. We’ve corrected proofs & you’ll have it soon!
First page of article proofs for “The Politics of Black Classification: Sociopolitical Cues and Racial Perception”
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I'm excited to share that my newest article, "A DuBoisian Approach to Civic Education," is now available open access at @journalrep.bsky.social @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org. The work situates Du Bois as a central thinker in understanding empowering approaches to civic education. (1/7)
doi.org
A DuBoisian Approach to Civic Education | Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics | Cambridge Core
A DuBoisian Approach to Civic Education
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Bat 🦇 Borus @matthewborus.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
This is both some effective frame-bridging, and a clearer defense of the basic concept of rights than we get from many current politicians.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I'm back for year five, and my new nameplate just dropped!
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jenn m. jackson @jennmjacksonphd.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
I wish folks made an effort to look out for and protect Black academics before we enter the news cycle. So many of us are struggling quietly. It's literally killing us.
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Team Talarico @teamtalaricohq.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
NEW AD: 14 years ago today, Ken Paxton stole someone's $1,000 pen. Today, Ken Paxton’s pen victim is endorsing James Talarico.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I must have missed the news that URLs for almost all FiveThirtyEight articles now redirect to ABCNews. For those of you who assign some of the fantastic work published by FiveThirtyEight over the years, Ben Welsh compiled an archive that is saving my syllabi: fivethirtyeightindex.com
fivethirtyeightindex.com
fivethirtyeightindex.com
An index of fivethirtyeight.com articles, datasets, podcasts, graphics and illustrations.
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Justin Gerdes @justingerdes.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
"Climate policy didn’t lose Harris the election. Building all of these clean-energy factories appears to have kept the vote much closer than it otherwise would have been," writes @leahstokes.bsky.social: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0... 🔌💡
theatlantic.com
Bidenomics Was More Successful Than People Think
Conventional wisdom holds that Joe Biden’s bet on climate investment was a bust. The data suggest otherwise.
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Whitney Bauck @whitneybauck.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
"Rumors of the Inflation Reduction Act’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Headlines declared the Dems' big climate law dead soon after Repubs passed their Big Beautiful Bill last summer. But the truth is, much of the law is still alive." @leahstokes.bsky.social electricnotes.news/p/no-the-dem...
electricnotes.news
No, the Democrats' Big Climate Law is Not Dead.
Plus, new research shows that its clean energy manufacturing boom benefitted Democrats in the 2024 election.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
The NYT's coverage of the WI primary is giving me whiplash. Sure, different authors can offer different takes, which may contribute to a fruitful discussion. However, the only bit of editorial consistency appears to be a general disdain for progressives, and specifically DSA. A few examples:
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Barry Burden @bcburden.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Some diffs between MI & WI primaries: * WI only recently looked like a two-way race, so not a simple either-or * No AIPAC involvement in WI * No involvement of national figs such as Bernie & AOC * Hong openly identifies as dem socialist but AES didn’t thehill.com/homenews/cam...
thehill.com
Democratic socialists turn to Hong in Wisconsin with hopes for next big win
State Rep. Francesca Hong’s (D) steady rise in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race is teeing up the biggest test yet for democratic socialists and the far left this election cycle. Hong has …
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
It’s pretty wild that NYT polling analysts are live posting about polls being off by 20 points with no engagement with what strikes me as a far likelier scenario: in a chaotic primary, voters consolidated behind a candidate when their preferred choice dropped out suddenly before the primary.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Ole Viking Savior off to a strong start in Pine County.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
A truly iconic headline.
nytimes.com
Students Skinned a Bear in a Dorm. Cornell Realized It Should Ban That.
After two Cornell University students skinned a black bear in a communal kitchen last year to make a meal, the school changed the rules.
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Jake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Hot takes suggest that spending more on public schools doesn't help. But this cool paper (political scientists publishing in an econ journal 😎) shows that increasing public school spending improves test scores and graduation rates. gated: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
And the young Independents who helped push Trump over the finish line in 2024 are telling us that they are worried about being able to pay unexpected bills and cover the costs of housing.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
"Centrist Democrats say their purpose is to make progressives understand the risks of some of the more radical planks of the official D.S.A. platform" (e.g. defunding the “Department of War"). Decreasing military spending consistently came up in our GenForward focus groups. (1/4)
nytimes.com
Moderate Democrats Prepare for ‘War’ Against an Ascendant Left
One moderate group says the progressive wins are “deeply troubling” and is planning a $15 million effort against democratic socialism.
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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 04/08/2026
Public safety does not come from masked armed agents taking people off our streets.

To immigrant New Yorkers: you belong in this City, and this City stands with you.

If you need legal support, our Immigration Legal Support Hotline is free, confidential and available regardless of your immigration status. Call 1-800-354-0365.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
In April, the GenForward research team conducted a series of eight focus groups with 94 young adults living in Midwestern states. The focus groups, coupled with our survey data, reveal both strong commitments to democratic norms and a desire to significantly reshape America’s democratic system.
genforwardsurvey.com
Young Adults’ Reimagining of U.S. Democracy on the Nation’s 250th – GenForward Survey
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Perspectives on Politics @poppublicsphere.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
NOW OUT ON FIRSTVIEW!! The #Countermajoritarian Difficulty Revisited: Theorizing Court–Party Relations in the #United #States By @wsnead.bsky.social & @kumar.fyi doi.org/10.1017/S153...
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Neil Lewis, Jr. @neillewisjr.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
He says this once a week at this point, yet somehow the market has the same reaction every time, despite it never happening 🤷🏿‍♂️ www.cnbc.com/2026/06/10/s...
CNBC: Dow surges 900 points after Trump says U.S. will soon sign deal with Iran, oil falls.
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Arturo Chang @arturochang.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
It's book day! A New World of Revolutions is now out and doing its thing in the world. Link below if you are interested in ordering a copy.
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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 12/05/2026
When we took office, NYC had a $12B deficit. Today it’s zero. And we didn’t close that gap on the backs of working people. We closed it while funding parks, libraries, safer streets, & public housing. Call it Pothole Politics or Democratic Socialism: We are government that delivers for the people.
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Roberto F. Carlos @robertocarlos.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Although the book will not be out until the summer, I just got the cover for it, and I am excited to share it with the world (or the five or so kind folks who engage with this post). I look forward to sharing more about my book “Information Brokers” with @uchicagopress.bsky.social in the new year.
Book Cover for forthcoming book, Information Brokers.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
The University of Miami granted me tenure! 🎉 Starting my career in Florida in the current political climate has not always been comfortable, so I am incredibly grateful to my colleagues for protecting my time and encouraging me to stay true to my intellectual convictions. 1/2
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Arturo Chang @arturochang.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Excited to receive an advance copy of my book, A New World of Revolutions! The team @princetonupress.bsky.social did a wonderful job with the design. The book is available now for pre-order and will be published in the US on June 2nd (July 28th for UK readers). Link below.
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Jake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Given the argument that ended the VRA, I think it’s time liberals did some self reflection about the now decades long obsession with partisan polarization as the problem, as opposed to authoritarianism, extremism, oligarchy, and racism
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elizabeth jordie davies @jordiedavies.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Always proud to be in this contingent of Chicago scholars! Justin and @mattnelsen.bsky.social are committed to community voices in their work.
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Justin Zimmerman @jztidecat.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Tried to explain to my students on Tuesday that it’s hard to recognize danger and to fight against oppression if you don’t know shit. I use the work of @jordiedavies.bsky.social and @mattnelsen.bsky.social to hammer this point. Didn’t know it would be even more relevant after yesterday.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
In May 2012, my interest in texts as a source of political socialization was beginning to germinate alongside the shoots of spring. My senior capstone for political theory: Beyond Bread and Circuses: The Hunger Games and Its Cautionary Tale for Legitimate Governance Thanks Casson for humoring me
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Last class, deep breath, and a sunset on year four.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
In our latest GenForward post, Cathy J. Cohen writes "young adults seem to be rejecting the premise that affordability is purely an economic or even lifestyle concern. Instead, they see affordability, or access to essential services and rights, as part of what they believe democracy should ensure."
genforwardsurvey.com
Affordability as Democracy: What Young Adults Want – GenForward Survey
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Kevin Morris @kevintmorris.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Cover drop and I'm in love press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
I started my week with a confident spring in my step about recruiting for a new project within two urban school districts. After all, I’ve done this before! Then bureaucracy served me a piece of humble pie in the form of a email reminding me that I need to get tested for TB before I begin.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
When life gets overwhelming, an invitation to channel my dog and his favorite baguette.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
With a Best Picture win for OBAA, Ben is the winner of this year's Oscar pool.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
To quote my partner Anthony, "I'm doing baaaad." He and Zoe (Kumar's partner) report a similar sentiment toward film: "happy spouse, happy house." Ben and I both were incorrect on cinematography—he selected OBAA and I selected Train Dreams. It now comes down to Best Picture.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Half way through and we are now down to a two-horse race between myself and Ben. Ben increased his likelihood of winning by selecting Mr. Nobody Against Putin over The Perfect Neighbor for best Doc Feature. We only diverge in two remaining categories: Cinematography and Picture. 😬
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
We are now one third of the way through and @kumar.fyi's chances of winning the pool have dropped to zero, despite being in third place for the raw count. He made the inspired prediction of Delroy Lindo for supporting actor, costing him two points in this weighted category.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
The predictions models are now starting to more accurately reflect raw points. Zoe had two significant missteps in the costume and hair/makeup categories. This may reflect Zoe's general disdain toward the film industry. In her words "There are too many movies. People should make fewer movies."
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Tonight I will be modeling the likely winner of my friends' Oscars pool live by tracking their correct predictions and simulating the remaining categories (x 10,000) based on the results already announced and the remaining categories. Here is the result of the first batch—follow along!
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Folks should check out @jztidecat.bsky.social's post on the GenForward blog, which examines young adults' low rates of trust toward political institutions. The post provides a nice complement to our recent data, which shows widespread concern about the threat of authoritarianism among young adults.
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Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
My partner is in the Metropolitan Opera Chorus, and we both agree opera has work to do to broaden its appeal. However, these companies also employ hundreds—sometimes thousands—of employees, many of whom are unionized. Both artistically and politically, Chalamet’s point is a horrendous one.
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Anthony Michael Kreis @anthonymkreis.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
The Catholic Bishops are entirely right. The crusade to end birthright citizenship is immoral, inconsistent with our law, and an affront to the dignity of children born in the United States. And the people working in earnest to undermine it should be ashamed of themselves.
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Hakeem Jefferson @hakeemjefferson.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Just insane cruelty.
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