Sign in

Melissa Baker

@melissabaker.bsky.social
9.7K followers 2K following 1.2K posts

Asst prof at UTEP. Political psychology and political communication. Studying mental health, cognition, emotions, info behavior, & social media.

PostsRepliesMedia
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I love that Slack has chosen this image because it is exactly how I feel every time I say I want to notify everyone in the channel 😂
050
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Didn’t have ‘my desert city that’s 10 hours from an ocean setting up free sandbag stations because a storm from a hurricane is going to hit us’ on my 2026 bingo card but this year has been weird enough, maybe I should have.
121
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Mike Boylan-Kolchin @mbkplus.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Once again, I gotta say: you cannot treat anything you’re feeding into an AI as anonymous. There are enormous ethics implications for, e.g. referees who are clearly uploading others’ unpublished papers without consent, let alone health care professionals or law enforcement
14751276
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Bayliss Wagner @baylisswagner.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
New: The Trump administration has spent more than $1M in public funds so far to boost the president on the airwaves. Experts including a Bush WH ethics lawyer said it likely violates federal laws against propaganda & political activity by gov’t staff. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/27/u...
nytimes.com
A Trump 2024 Campaign Ad Returns, Now Brought to You by The Government (Gift Article)
The ad, which ethics experts said could violate federal law, shows Mr. Trump vowing to “expel warmongers” from the government and fight the “deep state,” even as he wages a war with Iran.
816158
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
What switching from Ohio State vs Illinois to Texas vs Tennessee felt like
static.klipy.com
Kemba's Disgusted Reaction in Car
ALT: Kemba's Disgusted Reaction in Car
020
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This is the kind of content I am online for
010
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Demonstrating that they do in fact belong in the Big 12 😂 (I say this affectionately as a Nebraskan who misses Nebraska in the Big 12)
030
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Austin American-Statesman @statesman.com · 24/09/2026
The provost’s office also eliminated dozens of courses on race from counting toward the core curriculum.
bit.ly
UT cuts all women and gender classes from core curriculum, drops race classes
The provost’s office also eliminated dozens of courses on race from counting toward the core curriculum.
177
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Today's desert adventure: Watched the fire department bring a rescue raft to the street I live on because it flooded & people (including a bus!) wouldn't stop driving into it & getting stuck. A tow truck camped out nearby to keep pulling cars out. Tales of 'storms in places that never get weather'
281
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Does anyone know of a tool to identify an address within each census tract in the US? It doesn't matter if the address is residential or commercial, just that it is within that tract. I can find plenty of tools that easily do the reverse and really feel like I have to be missing something.
210
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
It’s like Costco knows that my two impulse buy danger zones are Halloween and nostalgia. (& yes it felt weird buying Halloween stuff when it’s supposed to be 95 degrees in El Paso today ha)
Pillsbury cut out cookie pack of Halloween images (black cat, jack-o’-lantern, ghost)
050
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Cool opportunity for people doing work on sports and American politics!
033
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Amanda Friesen @amandafriesen.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Chris Dawes (NYU) and I are editing a special issue of The Forum on Sports and American Politics. Deadline for full papers is December 1. We welcome a variety of methods and levels of analysis! Happy to answer questions.
0118
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
LinkedIn is suggesting I apply for a job that I’m on the search committee for 😂
4191
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Drove by a 7brew today and condolences to all of the parents who are spending hours in the drive thru line for the squishy promotion today
060
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Just tried to say “thank you” at the airport and my voice cracked. Guess I had a good APSA.
070
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Really appreciate the number of dogs in the prudential center to make up for the lack of dogs in the APSA exhibit area
020
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I am glad I am not alone. In related news, the CVS in the complex is convenient when walking hurts and you need blister supplies, ha.
020
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Looking for something to do Friday morning at APSA? @amandafriesen.bsky.social & I put together a panel on mental health, wellbeing, & political behavior! 10am at the Westin.
0156
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
No joke, the person who checked me into my hotel made some comment about checking the safety card in the event of an emergency like a fire and I wished she had any idea what “APSA fire” was because I wanted to make a joke about her overhearing someone’s plans for this year 😂
0161
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Okay do any political scientists remember the APSA where a dog rescue/shelter had dogs in the exhibit hall? (Maybe a recent DC one?) How do we last minute make that happen again this week?
030
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Junior Americanist Workshop Series @jawspolisci.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
We are SO back 🦈🤓 and accepting submissions for our fall workshop series! If you would like to present your work at a future JAWS session or volunteer to serve as a discussant, please submit your info here:
docs.google.com
JAWS Sign-Up Form--Fall 2026
Please use the form below to submit your project for potential inclusion in the Junior Americanist Workshop Series (JAWS), volunteer to serve as a discussant, and/or sign up for email updates.
055
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
😂
“AI is going to take your job”

“Yeah okay…I’d like to see AI try to make a joke on the first day of class to a room full of college freshman, get zero reaction, die a little inside, and keep lecturing like everything is just fine”
0111
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Elizabeth (Bit) Meehan, PhD @elizabethbitmeehan.com · 27/08/2026
Anthropology, economics, linguistics, and sociology (among others) were kept for the GRFP. Not political science, communication; public policy (among others)
132
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Texas people! This will be a good time. Last year at A&M was super beneficial. Moriah is co-organizing this year at Tech so I know it will be great!
010
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Moriah Harman @moriahjharman.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
The Department of Political Science at Texas Tech is hosting this year’s Texas American Behavior Conference (11/13-11/14). If you’re a grad student or faculty member (at a TX university) studying American Political Behavior, please apply! Deadline 9/1/26. esrlttu.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
esrlttu.gov1.qualtrics.com
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
066
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Job alert! My department is hiring in comparative, specifically Latin American politics with a Mexico focus. I’m on the committee & will be at APSA next week if anyone interested in the position would like to chat there! Ad: utep.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdeta... #psjobs #psjminfo #poliscijobs
utep.interviewexchange.com
22626
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Some things about El Paso you may not know: 1) Always towards the top of the lowest cost of living of big cities list 2) Always towards the top of the safest big cities list 3) 300+ days of sun & the nickname Sun City 4) 60 degree average high temp in December 5) On the US, not Texas, power grid
051
Reposted by Melissa Baker
APSA @apsa.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
APSA is excited to share a new #grant opportunity! The Rapoport Family Foundation supports dissertation research in American political behavior for US-based PhD candidates. Up to 15 dissertations will be awarded up to $15,000 for survey research. Applications due October 21st: buff.ly/aCDyBaH
grantinterface.com
https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=rapoport
01215
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Job alert! My department is hiring in comparative, specifically Latin American politics with a Mexico focus. I’m on the committee & will be at APSA next week if anyone interested in the position would like to chat there! Ad: utep.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdeta... #psjobs #psjminfo #poliscijobs
utep.interviewexchange.com
22626
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
New RA: Should we message you on slack or email first? Me: Slack, my email inbox is usually a mess. New RA: Okay! So you get a lot of email? Me: *Scrolls through this week’s emails to show them* New RA:
060
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Thinking about how in April 2020 Dolly donated a million dollars to help COVID-19 vaccine development. Just a legend in every way.
06514
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Alex Zalben @azalben.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Dolly Parton, among a thousand other amazing things she did in her life, gifted over 330 million books to kids through her Imagination Library program. Her passing is a tremendous loss to the world, but you can support the program today to keep it going imaginationlibrary.com
imaginationlibrary.com
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library | USA, UK, IE, CA, AU
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school in participating areas.
45121535979
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
YIKES
043
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Happy day 1 of the semester! I guess it's good I already posted my syllabus because apparently I am not getting on Blackboard today, ha.
Error/blocked access message. "Attackers might be trying to steal your information from blackboardlearn.utep.edu"
040
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Feels very dystopian that adding a meta glasses policy to my syllabus seems necessary these days.
2697
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Helpful APSA thread and this seems like an important PSA to amplify
040
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
UTEP’s President is proposing a Texas Science Foundation to fund research at Texas universities in response to the changing federal funding landscape greatly reducing available funding and canceling grants at agencies like the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health.
020
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Wild time of year for Outlook to think I do not have a work email account 🤷‍♀️
Microsoft error: "Message could not be sent. Make sure you have setup an email account, as well as specified a 'To', 'CC', or 'BCC' address."
150
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Got tired of the summer of food recalls so I finally bought lettuce and other produce for salads from a local farmstand. I get to have a salad tonight. We’re making a tonkatsu sauce inspired dressing too. Thrilled, and it’s really the simple things that bring joy in 2026.
4482
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
After 45 minutes of work I am happy to announce my to-do list for today has moved from 38 items to 41 items. 😵‍💫
030
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
You know the start of the academic year is coming up when
To-do app notification about 38 tasks due today
040
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Live look at me telling psychologists about Harvard dataverse after the OSF change email went out
2294
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
I'm a broken record on this, but I'm compelled to say once again that this is absolutely not what the attorney general should be. The Attorney General isn't supposed to be the president's lawyer. He's supposed to be ours.
632326563
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Amazing. & wow my group chats are about to hate me 😂
000
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I’m at a car mechanic in Nebraska and once they found out I live in El Paso, one of the employees went home to get carne asada his family made this weekend so I could try some while waiting. I just know I’m about to have an incredible lunch.
150
Melissa Baker @melissabaker.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Looks like APSA followed through on marking people as unregistered in the program. Honestly it’s kind of amusing to be looking through the program and seeing “unregistered participant” instead of name and affiliation on things. 😂
031
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Philip N Cohen @philipncohen.com · 27/07/2026
Per @asanews.bsky.social email, after being cut off by NSF, ASA is ending the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant.
AS American Sociological Association
Dear Colleagues,
We are writing with important information about the ASA Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (DDRIG), which has been funded by the National Science Foundation for the past six years.
After learning that we will not be receiving our next funding increment from NSF, we are suspending the ASA DDRIG program and will not be opening the 2027 application cycle. This does not affect any student who currently holds an ASA DDRIG.
Over six application cycles, the ASA DDRIG program awarded 153 grants to students at 62 institutions. We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all the reviewers who have made the program possible and to all the students, both applicants and grantees, whose work has inspired us. We are actively seeking other funding opportunities and will be back in touch with the sociology community if funding becomes available in the future.
In the meantime, we encourage you to write to your representatives in Congress to let them know how the cancellation and suspension of research funding impacts you, your students, and your colleagues. Please visit ASA Action Center to view our current action alerts on this matter. Feel free to customize your message if you received an ASA DDRIG or NSF DDRI and share how the program helped shape your trajectory.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of ASA's efforts to promote the work of sociologists and the discipline of sociology.
ASA DDRIG Program Team
For assistance or information, contact communications@asanet.org.
To unsubscribe from future Messages from the ASA, click here.
American Sociological Association
1717 K Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006
Privacy Policy Pop
13528
Reposted by Melissa Baker
The CyberSec Guru @thecybersecguru.com · 26/07/2026
Claude Shared Chats Indexed by Search Engines Raise Privacy Concerns Public Claude shared conversations were discovered in Google and Bing search results, exposing resumes, company projects, and other sensitive… thecybersecguru.com/news/claude-sha…
Post Image
001
Reposted by Melissa Baker
Society for Personality and Social Psychology @spspnews.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
U.S.-based SPSP members: The proposed FY2027 budget would eliminate the NSF SBE Directorate, which supports approximately 5,000 scholars each year. Urge your elected officials to protect the SBE Directorate, with help from COSSA: ow.ly/5PKz50Zs2xI
The U.S. Capitol building with a blue banner urging lawmakers to save the NSF SBE Directorate in an SPSP advocacy alert.
013