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Todd Farrell

@toddfarrell.bsky.social
44 followers 40 following 126 posts

My 'professional', seldom-used account now on the Bluesky. Views my own etc. Senior Tutor UniMelb. PolSci PhD. Part-time performer. Obscure references in ppt slides complete me.

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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
It's incredible!
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Ran a bit low on time but I think actually making a dimension accurate 1999 NSW Legislative Council tablecloth ballot paper really hammered it home to me just how ridiculous GVTs got.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Genuinely baffled and cannot recall a single fashion faux pas at any AuPSA I've been to.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
First in-person lecture at the University of Melbourne today on parliament. Ran a bit too over time but I think it went reasonably well. Surprisingly nervous but know how to do better. First time I've done a lecture in a lecture hall since 2019(!).
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Reposted by Todd Farrell
Ben Raue @benraue.com · 14/08/2026
thespinoff.co.nz
Why Chrises run the country
An in-depth study of New Zealanders with the name Chris.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Having a viral comment on an Instagram reel explaining to comics exploring academic journal article titles what the "sexy: utilitarian" convention of journal titles is. Can I put this in my PDR?
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Glyn Davis has come back and has to walk past his own building at Melbourne to get to the office.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Sure you can get a stipend and not pay fees, but it's a grueling experience and I'm not sure the skills transfer as neatly. I've heard of public servants coming to academia but rarely the other way.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
From someone inside the ivory tower who has never been in the real world, I often advise students to not pursue a PhD unless they are firmly trying to work in Academia. It's really only good for research roles and the one time I applied for a research role in APS, my PhD lost out to experience.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
In total I've marked 113 2,000 word final research projects, all with different topics I had to be slightly aware of, in under 2 weeks. I dared to have one weekend off but when told you're 350 hours under workload, but then no other types of work seem offered beyond more tutes/marking, it scares me.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Rough day at the office. It's hard not to feel like I'm not being given the pathways I need to get promoted and after having spent a week and a half marking 90 final research projects, feeling a bit fragile.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Is there a correlation about having Farrell as a surname and being election system euthusiasts? It feels like there's something going on there.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
I'm gonna go all in on my performing. It's not a great Plan B at all haha, but the luxury of time may as well be seized for a bit.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
I am an absolute sucker for apple/cinnamon, but the Cinnabon-infused ones are a once a year treat.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Since publishing that Conversation piece, I've done 2 radio spots, including RNZ. Still working things out, but being a performer (including open mic comedy) makes these a bit less nerve wracking than they might be.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
I'm in that over 30 demo and watched a podcast today so when I watch, relatively regularly. It was designed for YouTube though and the podcasters were all YouTubers so they know what their core audience uses. Static images on YouTube are super bad for that algo from wha I know.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
I've had a couple of elections at a party or out. Was great to drink copius premix bourbon and liveskeet it again after what felt like decades.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Podcasts are second screen content. That's different to having a radio.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Crazy how Labor's best ever result in seats is like the third biggest story #SAVotes
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Reposted by Todd Farrell
Possum @pollytics.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Mali reading poetry in his victory speech is getting into very South Australian areas here at the moment.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Seeing the panel ugly laugh at the ABC response to the technical difficulties for the One Nation live cross #SAVotes
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
This election has some messy counts #SAVotes
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Jesus the ABC asking about the ankle bracelet to Nick McBride is full on #SAVotes
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
One Nation is looking to clear the % of 1998 QLD which suggests the polls are on to something and this is real #SAVotes
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Slow count! #SAVotes
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Now they're asking the pollies their TikTok habits. We need some votes soon #SAVotes
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
I have consumed a pizza and not a vote is counted. Oops #SAVotes
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
First time I get to see @caseybriggs.com on TV for Election analysis and I love his little platform #SAVotes
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Election watching time #SAVotes #SAparli
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Holy heck I've never heard about Charles.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
What's some drinking game phrases you would include in a Tally Room election livestream? :)
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Wrote my first Conversation article on truth in political advertising in South Australia! Based on my book chapter, it's the first time I've done something like this and ended up on WA radio. Not too bad for a day at work. theconversation.com/south-austra...
theconversation.com
South Australians have truth in political advertising laws. Why doesn’t everyone else?
The laws are time-consuming and labour-intensive to uphold. But their mere presence can elevate the tone of political campaigns.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Congrats, new colleague!
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
This really did screech NXT/SA-Best to a halt.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
I've been telling people I've been studying/teaching politics for over a decade and I've never had any response other than "well it's an interesting time to be studying/teaching politics!"
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Is that what started the revolving PM door? 2009 seems like an eternity ago given I can't imagine you would need quite as much now.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Gonna need to add a bit more to this work in progress, huh?
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Long weekend in Sydney was sorely needed. Ready to really get back into it.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
I've been reading a lot of different universities approaches to AI and got thinking a lot on what the future looks like and am procrastinating by sending some Skeets into the void haha.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
EF roles definitely have their pitfalls, but at the end of the day universities main role is actually to educate. The AI stuff has shined a light on what it is we actually do and whether the way we do it is actually working now AI can trivialise prior ways of doing. It's our time, baby.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
I too am tired of GenAI, but one unintended effect is universities have to actually reckon with what they are teaching and it's revitalised education-focussed folk. I've been on the edges of APSA's Teaching and Learning Caucus when it was like, 4 people in a room. At the last APSA, it was 40.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
I literally saw the first three words and went "Ika, no!"
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Jill Walker Rettberg @jilltxt.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Academic reviews paper citing a paper “by” reviewer that doesn’t exist. Discovers a version of the nonexistent paper in Google Scholar cited 42 times, including by a “metaanalysis”, that “gold standard” of research. The paper does not exist. Nobody citing it could have read it as it does not exist.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Education Focussed Academics: How do you deal with December? I am absolutely shattered and trying desperately to do anything of productivity and failing hard.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
6 years is a heck of an innings for this. I'm currently sick as well.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
GVT abolition is a must, but it would be interesting if anything else got up as I don't think Victoria's had a referendum since statehood. It might just have to be 8x5, which to me given it's not malapportioned and based on lower house district borders, is largely the best way to do that system.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Although I've got that post-semester cold/flu, stumbled in to End of Year drinks masked-up and was thrilled to get an Honourable Mention for SSPS Teaching Excellence in Tutoring. This is student-nominated so I am so thankful for my students for putting me forward :)
Left hand holding a certificate that says SSPS Honourable Mention Teaching Excellence in Tutoring awarded to Dr Todd Farrell.
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
I enjoy conferencing. Especially because it feels like my people and nice to make good of my 20% research allocation :) #AusPSA
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
I'm manning the desks at APSA this year before my talk. If I'm honest, the semester has taken its toll and I'm definitely feeling it, but really cool to welcome folks to University of Melbourne and introduce them to the joys of trying to find the George Loughlin Room in BioSciences 4 :)
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Todd Farrell @toddfarrell.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
When I am in the throes of marking, I hyperfocus on a specific song for each semester. This time around it's Wham's 'A Ray of Sunshine' BUT specifically the version they performed on The Tube in 1983. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQnI...
youtube.com
Wham! - A Ray of Sunshine (Live from The Tube 1983)
YouTube video by WhamVEVO
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