Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 02/10/2026apparently someone didn't get the message that you're not supposed to put it in writing yet... 130
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiProPublica @propublica.org · 22/09/2026NEW: In late 2024, FBI investigators had enough evidence to launch a sweeping bribery probe that could ensnare top lawmakers, including Sen. Susan Collins. Then Trump was reelected and eviscerated the FBI and DOJ teams handling public corruption probes.propublica.orgThe FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the WayAfter the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini... 13646332243
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiWendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Excited to attend my first APSA conference next week! I'll be on two panels: 1) a roundtable on Placing People Back at the Center of American Politics, and 2) a paper session presenting on Political Campaign Career Trajectories (w/ Alex Torpey). Please reach out if you'd like to meet up! 131
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Excited to attend my first APSA conference next week! I'll be on two panels: 1) a roundtable on Placing People Back at the Center of American Politics, and 2) a paper session presenting on Political Campaign Career Trajectories (w/ Alex Torpey). Please reach out if you'd like to meet up! 131
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiDan Hirschman @asociologist.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Zero sociology awards from the NSF. It's effectively gone. (Including, but not limited, to the ASA Dissertation awards.) 48144
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiAdam Bonica @adambonica.bsky.social · 17/08/2026I wrote this because most journalists facing this pressure can’t. The paper we count on to check authoritarianism spiked an investigation into the Democratic Party because the party’s lawyers threatened to sue. Holding authoritarians accountable starts with holding your own side accountable.data4democracy.substack.comWith Fear and FavorInstitutions don’t have courage. They have incentives. 26633226
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Regarding the "what's going on with sociology?" articles, I beg a journalist to actually sit in on some classes, both at the undergrad or grad level, and interview sociologists (especially non-TT, or practitioners) outside of the usual outspoken few academics. 380
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 05/08/2026It is really amazing how much more free time I have this summer - it's the first time in years I haven't been on the job market and am not going to the big conferences. Feeling so grateful for this reprieve. 050
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Personnel is policy. We can talk about new regulatory schemes to address corporate power, but sometimes it is as simple as installing personnel who don't feel like they have to constantly consult and privilege business interests. Note that there are many other avenues to engage with city hall. 1219
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiLisa Wade @lisawade.bsky.social · 25/07/2026Sociology is amazing. Our biggest problem is bad-faith actors who maliciously spurn the field because we teach people how societies work and they'd rather we all stay in the dark. Not today, Satan! 949994
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiBridget Dooling @bridgetdooling.bsky.social · 16/07/2026Which academics should I be reading on corruption in public administration? I don’t think of the public law of corruption as inside of admin law, but maybe that should change… 293
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 10/07/2026Nothing cures writing block like someone else's generative writing. If you are looking for an inspiring read, I highly recommend Kimberlé Crenshaw's memoir, Backtalker. Her ability to weave poignant, personal experience with social theory is remarkable. www.simonandschuster.com/books/Backta...simonandschuster.comBacktalkerNew York Times Bestseller One of the most influential public intellectuals in the world and the architect of the two biggest ideas to reshape the A... 050
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiJess Calarco @jessicacalarco.com · 08/06/2026NEW from me in @pnas.org on the risks of data sharing with qualitative research: "Today, confidentiality risks are amplified by social media, surveillance, and AI tools, which make ample data about people publicly available, thus making deidentification less effective" www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 626498
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiLPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 11/05/2026Today, @ksabeelrahman.bsky.social argues that legislative primacy offers an attractive long-term vision for democracy. To reach that goal, however, we need to use every tool available to address the underlying configurations of economic and political power that enabled the current crisis.lpeproject.orgTaking Legislative Primacy SeriouslyAs we work toward a durable democratic future, a commitment to legislative primacy can serve as an orienting north star. Reaching that goal, however, will require using both legislative and executive… 1105
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiWendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 08/05/2026Who counts as a revolving door lobbyist? In my new paper in Interest Groups & Advocacy @igajournal.bsky.social I use sequence analysis to detail the many different career trajectories that fall under the label. Excited to share this project that has been many years in the making! rdcu.be/ffYTx 12111
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 08/05/2026A little peek behind the curtain: I started working on this project back in 2020 when I was stuck in my apartment! I had been planning on writing an ethnographic dissertation but quickly pivoted; this paper became my first dissertation chapter. 130
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 08/05/2026Who counts as a revolving door lobbyist? In my new paper in Interest Groups & Advocacy @igajournal.bsky.social I use sequence analysis to detail the many different career trajectories that fall under the label. Excited to share this project that has been many years in the making! rdcu.be/ffYTx 12111
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiMo Torres @motorres.bsky.social · 04/05/2026"Our students are not wilting flowers. They can handle controversy. They do not need sentimental, cloying nostalgia. They need encouragement to face a flawed and unjust world head on, using the tools we've given them: critical reasoning, careful research, sympathy for the oppressed."cbsnews.comUniversity of Michigan professor defends pro-Palestinian commencement remarks: "Michigan is not a finishing school""The idea that graduations should be apolitical is ridiculous," University of Michigan history professor Derek Peterson said as a follow-up to his graduation day remarks. 2312102
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiSteve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 30/04/2026The Callais ruling is the latest evidence that the real problem with #SCOTUS is that it can do whatever it wants without any fear of pushback from Congress. The way to fix that is by making the Court *accountable* again, something that expanding it or imposing term limits won't actually accomplish:stevevladeck.comBonus 223: "They Are Who We Thought They Were"The Callais ruling has prompted renewed calls for Court reform. It's also a reminder of why the most popular proposals *aren't* how we should fix the Court. 831393378
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiHenry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 29/04/2026Kagan's dissent underlines the need for an imperial Congress as articulated in www.nytimes.com/2026/03/21/o...nytimes.comOpinion | What Is the Left’s Theory of Power? 47521
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiPolitico @politico.com · 22/04/2026Trump upended health care. Lobbyists are raking it in.dlvr.itTrump upended health care. Lobbyists are raking it in.New disclosures show health industry firms and trade groups are spending more than ever to influence Washington. 03214
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 10/04/2026A rare case when the distinction between lobbying vs consulting/public affairs actually gets enforced. www.politico.com/newsletters/...politico.comLobbyist found liable for PPP fraudLobbyist Vicki Iseman has been ordered to pay the government more than $400,000 after a judge found she fraudulently obtained Paycheck Protection Program loans for her lobbying business during the Covid-19 pandemic. 020
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiJared Knowles @jaredknowles.com · 04/04/2026It's not official! It's a budget request. Congress will decide. Lots of opportunity restore the funding yet. We can't concede the logic of this budget request - it's one of last sources of power an unpopular president has and we can erode it. SBE funds incredible work - let's tell that story. 381
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiPam Davis-Kean, PhD @umpamdk.bsky.social · 03/04/2026The NSF 2027 budget has noted that they will close out the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Science Program (SBE). This is not a good thing. nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/FY-202... 22552394
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiLee Drutman @leedrutman.bsky.social · 31/03/2026Political parties are essential to democracy—but in the U.S., they’re struggling to do their most basic jobs. Our NEW REPORT explores what’s gone wrong, and how a diverse set of experts think we can fix it. www.newamerica.org/insights/a-b...newamerica.orgA Blueprint for Healthier Political PartiesTo rebuild U.S. political parties, leaders must focus on local organizations, talent, fundraising, and competition. 0157
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiLester K Spence @lkspence.bsky.social · 02/04/2026Most political science still treats authoritarianism and racial politics as separate subjects. That's a problem. The 2026 JHU Racial Politics Summer Institute is dedicated entirely to the study of race and authoritarianism. Grad students and faculty — apply by April 11. forms.gle/RYALxK89d5dz... 1138
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiMark Histed @markhisted.org · 31/03/2026Restoring legislative supremacy is not just a nerdy legal thing. Saving US science and innovation depends on it. The core change killing NIH, NSF, and cancer research and cures this year is the president taking control of these agencies. @nataliebaviles.bsky.social and I wrote abt this: 1/ 34117
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiDon Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 23/03/2026New, from me: The federal government is required to track job satisfaction among its employees. The Trump admin stopped collecting the data, so a nonprofit stepped in. The results show that a collapse in morale and zero trust in Trump agency leaders. 🧵 donmoynihan.substack.com/p/federal-em...donmoynihan.substack.comFederal employees are not okA new survey shows collapsing federal employee morale 472029837
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiDan "Mr. Bones and Me" Greene @dmgreene.bsky.social · 18/03/2026I have been waiting for this story (because it's the story of my region and the wealth inequality therein) and I'm so happy that Hammer and Hope did it. Not just as news, but as a broader story of why they sicced DOGE on the feds.hammerandhope.orgWhat Happened to the Black Women Trump Purged From the Federal Work Force?Over a year later, they are struggling to find financial footing and make sense of the racist backlash that displaced them. 1279130
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 16/03/2026Great read. I agree with the conclusion that we need to reform and re-empower Congress, not necessarily for any specific substantive policy objective (although I have many of those) but because that is what will actually advance democracy and accountability in the state 053
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 04/03/2026This is tomorrow! Last chance to register and join us! 000
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiWendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 28/02/2026NEW SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED! Join us for the Peopling Politics Symposium on March 5 in DC, featuring Rep. Greg Casar, former USTR Katherine Tai, and former Asst. AG Kristen Clarke, plus brilliant panelists across academia, government, and civil society! RSVP Here: www.eventbrite.com/e/bringing-t... 086
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 28/02/2026NEW SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED! Join us for the Peopling Politics Symposium on March 5 in DC, featuring Rep. Greg Casar, former USTR Katherine Tai, and former Asst. AG Kristen Clarke, plus brilliant panelists across academia, government, and civil society! RSVP Here: www.eventbrite.com/e/bringing-t... 086
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiTodd Tucker @toddntucker.com · 20/02/2026Supreme Court strikes down Trump's tariffs. A stitched together majority, as expected. Read along thread here.👇 www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p...supremecourt.gov 75622
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiSimon Lester @simonlester.com · 20/02/2026So if IEEPA does not authorize the tariffs, and the tariffs were used to negotiate the trade deals ... what exactly is the statutory authorization for these trade deals? Does the administration think IEEPA authorizes negotiating the deals separately from the tariffs? What will SCOTUS think of that? 34220
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiTexas Tribune @texastribune.org · 19/02/2026The University of Texas System’s Board of Regents unanimously approved a rule requiring its universities to ensure students can graduate without studying “unnecessary controversial subjects,” despite warnings it could leave them less prepared for the real world.texastribune.orgUniversity of Texas regents OK limits on controversial subjectsOpponents warned the policy’s vagueness could push professors to self-censor and leave students less prepared for the workplace. 126653300
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiZachary Levenson @grundrza.bsky.social · 19/02/2026Yesterday, those who teach Intro to Sociology at Florida colleges (as opposed to universities) received a ready-made curriculum from the state and were ordered to teach it. Yes, you read that correctly. The *state* is enforcing a curriculum on college profs, complete w/ the following restrictions: 18028371616
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiDaniel Laurison @daniellaurison.bsky.social · 13/02/2026Learn more about the Political Disconnect - the gap between what politics is meant to do, and how everyday people experience it. Join me and Dr. James Jones of the Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America for a webinar on Monday, Feb 23, at 3p Eastern. bit.ly/PoliticalDisconnect 195
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 18/02/2026Two weeks until we convene in DC for the first-ever Peopling Politics Symposium! Spots are filling up so RSVP now! go.rutgers.edu/peoplingpoli...go.rutgers.eduBringing the People Back In : Race, Class, & Inequality in U.S. PoliticsThis symposium will convene leading scholars and political practitioners to discuss the current state of U.S. democracy. 010
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 17/02/2026Very cool - excited to use this in my research & teaching! 020
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiNick Bednar @nicholasbednar.bsky.social · 17/02/2026Over at Lawfare, I examine the peculiar constitutional theory undergirding OPM's final rule on Schedule Policy/Career 920995
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiWendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 26/01/2026I am so excited to share that registration for the first-ever PEOPLING POLITICS SYMPOSIUM is now open! Please join us on March 5 at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington DC for an amazing lineup of speakers and discussions. RSVP at go.rutgers.edu/peoplingpoli... 2129
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiJake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 15/02/2026The rule of law can’t survive this 6347112
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiLetters of Note @lettersofnote.com · 12/02/2026Happy birthday to one of my favourite haters, Charles Darwin 157102993045
Reposted by Wendy Y. LiJake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 12/02/2026The Economy These Days capital: AI labor: caring for the elderly h/t @maiamindel.bsky.social 511535
Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 11/02/2026The thrill and frustration of knowing you're so close to finishing something but the only things left to do are the difficult parts you've been putting off... 030