Michael W. Link, PhD

A dynamic we've seen in polling even before Trump re-took office: support for deportation tends to erode when pollsters specify that people without criminal records or longtime residents will be among those affected. Now, support is dropping as people see what that looks like in practice.

Amen!

Juno and OSIRIS-APEX are still operational and returning valuable science. The major costs are already sunk. Shutting them down now isn’t budget discipline — it’s shortsighted and wasteful - and just dumb.

In Chicago to deliver a keynote at NielsenIQ on Inspirational Leadership—but first, priorities.

I usually grab Chicago dogs from Portillo’s after landing at O’Hare, but this time I went deep — with a loaded deep dish from Giordano’s.

What’s your must-have when you’re in the Windy City?

Learning by Contrast: Lessons from Dysfunctional Leaders Great leaders inspire us. They set a vision, empower their teams, and create an environment where people thrive.

Some of the best leadership lessons don't come from "great leaders" ... but from dysfunctional ones:
🔹 The Micromanager – control overrides trust
🔹 The Bully – fear replaces respect
🔹 The Non-Communicator – silence fuels confusion

www.linkedin.com/pulse/learni...

Leadership doesn’t start w a title — it begins long before anyone calls you a leader. Every moment you stepped up — at home, school, or work — shaped your journey.

How did your journey evolve? Share your perspectives!

My new blog: www.linkedin.com/pulse/leader...

#Leadership #CareerGrowth

Overall, a science brain drain erodes the foundation of long-term national progress… Loss of Innovation, Weakened Economy, Reduced Global Competitiveness, Decline in Education Quality …

🚨 Leading Thru Gov't Disruption: Layoffs, budget cuts, uncertainty - leaders must guide teams through chaos with clarity, structure, and resilience.
🔹 Communicate
🔹 Keep focused
🔹 Empower
🔹 Build trust
🔹 Plan long term

Read more: www.linkedin.com/pulse/managi...

#Leadership #CrisisManagement

🚨 Laid off from a federal research job? Thinking about the private sector? 🚨

Your skills DO transfer! But which path is right for you? Nonprofits, private firms, or public companies?
I break it down - let’s discuss! ⬇️
🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/thinki...

#ResearchCareers #CareerTransition

Discover thousands of collaborative articles on 2500+ skills Discover 100 collaborative articles on domains such as Marketing, Public Administration, and Healthcare. Our expertly curated collection combines AI-generated content with insights and advice from ind...

Science is under siege. Federal budget cuts and layoffs are threatening research and the future of STEM.

Professional organizations must step up—support displaced scientists, defend research funding, and protect the next generation.

#SaveScience #STEM #Research

www.linkedin.com/pulse/scienc...

Only 6% of Federal Employees Work in the Office? Think Again.

A misleading online “pop poll” became a widely cited statistic, shaping real-world policy discussions and media narratives.
Yet, the inaccurate stat continues to be used by politicians and media outlets to justify major workforce …

Amen brother!

At #CIPHER conference in DC, reconnecting with brilliant social scientists and discussing probability panels. Important work that enhances how we measure attitudes & behaviors to inform policy and decision-making. And bringing us together during this critical & uncertain time is essential!

Empathy is Essential for Leadership: Layoffs Aren’t Just Numbers As we move through 2025, organizations across sectors - federal agencies, government contractors, and private businesses - are facing difficult decisions, including workforce reductions. Some of these...

Layoffs aren’t just spreadsheet exercises - they’re about people. As a leader, a laid-off employee, and a survivor, I’ve learned one thing over the years: empathy in leadership isn’t optional - it’s essential.
#Leadership #ForceReduction #Layoffs

www.linkedin.com/pulse/empath... via @LinkedIn

What the data says about federal workers As President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House, here are answers to some common questions about the federal workforce.

Think you know federal workers? Think again!

✅ 92% are white-collar (civil servant experts)
✅ 16% work in healthcare (VA hospitals, CDC, NIH)
✅ More educated than avg. (22% w/ adv degrees)
✅ Most aren’t in D.C. (82% work across the U.S. & abroad)

www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...

Excited to connect at the CIPHER Conference in DC (Feb 26-28, USC DC Campus)! I’ll be speaking on the intersection of panel surveys & generative AI—looking forward to great discussions!

CIPHER = Current Innovations in Probability-based Household Internet Panel Research!

#Survey #GenerativeAI

Next week - stop by if you’re in DC! #CIPHER #GenerativeAI #SurveyResearch

Why I’m Launching My Own Consulting Business – And Why It Matters Now Social science is at a crossroads. Funding cuts, layoffs, and shrinking resources are forcing researchers and organizations to rethink how they operate.

Big News! I’ve launched Michael Link Research Consulting—helping organizations navigate AI disruption, funding shifts, and evolving research methods. Drop a comment or DM - love to connect!

#SurveyResearch #GenerativeAI #DataScience
www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-im... via @LinkedIn

I did my PhD on presidential advisors and got to go thru the Carter, Nixon and Eisenhower archives papers - fascinating — spent hours just reading the handwritten notes in the margins!

Michael Link Research Consulting, LLC Discover top-notch services from our market research consultant. We provide insights and strategies to help your business thrive.

Big News: I’ve launched Michael Link Research Consulting!
Social science is at a crossroads—funding, layoffs & AI disruption. I’ve seen these shifts before & those who adapt come out ahead. Excited to help orgs navigate this change -- Let’s connect!
🌐 www.MichaelLinkRC.com
#research #generativeAI

And now, your #hiking moment of #zen … Sunrise in the North GA mountains! Who’s up for a hike?1

As an early-career methodologist, I worked on High School and Beyond. Longitudinal studies like this provide invaluable insights into how careers and life paths evolve over time. #Education #LongitudinalResearch #CareerPathways #SocialScience #HigherEd #LifelongLearning #EdPolicy

Here’s a list of Department of Education program contracts that #DOGE has reportedly canceled. I haven’t seen official confirmation of these, but it includes many well-known research and evaluation contracts. #NCES #Education

Here is what I have seen posted but have not myself confirmed.

Stunned by the termination of nearly all contracts supporting NCES. Earlier in my career, I worked on NCES studies and saw firsthand how essential these data products are for families, educators, policymakers, and businesses.

Education is too critical to be left in the dark.
#NCES #EducationData

An Open Letter to Early-Career Social Scientists: Your Work Has Never Mattered More To the Next Generation of Social Scientists, Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring graduate students, junior researchers, and mid-career professionals eager to understand the world...

Social science is evolving—funding cuts, AI, & new data sources .. but our work has never been more critical.
Advice for early-career researchers:
✅Go beyond surveys
✅Explore "non-traditional" careers
✅Master storytelling
✅Stay curious, connected
www.linkedin.com/pulse/open-l...
#NIH #NSF

At least someone is!

This framing is their framing, and NYT took the bait. The correct and accurate framing is: “Deep cuts to medical research threatens progress on cancer and heart disease research, costs the economy $80B, and threatens 300,000 jobs across red and blue states”

An Open Letter to Early-Career Social Scientists: Your Work Has Never Mattered More To the Next Generation of Social Scientists, Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring graduate students, junior researchers, and mid-career professionals eager to understand the world...

Social science is evolving—funding cuts, AI, & new data sources .. but our work has never been more critical.
Advice for early-career researchers:
✅Go beyond surveys
✅Explore "non-traditional" careers
✅Master storytelling
✅Stay curious, connected
www.linkedin.com/pulse/open-l...
#NIH #NSF

… the “spork” was invented by Samuel Francis in 1874. Designed as a multipurpose utensil for general dining convenience, particularly suited for:
1. Hospitals and Medical Use
2. Restaurants and Cafeterias
3. Travelers and Outdoor Eaters

Dept of Ed was est. in 1979 …