Zeynep Somer-Topcu

Please forward to your colleagues!

There are many days when I am so glad that I study European politics. Today is one of those days when I do not care enough or need to watch the SOTU.

UT System votes to limit 'controversial topics' in class, raising concerns about academic freedom This is the latest move by the state to have more control over what is taught at public universities.

And, here we go. No surprises but big disappointments every day: www.kut.org/education/20...

Overhead at the sauna room, as a young woman was conversing with an older woman:
- I am a junior at Penn State
- What are you doing here in Austin in the middle of the semester?
- Oh, I am taking the semester off to open my third eye.
- (perplexed) What's next?
- Law school
Gen Z to the core!

Inspired by @mcopelov.bsky.social I asked my small, all senior comparative parties class what their first political memory was: several Obama 2012 reelection, 1 Obama 2008, 1 bin Ladin’s capture, 1 arab spring (she is from UAE). So glad nobody said 2016 Trump!

😂

So, now what stops Turkey from taking over Syria, Russia from taking over Ukraine, and China from taking over Taiwan? US?

WTF?!!


📢 Since launching EPSS in June 2025, we’ve been thrilled by the positive feedback from across the political science community.

Now that Call for Papers for EPSS Conference in Belfast has closed, we want to share the response has been extraordinary!

🧵

🔥 When fancy faculty @zeynsom.bsky.social coauthor with fancy alum @josephfcozza.bsky.social in fancy journals. Congrats.

Lesbian and gay party leaders receive lower leadership evaluations than straight leaders in the UK, and the effects are consistent across genders. Interesting yet discouraging findings in our BJPS paper. @josephfcozza.bsky.social @gdilandro.bsky.social Andrea Aldrich @utgovernment.bsky.social

And, of course, to the faculty and graduate students who attended the conference, provided comments, and gave rides.

and to the local presenters and discussants: @oguzhan-alkan.bsky.social, @gracechartzell.bsky.social, @tiffanydbarnes.bsky.social @cbwlezien.bsky.social

Thanks to those who made the trip: @jaeheejung.bsky.social @henrikseeberg.bsky.social @homola.bsky.social @markuswagner.bsky.social @kendallcurtis.bsky.social, Jae-Jae Spoon, Bonnie Meguid, Mads Andreas Elkjær

It was great to host the Comparative Representation in Advanced Parliamentary Democracies workshop at UT. It is always fun and inspiring to hear about the cutting-edge research. @utgovernment.bsky.social

Senator Merkley is on hour 20 of reading How Democracies Die, mixed w commentary, on u.s. senate floor

Proud to have not one -- but TWO -- UT Austin PhDs on this list. Congratulations Oguzhan Alkan @oguzhan-alkan.bsky.social (advisor: @zeynsom.bsky.social; BA: @buicinmezunlar.bsky.social) and Allison Verrilli @averrilli.bsky.social (advisor: @hlw.bsky.social; BA: @notredame.bsky.social). Hook'em.

Such a great honor for such a superb dissertation! Congratulations @oguzhan-alkan.bsky.social @utgovernment.bsky.social

You can check the APSA-CP and IR sections' best dataset awards from the last few years to find the award-winning datasets

a man in a red sweater is talking to another man in a black jacket . ALT: a man in a red sweater is talking to another man in a black jacket .

I can't believe it's been ONLY eight months

a man with glasses says look can 't you see it 's obvious netflix ALT: a man with glasses says look can 't you see it 's obvious netflix

Still confused about EPSA vs. EPSS? Which conference should you go to? Here is a link to clarify things: epssnet.org/uncategorize... TL;DR: "EPSA" community will be in Belfast. Same community, new organisation, bigger mission; slightly new name; and a very different foundation @epssnet.bsky.social

Looking forward to seeing your paper, panel, roundtable etc. proposals for the Party Politics section of EPSS. Don't forget: submissions are due on November 7, and the conference will take place in Belfast on June 18-20. @epssnet.bsky.social @sarahwagner.bsky.social

Are you interested in how parties' parliamentary behavior (e.g., passing bills, calling for elections, forming coalitions, cooperating/conflicting) affects voters (e.g., electoral behavior, perceptions, affective polarization)? Please let me know. I am putting together an MPSA panel proposal.

Come and learn about party communication, today at noon! 🙌

Do you want to know more about how parties use social media/internet? The Political Parties' Online Communication Strategies in Election Campaigns panel is at 12pm today, @rdassonneville.bsky.social @zeynsom.bsky.social @christinagahn.bsky.social @jaeheejung.bsky.social @apsa.bsky.social #APSA25

Congrats to our award winners!

how can a conference venue top this ever? #APSA25 @apsa.bsky.social

If you're attending #APSA2025 and interested in applying for a job at IE (see below), @guillermotoral.com, Zoe Xincheng Ge, and me will be at the Career Open House today at 4pm.

Consider dropping by!

connect.apsanet.org/apsa2025/car...

Since June, the Council and the diversity committee have been working hard to ensure EPSS is the best European PSCI association for all of us. Now it is time to make the Belfast conference a huge success. Join, apply, spread the word!

📣 APSA-POP Section Business Meeting
🗓️ Fri, Sept 12 • ⏰ 12:00 PM (Vancouver, PT)
📍 Vancouver, BC (room info TBA)
All members welcome—bring a colleague! 🤝
Agenda includes reports, updates, and awards 🏆
#APSA25 @apsa.bsky.social