Unauthorized Indeed.com Job Posting
MPSA has been receiving reports that an unauthorized individual has posted a job opening on behalf of the MPSA on Indeed.com. Please note that this job post did not originate from the MPSA and we are not currently hiring for any open positions. We appreciate those letting us know the situation, and we have notified Indeed.com and they have taken down the ad. Please remember to always exercise caution in opening/replying to emails and downloading attachments that look suspicious.
Political Science Research Exchange
Following the cancellation of the annual conference, MPSA created a new hub for sharing research and getting feedback: The Political Science Research Exchange. The deadline for research submissions was Monday, May 11. Thank you to all who are participating by submitting to our 2020 Conference Repository of Papers and Slidecast presentations, and to those who have volunteered to serve as a discussant. Discussants and research are currently being matched and participants will be contacted as soon as matches are made and papers are made available.
Census Releases First COVID-19 Household Data
The Census Bureau has released the first data from its new COVID-19 Household Pulse Survey, which asks over 50,000 Americans about their employment status, spending patterns, food security, housing, physical and mental health, access to health care, and educational disruption during the coronavirus pandemic (see previous coverage). The data, which covers April 23-May 5, was released as tables and through an interactive dashboard. More information about the survey is available on the Census Bureau website. Data will continue to be released on a weekly basis throughout the survey's 90-day duration. In addition, the Census Bureau has released data on the pandemic's impact on small businesses collected by its Small Business Pulse Survey.
National Academies Holds Webinar on COVID-19 and Extreme Environmental Events
The National Academies Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Board on Environmental Change and Society and Resilient America Roundtable convened a webinar on May 13 to discuss the social science aspects of potential emergencies that compound the current COVID-19 crisis with environmental hazards, such as fires, hurricanes, flooding, and heatwaves. The event featured experts from federal government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as universities, and nonprofit and community organizations. Panelists discussed the challenges of responding to emergencies and natural disasters amidst a pandemic and the need for social science to shed more light on how individuals and communities are likely to respond to such situations. A recording of the event is available on the NASEM website.
Recordings of COVID-19-Related COSSA Headlines Webinars Now Available
In recognition of the severity of the current coronavirus crisis, COSSA has elected to make recordings of its members-only Headlines webinars related to the pandemic available immediately, rather than waiting an additional month to release the recordings to non-members. Check out the Headlines page on the COSSA website for links to previous recordings, including our most recent deep dive discussion with University of Florida epidemiologist Natalie Dean, who called for social scientists to weigh in on critical questions such as how best to facilitate contact tracing and providing insight into factors that could affect the public's reaction to a potential vaccine. Other Headlines discussions related to COVID-19 focused on communication strategies in an emerging public health crisis and the role of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in coordinating science agencies' response. COSSA members can sign up for members-only emails to receive information on how to join these webinars live.
European Social Survey ERIC launches ‘Special fast call for COVID-19 questions’
The ESS is inviting applications to design a short set of questions (up to 5 items) related to the COVID-19 pandemic that will be fielded in the European Social Survey (ESS). Successful applicants will have their questions fielded in Round 10 of ESS, which is due to be conducted in at least 30 European nations in 2020-21. As part of a voluntary initiative in around 20 of those countries, ten questions will focus specifically on the Coronavirus pandemic designed via this open call.
Two applications (with 5 questions items each) will be selected for inclusion in the ESS Round 10 questionnaire. As this is a late addition to the questionnaire development process, there is limited time to select and finalise questions. Short Proposals are required by Tuesday 16 June 2020. For details of the call and how to apply please click here.
It Takes a Submission: Gendered Patterns in the Pages of AJPS
In the latest AJPS Editor's Blog, Lead Editors Kathleen Dolan and Jennifer L. Lawless examine the link between gender gaps in AJPS submission rates and subsequent publication rates over the last three years. Read it here: https://ajps.org/2020/04/20/it-takes-a-submission-gendered-patterns-in-the-pages-of-ajps/
Memo to Members: NEH CARES Information Session Recording
Thanks to everyone who participated in the NEH CARES information session. For those who were unable to attend, the recording can be found here. Tim Robison, director of congressional affairs at the NEH, and Jeff Hardwick, deputy director of the division of public programs at the NEH, provided a brief analysis of the congressional rationale for including NEH funding in the CARES Act, offered insight into the new guidelines and answered questions. NHA staff concluded with a brief discussion on prospects for additional funding for the humanities sector to address the on-going crisis. Opportunities to advocate for additional funding will arise in the coming days and weeks.
Resources for Online Teaching and Learning
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects about the way we live, work and interact with one another. Many universities have transitioned to online learning to protect the health, safety and well-being of faculty and students. The MPSA has curated some resources to provide assistance to both faculty and students who are teaching and learning in this new online educational environment. https://www.mpsanet.org/Professional-Development/Resources-for-Online-Teaching-and-Learning
NSF SBE Community Letter
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released a Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) community letter on updates related to NSF activities and the COVID-19 pandemic. Review the letter here.
IIE-SRF Partnerships for Scholar Advancement Seeks Advisors
The Institute of International Education Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) through their Partnerships for Scholar Advancement (PSA) program seeks advisors who commit to offering time, advice, and/or networks to help IIE-SRF fellows overcome obstacles that may prevent the fellow from reaching her or his career goals. Fellows are accomplished scholars who having faced threats to their lives and careers in their home countries, have been awarded one- to two-year fellowships worldwide to resume their research and teaching. Advisorships are among the most effective ways for displaced fellows to work through challenges to securing longer-term positions and opportunities in academia and related sectors. Possible advisor roles include CV/resume assistance, cover letter preparation, career advice, etc. For additional information, please visit the IIE-SRF PSA program page or contact Olga Gregorian at ogregorian@iie.org.
An Invitation to Submit News Items
Please share news of promotions, awards (calls for nomination and recipient announcements welcome), and other good news by submitting the information via this brief form. MPSA staff will verify the information prior to sharing on the website, in the monthly newsletter (delivered mid-month), and in social media (as appropriate).