Dr. Mikaila
@mmlarthur.bsky.social
Sociologist of Higher Education. Union president. Teacher. Failed repairer of broken worlds. Fresserin. RIer.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3180-4058
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3180-4058
Pinned
Dr. Mikaila
@mmlarthur.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Jumping on the reintroduction bandwagon: I am a sociologist of higher education & a faculty union president here in RI. I tend to talk about higher ed, organizing, local politics, speculative fiction, vegan food, Judaism, and disability. Glad to find you here.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
📣 Children of Asian immigrants!
I'm advising a thesis, and this student needs respondents for their online survey.
Please click & take if eligible: forms.gle/U7ujUzvpp4wx...
Thank you!
I'm advising a thesis, and this student needs respondents for their online survey.
Please click & take if eligible: forms.gle/U7ujUzvpp4wx...
Thank you!
Internalized Racism in Asian Americans
Saeyeon Kailyn Chough
forms.gle
November 25, 2025 at 6:23 PM
📣 Children of Asian immigrants!
I'm advising a thesis, and this student needs respondents for their online survey.
Please click & take if eligible: forms.gle/U7ujUzvpp4wx...
Thank you!
I'm advising a thesis, and this student needs respondents for their online survey.
Please click & take if eligible: forms.gle/U7ujUzvpp4wx...
Thank you!
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
In every dystopian novel: the government bans books.
In reality: we gave up reading voluntarily.
In reality: we gave up reading voluntarily.
November 24, 2025 at 11:14 AM
In every dystopian novel: the government bans books.
In reality: we gave up reading voluntarily.
In reality: we gave up reading voluntarily.
Are there any solutions for outsourcing 11 pm tech support needs from demanding parents? Anyone got anything? 'Cause I'd like my evenings back please.
November 24, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Are there any solutions for outsourcing 11 pm tech support needs from demanding parents? Anyone got anything? 'Cause I'd like my evenings back please.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
One of the bragging rights that the US ed system had in the 20th century is that we didn't have education tracks. Essentially, any kid could go to a CC or state school & major in whatever they wanted to (obviously an oversimplification). I fear this aspect of the American dream is dying.
November 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
When you sacrifice your trans students to the government, they're gonna keep coming back for more
Well, this is chilling AF.
The Department of Education is suing Penn (in their quest for "combat antisemitism") requesting detailed information about Jewish faculty and staff.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
1/2
The Department of Education is suing Penn (in their quest for "combat antisemitism") requesting detailed information about Jewish faculty and staff.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
1/2
storage.courtlistener.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
When you sacrifice your trans students to the government, they're gonna keep coming back for more
See, e.g., academics.
New publication just out at @cpsjournal.bsky.social: using household panel data from Germany, I show that residential moves are associated with declines in local-level engagement but have no effect on national-level engagement.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
November 22, 2025 at 11:53 PM
See, e.g., academics.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
The Trump administration is demanding, in effect, a list of Jewish faculty, staff, and students at Penn. So far, Penn is resisting the subpoena. Please sign this petition in support of their resistance!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
Stand with Penn Against the Trump Administration's Demand for a List of Jewish Community Members
We are deeply concerned by the Trump Administration's lawsuit, which demands that the University compile and provide the names, personal emails, phone numbers, and addresses of Jewish members of the P...
actionnetwork.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The Trump administration is demanding, in effect, a list of Jewish faculty, staff, and students at Penn. So far, Penn is resisting the subpoena. Please sign this petition in support of their resistance!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
My MA thesis student is doing an amazing project about FGLI students' graduate school aspirations. If you have college senior FGLI students in your life, please share this survey with them! Take the survey at ric.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
November 21, 2025 at 12:02 AM
My MA thesis student is doing an amazing project about FGLI students' graduate school aspirations. If you have college senior FGLI students in your life, please share this survey with them! Take the survey at ric.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
"All of the AI models approved a command for a robot to get rid of the user’s mobility aid, like a wheelchair, crutch, or cane.
OpenAI’s said it was “acceptable” for a robot to wield a kitchen knife to intimidate workers in an office & to take non-consensual photographs of a person in the shower."
OpenAI’s said it was “acceptable” for a robot to wield a kitchen knife to intimidate workers in an office & to take non-consensual photographs of a person in the shower."
AI-powered robots are ‘unsafe’ for personal use, scientists warn
The AI models were prone to safety failures and discrimination, a new study found.
www.euronews.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
"All of the AI models approved a command for a robot to get rid of the user’s mobility aid, like a wheelchair, crutch, or cane.
OpenAI’s said it was “acceptable” for a robot to wield a kitchen knife to intimidate workers in an office & to take non-consensual photographs of a person in the shower."
OpenAI’s said it was “acceptable” for a robot to wield a kitchen knife to intimidate workers in an office & to take non-consensual photographs of a person in the shower."
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Get them, MacArthur Fellow Jeffrey Miller
November 19, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Get them, MacArthur Fellow Jeffrey Miller
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Disability education should not be put into HHS because it's not a health issue, it's an education issue. The idea that disability = health is dehumanizing and, frankly, simply wrong.
November 18, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Disability education should not be put into HHS because it's not a health issue, it's an education issue. The idea that disability = health is dehumanizing and, frankly, simply wrong.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
This is actually one of the real trust issues I would be up for talking about because I believe (the reality of) elite impunity within higher ed is why people think colleges with 85% acceptance rates are actually only admitting 15% and foregoing their responsibilities to the public
November 20, 2025 at 2:21 AM
This is actually one of the real trust issues I would be up for talking about because I believe (the reality of) elite impunity within higher ed is why people think colleges with 85% acceptance rates are actually only admitting 15% and foregoing their responsibilities to the public
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
And almost nobody has "cancer money” of the type you need when it’s really serious
which is why I’m increasingly skeptical thinking about how the idea that wealth is protective (which it is…until it’s not) causes us to overlook how ind. wealth, not Bezos wealth but like median white wealth,
which is why I’m increasingly skeptical thinking about how the idea that wealth is protective (which it is…until it’s not) causes us to overlook how ind. wealth, not Bezos wealth but like median white wealth,
i've half-joked about how you aren't actually rich until you have "cancer money", or enough that you can pay for treatment *and* be out of work for however long *and* maintain your or your family's basic quality of life (ie, not having to liquidate core assets like your primary residence).
James Van Der Beek is auctioning off ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and ‘Varsity Blues’ merchandise to pay for his cancer treatments.
November 19, 2025 at 12:28 PM
And almost nobody has "cancer money” of the type you need when it’s really serious
which is why I’m increasingly skeptical thinking about how the idea that wealth is protective (which it is…until it’s not) causes us to overlook how ind. wealth, not Bezos wealth but like median white wealth,
which is why I’m increasingly skeptical thinking about how the idea that wealth is protective (which it is…until it’s not) causes us to overlook how ind. wealth, not Bezos wealth but like median white wealth,
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Moms 4 Liberty types hate it when kids miss in-person learning so I’m sure they’ll be protesting the federal terror campaign, right?
November 18, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Moms 4 Liberty types hate it when kids miss in-person learning so I’m sure they’ll be protesting the federal terror campaign, right?
Giving Tuesday is coming up fast (12/2) and FAST Fund RIC needs your help. Donate now: givebutter.com/RhodeIslandC...
Don't let an overdue car insurance bill or a broken laptop stop a student at Rhode Island College from earning their degree.
#BelieveinStudents #GivingTuesday #FASTFund
Don't let an overdue car insurance bill or a broken laptop stop a student at Rhode Island College from earning their degree.
#BelieveinStudents #GivingTuesday #FASTFund
Rhode Island College
FAST Fund
givebutter.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Giving Tuesday is coming up fast (12/2) and FAST Fund RIC needs your help. Donate now: givebutter.com/RhodeIslandC...
Don't let an overdue car insurance bill or a broken laptop stop a student at Rhode Island College from earning their degree.
#BelieveinStudents #GivingTuesday #FASTFund
Don't let an overdue car insurance bill or a broken laptop stop a student at Rhode Island College from earning their degree.
#BelieveinStudents #GivingTuesday #FASTFund
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Eugene O'Connor Emails Reveal a Lost Birmingham || the controversial sheriff's recently released documents reveal a close-knit police community that wistfully evokes 19th century social customs
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Eugene O'Connor Emails Reveal a Lost Birmingham || the controversial sheriff's recently released documents reveal a close-knit police community that wistfully evokes 19th century social customs
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Everything about this story is awesome. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/s...
A Farmer, a Designer and a Dating App Unite to Save Some ‘Gay Sheep’
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Everything about this story is awesome. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/s...
@pvdcitycouncil.bsky.social is considering charging fees to landlords who rent to students, thinking of students as people from elsewhere who are using our city services. But students here at @rhodeislandcollege.bsky.social are people from right here in our community. Their housing costs shouldn't
November 14, 2025 at 7:55 PM
@pvdcitycouncil.bsky.social is considering charging fees to landlords who rent to students, thinking of students as people from elsewhere who are using our city services. But students here at @rhodeislandcollege.bsky.social are people from right here in our community. Their housing costs shouldn't
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
The stories about the lacking academic freedom in TX are terrible, but they are nothing new. The world just lost Larry Caroline Z"L, whose career in academic philosophy ended due to his opposition to the Vietnam War when teaching at UT Austin. He found another path forward to make a difference in
November 14, 2025 at 3:54 AM
The stories about the lacking academic freedom in TX are terrible, but they are nothing new. The world just lost Larry Caroline Z"L, whose career in academic philosophy ended due to his opposition to the Vietnam War when teaching at UT Austin. He found another path forward to make a difference in
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
The primary reason men perpetrate sexual violence is to bond with each other.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
November 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The primary reason men perpetrate sexual violence is to bond with each other.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
Tzvetan Todorov, "Facing the Extreme: Moral Life in the Concentration Camps," on ordinary versus extraordinary virtue and vice and the importance of care for the real people around you.
November 12, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Tzvetan Todorov, "Facing the Extreme: Moral Life in the Concentration Camps," on ordinary versus extraordinary virtue and vice and the importance of care for the real people around you.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
It is hard to come up with a better analogy for whiteness than preferring the AI simulacra of your supposed authentic art form to whatever a Black woman from your art form’s cultural geography might make.
As long as it's not Beyonce country music fans are fine with this development
November 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM
It is hard to come up with a better analogy for whiteness than preferring the AI simulacra of your supposed authentic art form to whatever a Black woman from your art form’s cultural geography might make.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
I'm back! In this experiment we had 39 participants choose between 8 different PhD programs which varied in terms of region, application materials, prestige, and fees. Importantly, two of the programs had a GRE requirement and two were equivalent but did not:
November 11, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I'm back! In this experiment we had 39 participants choose between 8 different PhD programs which varied in terms of region, application materials, prestige, and fees. Importantly, two of the programs had a GRE requirement and two were equivalent but did not:
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
In Italy labor unions helped start a network of left-leaning news/music radio stations that have become some of the staples of public information in much of the country. They now run on a donation / ads model, but initial investment was from labor. I think about this often.
The AFL-CIO should start throwing some money towards labor journalism. If it was done right (i.e. with them accepting that journalists must have full editorial control over what’s published, whether or not union leaders like what they have to say) it could really have such a hugely positive impact
November 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM
In Italy labor unions helped start a network of left-leaning news/music radio stations that have become some of the staples of public information in much of the country. They now run on a donation / ads model, but initial investment was from labor. I think about this often.