Merlin Schaeffer
@mschaeffer.bsky.social
Professor of Sociology at University of Copenhagen. I study how immigration transforms societies. Diversity | Integration | Discrimination | Misperceptions
Pinned
American Journal of Political Science | MPSA Journal | Wiley Online Library
The disadvantages experienced by minorities and lack of societal remedies are partly attributable to native-majority citizens’ limited awareness of minority hardships. We investigate whether informin...
doi.org
(1/7) 📢 New research alert!
Even when people are shown clear evidence of #discrimination, it doesn‘t change their support for anti-discrimination policies.
Read @kkrakows.bsky.social, @asmusletholsen.bsky.social, and my article in @ajpseditor.bsky.social to find out why: doi.org/10.1111/ajps...
Even when people are shown clear evidence of #discrimination, it doesn‘t change their support for anti-discrimination policies.
Read @kkrakows.bsky.social, @asmusletholsen.bsky.social, and my article in @ajpseditor.bsky.social to find out why: doi.org/10.1111/ajps...
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
Why did I visit the Facebook pages of 5500 German grocery stores on a grey lockdown day ca. 2021?
You can now find out in AJS.
Our work on ethnoreligious infrastructures is finally online in the ominous Volume 0:
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
You can now find out in AJS.
Our work on ethnoreligious infrastructures is finally online in the ominous Volume 0:
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
November 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Why did I visit the Facebook pages of 5500 German grocery stores on a grey lockdown day ca. 2021?
You can now find out in AJS.
Our work on ethnoreligious infrastructures is finally online in the ominous Volume 0:
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
You can now find out in AJS.
Our work on ethnoreligious infrastructures is finally online in the ominous Volume 0:
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
We're hiring in wonderful Copenhagen 🇩🇰
Two or more open rank sociology professorships (tt assistant, associate with tenure, or full prof with tenure).
You'll join a leading sociology department in Europe with many core fields represented!
#sociology
More 👇
jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabeli...
Two or more open rank sociology professorships (tt assistant, associate with tenure, or full prof with tenure).
You'll join a leading sociology department in Europe with many core fields represented!
#sociology
More 👇
jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabeli...
Call for two or more open-rank academic positions in Sociology
jobportal.ku.dk
September 11, 2025 at 4:46 PM
We're hiring in wonderful Copenhagen 🇩🇰
Two or more open rank sociology professorships (tt assistant, associate with tenure, or full prof with tenure).
You'll join a leading sociology department in Europe with many core fields represented!
#sociology
More 👇
jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabeli...
Two or more open rank sociology professorships (tt assistant, associate with tenure, or full prof with tenure).
You'll join a leading sociology department in Europe with many core fields represented!
#sociology
More 👇
jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabeli...
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
Can banning political ideologies protect democracy? 🛡️🆚🗣️
Our (w. @valentimvicente.bsky.social) paper finds: punishing individuals might backfire. We study a West German policy banning "extreme left" individuals from working for the state.
#Democracy #PoliticalScience
🧵
url: osf.io/usqdb_v2
Our (w. @valentimvicente.bsky.social) paper finds: punishing individuals might backfire. We study a West German policy banning "extreme left" individuals from working for the state.
#Democracy #PoliticalScience
🧵
url: osf.io/usqdb_v2
July 10, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Can banning political ideologies protect democracy? 🛡️🆚🗣️
Our (w. @valentimvicente.bsky.social) paper finds: punishing individuals might backfire. We study a West German policy banning "extreme left" individuals from working for the state.
#Democracy #PoliticalScience
🧵
url: osf.io/usqdb_v2
Our (w. @valentimvicente.bsky.social) paper finds: punishing individuals might backfire. We study a West German policy banning "extreme left" individuals from working for the state.
#Democracy #PoliticalScience
🧵
url: osf.io/usqdb_v2
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
The largest Danish retailer, Salling Group, will mark all products from Europe with a star, helping customers select European rather than American products.
The continents are drifting apart at both the macro and micro level.
Danish news story here: www.dr.dk/nyheder/peng...
The continents are drifting apart at both the macro and micro level.
Danish news story here: www.dr.dk/nyheder/peng...
Vil du boykotte amerikanske varer? Nu sætter dagligvarekæmpe sort stjerne ved europæiske varer
Fremover får kunder i Netto, Føtex og Bilka nemmere ved at vælge europæiske varer.
www.dr.dk
February 27, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The largest Danish retailer, Salling Group, will mark all products from Europe with a star, helping customers select European rather than American products.
The continents are drifting apart at both the macro and micro level.
Danish news story here: www.dr.dk/nyheder/peng...
The continents are drifting apart at both the macro and micro level.
Danish news story here: www.dr.dk/nyheder/peng...
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
Just did the proofs for this short methods paper that I really like!
Not everyday you get to 'solve' a problem identified 30 years ago in some of the most widely used statistical models in #sociology 👀 - and with two super awesome collaborators, what a blast 🥳
Not everyday you get to 'solve' a problem identified 30 years ago in some of the most widely used statistical models in #sociology 👀 - and with two super awesome collaborators, what a blast 🥳
February 25, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Just did the proofs for this short methods paper that I really like!
Not everyday you get to 'solve' a problem identified 30 years ago in some of the most widely used statistical models in #sociology 👀 - and with two super awesome collaborators, what a blast 🥳
Not everyday you get to 'solve' a problem identified 30 years ago in some of the most widely used statistical models in #sociology 👀 - and with two super awesome collaborators, what a blast 🥳
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
I have received a request to review from the Israel Science Foundation today. I have declined it. My email reply below.
My position is similar to @philipncohen.com : I do not collaborate with institutions linked to the Israeli government.
But I do collaborate with individual researchers.
My position is similar to @philipncohen.com : I do not collaborate with institutions linked to the Israeli government.
But I do collaborate with individual researchers.
February 20, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I have received a request to review from the Israel Science Foundation today. I have declined it. My email reply below.
My position is similar to @philipncohen.com : I do not collaborate with institutions linked to the Israeli government.
But I do collaborate with individual researchers.
My position is similar to @philipncohen.com : I do not collaborate with institutions linked to the Israeli government.
But I do collaborate with individual researchers.
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
Sollte es dereinst noch liberale Historiker geben, dann werden sie ueber das 21. Jahrhundert schreiben: Erneut verfiel das liberale Buergertum einer irrationalen Furcht, dieses Mal nicht vor Kommunisten, dieses Mal vor den Woken (USA) und den Gruenen/Shitbuergern (Deutschland).
February 19, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Sollte es dereinst noch liberale Historiker geben, dann werden sie ueber das 21. Jahrhundert schreiben: Erneut verfiel das liberale Buergertum einer irrationalen Furcht, dieses Mal nicht vor Kommunisten, dieses Mal vor den Woken (USA) und den Gruenen/Shitbuergern (Deutschland).
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
We have an open position for an Associate Professor in Sociology working in the field of quantitative inequality and stratification research at Roskilde University, Denmark. Please share or apply!
tinyurl.com/2u4mx2ve
tinyurl.com/2u4mx2ve
Associate Professor in Sociology
Offering a high-performing, large and truly interdisciplinary social science environment, the Department of Social Sciences and Business (ISE) at Roskilde Unive
tinyurl.com
February 12, 2025 at 7:13 AM
We have an open position for an Associate Professor in Sociology working in the field of quantitative inequality and stratification research at Roskilde University, Denmark. Please share or apply!
tinyurl.com/2u4mx2ve
tinyurl.com/2u4mx2ve
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
Gestern hat die SZ über unserere (mit @mschaeffer.bsky.social ) Forschung zur Sekundärmobilität von Flüchtlingen in Deutschland berichtet:
Wohnungsnot verschärft Integrationsprobleme
www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/gefl...
Die Studie gibt es OA hier:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Wohnungsnot verschärft Integrationsprobleme
www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/gefl...
Die Studie gibt es OA hier:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Wohnungsnot verschärft Integrationsprobleme für Geflüchtete
Neue Studie: Geflüchtete ziehen vor allem in Städte mit hoher Arbeitslosigkeit, weil dort Wohnungen billig sind. Etwa nach Ostdeutschland.
www.sueddeutsche.de
January 21, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Gestern hat die SZ über unserere (mit @mschaeffer.bsky.social ) Forschung zur Sekundärmobilität von Flüchtlingen in Deutschland berichtet:
Wohnungsnot verschärft Integrationsprobleme
www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/gefl...
Die Studie gibt es OA hier:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Wohnungsnot verschärft Integrationsprobleme
www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/gefl...
Die Studie gibt es OA hier:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
Flüchtlinge in Deutschland ziehen oft in wirtschaftlich schwache Städte mit hoher Arbeitslosigkeit, um günstigen Wohnraum finden/ Refugees in Germany often move to economically weak cities with high unemployment to find affordable housing. Research by @jwied.bsky.social & @mschaeffer.bsky.social
January 20, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Flüchtlinge in Deutschland ziehen oft in wirtschaftlich schwache Städte mit hoher Arbeitslosigkeit, um günstigen Wohnraum finden/ Refugees in Germany often move to economically weak cities with high unemployment to find affordable housing. Research by @jwied.bsky.social & @mschaeffer.bsky.social
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
🚨 We're hiring! 🚨
Open call for a fully funded PhD scholarship starting September 1st.
Deadline for applications is March 2nd.
Do not miss this rare opportunity to pursue your own research idea and earn a PhD degree.
Read more in link below 👇
jobportal.ku.dk/phd/?show=16...
Open call for a fully funded PhD scholarship starting September 1st.
Deadline for applications is March 2nd.
Do not miss this rare opportunity to pursue your own research idea and earn a PhD degree.
Read more in link below 👇
jobportal.ku.dk/phd/?show=16...
PhD scholarship at the Department of Sociology, University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
jobportal.ku.dk
January 15, 2025 at 7:49 AM
🚨 We're hiring! 🚨
Open call for a fully funded PhD scholarship starting September 1st.
Deadline for applications is March 2nd.
Do not miss this rare opportunity to pursue your own research idea and earn a PhD degree.
Read more in link below 👇
jobportal.ku.dk/phd/?show=16...
Open call for a fully funded PhD scholarship starting September 1st.
Deadline for applications is March 2nd.
Do not miss this rare opportunity to pursue your own research idea and earn a PhD degree.
Read more in link below 👇
jobportal.ku.dk/phd/?show=16...
Putting the focus on causal inference in Stats2 for bachelor students went fine.
But crafting exam questions that truly test application is tricky!
Want to assess their ability to apply causal inference, not just identify limitations of observational data. But how in take home exams? Any ideas?
But crafting exam questions that truly test application is tricky!
Want to assess their ability to apply causal inference, not just identify limitations of observational data. But how in take home exams? Any ideas?
Anyone else teaching multiple OLS to sociology undergrads and putting the focus on causal inference with Angrist & Pischke's "Mastering Metrics"?
Would love to chat and share ideas. Here's my material:
merlin-ols.netlify.app
Would love to chat and share ideas. Here's my material:
merlin-ols.netlify.app
Tester | Multiple Regression & Fundamentals of Causal Inference
merlin-ols.netlify.app
January 15, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Putting the focus on causal inference in Stats2 for bachelor students went fine.
But crafting exam questions that truly test application is tricky!
Want to assess their ability to apply causal inference, not just identify limitations of observational data. But how in take home exams? Any ideas?
But crafting exam questions that truly test application is tricky!
Want to assess their ability to apply causal inference, not just identify limitations of observational data. But how in take home exams? Any ideas?
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
Reminder: From 1st Jan. 2025, the deposit of replication packages will be condition for publication in ESR!
Find out more at:
academic.oup.com/esr/pages/General_Instructions
Find out more at:
academic.oup.com/esr/pages/General_Instructions
General Instructions
Submission of Papers
The European Sociological Review publishes original research articles in all fields of Sociology. Submissions should usually be around 8,0
academic.oup.com
December 19, 2024 at 6:17 AM
Reminder: From 1st Jan. 2025, the deposit of replication packages will be condition for publication in ESR!
Find out more at:
academic.oup.com/esr/pages/General_Instructions
Find out more at:
academic.oup.com/esr/pages/General_Instructions
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
Refugees in 🇩🇪 are not allowed to relocate for some time after arrival. We know this is bad for integration. So, once they are allowed to, refugees move to places with opportunity, right?
On average: no, as @mschaeffer.bsky.social and I show in a new publication @scmrjems.bsky.social
. Thread👇
On average: no, as @mschaeffer.bsky.social and I show in a new publication @scmrjems.bsky.social
. Thread👇
December 16, 2024 at 1:14 PM
Refugees in 🇩🇪 are not allowed to relocate for some time after arrival. We know this is bad for integration. So, once they are allowed to, refugees move to places with opportunity, right?
On average: no, as @mschaeffer.bsky.social and I show in a new publication @scmrjems.bsky.social
. Thread👇
On average: no, as @mschaeffer.bsky.social and I show in a new publication @scmrjems.bsky.social
. Thread👇
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
In 2024 work in @pnas.org, @amir-ghasemian.bsky.social and I explore “The Structure and Function of Antagonistic Ties in Village Social Networks.”
At the population level, the existence of antagonism has important implications for the overall structure and function of human groups. #HNL 1/
At the population level, the existence of antagonism has important implications for the overall structure and function of human groups. #HNL 1/
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
December 10, 2024 at 12:52 PM
In 2024 work in @pnas.org, @amir-ghasemian.bsky.social and I explore “The Structure and Function of Antagonistic Ties in Village Social Networks.”
At the population level, the existence of antagonism has important implications for the overall structure and function of human groups. #HNL 1/
At the population level, the existence of antagonism has important implications for the overall structure and function of human groups. #HNL 1/
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
🚨New publication alert🚨
What happens to female labor market supply when their male partner starts to earn payroll tax exempt income? Joint work w/ @andreashaupt.bsky.social, now open access at JMF: doi.org/10.1111/jomf...
#sociology #gendersky #polisky #econsky
What happens to female labor market supply when their male partner starts to earn payroll tax exempt income? Joint work w/ @andreashaupt.bsky.social, now open access at JMF: doi.org/10.1111/jomf...
#sociology #gendersky #polisky #econsky
December 9, 2024 at 1:18 PM
🚨New publication alert🚨
What happens to female labor market supply when their male partner starts to earn payroll tax exempt income? Joint work w/ @andreashaupt.bsky.social, now open access at JMF: doi.org/10.1111/jomf...
#sociology #gendersky #polisky #econsky
What happens to female labor market supply when their male partner starts to earn payroll tax exempt income? Joint work w/ @andreashaupt.bsky.social, now open access at JMF: doi.org/10.1111/jomf...
#sociology #gendersky #polisky #econsky
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
Just published on APSR First View: "Gendered Perceptions and the Costs of Political Toxicity: Experimental Evidence from Politicians and Citizens in Four Democracies" by Gregory Eady and Anne Rasmussen. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
December 9, 2024 at 3:07 PM
Just published on APSR First View: "Gendered Perceptions and the Costs of Political Toxicity: Experimental Evidence from Politicians and Citizens in Four Democracies" by Gregory Eady and Anne Rasmussen. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
Bsky is being flooded with German speaking AI powered bots.
A thread on why this is important, ultimately making all social media is unusable. #deutschland #trolls #AI #election
1/ What happened? All these responses to a @zeit.de post have something in common (spoiler: they are not real):
A thread on why this is important, ultimately making all social media is unusable. #deutschland #trolls #AI #election
1/ What happened? All these responses to a @zeit.de post have something in common (spoiler: they are not real):
December 7, 2024 at 8:36 AM
Bsky is being flooded with German speaking AI powered bots.
A thread on why this is important, ultimately making all social media is unusable. #deutschland #trolls #AI #election
1/ What happened? All these responses to a @zeit.de post have something in common (spoiler: they are not real):
A thread on why this is important, ultimately making all social media is unusable. #deutschland #trolls #AI #election
1/ What happened? All these responses to a @zeit.de post have something in common (spoiler: they are not real):
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
European Sociological Review is on Bluesky!
@europeansocreview.bsky.social
Follow it for alerts and new initiatives
@europeansocreview.bsky.social
Follow it for alerts and new initiatives
December 7, 2024 at 8:09 AM
European Sociological Review is on Bluesky!
@europeansocreview.bsky.social
Follow it for alerts and new initiatives
@europeansocreview.bsky.social
Follow it for alerts and new initiatives
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
This work has implications for a radical idea: diseases formerly thought to be biologically non-communicable (e.g., obesity, depression, hypertension, arthritis, etc.) may actually be (somewhat!) communicable, via the spread of the microbiome. www.nature.com/articles/s41... 13/
Gut microbiome strain-sharing within isolated village social networks - Nature
An investigation into the relationship between network structure and gut microbiome composition among people living in 18 isolated Honduras villages reveals that strain-sharing can be mediated by...
www.nature.com
November 21, 2024 at 3:45 PM
This work has implications for a radical idea: diseases formerly thought to be biologically non-communicable (e.g., obesity, depression, hypertension, arthritis, etc.) may actually be (somewhat!) communicable, via the spread of the microbiome. www.nature.com/articles/s41... 13/
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
We can actually predict who your friends are based on whether you have similar bacteria in your poop! And that metric outperforms other more usual social features, such as how you resemble your friends on a host of traits like age, sex, wealth, etc. 7/
November 21, 2024 at 3:45 PM
We can actually predict who your friends are based on whether you have similar bacteria in your poop! And that metric outperforms other more usual social features, such as how you resemble your friends on a host of traits like age, sex, wealth, etc. 7/
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
New paper published @ajpseditor.bsky.social
Showing that reduced access to public services fuelled far right support in 🇮🇹
Existing work on far right highlights globalization & migration grievances, what about people’s experiences with the state?
We use 🇮🇹 reform to find out
shorturl.at/zQ8bJ
Showing that reduced access to public services fuelled far right support in 🇮🇹
Existing work on far right highlights globalization & migration grievances, what about people’s experiences with the state?
We use 🇮🇹 reform to find out
shorturl.at/zQ8bJ
December 5, 2024 at 5:22 PM
New paper published @ajpseditor.bsky.social
Showing that reduced access to public services fuelled far right support in 🇮🇹
Existing work on far right highlights globalization & migration grievances, what about people’s experiences with the state?
We use 🇮🇹 reform to find out
shorturl.at/zQ8bJ
Showing that reduced access to public services fuelled far right support in 🇮🇹
Existing work on far right highlights globalization & migration grievances, what about people’s experiences with the state?
We use 🇮🇹 reform to find out
shorturl.at/zQ8bJ
Reposted by Merlin Schaeffer
'Experimental Sociology' by Davide Barrera, Klarita Gërxhani, Bernhard Kittel, @luismmiller.bsky.social & @tobiaswolbring.bsky.social.
Gives a comprehensive overview of the state of the art, different designs, and methodological controversies in experimental sociology.
📚 cup.org/3Cld4M6 📚
Gives a comprehensive overview of the state of the art, different designs, and methodological controversies in experimental sociology.
📚 cup.org/3Cld4M6 📚
December 3, 2024 at 11:01 AM
'Experimental Sociology' by Davide Barrera, Klarita Gërxhani, Bernhard Kittel, @luismmiller.bsky.social & @tobiaswolbring.bsky.social.
Gives a comprehensive overview of the state of the art, different designs, and methodological controversies in experimental sociology.
📚 cup.org/3Cld4M6 📚
Gives a comprehensive overview of the state of the art, different designs, and methodological controversies in experimental sociology.
📚 cup.org/3Cld4M6 📚
Why does integration sometimes lead to more #discrimination?
In our survey experiment on the “integration paradox“, immigrants & descendants who learned about research on discrimination against immigrants were (20% of SD) more likely to disclose personal experiences.
doi.org/10.1111/pops...
In our survey experiment on the “integration paradox“, immigrants & descendants who learned about research on discrimination against immigrants were (20% of SD) more likely to disclose personal experiences.
doi.org/10.1111/pops...
The integration paradox: Does awareness of the extent of ethno‐racial discrimination increase reports of discrimination?
The “integration paradox” posits that seemingly well-established immigrants and their descendants tend to report more discrimination compared to their more marginalized peers. This study investigates...
doi.org
December 4, 2024 at 7:49 PM
Why does integration sometimes lead to more #discrimination?
In our survey experiment on the “integration paradox“, immigrants & descendants who learned about research on discrimination against immigrants were (20% of SD) more likely to disclose personal experiences.
doi.org/10.1111/pops...
In our survey experiment on the “integration paradox“, immigrants & descendants who learned about research on discrimination against immigrants were (20% of SD) more likely to disclose personal experiences.
doi.org/10.1111/pops...