Heather Swadley
@heatherswadley.bsky.social
independent scholar, developmental editor, and archival researcher | passionate about health and civil rights | loves cats, coffee, clarinets, and Taylor Swift | she/her
http://heatherannswadley.com | heatherswadley.substack.com
http://heatherannswadley.com | heatherswadley.substack.com
UPDATE: I'm now offering both developmental editing and archival research support services! I've wanted to stay academic-adjacent even though I needed to leave my TT-job for personal reasons. And this feels like a great way to do that.
So what does this mean?
So what does this mean?
November 17, 2025 at 10:33 PM
UPDATE: I'm now offering both developmental editing and archival research support services! I've wanted to stay academic-adjacent even though I needed to leave my TT-job for personal reasons. And this feels like a great way to do that.
So what does this mean?
So what does this mean?
Meet my midlife crisis.
Her name is Samantha. If anyone knows good [adult] clarinet teachers over zoom or in the DMV, lmk. I’m relearning much quicker than expected but would like some lessons. :)
Her name is Samantha. If anyone knows good [adult] clarinet teachers over zoom or in the DMV, lmk. I’m relearning much quicker than expected but would like some lessons. :)
October 28, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Meet my midlife crisis.
Her name is Samantha. If anyone knows good [adult] clarinet teachers over zoom or in the DMV, lmk. I’m relearning much quicker than expected but would like some lessons. :)
Her name is Samantha. If anyone knows good [adult] clarinet teachers over zoom or in the DMV, lmk. I’m relearning much quicker than expected but would like some lessons. :)
Not-so-hot-takes and cats are my vibe.
October 5, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Not-so-hot-takes and cats are my vibe.
So hi again, everyone! I’m Heather, and I’m a recovering political scientist, plaintiff attorney, and independent legal scholar. Follow me for my takes on law, disability, civic education, and American politics… mixed in with a few cat pictures and more frivolous content.
October 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
So hi again, everyone! I’m Heather, and I’m a recovering political scientist, plaintiff attorney, and independent legal scholar. Follow me for my takes on law, disability, civic education, and American politics… mixed in with a few cat pictures and more frivolous content.
New job, new chop.
July 28, 2025 at 10:20 PM
New job, new chop.
Hi everyone! I feel like it's time for a re-introduction over here. I am a Senior Policy Attorney/Legal Scholar for the Georgetown Center for Global Health Science & Security, where I lead projects on domestic disaster medicine law & policy.
November 13, 2024 at 5:36 PM
Hi everyone! I feel like it's time for a re-introduction over here. I am a Senior Policy Attorney/Legal Scholar for the Georgetown Center for Global Health Science & Security, where I lead projects on domestic disaster medicine law & policy.
This is the outtake. Gemma was not amused.
December 6, 2023 at 5:25 PM
This is the outtake. Gemma was not amused.
Who wore their ragdoll better?
December 6, 2023 at 5:25 PM
Who wore their ragdoll better?
My home office isn’t quite as fab as my Barbie dream office at school. But it’s pretty amazing nonetheless. The kanban board is saving my life.
November 11, 2023 at 5:10 PM
My home office isn’t quite as fab as my Barbie dream office at school. But it’s pretty amazing nonetheless. The kanban board is saving my life.
Enjoyed discussing Abortion federalism, disability, and divided citizenship on this panel about “Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice for Disabled People” with Allison Whelan and Jennifer L. Brinkley.
October 13, 2023 at 4:41 PM
Enjoyed discussing Abortion federalism, disability, and divided citizenship on this panel about “Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice for Disabled People” with Allison Whelan and Jennifer L. Brinkley.
When you show up to give a talk about abortion in your home state, your hair has to be on point. I don’t make the rules. 💇♀️
October 12, 2023 at 9:48 PM
When you show up to give a talk about abortion in your home state, your hair has to be on point. I don’t make the rules. 💇♀️
Excited to announce that my new piece, “The Structural Harms of Providing Mental Health Services Through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act” with Nebraska Law Review is officially online!
September 28, 2023 at 12:20 AM
Excited to announce that my new piece, “The Structural Harms of Providing Mental Health Services Through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act” with Nebraska Law Review is officially online!
Ok but like can Apartment Therapy do my office next?
September 3, 2023 at 5:21 PM
Ok but like can Apartment Therapy do my office next?
Married my favorite person four years ago and spent the day tripping over this dress. The pics were so worth it, tho.
September 1, 2023 at 7:51 PM
Married my favorite person four years ago and spent the day tripping over this dress. The pics were so worth it, tho.
Hi everyone! I haven't introduced myself on Bluesky for a bit so thought I'd say hello. I am Heather. I am an Assistant Professor of Political Science at LehighU, researching disability politics, civil rights law, the bureaucracy/admin state, and judicial politics.
August 20, 2023 at 8:49 PM
Hi everyone! I haven't introduced myself on Bluesky for a bit so thought I'd say hello. I am Heather. I am an Assistant Professor of Political Science at LehighU, researching disability politics, civil rights law, the bureaucracy/admin state, and judicial politics.
When your trusty overhead light fixture doesn’t work in your current apt/takes up way too much space in the closet at home, you get creative and bring it into work. It’s a total vibe, AND it won’t give me migraines.
August 19, 2023 at 5:03 PM
When your trusty overhead light fixture doesn’t work in your current apt/takes up way too much space in the closet at home, you get creative and bring it into work. It’s a total vibe, AND it won’t give me migraines.
Working on a thing. Kind of excited about it.
August 6, 2023 at 11:00 PM
Working on a thing. Kind of excited about it.
APSA’s statement that cancelling might hurt the hotels was physically painful to read.
July 29, 2023 at 11:37 AM
APSA’s statement that cancelling might hurt the hotels was physically painful to read.
So our landlords failed another electrical check this week, leaving us scrambling to find a new rental. I’ve had the worst week but I picked up the keys today—and I’ve earned this beer. Also, don’t believe anyone who tells you Allentown is only a 1-1.5 hour drive from Philly.
July 27, 2023 at 10:20 PM
So our landlords failed another electrical check this week, leaving us scrambling to find a new rental. I’ve had the worst week but I picked up the keys today—and I’ve earned this beer. Also, don’t believe anyone who tells you Allentown is only a 1-1.5 hour drive from Philly.
Designed my gallery wall for my move using a mix of printable art from Etsy + stuff I have, and I am so excited/it’s such a mood.
July 23, 2023 at 1:46 PM
Designed my gallery wall for my move using a mix of printable art from Etsy + stuff I have, and I am so excited/it’s such a mood.
I know ppl say you shouldn’t monetize your hobbies, but is there a market out there for people who want their academic lives integrated and streamlined across apps in an easy but super useful way? Asking for a friend.
July 14, 2023 at 10:44 PM
I know ppl say you shouldn’t monetize your hobbies, but is there a market out there for people who want their academic lives integrated and streamlined across apps in an easy but super useful way? Asking for a friend.
Y’all, the cat tucked herself in and I just cannot. She’s so cute. 🥹🥹🥹
July 11, 2023 at 1:46 PM
Y’all, the cat tucked herself in and I just cannot. She’s so cute. 🥹🥹🥹
She routinely sits like this. But the worst part is that she’ll roll on top of our sweet older guy while he’s napping like this. She’s v rude.
July 11, 2023 at 12:17 PM
She routinely sits like this. But the worst part is that she’ll roll on top of our sweet older guy while he’s napping like this. She’s v rude.