You can pre-order my book! (A little Christmas gift I guess I've given to myself).
I love everything about Congress, even on its worst days. I have SOOOO many people to thank but just know how incredibly grateful I am to be able to call so many of you friends.
a.co/d/cNWU1o5
Why does Congress still thrive on a social media diet?
Great question! Let's talk about it...
(thanks @kevinrkosar.bsky.social )
Art of Science recently interviewed @anneliserussell.bsky.social about her paper "Information is cheap, but filtering is costly," co-authored with Alison Craig. Tune in now!
Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/3K7g...
Watch: youtu.be/_VoifAE1XLI
Read the transcript: substack.com/home/post/p-...
New Art of Science episode out now!
Watch, listen, or read episode 10: Dr. @anneliserussell.bsky.social
Research Note here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
📺 Youtube: youtu.be/_VoifAE1XLI
🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3K7g...
📖 Substack: substack.com/home/post/p-...
#PSJ
Finally found words for the PoliticoPro news...
Government does not succeed without (useful) information and — more importantly — ways to put that information into context.
I don't give a damn who does it, but we can't pretend it is not vital to public policy.
Not gonna lie, listening to my public policy students worry about having their dreams of government service dashed after EOs/OMB news was crushing today.
We've got great students. I sincerely want the best for them.
For our first ever Voice/Mail interview, we chatted with @anneliserussell.bsky.social about the mechanics of how Member offices reach constituents, and the history and incentives shaping this modern landscape.
voicemailgov.substack.com/p/connection...
OMB memo and federal aid freeze are a good reminder that amid uncertainty, constant (digital) comms is key.
You don't have to have every solution, but you've gotta show people that you're showing up.
And finally.... the good news.
Two things I did right:
1. I went on vacation
2. I turned my book in.
7. Have a committee of no — people to remind you and reward you for staying away.
8. Have a VERY short list of people who you will do things for. These are the people who helped you get the sabbatical or who supported you a lot along the way.
5. Notify collaborators when you will be away and actually go away at times. Disappearing on junior colleagues may not be an option, but taking weeks at a time is possible.
6. Make sure more work isn’t your hobby. Turns out, I fill my hours with email and work even when I don’t have to.
3. Unless you are in a situation where you really want/need to move, be judicious about using sabbatical to interview for jobs. Particularly if you are the person who will devote all their energy to it…
4. Don’t start new side projects. (Unless the sabbatical is the research, one big project choice)
1. Be realistic about the time. Research or restore? You can’t plan to do a huge project while also taking all the time for yourself. Not enough hours in the day. Gotta choose.
2. Set an out of office. I did not. I have regrets.
Sabbatical advice!
I'm back from sabbatical, and thinking back on those things I did wrong/would do differently.
Don't be me. Be better.
Here are eight ways to fail (ways that I failed).
Political cartoon reactions are a good reminder that most people don't have a clue how a newsroom is organized or how decisions are made or the realities of the people working within those newsrooms.
You are the only one who will ever know what you didn't/couldn't cover.
👋 Comms lady twiddling her fingers while waiting for House members to be sworn in and new websites/social accounts/office info to go live...
I am so thankful @zeljkopoljak.bsky.social let me team up on this one with him. Another reason why small policy conferences remain some of my favorite.
Anything from @blumrm.bsky.social is a MUST read!
When people ask me "why did you leave the Hill for academia" ... one of the most truthful answers: time.
My love language is being on time, giving people my time, and reliably showing up. None of these are conducive to realities of covering or working in Congress.
This semester’s sabbatical has taught me an important lesson…
I remain completely incapable of “stepping away”.
Upside? I love what I do.
Important reminder post election...
Sure, policy agendas will change, but don't forget new folks changes HOW and WHEN Congress communicates.
Dem leaders in the House will communicate for the first time sans WH...
It's no longer a McConnell operation...
Lot's of Qs to be answered!
Headed to NCA in New Orleans to talk about all things digital, linking comms to campaign donors, and secretly hoping the EU solves the US digital comms dilemmas.
Congress comms? I hear this Russell person wrote a book about that...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
👏 To ALL this
I just liked putting my minimal millennial knowledge to use
Small world. I helped run new member news coverage for him and the lot in 2010. I never felt more useful.
New Real World/Road Rules Challenge unlocked!
Logging on here after months feels strange but here we are again post election. Probably means I’m going to start getting calls about the other site…
*yes, I happily answer those reporter calls.
Please add me!