robeagleJul 31, 2023
Sheril Kirshenbaum

Today is my dissertation proposal defense. That means I'll give a public lecture about my research in front of my committee.

As some folks may know, I'm doing another round of grad school, mid-career, focused on scientific decision making in the U.S. Congress https://sheril.substack.com/p/a-dissertation-on-democracy #science #politics

In terms of PhD-ing, this is kind of like the pregame. I passed my comprehensive exams last year & will officially defend my dissertation & finish this Fall. So here goes...

A Dissertation on Democracy

Consider this the Cliffs Notes

Unelected Representative
Jul 31, 2023 at 12:44pmWeb
Show threadSheril KirshenbaumJul 31, 2023

All done. And thanks so much for all of the very encouraging words this morning ⬆️

My favorite aspect of #Mastodon is that it’s generally such a kind & supportive community. /2

Show threadJennyJul 31, 2023
@Sheril Well done, congratulations!! 🎉
Show threadJackJul 31, 2023

@Sheril assuming it went well, congrats on future* doctor status :)

Edit: I just left a very long shift and didn't see this was a proposal defense at first (aka pregame like you said). Congratulations all the same.

Show threadEugene WallingfordAug 1, 2023
@Sheril I'm glad to hear it went well. Good luck with the dissertation.
Show threadKris Mitka  Jul 31, 2023
@Sheril break a leg!
Show threadRaphaelJul 31, 2023
@Sheril Good luck!
Show threadCharlotte WalkerJul 31, 2023
@Sheril Ooh best of luck!
Show threadmichael fulgenziJul 31, 2023

@Sheril

Congrats!

Show threadpsefsuJul 31, 2023
@Sheril You got this!
Show threadRandom SeedJul 31, 2023
@Sheril Good luck!
Show threadStarry Starry KnightJul 31, 2023
@Sheril Break a leg‼️
Show threadmary beth ☑️Jul 31, 2023
@Sheril I wish you all the best Sheril. #Fascinating proposal, and dare I say very bold. Dare I ask what your focus will be on? The broad concept of American legislative processes and motivations is quite complex. How do you propose to quantify or qualify something that appears quite reactionary, quirky, and prone to whim/fancy? I would be interested in what you ultimately decide to narrow the topic down to. Not sure I’d (personally) want to peek down that rabbit hole
Show threadSheril KirshenbaumJul 31, 2023

@maryErudis Thanks! I’ve actually completed the research and composed 2 chapters already.

The first focuses on where senior congressional staffers turn for information related to science & who they trust most. The second is about barriers to participate in decision making more broadly & who isn’t represented in those roles.

I’ll be able to share more soon.

Show threadmary beth ☑️Jul 31, 2023
@Sheril e.g. Maine (and by extension all up and down the east coast) over the past decade or more concerning the lobster industry, the technology and methods used by lobster-folk (specifically the ropes used to raise and lower lobster traps), boating/yachting, and the impact that these human endeavors are having on the north atlantic right whale population. This issue is a case study in the failings of humans 2 discern Science or propaganda? https://rightwhalesandmainelobster.com
Maine Lobster and Right Whales | #SaveMaineLobstermen

Maine lobstermen have been practicing sustainability measures for over 150 years. #SaveMaineLobstermen

Right Whales and Maine Lobster
Show threadSheril KirshenbaumJul 31, 2023
@maryErudis very familiar with this complicated situation. I went to grad school in fisheries biology at UMaine with one of those lobstermen & some of the agency folks working with right whales in the Gulf of Maine.
Show threadDr. M.B MuhammadJul 31, 2023
@Sheril Wishing U success
Show threadSudhirJul 31, 2023
@Sheril .All the best Sheril.😊👍🏼🌹🙏
Show threadpeter honeymanJul 31, 2023
@Sheril mazal tov!
Show threadBenton GreeneJul 31, 2023

@Sheril This sounds like really important work, and I'm glad to hear someone is looking at this from a scientific perspective. A lot of people, myself included, have a lot of opinions, with *wildly* varying basis in actual facts, about how congress makes scientific decisions, and I'd love to be much better informed than I am.

I know the proposal defense isn't *as* nerve-wracking as the actual defense, but good luck! I'm sure you'll kill it :-)

Show threadAlanJul 31, 2023
@Sheril Good luck and have fun! I still vividly remember my defense 30 odd years ago and the complete sense of relief/happiness when it was done🙂
Show threadDaniel M. ReckJul 31, 2023

@Sheril You got this. Have fun today. Remember, you wouldn't be presenting if you hadn't shown yourself already well prepared.

Looking forward to your continuing contributions to the expansion of human knowledge. Welcome to the academy!

Show threadPaul van GulickJul 31, 2023

@Sheril

Here's rooting for you! Also, thanks for the Cliff notes :-)

Show threadScott Wright 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Jul 31, 2023
@Sheril break a leg (or whatever the academic equivalent of that is)
Show threadDaniel M. ReckJul 31, 2023
@jswright61 @Sheril "Laugh in the face of Reviewer No. 2?"
Show threadDavid - Forking MadJul 31, 2023
@Sheril Remember, You're Awesome
Show threadDaniele10Jul 31, 2023
@Sheril sending good thoughts! I could wish you luck but you are prepared and will do great!
Show threadDebJul 31, 2023
@Sheril Best wishes to you...It sounds what we may just need...Fresh new ideas...
Show threadRay HayesJul 31, 2023
@Sheril Good luck!
Show threadJigeikoJul 31, 2023
@Sheril good luck
Show threadBruce Acton 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦Jul 31, 2023
@Sheril best wishes, hope they lob you softball questions. I was prepared to lob softballs for my daughter’s defence but things went so well I just beamed with pride.
Show threadtizJul 31, 2023
@Sheril very interesting stuff, and you've got this!
Show thread👩‍🦯The Blind FraggleAug 1, 2023
@Sheril Good luck!
Show threadPete ZicatoAug 2, 2023

@Sheril

Good luck!