Simon Columbus
@simoncolumbus.bsky.social
Lecturer, University of St Andrews | I work on cooperation, norms, institutions, & personality | http://simoncolumbus.com
Pinned
Some personal news: In April, I will be joining the University of St Andrews as a lecturer @standrewspsyneuro.bsky.social (~assistant professor for non-UK folks).
I work on cooperation, institutional legitimacy, and personality. If you're in the area and share some interests, I'd love to chat.
I work on cooperation, institutional legitimacy, and personality. If you're in the area and share some interests, I'd love to chat.
Somehow I did not know this.
Carlyle called it the "dismal science" in the context of an essay where he lamented that emancipated formerly enslaved people were demanding too high wages on West Indies sugar plantations and criticized economists of the day for supporting slavery abolition and free immigration of black people.
September 25, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Somehow I did not know this.
Everybody's posting about politics; meanwhile I'm here wondering whether there's a legal limit to the number of arepas I'm allowed to eat in a single sitting
September 20, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Everybody's posting about politics; meanwhile I'm here wondering whether there's a legal limit to the number of arepas I'm allowed to eat in a single sitting
Today's Cooperation Colloquium
Our first speaker this week is Kasper Otten (WODC/Erasmus University Rotterdam):
The co-occurrence of ingroup and outgroup prosociality across 121 societies
Friday, September 18
15:00 UTC+2 (Vienna) / 9am NYT / 21 Beijing
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
The co-occurrence of ingroup and outgroup prosociality across 121 societies
Friday, September 18
15:00 UTC+2 (Vienna) / 9am NYT / 21 Beijing
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
September 18, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Today's Cooperation Colloquium
Reposted by Simon Columbus
Our first speaker this week is Kasper Otten (WODC/Erasmus University Rotterdam):
The co-occurrence of ingroup and outgroup prosociality across 121 societies
Friday, September 18
15:00 UTC+2 (Vienna) / 9am NYT / 21 Beijing
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
The co-occurrence of ingroup and outgroup prosociality across 121 societies
Friday, September 18
15:00 UTC+2 (Vienna) / 9am NYT / 21 Beijing
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
September 14, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Our first speaker this week is Kasper Otten (WODC/Erasmus University Rotterdam):
The co-occurrence of ingroup and outgroup prosociality across 121 societies
Friday, September 18
15:00 UTC+2 (Vienna) / 9am NYT / 21 Beijing
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
The co-occurrence of ingroup and outgroup prosociality across 121 societies
Friday, September 18
15:00 UTC+2 (Vienna) / 9am NYT / 21 Beijing
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
Reposted by Simon Columbus
We're hiring a PhD candidate in Fair Climate Policy! Deadline to apply: 2 October
werkenbij.rug.nl/vacature/pro...
(Please note: Carina Havenga de Poel & @gpalomovelez.bsky.social are the contact people, and job interviews will take place in late October)
@rug-gmw.bsky.social @rug.nl
werkenbij.rug.nl/vacature/pro...
(Please note: Carina Havenga de Poel & @gpalomovelez.bsky.social are the contact people, and job interviews will take place in late October)
@rug-gmw.bsky.social @rug.nl
Promovendus Rechtvaardig Klimaatbeleid - Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
werkenbij.rug.nl
September 8, 2026 at 12:17 PM
We're hiring a PhD candidate in Fair Climate Policy! Deadline to apply: 2 October
werkenbij.rug.nl/vacature/pro...
(Please note: Carina Havenga de Poel & @gpalomovelez.bsky.social are the contact people, and job interviews will take place in late October)
@rug-gmw.bsky.social @rug.nl
werkenbij.rug.nl/vacature/pro...
(Please note: Carina Havenga de Poel & @gpalomovelez.bsky.social are the contact people, and job interviews will take place in late October)
@rug-gmw.bsky.social @rug.nl
Reposted by Simon Columbus
Autumn 2026 Cooperation Colloquia
We have an exciting interdisciplinary series of speakers with Kasper Otten, @patkanngiesser.bsky.social, @charlesefferson.bsky.social @nikoletaglyn.bsky.social, Cameron Curtin, & Devesh Rustagi
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
We have an exciting interdisciplinary series of speakers with Kasper Otten, @patkanngiesser.bsky.social, @charlesefferson.bsky.social @nikoletaglyn.bsky.social, Cameron Curtin, & Devesh Rustagi
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
September 14, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Autumn 2026 Cooperation Colloquia
We have an exciting interdisciplinary series of speakers with Kasper Otten, @patkanngiesser.bsky.social, @charlesefferson.bsky.social @nikoletaglyn.bsky.social, Cameron Curtin, & Devesh Rustagi
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
We have an exciting interdisciplinary series of speakers with Kasper Otten, @patkanngiesser.bsky.social, @charlesefferson.bsky.social @nikoletaglyn.bsky.social, Cameron Curtin, & Devesh Rustagi
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
Autumn 2026 Cooperation Colloquia
We have an exciting interdisciplinary series of speakers with Kasper Otten, @patkanngiesser.bsky.social, @charlesefferson.bsky.social @nikoletaglyn.bsky.social, Cameron Curtin, & Devesh Rustagi
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
We have an exciting interdisciplinary series of speakers with Kasper Otten, @patkanngiesser.bsky.social, @charlesefferson.bsky.social @nikoletaglyn.bsky.social, Cameron Curtin, & Devesh Rustagi
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
September 14, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Autumn 2026 Cooperation Colloquia
We have an exciting interdisciplinary series of speakers with Kasper Otten, @patkanngiesser.bsky.social, @charlesefferson.bsky.social @nikoletaglyn.bsky.social, Cameron Curtin, & Devesh Rustagi
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
We have an exciting interdisciplinary series of speakers with Kasper Otten, @patkanngiesser.bsky.social, @charlesefferson.bsky.social @nikoletaglyn.bsky.social, Cameron Curtin, & Devesh Rustagi
Sign up: list.ku.dk/postorius/li...
Reposted by Simon Columbus
Reposted by Simon Columbus
We are hiring a joint-PhD candidate with SCP to study how people perceive climate policies and more generally what’s fair climate policy. Come do research with us! — werkenbij.rug.nl/vacature/pro...
September 8, 2026 at 6:13 PM
We are hiring a joint-PhD candidate with SCP to study how people perceive climate policies and more generally what’s fair climate policy. Come do research with us! — werkenbij.rug.nl/vacature/pro...
Any sufficiently advanced technology purchased by a university is indistinguishable from malware
September 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Any sufficiently advanced technology purchased by a university is indistinguishable from malware
Two postdocs with the inimitable Anna Berti Suman in Padova, on personal narratives in climate litigation. Deadline September 14.
Project overview: www.pastis-research.eu/the-persona-...
Text mining: www.fisppa.unipd.it/bando-2026cr...,
Legal ethnography: www.fisppa.unipd.it/bando-2026cr....
Project overview: www.pastis-research.eu/the-persona-...
Text mining: www.fisppa.unipd.it/bando-2026cr...,
Legal ethnography: www.fisppa.unipd.it/bando-2026cr....
The PersoNa — Personal Narratives in Climate Litigation - Pa.S.T.I.S.
The PersoNa — Personal Narratives in Climate LitigationMUR Starting Grant FIS-2023-01203 · University of Padova, FISPPA Department · 2026–2029About the
www.pastis-research.eu
September 7, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Two postdocs with the inimitable Anna Berti Suman in Padova, on personal narratives in climate litigation. Deadline September 14.
Project overview: www.pastis-research.eu/the-persona-...
Text mining: www.fisppa.unipd.it/bando-2026cr...,
Legal ethnography: www.fisppa.unipd.it/bando-2026cr....
Project overview: www.pastis-research.eu/the-persona-...
Text mining: www.fisppa.unipd.it/bando-2026cr...,
Legal ethnography: www.fisppa.unipd.it/bando-2026cr....
A lot of this research is really bad.
One of these effects people just *want* to be true, so researchers can get away with shoddy crosssectional analyses and handwaving.
One of these effects people just *want* to be true, so researchers can get away with shoddy crosssectional analyses and handwaving.
Contact with nature is good for us
Experiments have found that nature contact decreases negative affect, stress & anxiety, and increases positive affect. Lowers cardiovascular disease & mortality risk and greater life satisfaction are associated with living near nature.
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Experiments have found that nature contact decreases negative affect, stress & anxiety, and increases positive affect. Lowers cardiovascular disease & mortality risk and greater life satisfaction are associated with living near nature.
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
September 4, 2026 at 4:39 PM
A lot of this research is really bad.
One of these effects people just *want* to be true, so researchers can get away with shoddy crosssectional analyses and handwaving.
One of these effects people just *want* to be true, so researchers can get away with shoddy crosssectional analyses and handwaving.
Reposted by Simon Columbus
Based on our GWAS of personality I have an academic/data driven reflection on new challenges to the environmental path from parental personality toe child personality. I could put it on my substack (bleg) or add to my near non existend blog, but I have no reach, anyone willing to let me guest blog?
September 4, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Based on our GWAS of personality I have an academic/data driven reflection on new challenges to the environmental path from parental personality toe child personality. I could put it on my substack (bleg) or add to my near non existend blog, but I have no reach, anyone willing to let me guest blog?
Reposted by Simon Columbus
Come to my wonderful wonderful unit! We offer a collaborative and supportive work environment, like none I've even had before, and we're looking for others who would value and support it. If that's you, please apply! @unileiden.bsky.social @leidenphysics.bsky.social @leidenpsychology.bsky.social
Professor of Social Decision-Making
Professor of Social Decision-Making Institute of Psychology, Leiden University Are you a leading researcher in social decision-making, ready to help shape the future of a thriving unit? The Social, Ec...
www.academictransfer.com
September 4, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Come to my wonderful wonderful unit! We offer a collaborative and supportive work environment, like none I've even had before, and we're looking for others who would value and support it. If that's you, please apply! @unileiden.bsky.social @leidenphysics.bsky.social @leidenpsychology.bsky.social
If a guy keeps finding the same headline-grabbing, non-replicable result again and again and again, that should indeed make you laugh, then think -- laugh in despair, then think about how to do better.
It's a systemic problem in science reporting that these summaries exaggerate the evidence. In the actual candy study, the participants were all students, status was manipulated in the lab by telling some students they were better than others, and "nearly twice" means 1 piece vs 2 pieces.
September 4, 2026 at 8:57 AM
If a guy keeps finding the same headline-grabbing, non-replicable result again and again and again, that should indeed make you laugh, then think -- laugh in despair, then think about how to do better.
1) denial
2) anger
3) bargaining
4) depression
5) major revisions
2) anger
3) bargaining
4) depression
5) major revisions
I'm curious about people's workflows when reviewing a paper. How do you do it?
My process in the next post...
My process in the next post...
September 3, 2026 at 9:53 PM
1) denial
2) anger
3) bargaining
4) depression
5) major revisions
2) anger
3) bargaining
4) depression
5) major revisions
Reposted by Simon Columbus
Six editors and nearly 60 advisory editors of Games and Economic Behavior resigned after Elsevier, the journal’s publisher, decided not to renew the editor-in-chief’s contract.
Editors of economics journal resign after Elsevier doesn’t renew EIC’s contract
Six editors and nearly 60 advisory editors of Games and Economic Behavior resigned after the journal’s publisher decided not to renew the editor-in-chief’s contract. In late July, Elsevier to…
retractionwatch.com
August 24, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Six editors and nearly 60 advisory editors of Games and Economic Behavior resigned after Elsevier, the journal’s publisher, decided not to renew the editor-in-chief’s contract.
Reposted by Simon Columbus
🚨Elsevier forces out Games and Economic Behavior (GEB) Editor, entire editorial board has resigned, current board only handling new submissions until Nov. 14 #econsky
August 16, 2026 at 4:35 PM
🚨Elsevier forces out Games and Economic Behavior (GEB) Editor, entire editorial board has resigned, current board only handling new submissions until Nov. 14 #econsky
Interesting idea: is anthropology divided more by ontology than by epistemology?
It certainly rings true in the sense that cultural anthros (and qual psychologists) rarely appear interested in the same subject matter as quant social scientists across disciplines (such as 'cooperation').
It certainly rings true in the sense that cultural anthros (and qual psychologists) rarely appear interested in the same subject matter as quant social scientists across disciplines (such as 'cooperation').
I've been thinking a lot lately about criticisms of anthropology coming from various quarters. While there is plenty to criticize, I think that the received wisdom about the discipline's problems are generally off base.
In this blog post, I work through some thoughts I have on the subject.
In this blog post, I work through some thoughts I have on the subject.
The Misunderstanding of the Anthropology Culture Wars – Monkey’s Uncle
eehh-stanford.github.io
August 19, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Interesting idea: is anthropology divided more by ontology than by epistemology?
It certainly rings true in the sense that cultural anthros (and qual psychologists) rarely appear interested in the same subject matter as quant social scientists across disciplines (such as 'cooperation').
It certainly rings true in the sense that cultural anthros (and qual psychologists) rarely appear interested in the same subject matter as quant social scientists across disciplines (such as 'cooperation').
Fascinating that people continue to defend Arday, incl Zach Polanski. Arday has already corrected two papers, including one where he removed or altered quotes from supposed participants which had word-for-word overlap with another paper. How's that for plagiarism? retractionwatch.com/2026/07/27/c...
Exclusive: News outlet killed story on plagiarism allegations after Cambridge prof hired law firm
Jason Arday In September 2025, Times Higher Education had a bombshell story in the works: A star sociology professor at the University of Cambridge had allegedly plagiarized parts of his Ph.D. thes…
retractionwatch.com
August 1, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Fascinating that people continue to defend Arday, incl Zach Polanski. Arday has already corrected two papers, including one where he removed or altered quotes from supposed participants which had word-for-word overlap with another paper. How's that for plagiarism? retractionwatch.com/2026/07/27/c...
My department is hiring a lecturer (i.e. assistant prof) in developmental psychology.
School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews
@standrewspsyneuro.bsky.social
· Jul 16
We are advertising for www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSG131/l...
Lecturer in Developmental Psychology - AC2882 at University of St Andrews
An academic position as a Lecturer in Developmental Psychology - AC2882 is being advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Click now to find more details and explore additional academic job opportunities.
www.jobs.ac.uk
July 16, 2026 at 10:06 AM
My department is hiring a lecturer (i.e. assistant prof) in developmental psychology.
Dear editors: sending me manuscripts missing basic information is the best way to make me think twice about reviewing for your journal. Second time in as many months that I have to return a manuscript because I simply cannot figure out the design of the experiment.
July 13, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Dear editors: sending me manuscripts missing basic information is the best way to make me think twice about reviewing for your journal. Second time in as many months that I have to return a manuscript because I simply cannot figure out the design of the experiment.
Reposted by Simon Columbus
Whether or not radicalization is a good replacement, the political science concept of polarization is normatively dubious, descriptively thin and causally... eh, let's not even go there. I know you just got a big grant to study it but I'm sure they'll let you spend the money on something more useful
‘Polarization’ has become the master concept for diagnosing our current democratic crisis.
But this is not polarization. It is the radicalization of the political right.
By misdiagnosing it, we risk becoming complicit in the crisis. 🧵
Just out in Perspectives on Politics
doi.org/10.1017/S153...
But this is not polarization. It is the radicalization of the political right.
By misdiagnosing it, we risk becoming complicit in the crisis. 🧵
Just out in Perspectives on Politics
doi.org/10.1017/S153...
July 7, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Whether or not radicalization is a good replacement, the political science concept of polarization is normatively dubious, descriptively thin and causally... eh, let's not even go there. I know you just got a big grant to study it but I'm sure they'll let you spend the money on something more useful
Reposted by Simon Columbus
I'm hiring!
I am currently establishing my new Research Group for Personality Psychology at Ulm University and am looking for a motivated researcher to join the team starting October 1, 2026 (or by arrangement).
🧵👇 (1/4)
🔗 Full description and details: stellenangebote.uni-ulm.de/jobposting/a...
I am currently establishing my new Research Group for Personality Psychology at Ulm University and am looking for a motivated researcher to join the team starting October 1, 2026 (or by arrangement).
🧵👇 (1/4)
🔗 Full description and details: stellenangebote.uni-ulm.de/jobposting/a...
Akademische/r Beschäftigte/n (m/w/d) - Abt. Persönlichkeitspsychologie - Referenz-Nr. 26091
stellenangebote.uni-ulm.de
July 6, 2026 at 7:27 AM
I'm hiring!
I am currently establishing my new Research Group for Personality Psychology at Ulm University and am looking for a motivated researcher to join the team starting October 1, 2026 (or by arrangement).
🧵👇 (1/4)
🔗 Full description and details: stellenangebote.uni-ulm.de/jobposting/a...
I am currently establishing my new Research Group for Personality Psychology at Ulm University and am looking for a motivated researcher to join the team starting October 1, 2026 (or by arrangement).
🧵👇 (1/4)
🔗 Full description and details: stellenangebote.uni-ulm.de/jobposting/a...
Reposted by Simon Columbus
For the 4th time, @bramlancee.bsky.social & I, in collaboration with AMCIS, organise a workshop on survey experiments on 5 Oct. 2026. CfP below ⬇️. We particularly welcome papers/research designs from early career researchers. Deadline for submissions: 23 Aug.
@aissr.bsky.social
@aissr.bsky.social
June 29, 2026 at 3:15 PM
For the 4th time, @bramlancee.bsky.social & I, in collaboration with AMCIS, organise a workshop on survey experiments on 5 Oct. 2026. CfP below ⬇️. We particularly welcome papers/research designs from early career researchers. Deadline for submissions: 23 Aug.
@aissr.bsky.social
@aissr.bsky.social