Thomas Kurer
@thmskrr.bsky.social
political science university of zurich | urpp equality of opportunity | inequality cluster konstanz | occupational change, social hierarchies, political behavior
🚨We are hiring a two-year postdoctoral researcher (80%) at the University of Zurich within the new Horizon Europe project WELFAIR on the political implications of technological change, demographic ageing and rising inequality.
The full job ad is here: tinyurl.com/3b6ddm25
Apply by August 9, 2026.
The full job ad is here: tinyurl.com/3b6ddm25
Apply by August 9, 2026.
tinyurl.com
July 13, 2026 at 6:43 AM
🚨We are hiring a two-year postdoctoral researcher (80%) at the University of Zurich within the new Horizon Europe project WELFAIR on the political implications of technological change, demographic ageing and rising inequality.
The full job ad is here: tinyurl.com/3b6ddm25
Apply by August 9, 2026.
The full job ad is here: tinyurl.com/3b6ddm25
Apply by August 9, 2026.
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
Last week I defended my PhD 🎉
My thesis, "Unequal Shifts in Regional Job Structures and Political Attitudes in Europe", takes the popular "geography of discontent" narrative and tests several of the assumptions it quietly rests on.
My thesis, "Unequal Shifts in Regional Job Structures and Political Attitudes in Europe", takes the popular "geography of discontent" narrative and tests several of the assumptions it quietly rests on.
June 30, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Last week I defended my PhD 🎉
My thesis, "Unequal Shifts in Regional Job Structures and Political Attitudes in Europe", takes the popular "geography of discontent" narrative and tests several of the assumptions it quietly rests on.
My thesis, "Unequal Shifts in Regional Job Structures and Political Attitudes in Europe", takes the popular "geography of discontent" narrative and tests several of the assumptions it quietly rests on.
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
Wie viel bestimmt die Herkunft über den späteren Erfolg?
Der Chancenmonitor Zürich von Thomas Kurer @thmskrr.bsky.social und Tabea Palmtag zeigt erstmals, wie sich soziale Mobilität zwischen Gemeinden und Quartieren unterscheidet und wo Aufstieg durch Arbeit tatsächlich gelingt.
👉 chancenmonitor.ch
Der Chancenmonitor Zürich von Thomas Kurer @thmskrr.bsky.social und Tabea Palmtag zeigt erstmals, wie sich soziale Mobilität zwischen Gemeinden und Quartieren unterscheidet und wo Aufstieg durch Arbeit tatsächlich gelingt.
👉 chancenmonitor.ch
June 12, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Wie viel bestimmt die Herkunft über den späteren Erfolg?
Der Chancenmonitor Zürich von Thomas Kurer @thmskrr.bsky.social und Tabea Palmtag zeigt erstmals, wie sich soziale Mobilität zwischen Gemeinden und Quartieren unterscheidet und wo Aufstieg durch Arbeit tatsächlich gelingt.
👉 chancenmonitor.ch
Der Chancenmonitor Zürich von Thomas Kurer @thmskrr.bsky.social und Tabea Palmtag zeigt erstmals, wie sich soziale Mobilität zwischen Gemeinden und Quartieren unterscheidet und wo Aufstieg durch Arbeit tatsächlich gelingt.
👉 chancenmonitor.ch
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
Very happy that our review article (with the @annualreviews.bsky.social) on „Austerity and Populism“ is now available as preprint: www.annualreviews.org/content/jour... - with @sattlersthomas.bsky.social
Austerity and Populism
A large literature explains the rise of populist parties with the economic insecurities stemming from globalization and technological change. But despite the long-standing focus of the comparative and...
www.annualreviews.org
January 22, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Very happy that our review article (with the @annualreviews.bsky.social) on „Austerity and Populism“ is now available as preprint: www.annualreviews.org/content/jour... - with @sattlersthomas.bsky.social
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
From October 2025 -
Seeking Opportunity in the Knowledge Economy: Moving Places, Moving Politics? - cup.org/3LgxVos
- @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social & @thmskrr.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
Seeking Opportunity in the Knowledge Economy: Moving Places, Moving Politics? - cup.org/3LgxVos
- @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social & @thmskrr.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
December 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
From October 2025 -
Seeking Opportunity in the Knowledge Economy: Moving Places, Moving Politics? - cup.org/3LgxVos
- @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social & @thmskrr.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
Seeking Opportunity in the Knowledge Economy: Moving Places, Moving Politics? - cup.org/3LgxVos
- @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social & @thmskrr.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
1/ Does growing up poor always lead to political apathy?
Very happy to share my first paper published (open access) in @electoralstudies.bsky.social, where I show that parents' influence mitigates the poverty gap in participation, while economic mobility does not.
🔗 shorturl.at/p5Bac
Very happy to share my first paper published (open access) in @electoralstudies.bsky.social, where I show that parents' influence mitigates the poverty gap in participation, while economic mobility does not.
🔗 shorturl.at/p5Bac
December 4, 2025 at 10:54 AM
1/ Does growing up poor always lead to political apathy?
Very happy to share my first paper published (open access) in @electoralstudies.bsky.social, where I show that parents' influence mitigates the poverty gap in participation, while economic mobility does not.
🔗 shorturl.at/p5Bac
Very happy to share my first paper published (open access) in @electoralstudies.bsky.social, where I show that parents' influence mitigates the poverty gap in participation, while economic mobility does not.
🔗 shorturl.at/p5Bac
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
New article out in @cpsjournal.bsky.social with Tabea Palmtag and @dpzollinger.bsky.social 📝
We use open-ended survey questions (in Germany) to assess how and among whom social status shifts are perceived. This tests cultural backlash narratives in voters' perceptions.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/0010...
We use open-ended survey questions (in Germany) to assess how and among whom social status shifts are perceived. This tests cultural backlash narratives in voters' perceptions.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/0010...
November 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM
New article out in @cpsjournal.bsky.social with Tabea Palmtag and @dpzollinger.bsky.social 📝
We use open-ended survey questions (in Germany) to assess how and among whom social status shifts are perceived. This tests cultural backlash narratives in voters' perceptions.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/0010...
We use open-ended survey questions (in Germany) to assess how and among whom social status shifts are perceived. This tests cultural backlash narratives in voters' perceptions.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/0010...
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
Two inspiring days at the Nuffield Politics of AI workshop!
This was social science at its best, thanks to all involved! @benansell.bsky.social @jburnmurdoch.ft.com @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social
This was social science at its best, thanks to all involved! @benansell.bsky.social @jburnmurdoch.ft.com @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Two inspiring days at the Nuffield Politics of AI workshop!
This was social science at its best, thanks to all involved! @benansell.bsky.social @jburnmurdoch.ft.com @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social
This was social science at its best, thanks to all involved! @benansell.bsky.social @jburnmurdoch.ft.com @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social
In a new paper, we show that "opportunity moves" foster political integration and shift political preferences to the left.
Please have a look at @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social's excellent summary for some more details.
👉 tinyurl.com/46utjj65
Please have a look at @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social's excellent summary for some more details.
👉 tinyurl.com/46utjj65
November 17, 2025 at 10:08 AM
In a new paper, we show that "opportunity moves" foster political integration and shift political preferences to the left.
Please have a look at @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social's excellent summary for some more details.
👉 tinyurl.com/46utjj65
Please have a look at @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social's excellent summary for some more details.
👉 tinyurl.com/46utjj65
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
How are contemporary cleavage structures stabilized in times of declining mass social and political organizations?
In this new paper with @davidattewell6.bsky.social @bjpols.bsky.social, we suggest that homogeneous social (educational) networks provide part of the answer.
tinyurl.com/49cs8jwp
In this new paper with @davidattewell6.bsky.social @bjpols.bsky.social, we suggest that homogeneous social (educational) networks provide part of the answer.
tinyurl.com/49cs8jwp
Educational Networks, Social Closure, and Cleavage Stabilization | British Journal of Political Science | Cambridge Core
Educational Networks, Social Closure, and Cleavage Stabilization - Volume 55
tinyurl.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:28 AM
How are contemporary cleavage structures stabilized in times of declining mass social and political organizations?
In this new paper with @davidattewell6.bsky.social @bjpols.bsky.social, we suggest that homogeneous social (educational) networks provide part of the answer.
tinyurl.com/49cs8jwp
In this new paper with @davidattewell6.bsky.social @bjpols.bsky.social, we suggest that homogeneous social (educational) networks provide part of the answer.
tinyurl.com/49cs8jwp
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
NEW -
Seeking Opportunity in the Knowledge Economy: Moving Places, Moving Politics? - https://cup.org/3LgxVos
"moving to opportunity results in... more left-leaning self-identification, and lower support for far-right parties"
- @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social & @thmskrr.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
Seeking Opportunity in the Knowledge Economy: Moving Places, Moving Politics? - https://cup.org/3LgxVos
"moving to opportunity results in... more left-leaning self-identification, and lower support for far-right parties"
- @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social & @thmskrr.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
October 30, 2025 at 8:50 AM
NEW -
Seeking Opportunity in the Knowledge Economy: Moving Places, Moving Politics? - https://cup.org/3LgxVos
"moving to opportunity results in... more left-leaning self-identification, and lower support for far-right parties"
- @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social & @thmskrr.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
Seeking Opportunity in the Knowledge Economy: Moving Places, Moving Politics? - https://cup.org/3LgxVos
"moving to opportunity results in... more left-leaning self-identification, and lower support for far-right parties"
- @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social & @thmskrr.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
New SI "Cleavage Politics in Western
Democracies" @wepsocial.bsky.social!
If you're interested in transforming social & political divides in advanced democracies, this is for you.
The intro by @davidattewell6.bsky.social & me maps contributions around 3 challenges for contemp. cleavage research.
Democracies" @wepsocial.bsky.social!
If you're interested in transforming social & political divides in advanced democracies, this is for you.
The intro by @davidattewell6.bsky.social & me maps contributions around 3 challenges for contemp. cleavage research.
@dpzollinger.bsky.social and I are thrilled "Cleavage Politics in Western Democracies" is out as an SI at @wepsocial.bsky.social!
Its papers explore the foundations of the cleavage pitting new left against radical right parties, and how it compares to the classic cleavages of Lipset & Rokkan:
🧵⬇️
Its papers explore the foundations of the cleavage pitting new left against radical right parties, and how it compares to the classic cleavages of Lipset & Rokkan:
🧵⬇️
October 7, 2025 at 12:11 PM
New SI "Cleavage Politics in Western
Democracies" @wepsocial.bsky.social!
If you're interested in transforming social & political divides in advanced democracies, this is for you.
The intro by @davidattewell6.bsky.social & me maps contributions around 3 challenges for contemp. cleavage research.
Democracies" @wepsocial.bsky.social!
If you're interested in transforming social & political divides in advanced democracies, this is for you.
The intro by @davidattewell6.bsky.social & me maps contributions around 3 challenges for contemp. cleavage research.
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
I wrote a longer essay on how social status matters for far-right support. Many still wrongly associate the far right with the economically left behind. Taking social status seriously also cautions against the idea that deliverism will win back far-right voters.
equitablegrowth.org/threats-to-s...
equitablegrowth.org/threats-to-s...
Threats to social status and support for far-right political parties
How economic threats to social status in the form of unemployment risk and rental market risk affects support for the far right in Europe.
equitablegrowth.org
September 11, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I wrote a longer essay on how social status matters for far-right support. Many still wrongly associate the far right with the economically left behind. Taking social status seriously also cautions against the idea that deliverism will win back far-right voters.
equitablegrowth.org/threats-to-s...
equitablegrowth.org/threats-to-s...
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
Radical right accommodation really does not work.
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
September 5, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Radical right accommodation really does not work.
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
New paper out with this exceptionally talented team
@katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk
doi.org/10.31235/osf...
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
Delighted to share that I have been awarded an ERC Starting Grant for my project “Lost in the Green Transition: Local Collective Greenloss Identity, Anti-Climate Attitudes and Radical Right Support.” #ERCStG
More soon on #GREENLOSS.
A huge thank you to friends and colleagues who made this possible!
More soon on #GREENLOSS.
A huge thank you to friends and colleagues who made this possible!
September 4, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Delighted to share that I have been awarded an ERC Starting Grant for my project “Lost in the Green Transition: Local Collective Greenloss Identity, Anti-Climate Attitudes and Radical Right Support.” #ERCStG
More soon on #GREENLOSS.
A huge thank you to friends and colleagues who made this possible!
More soon on #GREENLOSS.
A huge thank you to friends and colleagues who made this possible!
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
Do men see gender parity in representation as detrimental to their interests? What about when women’s representation exceeds parity? And how do such shifts affect men’s fairness perceptions? I address these questions in my article, now published in PRQ. 1/9
doi.org/10.1177/1065...
doi.org/10.1177/1065...
August 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Do men see gender parity in representation as detrimental to their interests? What about when women’s representation exceeds parity? And how do such shifts affect men’s fairness perceptions? I address these questions in my article, now published in PRQ. 1/9
doi.org/10.1177/1065...
doi.org/10.1177/1065...
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
You can already submit your paper and panel proposal for EPSS next year. Looking forward to seeing many people in Belfast. I will be there.
The European Political Science Society is now accepting paper & panel proposals for its annual conference!
📢 Call for Papers: EPSS 2026 – Belfast
🗓️ June 18–20, 2026
📍 ICC Belfast
📬 Deadline: Nov 7, 2025
🧵
📢 Call for Papers: EPSS 2026 – Belfast
🗓️ June 18–20, 2026
📍 ICC Belfast
📬 Deadline: Nov 7, 2025
🧵
August 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
You can already submit your paper and panel proposal for EPSS next year. Looking forward to seeing many people in Belfast. I will be there.
We have a new WP on governments' capacity to deal with the political implications of structural change💥
Policy interventions *can* effectively mitigate political backlash when they address both material and non-material demands of voters. shorturl.at/zFbZE
Check Reto's great summary for details👇
Policy interventions *can* effectively mitigate political backlash when they address both material and non-material demands of voters. shorturl.at/zFbZE
Check Reto's great summary for details👇
June 4, 2025 at 1:20 PM
We have a new WP on governments' capacity to deal with the political implications of structural change💥
Policy interventions *can* effectively mitigate political backlash when they address both material and non-material demands of voters. shorturl.at/zFbZE
Check Reto's great summary for details👇
Policy interventions *can* effectively mitigate political backlash when they address both material and non-material demands of voters. shorturl.at/zFbZE
Check Reto's great summary for details👇
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
Can government policies moderate political backlash to structural change?
Yes, the effect operates through material benefits and social recognition.
🚨New WP by @retobuergisser.bsky.social, @siljahausermann.bsky.social, @thmskrr.bsky.social and @susanadptavares.bsky.social 🚨
shorturl.at/zFbZE
Yes, the effect operates through material benefits and social recognition.
🚨New WP by @retobuergisser.bsky.social, @siljahausermann.bsky.social, @thmskrr.bsky.social and @susanadptavares.bsky.social 🚨
shorturl.at/zFbZE
June 4, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Can government policies moderate political backlash to structural change?
Yes, the effect operates through material benefits and social recognition.
🚨New WP by @retobuergisser.bsky.social, @siljahausermann.bsky.social, @thmskrr.bsky.social and @susanadptavares.bsky.social 🚨
shorturl.at/zFbZE
Yes, the effect operates through material benefits and social recognition.
🚨New WP by @retobuergisser.bsky.social, @siljahausermann.bsky.social, @thmskrr.bsky.social and @susanadptavares.bsky.social 🚨
shorturl.at/zFbZE
🔥 One more week to apply for this postdoc position in Zurich (flexible start date)
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions
If you'd like to hear from someone who has been working closely with me, @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social and @retobuergisser.bsky.social are happy to share insights
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions
If you'd like to hear from someone who has been working closely with me, @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social and @retobuergisser.bsky.social are happy to share insights
🚨3-Year Postdoc Position in Zurich @ipz.bsky.social
❓Political implications of labor market transformation
Plenty of flexibility, no teaching obligations, great research environment in an highly livable city.
Deadline: May 18, 2025.
tinyurl.com/postdoczurich
#polisky #poliscijobs #psjminfo
❓Political implications of labor market transformation
Plenty of flexibility, no teaching obligations, great research environment in an highly livable city.
Deadline: May 18, 2025.
tinyurl.com/postdoczurich
#polisky #poliscijobs #psjminfo
tinyurl.com
May 12, 2025 at 8:40 AM
🔥 One more week to apply for this postdoc position in Zurich (flexible start date)
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions
If you'd like to hear from someone who has been working closely with me, @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social and @retobuergisser.bsky.social are happy to share insights
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions
If you'd like to hear from someone who has been working closely with me, @valentinaconsiglio.bsky.social and @retobuergisser.bsky.social are happy to share insights
🚨3-Year Postdoc Position in Zurich @ipz.bsky.social
❓Political implications of labor market transformation
Plenty of flexibility, no teaching obligations, great research environment in an highly livable city.
Deadline: May 18, 2025.
tinyurl.com/postdoczurich
#polisky #poliscijobs #psjminfo
❓Political implications of labor market transformation
Plenty of flexibility, no teaching obligations, great research environment in an highly livable city.
Deadline: May 18, 2025.
tinyurl.com/postdoczurich
#polisky #poliscijobs #psjminfo
tinyurl.com
April 30, 2025 at 12:27 PM
🚨3-Year Postdoc Position in Zurich @ipz.bsky.social
❓Political implications of labor market transformation
Plenty of flexibility, no teaching obligations, great research environment in an highly livable city.
Deadline: May 18, 2025.
tinyurl.com/postdoczurich
#polisky #poliscijobs #psjminfo
❓Political implications of labor market transformation
Plenty of flexibility, no teaching obligations, great research environment in an highly livable city.
Deadline: May 18, 2025.
tinyurl.com/postdoczurich
#polisky #poliscijobs #psjminfo
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
Today marks the final day of the DISINTEGRATION project, a project on the mass politics of disintegration generously funded by the @erc.europa.eu .
We celebrate with a thread on all we have done and found:
1/20
We celebrate with a thread on all we have done and found:
1/20
April 30, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Today marks the final day of the DISINTEGRATION project, a project on the mass politics of disintegration generously funded by the @erc.europa.eu .
We celebrate with a thread on all we have done and found:
1/20
We celebrate with a thread on all we have done and found:
1/20
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
First instalment of my substack primer on right-wing populism in Europe is out.
jacobedenhofer.substack.com/p/explaining...
jacobedenhofer.substack.com/p/explaining...
Explaining the emergence and consolidation of right-wing populism: Part I
Stylised facts, or what has actually happened?
jacobedenhofer.substack.com
April 7, 2025 at 8:15 AM
First instalment of my substack primer on right-wing populism in Europe is out.
jacobedenhofer.substack.com/p/explaining...
jacobedenhofer.substack.com/p/explaining...
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
My department is *hiring a PhD* student (3 years, fully funded) for a research project on the social and political effects of AI-related technological change. *Deadline: May 4, '25*. See here for more information & to apply: www.jobbnorge.no/en/available... #PoliSky #Sociology #AcademicSky
PhD Fellowship in Politics & Social Sciences (266956) | University of Stavanger
Job title: PhD Fellowship in Politics & Social Sciences (266956), Employer: University of Stavanger, Deadline: Sunday, May 4, 2025
www.jobbnorge.no
March 27, 2025 at 3:27 PM
My department is *hiring a PhD* student (3 years, fully funded) for a research project on the social and political effects of AI-related technological change. *Deadline: May 4, '25*. See here for more information & to apply: www.jobbnorge.no/en/available... #PoliSky #Sociology #AcademicSky
Reposted by Thomas Kurer
Heißt das, es gibt keine ökonomischen oder sozialen Ursachen für die Wahl der AfD? Nein, natürlich nicht – aber sie sind deutlich komplexer und nuancierter als der im Video genannte „Frust“ über Mieten, Löhne, Bildung, Rente oder Infrastruktur.
March 26, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Heißt das, es gibt keine ökonomischen oder sozialen Ursachen für die Wahl der AfD? Nein, natürlich nicht – aber sie sind deutlich komplexer und nuancierter als der im Video genannte „Frust“ über Mieten, Löhne, Bildung, Rente oder Infrastruktur.