Let's roll up our elbow-patched sleeves
Why research and teaching matter now more than ever.
Greetings, dear readers. Last week, I shared some of my raw feelings about the U.S. elections, and your responses resonated deeply.
You can read that here:
Many of us are feeling a complicated mix of heartbreak, fear, despair, and, yes, anger. We all process these big, unsettling events differently, and some of us are more vulnerable than others to what the next four years might mean for our rights and lives.
You might not feel ready for this message today, and that’s okay. If you’re still in the thick of processing, I encourage you to set this newsletter aside and return when you feel ready to re-engage.
As for me, I’m just beginning to look for the light again, to think about how we can continue to intervene meaningfully in these uncertain times. Of course, there are many ways to get politically involved to shore up the issues that matter most to us.
Today, though, I want to return to our work as scholars, as that’s the focus of PNP and, I believe, an essential form of action.
Your work matters.
Many of you, my dear readers and clients, are committed to work that advances social justice—from racial equity to fighting climate change to reproductive rights and economic justice. This work is more crucial now than ever.
Returning to it with fresh urgency can offer a sense of agency in a world that feels like its spiraling out of control. Each of us, through our research, teaching, and writing, can play a part in the resistance.
Teaching, especially, remains essential. During my seven years in Texas, I often found hope in the impact we had on students. I recall a freshman approaching me at the end of the semester to say that my one lecture on media representations of trans people had made him reconsider everything he had learned about gender identity.
Later, that student enrolled in my course on gender and sports media and wrote a thoughtful piece on trans women athletes. That moment reminded me that our teaching does matter, and it does make a difference—one conversation, one insight at a time.
Even if your research doesn’t directly address topics under immediate threat, remember that reason, knowledge, and truth itself are increasingly under fire. We’re witnessing a wave of anti-intellectualism aimed at sidelining science and scholarship, favoring disinformation and conspiracy.
In a world where more people turn to Joe Rogan than Neil deGrasse Tyson, your work plays a critical role. Your research and writing are part of a broader resistance to this tide of ignorance—efforts that help us resist the return to the dark ages and move us toward a more informed, thoughtful society.
Public scholarship
This might also be a moment to consider how you can engage with a public audience beyond the academy. Public scholarship doesn’t need to reach millions; it can be about connecting with smaller, more open communities.
Even sharing your work with a few hundred people outside academic circles can make a difference. If you’re uneasy about facing public scrutiny, remember that meaningful impact can happen with audiences who are open to your insights, not necessarily those who are hostile.
Here’s some pieces to get you started:
Some final thoughts
Reflecting on my work during these times has rekindled a deep sense of purpose. I am here to support scholars in their pursuit of research and teaching that not only matters but that has the power to shape the world in meaningful ways. My mission is to equip you with the resources, encouragement, and strategies needed to carry out this vital work.
While the weight of current events can feel overwhelming, remember that as educators and researchers, our contributions are acts of hope. Together, we are creating knowledge that challenges, inspires, and endures—work that speaks to the heart of what it means to be citizens of the planet and that has lasting impact. Whether through a journal article, a classroom discussion, or a public lecture, you are helping to shape a more informed, compassionate society.
So when you’ve had time to grieve, I encourage you to think about your own mission and values and how your work can be a form of resistance. How can you bring renewed purpose to the work you’re doing, and how might you share it more widely?
Each of us has a role to play in this moment—let’s continue to show up, in whatever ways we can.