I’ve had a hectic start to the week, but while taking the train between meetings I was able to listen to talks for my #AcademicRunPlaylist!

First was an excellent talk by Amen Jalal on gendered responses to pay transparency in job postings at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Absolutely stellar study design. Highly recommend  https://www.youtube.com/live/mC4ESywpIDc?si=NtvPy82Vs_8G8T4h&t=16808

Next was the first day of the NBER labor studies conference. I highly recommend the whole day, and I was blown away by the talk by Hillary Vipond on technological unemployment in Victorian Britain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfUvcU7lwUE

Next was a great talk by Kimon Kieslich on socio-technical evaluations of AI systems at Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-WJpjkWkdY

Next was “Crip Spacetime” by Margaret Price. If it's possible for a critical studies/sociology book to be action-packed, this one certainly is, with Price delivering non-stop incisive analysis of the systemic nature of accessibility, the importance but limitations of access, and how disabled individuals navigate flawed workplaces. Importantly, this analysis is informed by deep interview and survey research that is incorporated throughout the book, which adds even further insight into these issues. While the focus here is nominally on working within academia, the issues explored here are very broadly applicable to other organizations. I wish this book were longer so Price could add a bit of quantitative data to this must read volume, but that's a minor quibble. Highly recommend https://www.dukeupress.edu/crip-spacetime

Last was “The Dutch and English East India Companies,” edited by Adam Clulow and Tristan Mostert. This is an excellent collection of academic writings that review various aspects of the Dutch and English East India Companies' operations across Asia from business, diplomatic, and ethical perspectives. While some of this contrasts these organizations, others focus on a single one to dive into a particular issue. The only thing missing for me was a chapter detailing the internal workings of these firms, but given the geographic focus of the volume I understand the omission. Highly recommend https://www.routledge.com/The-Dutch-and-English-East-India-Companies-Diplomacy-Trade-and-Violence-in-Early-Modern-Asia/Clulow-Mostert/p/book/9789462985278