Announcing such a major change to NSF GRFP this late in the cycle is incredibly cruel. 2nd yr students (mine included) have been working so hard on their proposals despite ongoing uncertainty. They are driven and passionate about being outstanding scientists and helping those coming up behind them.

Enjoyed this project. Who doesn't want bacteria, microbes and fungi on their napkins?

Being anti vaccines for babies is one of the surest signs of a declining civilisation. There could be no clearer evidence on childhood vaccination saving lives and preserving health and yet we’re being distracted by debating this issue.

Once again, slightly gutted to report that I feel better having made time for some basic self-care. Funny that.

"More professors in the United States have been fired for controversial views in the past week than any other week in all of American history." www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...

"Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD: A Survival Guide" has been out for 3 years. I don't do "proud" very often, but I am proud of the people I've helped through writing it. Thank you to everyone who's supported me with it and convinced me that writing it was a good idea.

Bon Appetit Your Majesty - who doesn't want a time travelling, cooking show drama, filled with delicious Korean food though?

"Hostility, exclusion and academic bullying should be formally recognised as research integrity issues because they directly impact who gets to succeed and whose voices are silenced." By @maddipow.bsky.social

Someone asked me how I "do it all" recently and the answer is a) I don't

"Why on earth would we abandon institutions that have genuinely made America great? ... Why would we put at risk laboratories that are working to cure cancers or perfecting artificial limbs or exploring deep space or testing the limits of artificial intelligence?"

Every day I'm grateful we didn't continue in the notion of moving to the States in 2019

Helpful side effect of maternity leave (and having a little one) has been the improved ability to switch off from work. Two weeks off and I've been able to actually decompress. I think it is an improved confidence in myself that the work WILL wait.

Back from France - can you tell?

Our daughter has started to say "happy" when she's doing something she likes, and oh my gosh it's amazing

Had a request from someone for PhD student counselling/coaching/mentoring. I don't do this - can you make yourself known if you do so people know what options are out there? Thank you 🙏

I just can't morally use AI. The energy it uses, the work it steals, and the biases it has. Am I missing something?

I know it's not for everyone but oh my goodness I love being a mum and seeing our little girl discovering the world around her. It's so joyful.

Ooh do I spy an analytical scientist on Bake Off this year 🙌🙌 #TeamHassan

So, UK folk. What can I tangibly do to stop Reform swings in the next general election? Because I'm seeing England flags spraypainted around the place and it's not giving me good vibes, combined with Labour having made a right mess of things. Feel like the action needs to happen ASAP.

Whoever bought me 10 coffees this morning, thank you so much 🥲 it's made my morning. I'm going to buy myself a nice one at work today.

Finally became a Mental Health First Aider. Feels about a decade overdue!

I hope that the in the real world version of me isn't so far away from the online version I put out into the ether. More awkward, and more stubborn irl I think.

No matter how bleak things are, remember, find *your* people. Community, whoever they may be to you, is strength with you wobble, fight when you don't have the energy, support when things seem so dark to see there is a better future. So chin up, you've got this.

Going to hazard a guess that this little guy was named before they were invented but I am disappointed it's not called the IUD moth

A PhD can feel like being dropped in the deep end as throughout school there's often focus on the "right" answer, and that's been your goal for the whole of university, then bam, the PhD comes along. If anyone *knew* the answer you wouldn't be doing it, but then it can feel you are doing it wrong.

Want to help improve mental health in academia? We are looking for bloggers for our November and December slots. You can submit a pitch here and learn more about the process: voicesofacademia.com/contact-2/

Feels a bit ominous that my fortune cookie had no fortune in it

Me: Finally ready to have medication for ADHD *is brave* Also me: Contacts the GP, the waiting list is 44 weeks for medication

Did some baking with our little girl for the first time today #lifegoals

Ooofff

Wednesday season 2 let's gooooo

Okay, my daughter saying "bye bye" as I left for work this morning is a new joy. This phase is so fun!!

Our latest blog for Voices of Academia is worth a read: Considerations and Challenges of Overseas Research Visits: My Experience as an Autistic Woman by Lucy Rodgers – Voices of Academia voicesofacademia.com/2025/07/25/c... A topic that I don't see covered often and insight into hidden challenges

This is so ill-conceived it'd be funny if it wasn't for the impact it'd have

Feels like a violence thet I can't draft up a bunch of posts on here, as the ADHD zoomies have got me and I'm like 99% sure not everyone wants or needs my brain dump in 25 posts all in 20 seconds on here

I really miss Twitter and my community there. The feel of this place isn't quite right for me, but trying to make a go of it. Hoping to talk honestly about supporting PhD student mental health, and living my life with all it's quirks (including having ADHD). You here for the journey?

Having "masked" for a long time with my ADHD it took a lot of work to understand how onto ADHD diagnostic criteria. Things like "struggles with organisation" I was like, "no, I'm really organised". And that's the point: a lot of people aren't setting 4 alarms just to show up to a meeting.

There's this trope that you have to be so into your PhD topic that you live and breathe it and can't possibly stop thinking about it, so here's your regular reminder that passion is good, but burnout isn't. It's okay and recommended to take breaks, enjoy the weekend, and treat a PhD like a job.

Been reading about ADHD and justice sensitivity - that people with ADHD are often have a higher sensitivity for unfairness (hate discrimination, dishonesty, fake people and unfair situations) and I put it to you that that should just be the standard sensitivity people should have.

This stage of toddler is wild. New words every day. Mama, dada...Octopus???? I had to triple take.

There's a special place reserved for people that park in the parent and baby car parking space with no children in the car.

Scientific organizations (or any really): please be aware that if you host international conferences in the US, you will be excluding quite a few people from this point on, for whom the risk is just not worth it.

I'm just an ADHD girlie, being told for the 1000th time, "have you tried caring less?", whilst wanting to shout "have you tried caring more?".

Been really talking myself down the last couple of weeks, no idea what's up with that. In the off chance your brain is also being a pain, you aren't crap or worthless.

If you care about academic mental health, and aren't following @dragonflymh.bsky.social, you should be. I'm so so impressed by the work Wendy Ingram and team are doing to make a difference.

Are you neurodivergent & have done, or considered, a PhD? We’re researching how doctoral study works (or doesn’t) for neurodivergent people. Take our 30min survey & help make academia more inclusive forms.office.com/e/ft9jyWsPUW Questions? Email [email protected] #PhD #Neurodivergent

Not every day you get to go to the Royal Academy of Arts and channel your inner grecian statue

Has anyone done a "how to work with me" 1-pager that has actually worked, and been useful in the workplace? It's been mentioned to me before and I can't decide if it's a helpful thing

Not me starting a blog post called "I'm not a bloody cactus*" *working title, to convey how I feel about the topic

"Resilience" is often a term bandied about by corporations to take the focus off poor culture and make it a "you" problem. If only *you* were a bit more resilient, it'd all be fine. It's a control tactic.