Sheila Pankhurst
@profpankhurst.bsky.social
Followed the science exodus from Twitter. Interested in wildlife conservation, climate change. European at heart. Lucky to live in Cumbria. Banner pic is the Rannerdale bluebells. She/her. #covidisnotover
The Beaver Trust is advertising for a new Chief Executive. Not easy finding a link to the job advert other than via Facebook, but here’s the link to the recruitment pack. Closing date for applications is 10th December. #wildlife #beaver #speciesreintroduction beavertrust.org/wp-content/u...
beavertrust.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The Beaver Trust is advertising for a new Chief Executive. Not easy finding a link to the job advert other than via Facebook, but here’s the link to the recruitment pack. Closing date for applications is 10th December. #wildlife #beaver #speciesreintroduction beavertrust.org/wp-content/u...
I’ve only just seen this. A really good wildflower-rich hay meadow is a wonderful thing. #Cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Lake District sees more hay meadows restored
Land in the Lake District, equivalent to the size of 23 football pitches, is restored.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I’ve only just seen this. A really good wildflower-rich hay meadow is a wonderful thing. #Cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Snacktime! 🐿️😍
During autumn, red squirrels scour their habitats for nuts, berries & other vital energy sources. They don't hibernate, so they cache lots of this foraged food in shallow holes and tree crevices to keep them going through the cold winter months.
🎥 Paul Burke
#NatureInFlux
During autumn, red squirrels scour their habitats for nuts, berries & other vital energy sources. They don't hibernate, so they cache lots of this foraged food in shallow holes and tree crevices to keep them going through the cold winter months.
🎥 Paul Burke
#NatureInFlux
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Snacktime! 🐿️😍
During autumn, red squirrels scour their habitats for nuts, berries & other vital energy sources. They don't hibernate, so they cache lots of this foraged food in shallow holes and tree crevices to keep them going through the cold winter months.
🎥 Paul Burke
#NatureInFlux
During autumn, red squirrels scour their habitats for nuts, berries & other vital energy sources. They don't hibernate, so they cache lots of this foraged food in shallow holes and tree crevices to keep them going through the cold winter months.
🎥 Paul Burke
#NatureInFlux
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Now published! My edited book ‘Long COVID and Society’ - my introduction is free to read for everyone. Download from the link below and check out the others chapters too (Chapter 14, about LC children and families, is also open access)
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Long COVID and Society
This is the first book to bring together academics and activists living with Long COVID to explore the social impacts of the new complex chronic condition.
link.springer.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Now published! My edited book ‘Long COVID and Society’ - my introduction is free to read for everyone. Download from the link below and check out the others chapters too (Chapter 14, about LC children and families, is also open access)
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Japan live: Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan's first female prime minister reut.rs/4ne1PXy
Japan live: Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan's first female prime minister
Sanae Takaichi, leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, won the lower house vote to choose the next prime minister, clearing the way for her inauguration as the country's first female premier later in the day.
reut.rs
October 21, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Japan live: Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan's first female prime minister reut.rs/4ne1PXy
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Nobel Peace Prizes have often been awarded to people who fight autocracy. Maria Corina Machado fits right into that tradition
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Why María Machado Deserved the Nobel Peace Prize
The Venezuelan opposition leader shows why participation matters.
www.theatlantic.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Nobel Peace Prizes have often been awarded to people who fight autocracy. Maria Corina Machado fits right into that tradition
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
We’re heartbroken to learn that Dr Jane Goodall has passed away, aged 91.
Dr Goodall was one of the true conservation giants of our time. Let’s honour her legacy by choosing to make a difference in the world - by protecting it.
Thank you, Jane, for everything you did for our planet. 💚
Dr Goodall was one of the true conservation giants of our time. Let’s honour her legacy by choosing to make a difference in the world - by protecting it.
Thank you, Jane, for everything you did for our planet. 💚
October 1, 2025 at 8:40 PM
We’re heartbroken to learn that Dr Jane Goodall has passed away, aged 91.
Dr Goodall was one of the true conservation giants of our time. Let’s honour her legacy by choosing to make a difference in the world - by protecting it.
Thank you, Jane, for everything you did for our planet. 💚
Dr Goodall was one of the true conservation giants of our time. Let’s honour her legacy by choosing to make a difference in the world - by protecting it.
Thank you, Jane, for everything you did for our planet. 💚
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Within the first year of my daughter’s life, the Lionesses have won the Euros and the Red Roses have won the World Cup in front of sell-out crowds and huge tv audiences and it’s so wonderful to know she will grow up thinking that of course women play sport and of course everybody watches it
September 27, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Within the first year of my daughter’s life, the Lionesses have won the Euros and the Red Roses have won the World Cup in front of sell-out crowds and huge tv audiences and it’s so wonderful to know she will grow up thinking that of course women play sport and of course everybody watches it
I think I can hear eider ducks calling in the background? Or am I imagining it? Lovely anyway.
September 26, 2025 at 6:09 AM
I think I can hear eider ducks calling in the background? Or am I imagining it? Lovely anyway.
Lovely.
September 25, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Lovely.
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Small boats: TV coverage - day after day after day after day....
PPE scandal: TV coverage - let's stick this powerful, enraging documentary on at quarter past ten on a Sunday night.
PPE scandal: TV coverage - let's stick this powerful, enraging documentary on at quarter past ten on a Sunday night.
The Covid Contracts: Follow the Money review – a devastating picture of the biggest spending scandal ever
This rigorous look at the Tories’ ‘VIP lane’ for PPE suppliers during Covid raises questions about the motivations of those involved – ones that are almost too disgusting to contemplate
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Small boats: TV coverage - day after day after day after day....
PPE scandal: TV coverage - let's stick this powerful, enraging documentary on at quarter past ten on a Sunday night.
PPE scandal: TV coverage - let's stick this powerful, enraging documentary on at quarter past ten on a Sunday night.
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
I strongly second this! 👏🏾
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
Fantastic piece in Nature Reviews Neuro by @nicolecrust.bsky.social on the importance of science communication. My take? Everything matters - just do something. It will make a difference for how science is valued and trusted, how community understands. Let's get out there and communicate! 👏
The unexpected value of communicating science to the public
Nature Reviews Neuroscience - As a group, our scientific community has a responsibility to unpack the ‘what’ and ‘why’ behind our work for the public, not least because much...
rdcu.be
September 21, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I strongly second this! 👏🏾
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
When talking about science communication, I also always stress that *all* forms and forums of communication matter 🔄
Whether it’s a big, factually correct but details-lite TV show or movie…or just chatting to granny or your mates in a pub 🗣️
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Some hopeful weekend reading.
“This is nature’s emergency recovery mechanism. We’ve buggered almost everything up but this will still bring them back.”
“This is nature’s emergency recovery mechanism. We’ve buggered almost everything up but this will still bring them back.”
‘Just add water’: how to bring back ancient plants in a Norfolk ghost pond
An expert team are resurrecting ice age ponds and finding rare species returning from a ‘perfect time capsule’
www.theguardian.com
September 20, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Some hopeful weekend reading.
“This is nature’s emergency recovery mechanism. We’ve buggered almost everything up but this will still bring them back.”
“This is nature’s emergency recovery mechanism. We’ve buggered almost everything up but this will still bring them back.”
A new (and fully accessible) pathway for Cumbria. Very good news for those of us whose knees are no longer quite as resilient as they once were. #Cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Millom Iron Line funding for path worth £7.1m approved
Cumberland Council says construction to transform the route could start later this year.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 17, 2025 at 10:36 AM
A new (and fully accessible) pathway for Cumbria. Very good news for those of us whose knees are no longer quite as resilient as they once were. #Cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
"A refreshingly pragmatic and undoomy book."
The Guardian just published a great review of @hannahritchie.bsky.social's new book 'Clearing the Air'.
The book will be out in 2 days.
If you are unsure whether you want to read it, the review gives a good overview: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
The Guardian just published a great review of @hannahritchie.bsky.social's new book 'Clearing the Air'.
The book will be out in 2 days.
If you are unsure whether you want to read it, the review gives a good overview: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
Clearing the Air by Hannah Ritchie review – practical climate optimism
A data scientist rebuts 50 arguments against green technology with lively pragmatism and authority
www.theguardian.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:52 PM
"A refreshingly pragmatic and undoomy book."
The Guardian just published a great review of @hannahritchie.bsky.social's new book 'Clearing the Air'.
The book will be out in 2 days.
If you are unsure whether you want to read it, the review gives a good overview: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
The Guardian just published a great review of @hannahritchie.bsky.social's new book 'Clearing the Air'.
The book will be out in 2 days.
If you are unsure whether you want to read it, the review gives a good overview: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Mary Edwards Walker worked as a surgeon for the Union Army during the Civil War. She was captured by Confederates after crossing enemy lines to treat wounded civilians & arrested as a spy. She's the only woman to ever receive the Medal of Honor - pictured here, wearing it.
September 11, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Mary Edwards Walker worked as a surgeon for the Union Army during the Civil War. She was captured by Confederates after crossing enemy lines to treat wounded civilians & arrested as a spy. She's the only woman to ever receive the Medal of Honor - pictured here, wearing it.
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Hot off the press: We can provide for the first time a systematic attribution of recent #heatwaves to the emissions of #carbon_majors. Essential new #Nature article coordinated by @yannquilcaille.bsky.social at @ethz.ch, with numerous contributors @usyseth.bsky.social:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com
September 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Hot off the press: We can provide for the first time a systematic attribution of recent #heatwaves to the emissions of #carbon_majors. Essential new #Nature article coordinated by @yannquilcaille.bsky.social at @ethz.ch, with numerous contributors @usyseth.bsky.social:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This is sad news. Donald MacIntyre’s book is wonderful and a treasure trove of information about wildflower meadows. And our very small patch of meadow owes a great deal to Emorsgate Seeds. wildseed.co.uk/we-are-deepl... #meadows #wildflowers
We are deeply saddened to share the passing of our founder, Donald MacIntyre (1949–2025) - Emorsgate Seeds
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donald MacIntyre, founder of Emorsgate Seeds and a pioneering figure in the conservation and restoration of wild flower meadows. Donald’s visio...
wildseed.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 12:21 PM
This is sad news. Donald MacIntyre’s book is wonderful and a treasure trove of information about wildflower meadows. And our very small patch of meadow owes a great deal to Emorsgate Seeds. wildseed.co.uk/we-are-deepl... #meadows #wildflowers
This is good news I think. But I suspect that there will be much quibbling over the 30cm depth threshold. Who will check this in marginal areas?
Great to see that government WILL ban moorland burning on peat deeper than 30cm, and over a much greater area than previously
Big win for communities who've suffered the smoke + floods stemming from this Victorian practice
Only losers are ~150 wealthy grouse moor owners
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Big win for communities who've suffered the smoke + floods stemming from this Victorian practice
Only losers are ~150 wealthy grouse moor owners
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Burning banned on England’s deep peat to protect wildlife
Ban on burning heather and grass on deep peat extended to improve air quality for local communities, reduce flood risk and protect wildlife.
www.gov.uk
September 9, 2025 at 9:46 AM
This is good news I think. But I suspect that there will be much quibbling over the 30cm depth threshold. Who will check this in marginal areas?
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
There are 178 MPAs in English waters, covering 51% of inshore and 37% of offshore waters.
Most of these MPAs are paper parks and don't really protect much.
Most of these MPAs are paper parks and don't really protect much.
This is infuriating. What is the point of a Marine Protected Area if trawlers are allowed to keep ploughing it?
Yet again, the government has succumbed to commercial lobbying.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Yet again, the government has succumbed to commercial lobbying.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Bottom trawling to continue in English protected waters, government rules
Defra says blanket ban on ‘destructive’ fishing practice disproportionate as MPs urge minister to reconsider
www.theguardian.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:10 AM
There are 178 MPAs in English waters, covering 51% of inshore and 37% of offshore waters.
Most of these MPAs are paper parks and don't really protect much.
Most of these MPAs are paper parks and don't really protect much.
Signed and re-posted.
September 2, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Signed and re-posted.
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
For over 25 years, science and discovery centres have been at the heart of inspiring millions of people to explore, question, and be part of UK science and technology.
But they're seriously under threat… 1/3
But they're seriously under threat… 1/3
August 30, 2025 at 2:04 PM
For over 25 years, science and discovery centres have been at the heart of inspiring millions of people to explore, question, and be part of UK science and technology.
But they're seriously under threat… 1/3
But they're seriously under threat… 1/3
Lovely photo. I remember my biology teacher describing roe deer as ‘the ones that look as though they’ve dipped their noses in an ink pot’.
August 27, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Lovely photo. I remember my biology teacher describing roe deer as ‘the ones that look as though they’ve dipped their noses in an ink pot’.