Prof Rachel Oliver
@profrachelgan.bsky.social
Materials scientist, mum, mountain-biker.
Pinned
(Re)introducing myself: I'm a materials scientist, focused on semiconductors used for light emitting devices and power electronics. I'm also married and am mum to a lovely teenager. I am an enthusiastically incompetent mountain biker. I try to work towards a fairer, more equitable science ecosystem.
Hey, Bluesky Hive Mind: how are you doing web searches now that Google has been enshittified and you can't switch off it's water and energy guzzling artificial stupidity Gemini thing?
December 7, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Hey, Bluesky Hive Mind: how are you doing web searches now that Google has been enshittified and you can't switch off it's water and energy guzzling artificial stupidity Gemini thing?
Reposted by Prof Rachel Oliver
36 years ago today, 14 women, most of whom were studying engineering, were killed by an anti-feminist gun man at École Polytechnique in Montreal. I was a young graduate student studying physics at the time and I will never forget. #MontrealMassacre #NeverForget 🧪 👩🔬 ⚛️ 🎢 #AcademicSky 🇨🇦
December 6, 2025 at 7:02 PM
36 years ago today, 14 women, most of whom were studying engineering, were killed by an anti-feminist gun man at École Polytechnique in Montreal. I was a young graduate student studying physics at the time and I will never forget. #MontrealMassacre #NeverForget 🧪 👩🔬 ⚛️ 🎢 #AcademicSky 🇨🇦
This article suggests the possibility of training AI on pre-existing proposals and their review reports, scores and related decisions. I.e. training them on a system which is known to preferentially award larger amounts of money to white men. What could possibly go wrong?
UKRI exploring use of AI in grant review - this will prompt debate but interested to know if people think it’d encourage novelty or the opposite? www.chemistryworld.com/news/ukri-op...
UKRI opens up grant proposal data to explore using AI to smooth peer review
Surging applications has led the UK's main funder to look at ways to reduce the burden on reviewers
www.chemistryworld.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:49 PM
This article suggests the possibility of training AI on pre-existing proposals and their review reports, scores and related decisions. I.e. training them on a system which is known to preferentially award larger amounts of money to white men. What could possibly go wrong?
Inaccurately addressed email of the day:
"Dear Prof. Professor,"
Well, at least they are very sure about my title.
"Dear Prof. Professor,"
Well, at least they are very sure about my title.
December 4, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Inaccurately addressed email of the day:
"Dear Prof. Professor,"
Well, at least they are very sure about my title.
"Dear Prof. Professor,"
Well, at least they are very sure about my title.
Don't you hate it when you are asked to review a manuscript that looks really exciting and then you find that th data simply doesn't back up the conclusions?
December 4, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Don't you hate it when you are asked to review a manuscript that looks really exciting and then you find that th data simply doesn't back up the conclusions?
Currently writing a very complicated paper which is getting me so tied in knots that I am questioning my life choices.
December 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Currently writing a very complicated paper which is getting me so tied in knots that I am questioning my life choices.
Reposted by Prof Rachel Oliver
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Reposted by Prof Rachel Oliver
Reposted by Prof Rachel Oliver
![Cartoon by Stephen Collins for The Guardian. Script as follows:
[scene is Winston Churchill in a bbc studio, giving his 'finest hour' speech]
1
CHURCHILL:
The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us.
2
CHURCHILL:
Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war.
3
CHURCHILL:
If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free
and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sun-
BBC PRESENTER:
Thank you prime minister
4
BBC PRESENTER:
Mr hitler, your response?
5
HITLER [in the studio]:
Vell zis is hysterical woke nonsense as usual from mr Churchill
6
HITLER:
What we are proposing -
CHURCHILL:
Hang on
7
HITLER:
Let me finish - what we are proposing eez a simple power-sharing arrangement -
8
CHURCHILL:
What's he doing here
BBC PRESENTER:
It's important we hear both sides of the debate
9
CHURCHILL:
This isn't a debate
You don't debate fascists
10
HITLER:
Oh here we go with ze Godwins law!
11
HITLER:
Why must you people always compare ze things you don't like to 'fascists, Nazis, Hitler'...
CHURCHILL:
Because you are a fascist Nazi Hit-
12
HITLER [standing up, saluting]:
RAUSS!
BBC PRESENTER:
*Please* Mr Churchill let him speak
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreibw4ldc3fhslbvxgy2oqrof2oys5kpgh7zu6a5f3usmx3lf4547qm@jpeg)
Finally home. Reflecting on this experience, the most worrying aspect was the total inattention of the train companies to the welfare of the people who had been stranded somewhere they never intended to go, with no workable way home. Some were elderly or very young and quite vulnerable.
After a few minor additional adventures, I am now in a train that should actually take me all the way to my intended destination. I might make it home less than 13 hours late. But at this point I'm not counting on it.
Am on a train, currently still stationary at Newcastle station. I've gotten that far twice before in the last 24 hours. Let's see if we can get any further...
November 5, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Finally home. Reflecting on this experience, the most worrying aspect was the total inattention of the train companies to the welfare of the people who had been stranded somewhere they never intended to go, with no workable way home. Some were elderly or very young and quite vulnerable.
After a few minor additional adventures, I am now in a train that should actually take me all the way to my intended destination. I might make it home less than 13 hours late. But at this point I'm not counting on it.
Am on a train, currently still stationary at Newcastle station. I've gotten that far twice before in the last 24 hours. Let's see if we can get any further...
Have now given up on getting home tonight and have found a reasonably priced hotel. I'm very lucky that I can afford to take myself somewhere safe and comfortable.
November 5, 2025 at 10:13 AM
After a few minor additional adventures, I am now in a train that should actually take me all the way to my intended destination. I might make it home less than 13 hours late. But at this point I'm not counting on it.
Am on a train, currently still stationary at Newcastle station. I've gotten that far twice before in the last 24 hours. Let's see if we can get any further...
Have now given up on getting home tonight and have found a reasonably priced hotel. I'm very lucky that I can afford to take myself somewhere safe and comfortable.
British train travel reaches a new low. Today two trains have been cancelled while I was actively sat on them. Currently stuck at Newcastle, having had no intention of coming here today. I've been here an hour and 20 minutes, and there's little prospect of getting home.
November 5, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Am on a train, currently still stationary at Newcastle station. I've gotten that far twice before in the last 24 hours. Let's see if we can get any further...
I am now up and moving and restarting my desperate quest to get home. Now to find out whether LNER will honour my ticket from yesterday...
Have now given up on getting home tonight and have found a reasonably priced hotel. I'm very lucky that I can afford to take myself somewhere safe and comfortable.
British train travel reaches a new low. Today two trains have been cancelled while I was actively sat on them. Currently stuck at Newcastle, having had no intention of coming here today. I've been here an hour and 20 minutes, and there's little prospect of getting home.
November 5, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I am now up and moving and restarting my desperate quest to get home. Now to find out whether LNER will honour my ticket from yesterday...
Have now given up on getting home tonight and have found a reasonably priced hotel. I'm very lucky that I can afford to take myself somewhere safe and comfortable.
British train travel reaches a new low. Today two trains have been cancelled while I was actively sat on them. Currently stuck at Newcastle, having had no intention of coming here today. I've been here an hour and 20 minutes, and there's little prospect of getting home.
November 4, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Have now given up on getting home tonight and have found a reasonably priced hotel. I'm very lucky that I can afford to take myself somewhere safe and comfortable.
British train travel reaches a new low. Today two trains have been cancelled while I was actively sat on them. Currently stuck at Newcastle, having had no intention of coming here today. I've been here an hour and 20 minutes, and there's little prospect of getting home.
November 4, 2025 at 7:48 PM
British train travel reaches a new low. Today two trains have been cancelled while I was actively sat on them. Currently stuck at Newcastle, having had no intention of coming here today. I've been here an hour and 20 minutes, and there's little prospect of getting home.
Apparently Prof Leyser also said that "“vulcanisation” in the R&I system was one of [UKRI's] “greatest weaknesses”." I would love someone to explainn this to me, since as far as I am concerned, vulcanisation is a way of creating cross-links between polymer chains in rubber.
Ex-UKRI head Ottoline Leyser on the REF: "We’ve made it about individuals...and that’s something we really need to break."
On volume of research: "We need to...think very hard about how effectively to do less."
By @sophieatrpn.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
On volume of research: "We need to...think very hard about how effectively to do less."
By @sophieatrpn.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF must ditch focus on individuals, says Ottoline Leyser - Research Professional News
Former UKRI head also echoes previous calls for universities to do less research
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Apparently Prof Leyser also said that "“vulcanisation” in the R&I system was one of [UKRI's] “greatest weaknesses”." I would love someone to explainn this to me, since as far as I am concerned, vulcanisation is a way of creating cross-links between polymer chains in rubber.
Reposted by Prof Rachel Oliver
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
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The official home of the Python Programming Language
www.python.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:47 PM
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
🧵
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Just spent an enjoyable half hour looking up under-appreciated women in my field and suggesting them as speakers for a conference. Don't worry boys, I also suggested some men...
October 27, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Just spent an enjoyable half hour looking up under-appreciated women in my field and suggesting them as speakers for a conference. Don't worry boys, I also suggested some men...
Reposted by Prof Rachel Oliver
Farage: epic grifter
October 27, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Farage: epic grifter
Increasingly the only thing I want from AI is accurate information on how to switch it off.
Another day another study showing that "AI assistants" do not work reliably for cognitive tasks.
"Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory"
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
"Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory"
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory
An intensive international study was coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and led by the BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Increasingly the only thing I want from AI is accurate information on how to switch it off.
Just googled (at the behest of son) "What instrument does Alex Horne play?". Google AI tells me "ukulele and cornet". Next I googled "Alex Horne cornet" and Google AI tells me there is no link between Alex Horne and the cornet, and I must have mistyped my search. Sigh.
October 20, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Just googled (at the behest of son) "What instrument does Alex Horne play?". Google AI tells me "ukulele and cornet". Next I googled "Alex Horne cornet" and Google AI tells me there is no link between Alex Horne and the cornet, and I must have mistyped my search. Sigh.
Reposted by Prof Rachel Oliver
⌛Countdown is on!
Applications to join DiveIn in 2026 open in November
🥽Ready to DiveIn? Here's what awaits:
💷£4K enhanced stipend
🧠Co-create your PhD research project
🔗Interdisciplinary support
🌍Inclusive research culture
🤝Career-focused external partners
💡Express interest: www.divein.org.uk/apply/
Applications to join DiveIn in 2026 open in November
🥽Ready to DiveIn? Here's what awaits:
💷£4K enhanced stipend
🧠Co-create your PhD research project
🔗Interdisciplinary support
🌍Inclusive research culture
🤝Career-focused external partners
💡Express interest: www.divein.org.uk/apply/
October 20, 2025 at 11:32 AM
⌛Countdown is on!
Applications to join DiveIn in 2026 open in November
🥽Ready to DiveIn? Here's what awaits:
💷£4K enhanced stipend
🧠Co-create your PhD research project
🔗Interdisciplinary support
🌍Inclusive research culture
🤝Career-focused external partners
💡Express interest: www.divein.org.uk/apply/
Applications to join DiveIn in 2026 open in November
🥽Ready to DiveIn? Here's what awaits:
💷£4K enhanced stipend
🧠Co-create your PhD research project
🔗Interdisciplinary support
🌍Inclusive research culture
🤝Career-focused external partners
💡Express interest: www.divein.org.uk/apply/
Quick look at me and one of my mates at bike park women's day: youtube.com/shorts/BRtwJ...
We had such a good time!
We had such a good time!
What's the best thing about Women's Day at Bike Park Wales?
YouTube video by The Sound of Slow
youtube.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Quick look at me and one of my mates at bike park women's day: youtube.com/shorts/BRtwJ...
We had such a good time!
We had such a good time!
So, it's somehow impossible to recognize a woman with a science Nobel even if she is first author on the key research, but we should give the prize the ChatGPT?
www.dailypioneer.com/2024/columni...
www.dailypioneer.com/2024/columni...
Lol the Nobels can't even acknowledge women's contribution to discovery. But sure let's acknowledge The Machines.
October 9, 2025 at 9:14 PM
So, it's somehow impossible to recognize a woman with a science Nobel even if she is first author on the key research, but we should give the prize the ChatGPT?
www.dailypioneer.com/2024/columni...
www.dailypioneer.com/2024/columni...
Great to see someone senior like Prof Lindsay Greer talking about how big errors can accidentally arise in experimental science.
I sometimes feel Retraction Watch sees its purpose as catching out evildoers. It's good to see them reporting on retraction as part of a normal honest scientific process.
I sometimes feel Retraction Watch sees its purpose as catching out evildoers. It's good to see them reporting on retraction as part of a normal honest scientific process.
“I have given several scientific talks that included our retraction story,” Greer said of the paper, which was retracted in December 2024. “Audience reaction has been uniformly positive.”
‘Cosmic magnet’ study retracted after cleaning agent wipes away results
Electron diffraction patterns of an alloy before (left) and after (right) cleaning revealed the cleaning agent was was responsible for reflections (circle, right) reported in the original study. O.…
retractionwatch.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Great to see someone senior like Prof Lindsay Greer talking about how big errors can accidentally arise in experimental science.
I sometimes feel Retraction Watch sees its purpose as catching out evildoers. It's good to see them reporting on retraction as part of a normal honest scientific process.
I sometimes feel Retraction Watch sees its purpose as catching out evildoers. It's good to see them reporting on retraction as part of a normal honest scientific process.