RW Smolens Jr.
@smoroi.bsky.social
global #HigherEd communications | cross-cultural psychology | consummate student success-builder & experienced educator | #SciComm | polyglot |#RevealingAwesomeness
http://linkedin.com/in/roy-w-smolens-jr-b422b59
http://linkedin.com/in/roy-w-smolens-jr-b422b59
Pinned
RW Smolens Jr.
@smoroi.bsky.social
· Nov 25
“ . .a warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm." [excerpted from Hagakure]”
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
The faster tomato pickers here can fill 200 buckets in a 6 hr shift. They carry 2 buckets at once & run in & out of the field to maximize earnings during the 4-6 week harvest. Temps often exceed 100° so the workers start at 4-5am to be done by noon to avoid the heat. #WeFeedYou
July 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The faster tomato pickers here can fill 200 buckets in a 6 hr shift. They carry 2 buckets at once & run in & out of the field to maximize earnings during the 4-6 week harvest. Temps often exceed 100° so the workers start at 4-5am to be done by noon to avoid the heat. #WeFeedYou
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Next, @stephaniemlee.bsky.social draws on internal NIH data to tell the stories of a dozen scientists who find their grants in limbo.
With peer review on pause, "they’re navigating constantly changing, legally dubious, sporadically communicated whims, with no clear way forward," she writes.
With peer review on pause, "they’re navigating constantly changing, legally dubious, sporadically communicated whims, with no clear way forward," she writes.
The Scientists Who Got Ghosted by the NIH
Under Trump, their grant applications disappeared. What now?
www.chronicle.com
July 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Next, @stephaniemlee.bsky.social draws on internal NIH data to tell the stories of a dozen scientists who find their grants in limbo.
With peer review on pause, "they’re navigating constantly changing, legally dubious, sporadically communicated whims, with no clear way forward," she writes.
With peer review on pause, "they’re navigating constantly changing, legally dubious, sporadically communicated whims, with no clear way forward," she writes.
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Dissertation alternatives, such as capstone projects and applied group-based projects, could better prepare graduates for their future careers, write academics at @bristoluni.bsky.social and @edinburghnapier.bsky.social: www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/disse... #ai #highered #academicsky
Is the dissertation dead? If so, what are the alternatives?
Dissertation alternatives, such as capstone projects and applied group-based projects, could better prepare graduates for their future careers. Discover what these might look like
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 14, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Dissertation alternatives, such as capstone projects and applied group-based projects, could better prepare graduates for their future careers, write academics at @bristoluni.bsky.social and @edinburghnapier.bsky.social: www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/disse... #ai #highered #academicsky
This article illustrates the incredible power of the scientific method and a tale of keeping an open mind when investigating sesn or observed phenomena.
if you want a history of the science behind the role of horseshoe crab blood and vaccine safety, i've got you covered. Jack Levin, who developed the assay, wrote to me to say it was the most accurate coverage he'd ever seen of his discovery:
June 27, 2025 at 5:44 PM
This article illustrates the incredible power of the scientific method and a tale of keeping an open mind when investigating sesn or observed phenomena.
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Later today I’ll be talking about my #sciart about pollinators and the future of pollination and you’re welcome to join us over lunchtime in this time zone 🐝🦋
🧪🐡
🧪🐡
I’m giving a talk tomorrow about my work about the Future of Pollination tomorrow for #ManufacturedEcosystems
You can join live or watch later if you want to hear about how I approached this and the artwork I made for the exhibit!
zoom.us/j/9123605099...
You can join live or watch later if you want to hear about how I approached this and the artwork I made for the exhibit!
zoom.us/j/9123605099...
June 26, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Later today I’ll be talking about my #sciart about pollinators and the future of pollination and you’re welcome to join us over lunchtime in this time zone 🐝🦋
🧪🐡
🧪🐡
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Which AI bot is best at writing? There was one clear winner in a test I just published @washingtonpost.com
I had ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, DeepSeek, Claude and a human (me!) draft 5 different kinds of tough emails. Then I asked 5 communication pros to judge them. wapo.st/3FFo34V
I had ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, DeepSeek, Claude and a human (me!) draft 5 different kinds of tough emails. Then I asked 5 communication pros to judge them. wapo.st/3FFo34V
March 26, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Which AI bot is best at writing? There was one clear winner in a test I just published @washingtonpost.com
I had ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, DeepSeek, Claude and a human (me!) draft 5 different kinds of tough emails. Then I asked 5 communication pros to judge them. wapo.st/3FFo34V
I had ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, DeepSeek, Claude and a human (me!) draft 5 different kinds of tough emails. Then I asked 5 communication pros to judge them. wapo.st/3FFo34V
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Look at this! The area circled in red is Wheeler Geologic Area. The entire access road and the entry/parking area (circled in yellow) for Wheeler is included in the auction. This would basically privatize access. Just blatant grift.
June 16, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Look at this! The area circled in red is Wheeler Geologic Area. The entire access road and the entry/parking area (circled in yellow) for Wheeler is included in the auction. This would basically privatize access. Just blatant grift.
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
.
When you've spend hours looking for your little black kitten...
. . . and then...
💙 🐾 💙
When you've spend hours looking for your little black kitten...
. . . and then...
💙 🐾 💙
June 16, 2025 at 2:55 PM
.
When you've spend hours looking for your little black kitten...
. . . and then...
💙 🐾 💙
When you've spend hours looking for your little black kitten...
. . . and then...
💙 🐾 💙
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Felt it useful to update my work on the bidirectional link between whites' partisanship & their views of Black folks with the recent ANES panel taking the tests to a new context and a new method to better tease out individual change. Results persist. We should stop treating racial attitudes as exog.
An Updated Assessment of Party-Driven Racial Attitude Change among Whites
www.amengelhardt.com
June 13, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Felt it useful to update my work on the bidirectional link between whites' partisanship & their views of Black folks with the recent ANES panel taking the tests to a new context and a new method to better tease out individual change. Results persist. We should stop treating racial attitudes as exog.
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Absolutely stunning work of ⚛️ history in @physicstoday.bsky.social about Ben Lee, the Korean American who was the first head of theory at Fermilab. He hired the first Black woman particle theory lab staff in global history, Shirley Ann Jackson. #BlackandSTEM 🧪
pubs.aip.org/physicstoday...
pubs.aip.org/physicstoday...
June 13, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Absolutely stunning work of ⚛️ history in @physicstoday.bsky.social about Ben Lee, the Korean American who was the first head of theory at Fermilab. He hired the first Black woman particle theory lab staff in global history, Shirley Ann Jackson. #BlackandSTEM 🧪
pubs.aip.org/physicstoday...
pubs.aip.org/physicstoday...
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Caltech and Meta have formalized an agreement that will bring together the Institute's innovative research approach with Meta research projects exploring how people interact with integrated technologies.
www.caltech.edu/about/news/n...
www.caltech.edu/about/news/n...
New On-Campus Partnership Between Caltech and Meta Focuses Initially on Smart Wearables
The collaboration establishes a new on-campus space where Meta employees can interact with Caltech students and researchers while also providing support for innovative projects related to materials, s...
www.caltech.edu
June 10, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Caltech and Meta have formalized an agreement that will bring together the Institute's innovative research approach with Meta research projects exploring how people interact with integrated technologies.
www.caltech.edu/about/news/n...
www.caltech.edu/about/news/n...
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
I've made this point multiple times before but if Bluesky wants to grow, the things they need aren't opinion pundits but accounts that publish new information. That's breaking news reporters, politicians and stuff like official organization accounts that publish official statements.
June 8, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I've made this point multiple times before but if Bluesky wants to grow, the things they need aren't opinion pundits but accounts that publish new information. That's breaking news reporters, politicians and stuff like official organization accounts that publish official statements.
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Trump has federalized at least 2,000 National Guard forces and reportedly plans to deploy troops to Los Angeles over Governor Newsom’s objections. If that happens, it will be the first time since 1965 that a president has sent troops into a state without a state request. 1/19
June 8, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Trump has federalized at least 2,000 National Guard forces and reportedly plans to deploy troops to Los Angeles over Governor Newsom’s objections. If that happens, it will be the first time since 1965 that a president has sent troops into a state without a state request. 1/19
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
cops doing crime on camera. as @chadloder.bsky.social has been pointing out all day, this is totally illegal. cops doing crime. on camera. adjust your stupid headlines accordingly.
LAPD fired rubber bullets at Australian journalist @laurentomasi.bsky.social
June 9, 2025 at 2:01 AM
cops doing crime on camera. as @chadloder.bsky.social has been pointing out all day, this is totally illegal. cops doing crime. on camera. adjust your stupid headlines accordingly.
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
SCOOP from @byjoshmoody.bsky.social: Emails show UNC in discussion with officials in Florida about creating a new accreditor that could be led by a Board of Directors made up of participating state systems #higheredsky www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
Emails Shed Light on UNC’s Plans to Create a New Accreditor
University of North Carolina system officials say it’s past time for a new accreditor, arguing the current setup fails to focus on students, emails obtained by Inside Higher Ed show.
www.insidehighered.com
June 6, 2025 at 8:04 PM
SCOOP from @byjoshmoody.bsky.social: Emails show UNC in discussion with officials in Florida about creating a new accreditor that could be led by a Board of Directors made up of participating state systems #higheredsky www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
🇵🇷 @umichnews.bsky.social spotlights the Puerto Rico Public Opinion Lab, a CPS-affiliated project led by @maraceci.bsky.social that's launched a new survey across the island of Puerto Rico to understand the political opinions and experiences of Puerto Ricans.
news.umich.edu/new-survey-a...
news.umich.edu/new-survey-a...
New survey aims to better understand public opinion in Puerto Rico
The Puerto Rico Public Opinion Lab has launched a new survey across the island of Puerto Rico as part of a project to better understand the political opinions and experiences of Puerto Ricans.
news.umich.edu
June 2, 2025 at 6:02 PM
🇵🇷 @umichnews.bsky.social spotlights the Puerto Rico Public Opinion Lab, a CPS-affiliated project led by @maraceci.bsky.social that's launched a new survey across the island of Puerto Rico to understand the political opinions and experiences of Puerto Ricans.
news.umich.edu/new-survey-a...
news.umich.edu/new-survey-a...
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Another day, another chance for Doug Ford to demonstrate his disdain for education.
Doug Ford is sounding and acting like his idol DJT every day Bill 33 is targeting university admission policies and school board policies directed at inclusion and equity in education
#ontario
nationalpost.com/opinion/onta...
#ontario
nationalpost.com/opinion/onta...
Randall Denley: Ontario is finally forcing out DEI from schools and universities
It’s welcome news for anyone who thinks that public education should be about diversity of ideas, not a playground for political activists.
nationalpost.com
June 7, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Another day, another chance for Doug Ford to demonstrate his disdain for education.
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Hey, you know what goes really fast, takes up a lot more space, emits a lot more pollution/noise/GHG emissions, costs a lot more public money, and is FAR more dangerous in cities than any kind of bike in a city where most don’t drive?
Cars.
So, about that “enough is enough”…
Cars.
So, about that “enough is enough”…
After we broke this yesterday, Adams confirmed he's enacting a 15 mph e-bike speed limit in NYC because "enough is enough."
The news caught Lyft, which runs NYC's Citi Bike fleet, surprise. "If this proposal is real, we would express deep concern," Lyft says. www.nydailynews.com/2025/06/04/n...
The news caught Lyft, which runs NYC's Citi Bike fleet, surprise. "If this proposal is real, we would express deep concern," Lyft says. www.nydailynews.com/2025/06/04/n...
NYC implementing 15 mph speed limit on e-bikes amid crackdown, safety concerns
Mayor Adams said late Wednesday he will be instituting a 15 mph speed limit on e-bikes citywide amid growing concern over safety on New York’s streets.
www.nydailynews.com
June 6, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Hey, you know what goes really fast, takes up a lot more space, emits a lot more pollution/noise/GHG emissions, costs a lot more public money, and is FAR more dangerous in cities than any kind of bike in a city where most don’t drive?
Cars.
So, about that “enough is enough”…
Cars.
So, about that “enough is enough”…
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
This whole thing has been a secret war against knowing stuff and the people who know stuff.
EXTREMELY BAD NEWS for economic research, per former BLS Commissioner @ericagroshen.bsky.social on LinkedIn.
BLS is suspending access to its restricted data "for the forseeable future." Applies to projects through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers & onsite projects with BLS.
#EconSky
BLS is suspending access to its restricted data "for the forseeable future." Applies to projects through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers & onsite projects with BLS.
#EconSky
June 6, 2025 at 7:07 PM
This whole thing has been a secret war against knowing stuff and the people who know stuff.
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
Imagine how busy the SNL writing staff is tonight.
June 6, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Imagine how busy the SNL writing staff is tonight.
Reposted by RW Smolens Jr.
My Canadian university, Queen's, is offering TWENTY 4-year funded PhDs (40k CAD/yr) for a student of ANY citizenship who has been accepted at a top 100 US university but have had offer rescinded OR are reconsidering offer due to US policy.
Details found here👇
www.queensu.ca/grad-postdoc...
Details found here👇
www.queensu.ca/grad-postdoc...
Queen’s Special U.S. Doctoral Recruitment Initiative | School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral AffairsDown arrowDown arrowDown arrowDown arrowDown arrowDown arrowDown arrowDown arrowDown arrowDown...
Queen’s University is a globally engaged, research-intensive institution dedicated to attracting and supporting exceptional PhD students who will significantly advance our research mission.
www.queensu.ca
June 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
My Canadian university, Queen's, is offering TWENTY 4-year funded PhDs (40k CAD/yr) for a student of ANY citizenship who has been accepted at a top 100 US university but have had offer rescinded OR are reconsidering offer due to US policy.
Details found here👇
www.queensu.ca/grad-postdoc...
Details found here👇
www.queensu.ca/grad-postdoc...