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Mike Fowler

@theorecol.bsky.social

1.4K followers 730 following 580 posts

Theoretical & Quantitative Ecologist. Dad. Whisky lover. Football coach. Relearning the drums. Not necessarily in that order. See also @[email protected] He/him

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · Oct 21

Welcome new followers (thanks to the ecology starter-pack!). I'll take this opportunity to publicise the Response Diversity Network: we seek to understand why species respond in diverse ways to environmental drivers, & the consequences. Join us!

responsediversitynetwork.github.io/RDN-website/

Welcome

responsediversitynetwork.github.io

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 3d

But where's the fun in that?

I already feel like I waste a bit too much time on social media, and I coach a kids' footie team, so I desperately need a safe space away from it all sometime! Quitting X meant I left behind most of that additional distraction, and I haven't missed it.

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 4d

I mean, we scored 0 goals while Doak was on the pitch and scored 3 while he was off, so subbing him turned out to be a tactical masterstroke. Right? RIGHT?

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 4d

Still can't quite believe what I've seen. What happened to good old fashioned snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?
I suppose Scotland never really looked like winning that game, even when Dykes scored the 3rd. Certainly didn't deserve it.

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 4d

Can we access the full recording somewhere that's not X, please?

Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 4d

Nae spoilers, please. I didn't think I followed any fitba fans here, so thought I'd be safe scrolling while I sit in the car. I'm saving the last 15 mins for catch up on TV after I've picked up one of my kids. 😰😂

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Reposted by Mike Fowler

International Initiative for Theoretical Ecology @iite-ecotheory.bsky.social · 5d

📣We will be back soon for a new series! 🎉

Our first speaker will be Chris Klausmeier @chrisklausmeier.bsky.social on Tuesday 21 October:

⭐Microbial cross-feeding coexistence and collapse, spatial patterns and population cycles⭐

As ever, free for all to join!
Link+details: iite.info/seminar/

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 6d

The scary thing is the total failure of VCs across the UK to stabilise sector finances across the last 15 years. For those who can leave, there are few other options around. For those who can't... a cohort of weak, overpaid VCs have installed a gaggle of even weaker PVCs who won't do a better job 😞

Reposted by Mike Fowler

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 6d

70,000 HE academic staff.

Almost half of teaching only staff.

Two-thirds of research-only academic staff.

ALL on fixed term contracts.

This isn’t flexibility, it’s exploitation.

Live tomorrow at 7 PM we expose the hypocrisy at the top of HE: youtube.com/live/rZRbCP0YJ…

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 6d

...but maybe not too surprised?

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 6d

I am, dear followers, quite confident the people responsible will continue to avoid responsibility.
@ucu.org.uk
#JoinAUnion
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Vote of no confidence in Swansea University vice chancellor over job cuts - BBC News

UCU members at Swansea University pass a vote of no confidence in its vice chancellor due to job cuts.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 7d

Something, something, dying embers of a globally disasterous industry.
☀️💨🌊❤️

Jonathan @renewableenergy.bsky.social · 7d

Huge historic turning point — Renewables surpassed coal as the world’s leading electricity source for the first half of 2025!

#greensky #energysky #renewableenergy

Reposted by Mike Fowler

James Cotton @jamesacotton.bsky.social · 7d

We have a PhD position in population genomics of sheep scab mites available from October 2026. The project will investigate Psoroptes populations in the context of eradication programs on Scottish island groups and spreading drug resistance. www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate...

University of Glasgow - Postgraduate study - Centres for Doctoral Training - NorthWest Biosciences - Our Projects - Animal Biology in Health & Disease - James Cotton

www.gla.ac.uk

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 7d

Someone beat you to it.
(Great channel, worth subscribing for researching your next PhD topic.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=To5q...

Gone Too Soon…The TRAGIC Story of Fountains of Wayne (Stacy’s Mom)

YouTube video by Rock N' Roll True Stories

www.youtube.com

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 7d

*its :(

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 7d

Exemptions for any organism that is more commonly called "PERKELE!" than it's other common name.

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Reposted by Mike Fowler

Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · 7d

The new Wiley journal review system is an absolute nightmare. Editorial assistants have been replaced by a clunky, AI-enabled website that makes it harder to find and invite reviewers. Associate editor workloads have increased. I'm not convinced the invitations to reviewers are even going through.

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 8d

Mollusc ado about nothing.

Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 11d

I haven't heard anyone mention the "academic journey" since approximately... [checks notes] student number caps were lifted.

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 12d

Internet archive to the rescue!!

web.archive.org/web/20191108...

web.archive.org

Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 12d

You can shove all that right up yer pipe.

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 12d

Feeling very badly let down by @yodacomplex.bsky.social today.

After parasitising his very helpful "Intro to (base) #Rstats" videos for years to supplement my teaching, he's finally taken them down and replaced them with an RStudio version.

End of an era 😢

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvhb...

Opening R for the first time

YouTube video by Andrew Jackson

www.youtube.com

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 12d

You: A researcher who is asking for massive sums of public money to investigate the biggest challenges of our times, by thinking very deeply and carefully about them.

Also you: finDing answErs & reseaRching temPoral synchronY: DERPY

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 12d

Project acrocnyms that don't use the first letter of each word in the title but do pick random letters within the words.
💩

a man is sitting at a table with a plate of food .

ALT: a man is sitting at a table with a plate of food .

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Mike Fowler

Warwick History Post-Doc Club @post-doc-club.bsky.social · 14d

Great news!
JSTOR now have a free account with an Independent Researcher category. You can access 100 documents per month

www.jstor.org/action/showL...

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Mike Fowler @theorecol.bsky.social · 14d

More fool them. There's almost always a manager above them.