Tim Elfenbein
@timelfen.bsky.social
Principal of Forthcoming LLC, a publishing consultancy; Member of @limnpress.bsky.social editorial collective; Researcher & practitioner of scholarly publishing; Digital explorer–analog sailor; @[email protected] on Mastodon; Victim of meaning.
Pinned
Tim Elfenbein
@timelfen.bsky.social
· Nov 11
To all the folks in scholarly communication/publishing/open science out there:
1. I appreciate the work you do.
2. I likely have significant differences w/ you or your organization over strategic direction, stakeholder orientation, ideals for the future, etc., etc.
3. I appreciate the work you do.
1. I appreciate the work you do.
2. I likely have significant differences w/ you or your organization over strategic direction, stakeholder orientation, ideals for the future, etc., etc.
3. I appreciate the work you do.
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
For those who haven’t heard, @limnpress.bsky.social is participating in this new round of OACIP funding.
This #GivingTuesday, invest in Diamond Open Access! Support our new OACIP journals and help make research freely accessible. Learn more: https://ow.ly/wIXA50XAh8S #SupportScholarship #ScholComm #DiamondOA
December 2, 2025 at 9:27 PM
For those who haven’t heard, @limnpress.bsky.social is participating in this new round of OACIP funding.
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
Relatedly! We're hosting an info session on Monday, Dec 8, at noon for our spring Cross-Reference Coalition class, which focuses on Search & Discovery, capaciously conceived!— and which brings together NYC's librarians, archivists, artists, designers + grad students across disciplines :)
December 3, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Relatedly! We're hosting an info session on Monday, Dec 8, at noon for our spring Cross-Reference Coalition class, which focuses on Search & Discovery, capaciously conceived!— and which brings together NYC's librarians, archivists, artists, designers + grad students across disciplines :)
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
I've got a new piece at @lseimpactblog.bsky.social today following on from my previous piece about the British Library cyberattack and arguing that, since the UK Government clearly doesn't care about the UK knowledge sector, we need to develop our own community-led tech and infrastructure solutions.
💥New: Don’t rely on government to save the British Library
✍️ @simonxix.com
#BritishLibrary #HigherEducation #ResearchInfrastructure
✍️ @simonxix.com
#BritishLibrary #HigherEducation #ResearchInfrastructure
Don’t rely on government to save the British Library - Impact of Social Sciences
Following a catastrophic hack British Library remains in crisis. Can it recover by refocusing on the people, skills and systems that enable it to function?
blogs.lse.ac.uk
December 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I've got a new piece at @lseimpactblog.bsky.social today following on from my previous piece about the British Library cyberattack and arguing that, since the UK Government clearly doesn't care about the UK knowledge sector, we need to develop our own community-led tech and infrastructure solutions.
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
@metaror.bsky.social is now 1 year old 🎉
In our first year: 28 articles evaluated, 59 expert reviewers, most reviews published ahead of target, 9 partner journals, and growing visibility across conferences & media.
A strong start for community-owned, open peer review: metaror.org/metaror-turn...
In our first year: 28 articles evaluated, 59 expert reviewers, most reviews published ahead of target, 9 partner journals, and growing visibility across conferences & media.
A strong start for community-owned, open peer review: metaror.org/metaror-turn...
December 3, 2025 at 10:39 AM
@metaror.bsky.social is now 1 year old 🎉
In our first year: 28 articles evaluated, 59 expert reviewers, most reviews published ahead of target, 9 partner journals, and growing visibility across conferences & media.
A strong start for community-owned, open peer review: metaror.org/metaror-turn...
In our first year: 28 articles evaluated, 59 expert reviewers, most reviews published ahead of target, 9 partner journals, and growing visibility across conferences & media.
A strong start for community-owned, open peer review: metaror.org/metaror-turn...
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
Books on here from @uncpress.bsky.social @universitypress.cambridge.org @yalepress.bsky.social @umissouripress.bsky.social @harvardpress.bsky.social @illinoispress.bsky.social @cornellupress.bsky.social @univnebpress.bsky.social @uchicagopress.bsky.social and @lsupress.bsky.social!
Our longest yearly book list ever! Thirty six books by contingent historians for you to read, gift, and request for purchase at your library!
2025 Contingent Book List
When you’re shopping for books this season, consider a contingent scholar.
contingentmagazine.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
'The Dutch king, Willem-Alexander, vowed on Monday that the topic of slavery would not be off-limits as he visits former colony Suriname, where the practice ended just over 150 years ago.' 1/3
Dutch king says he ‘will not shy away’ from slavery history on rare royal visit to Suriname
The king and queen’s visit to the former colony is the first by members of the Dutch royal family in nearly five decades
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:15 AM
'The Dutch king, Willem-Alexander, vowed on Monday that the topic of slavery would not be off-limits as he visits former colony Suriname, where the practice ended just over 150 years ago.' 1/3
For those who haven’t heard, @limnpress.bsky.social is participating in this new round of OACIP funding.
This #GivingTuesday, invest in Diamond Open Access! Support our new OACIP journals and help make research freely accessible. Learn more: https://ow.ly/wIXA50XAh8S #SupportScholarship #ScholComm #DiamondOA
December 2, 2025 at 9:27 PM
For those who haven’t heard, @limnpress.bsky.social is participating in this new round of OACIP funding.
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
This #GivingTuesday, invest in Diamond Open Access! Support our new OACIP journals and help make research freely accessible. Learn more: https://ow.ly/wIXA50XAh8S #SupportScholarship #ScholComm #DiamondOA
December 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
This #GivingTuesday, invest in Diamond Open Access! Support our new OACIP journals and help make research freely accessible. Learn more: https://ow.ly/wIXA50XAh8S #SupportScholarship #ScholComm #DiamondOA
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
I share the "eat the rich" sentiment, but Iberian orcas attack mostly small sailing boats, 12-16 meters in length, owned or rented by regular sailing enthusiasts. Superyachts owned by billionaires are simply too large and sturdy, so they aren't one taking the hit.
December 1, 2025 at 11:20 AM
I share the "eat the rich" sentiment, but Iberian orcas attack mostly small sailing boats, 12-16 meters in length, owned or rented by regular sailing enthusiasts. Superyachts owned by billionaires are simply too large and sturdy, so they aren't one taking the hit.
Craving Mexican food on the Dutch/French island of Saint Martin and this is what we found.
November 30, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Craving Mexican food on the Dutch/French island of Saint Martin and this is what we found.
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
Dialogues: anthropology and literature
Siddratul Muntaha Jillani, Kiran Nazir Ahmed, Liliana Colanzi, Jessica Sequeira, Elisa Taber, Rex Lee Jim, Anthony K. Webster, Najet Adouani, and Andrew Brandel
Journal of Royal Anthropological Institute
rai.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
Siddratul Muntaha Jillani, Kiran Nazir Ahmed, Liliana Colanzi, Jessica Sequeira, Elisa Taber, Rex Lee Jim, Anthony K. Webster, Najet Adouani, and Andrew Brandel
Journal of Royal Anthropological Institute
rai.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
Dialogues: anthropology and literature
rai.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Dialogues: anthropology and literature
Siddratul Muntaha Jillani, Kiran Nazir Ahmed, Liliana Colanzi, Jessica Sequeira, Elisa Taber, Rex Lee Jim, Anthony K. Webster, Najet Adouani, and Andrew Brandel
Journal of Royal Anthropological Institute
rai.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
Siddratul Muntaha Jillani, Kiran Nazir Ahmed, Liliana Colanzi, Jessica Sequeira, Elisa Taber, Rex Lee Jim, Anthony K. Webster, Najet Adouani, and Andrew Brandel
Journal of Royal Anthropological Institute
rai.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
In light of record submission rates and a large volume of AI-generated slop, SocArXiv recently implemented a policy requiring ORCIDs linked in the OSF profile of submitting authors, and narrowing our focus to social science subjects. Today we are taking two more steps:
/1
/1
November 27, 2025 at 2:54 PM
In light of record submission rates and a large volume of AI-generated slop, SocArXiv recently implemented a policy requiring ORCIDs linked in the OSF profile of submitting authors, and narrowing our focus to social science subjects. Today we are taking two more steps:
/1
/1
You’ve just died.
The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
November 27, 2025 at 3:22 AM
You’ve just died.
The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
Everyday now, I watch more sailboats arrive in Saint Martin and settle in the lagoon, to my great enjoyment.
Those of you rooting for the orcas can just keep scrolling.
Those of you rooting for the orcas can just keep scrolling.
November 26, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Everyday now, I watch more sailboats arrive in Saint Martin and settle in the lagoon, to my great enjoyment.
Those of you rooting for the orcas can just keep scrolling.
Those of you rooting for the orcas can just keep scrolling.
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
I wrote an essay for @bostonreview.bsky.social about what I learned about close reading when I taught at West Virginia University
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
The Claims of Close Reading - Boston Review
Literary studies have been starved by austerity, but their core methodology remains radical.
www.bostonreview.net
November 26, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I wrote an essay for @bostonreview.bsky.social about what I learned about close reading when I taught at West Virginia University
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
Nearly-perfect printed and handwritten text recognition is the most consequential technical contribution to the study of human culture of the last fifteen years, and it's not even close.
It fundamentally changes our (both lay and expert) relationship with the written past.
It fundamentally changes our (both lay and expert) relationship with the written past.
New issue of my newsletter: "The Writing Is on the Wall for Handwriting Recognition" — One of the hardest problems in digital humanities has finally been solved, and it's a good use of AI newsletter.dancohen.org/archive/the-...
The Writing Is on the Wall for Handwriting Recognition
One of the hardest problems in digital humanities has finally been solved
newsletter.dancohen.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Nearly-perfect printed and handwritten text recognition is the most consequential technical contribution to the study of human culture of the last fifteen years, and it's not even close.
It fundamentally changes our (both lay and expert) relationship with the written past.
It fundamentally changes our (both lay and expert) relationship with the written past.
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
"Working Knowledge: A Simon Schaffer Reader" -- Edited by Charlotte Bigg, John Tresch, and Simon Werrett
@uchicagopress.bsky.social press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
@uchicagopress.bsky.social press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
November 25, 2025 at 11:21 AM
"Working Knowledge: A Simon Schaffer Reader" -- Edited by Charlotte Bigg, John Tresch, and Simon Werrett
@uchicagopress.bsky.social press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
@uchicagopress.bsky.social press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
new paper so fresh it doesn't have an issue # yet!
Noya Kohavi and I looked at a crowdsourced AI testing suite and analyzed how contributors’ ideas about language, intelligence & cognition play a surprisingly big role in shaping how LLMs are tested, and what we think AI is. doi.org/10.1111/jola...
Noya Kohavi and I looked at a crowdsourced AI testing suite and analyzed how contributors’ ideas about language, intelligence & cognition play a surprisingly big role in shaping how LLMs are tested, and what we think AI is. doi.org/10.1111/jola...
Journal of Linguistic Anthropology | AAA Journal | Wiley Online Library
Benchmarking large language models (LLMs) is a key practice for evaluating their capabilities and risks. This paper considers the development of “BIG Bench,” a crowdsourced benchmark designed to test...
doi.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:21 PM
new paper so fresh it doesn't have an issue # yet!
Noya Kohavi and I looked at a crowdsourced AI testing suite and analyzed how contributors’ ideas about language, intelligence & cognition play a surprisingly big role in shaping how LLMs are tested, and what we think AI is. doi.org/10.1111/jola...
Noya Kohavi and I looked at a crowdsourced AI testing suite and analyzed how contributors’ ideas about language, intelligence & cognition play a surprisingly big role in shaping how LLMs are tested, and what we think AI is. doi.org/10.1111/jola...
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
🎓 We are delighted to announce that our colleague @sarahderijcke.nl, Professor of Science, Technology & Innovation Studies at CWTS, has been appointed as Rector Magnificus of Leiden University.
We wish Sarah all the best in her new role at our university!
www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2025...
We wish Sarah all the best in her new role at our university!
www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2025...
Sarah de Rijcke appointed Rector Magnificus of Leiden University
Professor Sarah de Rijcke will become the new Rector Magnificus on the Executive Board of Leiden University on 15 January 2026. She will succeed Professor Hester Bijl, who will become Rector Magnificu...
www.universiteitleiden.nl
November 24, 2025 at 2:41 PM
🎓 We are delighted to announce that our colleague @sarahderijcke.nl, Professor of Science, Technology & Innovation Studies at CWTS, has been appointed as Rector Magnificus of Leiden University.
We wish Sarah all the best in her new role at our university!
www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2025...
We wish Sarah all the best in her new role at our university!
www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2025...
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
I basically think this is the edge of a pretty bad storm of copyright conservatism and a reopening of the license wars (which may make no difference due to transformative use). However, if you put up a paywall to acquire, AI companies have to acquire legally in current court rulings. Problematic.
💥New: Creative commons licenses and copyright may not stop academic work being used to train AI
✍️ @eve.gd
#CreativeCommons #ScholComm #AcWri
✍️ @eve.gd
#CreativeCommons #ScholComm #AcWri
Creative commons licenses and copyright may not stop academic work being used to train AI - Impact of Social Sciences
Considering the legal standing of creative commons licenses & copyright, Martin Eve suggests legal protections for academic work are unlikely to be forthcoming.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I basically think this is the edge of a pretty bad storm of copyright conservatism and a reopening of the license wars (which may make no difference due to transformative use). However, if you put up a paywall to acquire, AI companies have to acquire legally in current court rulings. Problematic.
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
I honestly find the MensWearGuy inspirational for what I think a good kind of cultured humanism can look like. This is the sort of presence I would like to have in the world.
A friend who teaches theology shared with me a post about CS Lewis's Mere Christianity, which discusses foundational Christian logic across denominations. It reminded me of Dale's tweet below, and I wanted to share some thoughts here regarding modesty and respectability, which are often hot topics.
November 24, 2025 at 8:12 AM
I honestly find the MensWearGuy inspirational for what I think a good kind of cultured humanism can look like. This is the sort of presence I would like to have in the world.
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
Join @samuelmoore.org this Weds. (5pm) to hear his discuss discuss key ideas from his fantastic new book ⏰
And download the book for FREE (if you haven't already!) via @uofmpress.bsky.social ebook collection website
🔗 www.fulcrum.org/concern/mono...
And download the book for FREE (if you haven't already!) via @uofmpress.bsky.social ebook collection website
🔗 www.fulcrum.org/concern/mono...
November 24, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Join @samuelmoore.org this Weds. (5pm) to hear his discuss discuss key ideas from his fantastic new book ⏰
And download the book for FREE (if you haven't already!) via @uofmpress.bsky.social ebook collection website
🔗 www.fulcrum.org/concern/mono...
And download the book for FREE (if you haven't already!) via @uofmpress.bsky.social ebook collection website
🔗 www.fulcrum.org/concern/mono...
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
"In a sequel to her influential 'Library as Infrastructure', contributing writer Shannon Mattern delves into the organizing force of libraries at a time when public knowledge is under attack."
placesjournal.org/article/extr... @shannonmattern.bsky.social
placesjournal.org/article/extr... @shannonmattern.bsky.social
Extralibrary Loan: Making the Civic Infrastructure We Need
Amid a war on public knowledge, libraries are pushing outward, enlarging the commons through new configurations of civic and creative life.
placesjournal.org
November 22, 2025 at 5:22 PM
"In a sequel to her influential 'Library as Infrastructure', contributing writer Shannon Mattern delves into the organizing force of libraries at a time when public knowledge is under attack."
placesjournal.org/article/extr... @shannonmattern.bsky.social
placesjournal.org/article/extr... @shannonmattern.bsky.social
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
#AAA2025 has been its usual whirlwind of fun and overwhelm. But I can’t underscore how much it has meant for ‘in the land of the unreal’ to be recognized as the winner of the Bateson book prize, and to celebrate the news w my ever growing anthro fam. @dukepress.bsky.social @culanth.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 8:53 PM
#AAA2025 has been its usual whirlwind of fun and overwhelm. But I can’t underscore how much it has meant for ‘in the land of the unreal’ to be recognized as the winner of the Bateson book prize, and to celebrate the news w my ever growing anthro fam. @dukepress.bsky.social @culanth.bsky.social
Reposted by Tim Elfenbein
Lyrasis, the Big Ten Academic Alliance Center for Library Programs and the California Digital Library have been awarded a grant to advance community-governed, open access scholarly publishing in the United States. Read more about the #DiamondOA mapping project here, https://ow.ly/QCKC50Xu6vU.
November 19, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Lyrasis, the Big Ten Academic Alliance Center for Library Programs and the California Digital Library have been awarded a grant to advance community-governed, open access scholarly publishing in the United States. Read more about the #DiamondOA mapping project here, https://ow.ly/QCKC50Xu6vU.