Paul Robbins
@earthfutures.bsky.social
Dean, Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Reposted by Paul Robbins
For the first time in more than a decade, UW–Madison ranks among the top five universities in the U.S. for research expenditures in the National Science Foundation’s latest Higher Education Research and Development Survey. On, Wisconsin!
UW–Madison 5th in national research ranking for first time since 2014, surpasses $1.93B in research expenditures
The annual rankings, which cover fiscal year 2024, "highlight the importance of the decades-long partnership between universities and the federal government," says UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnook...
news.wisc.edu
December 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
For the first time in more than a decade, UW–Madison ranks among the top five universities in the U.S. for research expenditures in the National Science Foundation’s latest Higher Education Research and Development Survey. On, Wisconsin!
Reposted by Paul Robbins
Really interesting research showing that while ultra-specialization in a single discipline might lead to better results early in one’s career, multi-discipline training and practice pays off big time in the long run. This applies to a range of professions from scientists to athletes and more
Recent discoveries on the acquisition of the highest levels of human performance
Scientists have long debated the origins of exceptional human achievements. This literature review summarizes recent evidence from multiple domains on the acquisition of world-class performance. We re...
www.science.org
December 20, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Really interesting research showing that while ultra-specialization in a single discipline might lead to better results early in one’s career, multi-discipline training and practice pays off big time in the long run. This applies to a range of professions from scientists to athletes and more
Reposted by Paul Robbins
The Trump administration says it will dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a cornerstone for American climate and weather science. I went on NPR today to explain what this could mean for climate research.
Listen here:
Listen here:
Trump moves to dismantle a ‘global mothership’ of climate research : Here & Now Anytime
The Trump administration says it will dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a cornerstone for American climate and weather science. Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at the Nature Co...
www.npr.org
December 19, 2025 at 12:41 AM
The Trump administration says it will dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a cornerstone for American climate and weather science. I went on NPR today to explain what this could mean for climate research.
Listen here:
Listen here:
NCAR shouldn't need anyone to make its case (although I guess clearly it does!), but @katharinehayhoe.com lays it out perfectly. www.npr.org/2025/12/18/n...
Trump moves to dismantle a ‘global mothership’ of climate research : Here & Now Anytime
The Trump administration says it will dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a cornerstone for American climate and weather science. Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at the Nature Co...
www.npr.org
December 19, 2025 at 1:52 AM
NCAR shouldn't need anyone to make its case (although I guess clearly it does!), but @katharinehayhoe.com lays it out perfectly. www.npr.org/2025/12/18/n...
Reposted by Paul Robbins
Y'all, I just got out of the NSF-BIO webinar where they explained changes to peer review. It's not good. 🧪 scienceforeveryone.science/changes-to-n...
Changes to NSF peer review
They're not good. At all.
scienceforeveryone.science
December 18, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Y'all, I just got out of the NSF-BIO webinar where they explained changes to peer review. It's not good. 🧪 scienceforeveryone.science/changes-to-n...
Reposted by Paul Robbins
The Elkhorn Slough Foundation is looking for a new Executive Director. 🦦🦦🦦
potrerogroup.com/executive-se...
potrerogroup.com/executive-se...
Elkhorn Slough Foundation Executive Director | Potrero Group
The Elkhorn Slough Foundation seeks a dynamic, experienced Executive Director to lead its land conservation, restoration, education, and partnership efforts within the Elkhorn Slough watershed and sur...
potrerogroup.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM
The Elkhorn Slough Foundation is looking for a new Executive Director. 🦦🦦🦦
potrerogroup.com/executive-se...
potrerogroup.com/executive-se...
More on what @uwmadison.bsky.social researchers, faculty, students and scientists are doing to understand the socio-ecological impacts of data centers. nelson.wisc.edu/the-commons/...
What We Don’t Know (Yet) | About the Environmental Impacts of Data Centers and AI The Commons Magazine
You have questions about the environmental impacts of data centers. Our experts do, too.
nelson.wisc.edu
December 15, 2025 at 2:50 PM
More on what @uwmadison.bsky.social researchers, faculty, students and scientists are doing to understand the socio-ecological impacts of data centers. nelson.wisc.edu/the-commons/...
Reposted by Paul Robbins
BOTD Lester Bangs!!
via Philip Seymour Hoffman in Almost Famous: youtube.com/watch?v=ldpP...
Arguing with Lou Reed, via @sheilakathleen.bsky.social: www.sheilaomalley.com?p=74470
More:
@jimderogatis.bsky.social: furious.com/perfect/lest...
@mariabustillos.com: www.newyorker.com/books/page-t...
via Philip Seymour Hoffman in Almost Famous: youtube.com/watch?v=ldpP...
Arguing with Lou Reed, via @sheilakathleen.bsky.social: www.sheilaomalley.com?p=74470
More:
@jimderogatis.bsky.social: furious.com/perfect/lest...
@mariabustillos.com: www.newyorker.com/books/page-t...
Lester Bangs: Truth-teller
www.newyorker.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:56 PM
BOTD Lester Bangs!!
via Philip Seymour Hoffman in Almost Famous: youtube.com/watch?v=ldpP...
Arguing with Lou Reed, via @sheilakathleen.bsky.social: www.sheilaomalley.com?p=74470
More:
@jimderogatis.bsky.social: furious.com/perfect/lest...
@mariabustillos.com: www.newyorker.com/books/page-t...
via Philip Seymour Hoffman in Almost Famous: youtube.com/watch?v=ldpP...
Arguing with Lou Reed, via @sheilakathleen.bsky.social: www.sheilaomalley.com?p=74470
More:
@jimderogatis.bsky.social: furious.com/perfect/lest...
@mariabustillos.com: www.newyorker.com/books/page-t...
The first three minutes of Michael Ritchie's "Prime Cut" are about as dark as 70s American film can get. www.imdb.com/title/tt0069...
Prime Cut (1972) ⭐ 6.7 | Action, Crime, Drama
1h 28m | R
www.imdb.com
December 13, 2025 at 6:41 AM
The first three minutes of Michael Ritchie's "Prime Cut" are about as dark as 70s American film can get. www.imdb.com/title/tt0069...
Reposted by Paul Robbins
On the eve of commencement, @uwmadison.bsky.social grads are wondering about their career prospects. Well, here’s some good news: LinkedIn has rated the UW 10th among public universities for setting up students for long-term career success.
onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/putting-that...
onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/putting-that...
Putting That Degree to Work | On Wisconsin
LinkedIn ranks the UW highly for career prep.
onwisconsin.uwalumni.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:06 PM
On the eve of commencement, @uwmadison.bsky.social grads are wondering about their career prospects. Well, here’s some good news: LinkedIn has rated the UW 10th among public universities for setting up students for long-term career success.
onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/putting-that...
onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/putting-that...
China is surely a world leader in renewables and electrification, but a close accounting raises questions about what it both has achieved... and even ever could. A fair assessment from BTI. open.substack.com/pub/thebreak...
Greenwashing With Chinese Characteristics
China's "Green Electrostate" Is Neither
open.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:15 PM
China is surely a world leader in renewables and electrification, but a close accounting raises questions about what it both has achieved... and even ever could. A fair assessment from BTI. open.substack.com/pub/thebreak...
Environmental researchers at UW-Madison are doing work on data centers; this is a big deal. Including the recent contract from QTS, I see this as the biggest environmental challenge of the 21st century. My thoughts, in this interview from our friends at WORT radio: www.wortfm.org/qts-data-cen...
QTS Data Centers Partnership an Opportunity to Ask the Hard Questions, Paul Robbins Says - WORT-FM 89.9
QTS announced the partnership just days after they presented their long-awaited plans for a new 1,600-acre data center campus in Dane County.
www.wortfm.org
December 11, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Environmental researchers at UW-Madison are doing work on data centers; this is a big deal. Including the recent contract from QTS, I see this as the biggest environmental challenge of the 21st century. My thoughts, in this interview from our friends at WORT radio: www.wortfm.org/qts-data-cen...
Harry Steward was a great historian and cartographer and a calming presence, always. His student were among the finest in the discipline. He will be missed. obits.callahanfay.com/henry-steward
Henry James Steward Obituary November 29, 2025 - Fay Brothers
View Henry James Steward's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
obits.callahanfay.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Harry Steward was a great historian and cartographer and a calming presence, always. His student were among the finest in the discipline. He will be missed. obits.callahanfay.com/henry-steward
A major research public instituion, like UNL, deprived of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, becomes a far weaker one, for all its faculty and students. Very bad news indeed. www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
BREAKING: ‘This hurts’: UNL eliminates 4 programs despite faculty, student pleas
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln eliminates the Earth and atmospheric sciences 8-0, educational administration 7-1, statistics 7-1, textiles, merchandising and fashion design 7-1 programs.
www.dailynebraskan.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:57 AM
A major research public instituion, like UNL, deprived of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, becomes a far weaker one, for all its faculty and students. Very bad news indeed. www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
November migration figures are in for the Whooping Crane's Eastern Population. The count shows how incredibly fragile this recovery is. Even so, this marks progress. Decades of tireless work by conservation biologists, state agencies, landowners, and volunteers. savingcranes.org/news/resourc...
Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update - November 2025 - International Crane Foundation
The International Crane Foundation provides critical news and resources in the world of Cranes and Conservation. Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update - November 2025
savingcranes.org
December 2, 2025 at 1:23 AM
November migration figures are in for the Whooping Crane's Eastern Population. The count shows how incredibly fragile this recovery is. Even so, this marks progress. Decades of tireless work by conservation biologists, state agencies, landowners, and volunteers. savingcranes.org/news/resourc...
Tom Stoppard was incomparable; funny, lyric, humane, weird. His "Arcadia" is one of the greatest contemporary works of Human Geography. Plus, a huge Pink Floyd fan. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/t...
Tom Stoppard, Award-Winning Playwright of Witty Drama, Dies at 88
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Tom Stoppard was incomparable; funny, lyric, humane, weird. His "Arcadia" is one of the greatest contemporary works of Human Geography. Plus, a huge Pink Floyd fan. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/t...
Reposted by Paul Robbins
If you’re a settler on these lands like I am, one small way to be a good guest is by giving to trusted Native organizations on Thankstaking! Here’s where I’m donating this year: Tribal Elder Box Food Program, led by Loka’s advisors, Gary Besaw & Dan Cornelius! 🙏🏽 feedingamericawi.org/tribal-food-...
feedingamericawi.org
November 26, 2025 at 11:08 PM
If you’re a settler on these lands like I am, one small way to be a good guest is by giving to trusted Native organizations on Thankstaking! Here’s where I’m donating this year: Tribal Elder Box Food Program, led by Loka’s advisors, Gary Besaw & Dan Cornelius! 🙏🏽 feedingamericawi.org/tribal-food-...
Reposted by Paul Robbins
UW–Madison boasts more than 500 courses that cover environmental topics, ranging from Climate Crisis Literature in the Department of English to Green and Sustainable Development in the Department of Real Estate & Urban Land Economics.
UW sustainability courses range across many fields of study
The University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2025 boasts more than 500 courses that cover environmental topics within their curriculum. Students can explore sustainability-focused courses that intersect wit...
news.wisc.edu
November 21, 2025 at 9:36 PM
UW–Madison boasts more than 500 courses that cover environmental topics, ranging from Climate Crisis Literature in the Department of English to Green and Sustainable Development in the Department of Real Estate & Urban Land Economics.
I have long advocated for the circular economics of lead battery recycling. But the logic of offshoring has turned this model of sustainability into another well of colonial poison. We can and must do better. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The Auto Industry’s Lead Recycling Program is Poisoning People (Gift Article)
We documented the toxic fallout of a green technology.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I have long advocated for the circular economics of lead battery recycling. But the logic of offshoring has turned this model of sustainability into another well of colonial poison. We can and must do better. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Paul Robbins
I am heartbroken by Dean Linda Scott’s sudden passing. Her integrity, leadership, commitment to excellence & wonderful dry humor shaped the School of Nursing & the national nursing community & touched so many lives. Her legacy will endure & she will be dearly missed. nursing.wisc.edu/remembering-...
November 18, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I am heartbroken by Dean Linda Scott’s sudden passing. Her integrity, leadership, commitment to excellence & wonderful dry humor shaped the School of Nursing & the national nursing community & touched so many lives. Her legacy will endure & she will be dearly missed. nursing.wisc.edu/remembering-...
Reposted by Paul Robbins
My manuscript is entitled “Collectively-Conserved Land: An alternative economies approach to conservation land tenure” and is the first from my upcoming dissertation of the same name.
November 11, 2025 at 12:33 AM
My manuscript is entitled “Collectively-Conserved Land: An alternative economies approach to conservation land tenure” and is the first from my upcoming dissertation of the same name.
Reposted by Paul Robbins
Super excited to hear this!!
We're hiring in history of science at UW Madison! TT Assistant Professorship with a focus on water. Joint appointment between the History and Integrated Liberal Studies depts, and part of a university-wide hiring cluster on earth/sustainability science. jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/profess... #STS #HSMT
Professor of History - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:FacultyEmployment Type:Regula...
jobs.wisc.edu
November 8, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Super excited to hear this!!
Reposted by Paul Robbins
A letter from the editorial team: contexts.org/articles/a-n...
November 4, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A letter from the editorial team: contexts.org/articles/a-n...
Reposted by Paul Robbins
launching the AI for a planet under pressure report with @sthlmresilience.bsky.social and Google's Deep Mind this Wednesday am- Ill be speaking about the role of AI in flooding and climate justice- link here- I will be teaching an undergrad class on this content spring 26! su.bmc.nu/Modules/Even...
AI for a planet under pressure PUBLIC EVENT
su.bmc.nu
November 3, 2025 at 4:56 PM
launching the AI for a planet under pressure report with @sthlmresilience.bsky.social and Google's Deep Mind this Wednesday am- Ill be speaking about the role of AI in flooding and climate justice- link here- I will be teaching an undergrad class on this content spring 26! su.bmc.nu/Modules/Even...
Reposted by Paul Robbins
To save enough for a 10% down payment on a median priced house in SLC you would have to cut the equivalent of 12,000 cups of $5 coffee. At one coffee per day, it would take 33 years if prices stayed the same.
“At the same time, more than half of Gen Z members say they are struggling to make ends meet, yet a majority buy themselves a small treat, such as a pastry, coffee, or sweet, at least once a week. That can lead to overspending…”
archive.ph/2TI8J
archive.ph/2TI8J
October 31, 2025 at 11:42 PM
To save enough for a 10% down payment on a median priced house in SLC you would have to cut the equivalent of 12,000 cups of $5 coffee. At one coffee per day, it would take 33 years if prices stayed the same.