Dr Lucy Stewart
@lcsnz.bsky.social
Fan of weird microbes, Pākehā nō Pōneke, dilettante crafter, co-President @nzscientists.bsky.social. All opinions my own etcetera.
ORCID: 0000-0001-7352-3329
ORCID: 0000-0001-7352-3329
tfw you and your wife simultaneously realise the day after that you forgot the wedding anniversary (it's been a very busy month)
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 PM
tfw you and your wife simultaneously realise the day after that you forgot the wedding anniversary (it's been a very busy month)
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
Fully support the universities in this. But if they are genuinely committed to ensuring "free public access to the research...taxes had funded" maybe those that limit access to electronic copies of theses to current staff or students could open them up to the public.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Universities in 'battle of the century' with journal publisher Elsevier
One New Zealand university told its staff all universities in New Zealand and Australia would "lose some degree of access" to the publisher's 1600 titles from the start of next year.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 14, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Fully support the universities in this. But if they are genuinely committed to ensuring "free public access to the research...taxes had funded" maybe those that limit access to electronic copies of theses to current staff or students could open them up to the public.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Always comforting when people feel they need to say things like this in so many words (end sarcasm tag) (this is from a MBIE email on the ongoing science reforms today)
November 13, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Always comforting when people feel they need to say things like this in so many words (end sarcasm tag) (this is from a MBIE email on the ongoing science reforms today)
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
Michael Archer, no stranger to media hype (see: resurrecting thylacines), has invented the "drop croc" based on the solid palaeotological evidence of…fossil eggshell. There's no evidence that any terrestrial croc could climb, let alone drop out of trees like a leopard. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Evidence of ancient tree-climbing 'drop crocs' found in Australia
Scientists say the crocodiles hunted like leopards by climbing trees and killing prey below.
www.bbc.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Michael Archer, no stranger to media hype (see: resurrecting thylacines), has invented the "drop croc" based on the solid palaeotological evidence of…fossil eggshell. There's no evidence that any terrestrial croc could climb, let alone drop out of trees like a leopard. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
Folks, here's my take on the @methanesat.bsky.social project - TLDR: they tried for all three of "good, fast and cheap" and wound up with none...
Lost In Space: New Zealand's $30M Participation Trophy
"Good, fast and cheap" MethaneSAT tried for all three and got none.
MBIE and the New Zealand Space Agency missed red flags in the initial bid.
The MethaneSAT project did not keep promises of ope...
excursionset.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Folks, here's my take on the @methanesat.bsky.social project - TLDR: they tried for all three of "good, fast and cheap" and wound up with none...
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
always a good time to review this @katebeaton.bsky.social comic, gloriously entitled, “Every Lady Scientist Who Ever Did Anything (until recently)” 🧪
November 7, 2025 at 10:05 PM
always a good time to review this @katebeaton.bsky.social comic, gloriously entitled, “Every Lady Scientist Who Ever Did Anything (until recently)” 🧪
Re: James Watson - my overwhelming association with him is reading his biography as a science student in my early 20s, thinking at first 'wow, he sounds so much like me as a kid!', and the sinking realisation as I kept reading that he would have been utterly incapable of seeing that commonality.
November 7, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Re: James Watson - my overwhelming association with him is reading his biography as a science student in my early 20s, thinking at first 'wow, he sounds so much like me as a kid!', and the sinking realisation as I kept reading that he would have been utterly incapable of seeing that commonality.
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
I still remember my anthropology professor’s favorite joke from college:
“What did Watson and Crick discover?”
“Rosalind Franklin’s notes.”
“What did Watson and Crick discover?”
“Rosalind Franklin’s notes.”
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
DNA scientist James Watson has a remarkably long history of sexist, racist public comments
“People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty,” he said in 2003. “I think it would be great.”
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
I still remember my anthropology professor’s favorite joke from college:
“What did Watson and Crick discover?”
“Rosalind Franklin’s notes.”
“What did Watson and Crick discover?”
“Rosalind Franklin’s notes.”
I do want to say, I actually don't think this is an *intended* consequence, in that it was a goal of the changes; I think the people who made this decision just don't *care* about these consequences. But they should.
I'm sure it's totally coincidental that the AoNZ government's changes to the Marsden Fund have been followed by successful applications led by female investigators dropping from 55% to 33%, and successful applications led by Māori investigators dropping from 13% to 5%. 🫠 🧪
Information on the 2025 Marsden Fund round
Information about the number of funded proposals in the 2025 Marsden Fund round broken down by research area and institution, also including gender and ethnicity data
www.royalsociety.org.nz
November 6, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I do want to say, I actually don't think this is an *intended* consequence, in that it was a goal of the changes; I think the people who made this decision just don't *care* about these consequences. But they should.
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
![Comic. [Person sitting at desk with laptop with machine labeled E-21 making “click click” noises on the floor behind] VOICE FROM LAPTOP: Hey all! Does your E-21 humidifier make an annoying clicking noise? Mine did, but I finally figured out that there’s an easy fix, so I made this video in case anyone else… PERSON AT DESK: Oh my god. Yes. *Yes.* [caption] I know there’s more important work in the world, but I feel like these people deserve, at minimum a statue.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreifdjde6wgflkeil7kf4kdh3zqk32k55rkljlwu6arzbw557ogbulu@jpeg)
November 5, 2025 at 10:03 PM
I'm sure it's totally coincidental that the AoNZ government's changes to the Marsden Fund have been followed by successful applications led by female investigators dropping from 55% to 33%, and successful applications led by Māori investigators dropping from 13% to 5%. 🫠 🧪
Information on the 2025 Marsden Fund round
Information about the number of funded proposals in the 2025 Marsden Fund round broken down by research area and institution, also including gender and ethnicity data
www.royalsociety.org.nz
November 5, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I'm sure it's totally coincidental that the AoNZ government's changes to the Marsden Fund have been followed by successful applications led by female investigators dropping from 55% to 33%, and successful applications led by Māori investigators dropping from 13% to 5%. 🫠 🧪
Alternatively, NYC election results are now spoilers for The City We Became, I guess
Apparently all you needed to do to predict the NYC election results was read that one N.K. Jemisin novel.
November 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Alternatively, NYC election results are now spoilers for The City We Became, I guess
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
good morning specifically to the FBI agent who introduced Mamdani’s dad to Marx
November 5, 2025 at 2:21 PM
good morning specifically to the FBI agent who introduced Mamdani’s dad to Marx
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
NZ First MPs keep proposing laws they have no intention of passing, and the media falls for it every time.
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
The brilliant performative politics of NZ First’s fake members’ bills
NZ First MPs keep proposing laws they have no intention of passing, and the media falls for it every time.
thespinoff.co.nz
November 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
NZ First MPs keep proposing laws they have no intention of passing, and the media falls for it every time.
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
When I wrote this just two-ish months ago, the premise was that the architecture of the CCRA (zero carbon act) remained, but the policies that sustained it had been hollowed out.
With the CCRA changes today, I feel like that no longer holds
www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-dept...
With the CCRA changes today, I feel like that no longer holds
www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-dept...
How Jacinda Ardern’s ‘groundbreaking’ climate law has become ‘a shell’
The Zero Carbon Act promised to lock climate ambition into law. But with key policies repealed, delayed or watered down, the once 'world-leading' legislation has become a husk of its former self.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 5, 2025 at 12:08 AM
When I wrote this just two-ish months ago, the premise was that the architecture of the CCRA (zero carbon act) remained, but the policies that sustained it had been hollowed out.
With the CCRA changes today, I feel like that no longer holds
www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-dept...
With the CCRA changes today, I feel like that no longer holds
www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-dept...
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
Misogynist slurs, dis/misinfo whipping up online harassment, threats of violence, death = online gender-based violence. Note also the appearance-based abuse (women are far more likely to be subject to this). When we will we stop expecting women public figures to protect themselves from this?
It’s nuts the crap people believe about me. Someone even thinks I leafleted schools to scare boys into getting vaccinated! That may just sound silly, but misinformation and disinformation like this means some people want me and others like me jailed or even dead. It’s heartbreaking.
November 4, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Misogynist slurs, dis/misinfo whipping up online harassment, threats of violence, death = online gender-based violence. Note also the appearance-based abuse (women are far more likely to be subject to this). When we will we stop expecting women public figures to protect themselves from this?
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
"more than 90 per cent of the time we are indoors, be at home, office, school … so it is indoor air which is the most important for our health.
"This is the problem right now — we must establish indoor air quality standards, and mandate those standards."
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
"This is the problem right now — we must establish indoor air quality standards, and mandate those standards."
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
World expert in air quality and COVID wins Australia's top science prize
Lidia Morawska, an internationally renowned expert in air quality and its impact on human health, has won Australia's most coveted prize for scientific research.
www.abc.net.au
November 3, 2025 at 8:21 PM
"more than 90 per cent of the time we are indoors, be at home, office, school … so it is indoor air which is the most important for our health.
"This is the problem right now — we must establish indoor air quality standards, and mandate those standards."
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
"This is the problem right now — we must establish indoor air quality standards, and mandate those standards."
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
Morning peeps! I’ve written a piece for @thespinoff.bsky.social on why I ended up taking legal action against my employer and a little bit about how it played out. The whole story needs a book to tell but this is a good start 😂 thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1... thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
Siouxsie Wiles: Why I’m crowdfunding despite winning my legal battle
'Between the ERA and the Employment Court, my husband and I have spent over $632,000.'
thespinoff.co.nz
October 31, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Morning peeps! I’ve written a piece for @thespinoff.bsky.social on why I ended up taking legal action against my employer and a little bit about how it played out. The whole story needs a book to tell but this is a good start 😂 thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1... thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
Global methane action pays for itself at least six times over
And for fans of GHG metrics: "[...] Lastly, although the best basis for comparing methane and CO2 abatement should be relative social costs, we have found that the convention of using GWP100 is a reasonable approximation."
And for fans of GHG metrics: "[...] Lastly, although the best basis for comparing methane and CO2 abatement should be relative social costs, we have found that the convention of using GWP100 is a reasonable approximation."
Global methane action pays for itself at least six times over
We provide a comprehensive assessment of the economic benefits and costs of global methane emissions abatement, anchored on the Global Methane Pledge. We use an integrated assessment model to estimate...
www.science.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Global methane action pays for itself at least six times over
And for fans of GHG metrics: "[...] Lastly, although the best basis for comparing methane and CO2 abatement should be relative social costs, we have found that the convention of using GWP100 is a reasonable approximation."
And for fans of GHG metrics: "[...] Lastly, although the best basis for comparing methane and CO2 abatement should be relative social costs, we have found that the convention of using GWP100 is a reasonable approximation."
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
Exciting day today. Not only is it Halloween, but my crowdfunding campaign is also live! Please support me by making a pledge and/or sharing on all your socials and with your friends, family, and colleagues. Thanks to everyone offering rewards. You rock! www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/852...
Support Dr Siouxsie After She Supported Us! | PledgeMe
Support Dr Siouxsie to recover some of the money she spent fighting her legal case to protect employees experiencing online abuse
www.pledgeme.co.nz
October 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Exciting day today. Not only is it Halloween, but my crowdfunding campaign is also live! Please support me by making a pledge and/or sharing on all your socials and with your friends, family, and colleagues. Thanks to everyone offering rewards. You rock! www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/852...
Had so much fun giving this talk yesterday!
October 30, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Had so much fun giving this talk yesterday!
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
AoNZ - do you use your local public library?
Let Public Libraries NZ know!
www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YRW5C7
Let Public Libraries NZ know!
www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YRW5C7
2025 Library Community Impact Survey
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:42 AM
AoNZ - do you use your local public library?
Let Public Libraries NZ know!
www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YRW5C7
Let Public Libraries NZ know!
www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YRW5C7
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
I appear to have spoken to a reporter who took seriously the gravity of NZ's science crisis
does anybody have a newsroom pro subscription so that I can learn what other choice phrases I used on the record?
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/29/w...
does anybody have a newsroom pro subscription so that I can learn what other choice phrases I used on the record?
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/29/w...
Winner of top science prize blames ‘batshit’ Budget for brain drain
Dr Samuel Mehr says the Government values science, but their ‘idiotic’ approach to funding it will cost them their best and brightest.
newsroom.co.nz
October 28, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I appear to have spoken to a reporter who took seriously the gravity of NZ's science crisis
does anybody have a newsroom pro subscription so that I can learn what other choice phrases I used on the record?
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/29/w...
does anybody have a newsroom pro subscription so that I can learn what other choice phrases I used on the record?
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/29/w...
Reposted by Dr Lucy Stewart
I attended the Royal Society #NZ awards last night. A beautiful event with inspiring winners from Logan Walker on RNA splicing and genetic health (Liley medal) to Jacinta Ruru on legal personhood and legislative reimagining (Aronui medal). Any reporting of this in NZ? I’ve seen nothing. 🧪
October 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I attended the Royal Society #NZ awards last night. A beautiful event with inspiring winners from Logan Walker on RNA splicing and genetic health (Liley medal) to Jacinta Ruru on legal personhood and legislative reimagining (Aronui medal). Any reporting of this in NZ? I’ve seen nothing. 🧪