Vivek Nityananda
@viveknityananda.bsky.social
I research behaviour. Writing. Illustration. Improv. Scicomm. Views my own. (He/Him) 🏳️🌈
website: www.viveknityananda.com
website: www.viveknityananda.com
Pinned
I Dream of Theresa May: an electric black comedy about the hostile environment
The former Home Secretary torments and guides a queer Indian immigrant as he desperately seeks settled status
www.standard.co.uk
How thrilling is this! A glowing review of I Dream of Theresa May in the London Evening Standard:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"There’s honestly not a weak link in this hilarious and heart-breaking production"
www.standard.co.uk/culture/thea...
On until November 29th @taratheatre.com :
taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"There’s honestly not a weak link in this hilarious and heart-breaking production"
www.standard.co.uk/culture/thea...
On until November 29th @taratheatre.com :
taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
#InverteFest season is almost here, which means it's time to submit your bug & slug art! The form closes at 100 entries.
Find more info, download past art book, and submit here:
invertefest.com/#artbook
Find more info, download past art book, and submit here:
invertefest.com/#artbook
November 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
#InverteFest season is almost here, which means it's time to submit your bug & slug art! The form closes at 100 entries.
Find more info, download past art book, and submit here:
invertefest.com/#artbook
Find more info, download past art book, and submit here:
invertefest.com/#artbook
I've been pretty agnostic about mantis colour vision given the evidence so far. This new paper makes a convincing case they have the processing to do so. Mantises (probably) see in colour folks!
Praying mantises demontrate remarkable camouflage although they had been thought to be colorblind. A new ERG study reveals that 2 of 3 tested mantises species are trichromatic highlighting a physiological capacity for color vision.
@springernature.com
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
@springernature.com
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Praying mantises possess multiple spectral photoreceptor classes - Journal of Comparative Physiology A
Praying mantises often display elaborate camouflage, disappearing into the shapes, textures, and colors around them. But they have largely been thought to be monochromats, unable to perceive the color...
link.springer.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
I've been pretty agnostic about mantis colour vision given the evidence so far. This new paper makes a convincing case they have the processing to do so. Mantises (probably) see in colour folks!
Thinking of this song today:
youtu.be/X9Q4G_SgwLM?...
youtu.be/X9Q4G_SgwLM?...
Jimmy Cliff - Vietnam
YouTube video by RastaChaka
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Thinking of this song today:
youtu.be/X9Q4G_SgwLM?...
youtu.be/X9Q4G_SgwLM?...
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
ICYMI: David Burslem (Aberdeen), Daniel Pincheira-Donoso (QUB), Zoe Goodwin (RBGE), and I are advertising a fully funded PhD project on plant traits, to be based in my lab.
Open to international applicants, deadline January 14, please contact me with any questions.
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Open to international applicants, deadline January 14, please contact me with any questions.
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
QUARTILES DLA CASE: Trait-based drivers of the ornamental plant trade at University of Aberdeen on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - QUARTILES DLA CASE: Trait-based drivers of the ornamental plant trade at University of Aberdeen , listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM
ICYMI: David Burslem (Aberdeen), Daniel Pincheira-Donoso (QUB), Zoe Goodwin (RBGE), and I are advertising a fully funded PhD project on plant traits, to be based in my lab.
Open to international applicants, deadline January 14, please contact me with any questions.
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Open to international applicants, deadline January 14, please contact me with any questions.
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
The EHRC want to exclude women from femal single-sex spaces based on how "female" they look.
This is off the scale sexism and misogyny.
Millions of women will face harassment as result of this insanity.
This is off the scale sexism and misogyny.
Millions of women will face harassment as result of this insanity.
November 20, 2025 at 9:47 AM
The EHRC want to exclude women from femal single-sex spaces based on how "female" they look.
This is off the scale sexism and misogyny.
Millions of women will face harassment as result of this insanity.
This is off the scale sexism and misogyny.
Millions of women will face harassment as result of this insanity.
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
Come and work with us in our new home @bristolbiosci.bsky.social ! This fully funded PhD opportunity is open to anyone interested in spiders/eyes/light pollution/evolution/development! 🕷️👀
⏰Deadline 15th December, online info event TODAY @2pm! Link in the PhD advert👉 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
⏰Deadline 15th December, online info event TODAY @2pm! Link in the PhD advert👉 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
November 24, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Come and work with us in our new home @bristolbiosci.bsky.social ! This fully funded PhD opportunity is open to anyone interested in spiders/eyes/light pollution/evolution/development! 🕷️👀
⏰Deadline 15th December, online info event TODAY @2pm! Link in the PhD advert👉 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
⏰Deadline 15th December, online info event TODAY @2pm! Link in the PhD advert👉 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
🌟Fully funded #PhD🌟
Social monitoring and manipulation of cooperative exchanges.
#NERC funding
With @ljnbrent.bsky.social, #PatrickKennedy & me.
Based in @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
#LongtermData #Fieldwork
#Mongooses #Macaques
Deadline: 8th Jan 2026
Please share!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Social monitoring and manipulation of cooperative exchanges.
#NERC funding
With @ljnbrent.bsky.social, #PatrickKennedy & me.
Based in @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
#LongtermData #Fieldwork
#Mongooses #Macaques
Deadline: 8th Jan 2026
Please share!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Funded PhD NERC GW4+ DLTP - Social monitoring and manipulation of cooperative exchanges at University of Bristol on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Funded PhD NERC GW4+ DLTP - Social monitoring and manipulation of cooperative exchanges at University of Bristol, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🌟Fully funded #PhD🌟
Social monitoring and manipulation of cooperative exchanges.
#NERC funding
With @ljnbrent.bsky.social, #PatrickKennedy & me.
Based in @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
#LongtermData #Fieldwork
#Mongooses #Macaques
Deadline: 8th Jan 2026
Please share!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Social monitoring and manipulation of cooperative exchanges.
#NERC funding
With @ljnbrent.bsky.social, #PatrickKennedy & me.
Based in @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
#LongtermData #Fieldwork
#Mongooses #Macaques
Deadline: 8th Jan 2026
Please share!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
Chinese national interested in a PhD with fish?
Join our lab with a fully-funded PhD from the CSC and UoB.
Success rates are high if you're eligible. More details, including application link (deadline 1st December!) here:
ioannougroup.com/china-schola...
@asab.org @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
Join our lab with a fully-funded PhD from the CSC and UoB.
Success rates are high if you're eligible. More details, including application link (deadline 1st December!) here:
ioannougroup.com/china-schola...
@asab.org @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
China Scholarship Council PhD studentships - apply now! | Christos Ioannou
Blog post description.
ioannougroup.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Chinese national interested in a PhD with fish?
Join our lab with a fully-funded PhD from the CSC and UoB.
Success rates are high if you're eligible. More details, including application link (deadline 1st December!) here:
ioannougroup.com/china-schola...
@asab.org @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
Join our lab with a fully-funded PhD from the CSC and UoB.
Success rates are high if you're eligible. More details, including application link (deadline 1st December!) here:
ioannougroup.com/china-schola...
@asab.org @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
I can't think of what would be the best Hark A Vagrant but everyone should know Kate Beaton
November 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I can't think of what would be the best Hark A Vagrant but everyone should know Kate Beaton
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
This is a really important question, in that an underrated argument for wealth taxes is 'concentrations of wealth are bad' - they can be democracy and competition maximising tools, they just often aren't good revenue raisers!
That’s a very helpful post. I went to look before I asked you ‘what if I want less super-richness, will that come down under the right tax circs?’. He sort-of-deals-with-it in his bit about the Laffer curve.
November 23, 2025 at 11:13 PM
This is a really important question, in that an underrated argument for wealth taxes is 'concentrations of wealth are bad' - they can be democracy and competition maximising tools, they just often aren't good revenue raisers!
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
Volcano Hayli Gubbi erupted today in Ethiopia for the first time.
November 24, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Volcano Hayli Gubbi erupted today in Ethiopia for the first time.
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
City Lights at Dusk (2021)
Art Print: www.inprnt.com/gallery/ryot...
Art Print: www.inprnt.com/gallery/ryot...
November 24, 2025 at 7:01 AM
City Lights at Dusk (2021)
Art Print: www.inprnt.com/gallery/ryot...
Art Print: www.inprnt.com/gallery/ryot...
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
✨ BSL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES✨
The two performances of I Dream of Theresa May on Thursday 27 November will be BSL interpreted for D/deaf audience members.
If you would like to book a seat in direct sight line of the interpreter, please get touch via [email protected] or 020 8333 4457.
The two performances of I Dream of Theresa May on Thursday 27 November will be BSL interpreted for D/deaf audience members.
If you would like to book a seat in direct sight line of the interpreter, please get touch via [email protected] or 020 8333 4457.
November 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
✨ BSL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES✨
The two performances of I Dream of Theresa May on Thursday 27 November will be BSL interpreted for D/deaf audience members.
If you would like to book a seat in direct sight line of the interpreter, please get touch via [email protected] or 020 8333 4457.
The two performances of I Dream of Theresa May on Thursday 27 November will be BSL interpreted for D/deaf audience members.
If you would like to book a seat in direct sight line of the interpreter, please get touch via [email protected] or 020 8333 4457.
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for I Dream of Theresa May 🔥
I DREAM OF THERESA MAY
🎭 Tara Theatre
🗓️ 17 Nov – 29 Nov
🎟️ Tickets: taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
Photo credit: @adam.razvi
I DREAM OF THERESA MAY
🎭 Tara Theatre
🗓️ 17 Nov – 29 Nov
🎟️ Tickets: taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
Photo credit: @adam.razvi
November 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for I Dream of Theresa May 🔥
I DREAM OF THERESA MAY
🎭 Tara Theatre
🗓️ 17 Nov – 29 Nov
🎟️ Tickets: taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
Photo credit: @adam.razvi
I DREAM OF THERESA MAY
🎭 Tara Theatre
🗓️ 17 Nov – 29 Nov
🎟️ Tickets: taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
Photo credit: @adam.razvi
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
It’s really hard to defend industry academic collaborations with meta as earnest, if they’re internally burying evidence of harm.
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
November 23, 2025 at 6:22 PM
It’s really hard to defend industry academic collaborations with meta as earnest, if they’re internally burying evidence of harm.
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
I love everything about this piece by @gautambhatia88.bsky.social, and bonus is also learning about the Alter Magazine. Read it on a bigger screen, if you're able.
altermag.com/articles/the...
altermag.com/articles/the...
The Secret History of Indian Science Fiction.
Before Asimov, there was Rokeya.
altermag.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I love everything about this piece by @gautambhatia88.bsky.social, and bonus is also learning about the Alter Magazine. Read it on a bigger screen, if you're able.
altermag.com/articles/the...
altermag.com/articles/the...
The good thing about about one five star review and one two star review is you can say: "Divisive new play hits the London stage. Go see it and make your own mind up". So yeah please go see it anyway! 😊
On until November 29th @taratheatre.com :
taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
On until November 29th @taratheatre.com :
taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
I Dream of Theresa May – Tara Theatre
taratheatre.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The good thing about about one five star review and one two star review is you can say: "Divisive new play hits the London stage. Go see it and make your own mind up". So yeah please go see it anyway! 😊
On until November 29th @taratheatre.com :
taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
On until November 29th @taratheatre.com :
taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
Mahmood/government should say explain *objective* of increasing time to settlement for 15 years for care workers who arrived 2022-24
Is it
A) to get them to leave? Why?
B) to save money? Then why not just restrict benefits?
C) to "encourage integration"? How? Will do opposite.
Is it
A) to get them to leave? Why?
B) to save money? Then why not just restrict benefits?
C) to "encourage integration"? How? Will do opposite.
15 years for people in medium skilled jobs and care workers too. I believe this goes down to 10 years if they earn over £50,270. Someone in a high skilled job earning over that qualifies in 5 years.
November 21, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Mahmood/government should say explain *objective* of increasing time to settlement for 15 years for care workers who arrived 2022-24
Is it
A) to get them to leave? Why?
B) to save money? Then why not just restrict benefits?
C) to "encourage integration"? How? Will do opposite.
Is it
A) to get them to leave? Why?
B) to save money? Then why not just restrict benefits?
C) to "encourage integration"? How? Will do opposite.
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
This is a simply wonderful piece of writing.
I flew to Canada this week to go to a Paul McCartney concert and I wrote about it here:
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
going through hell, keeping going
on art, grief, and the emotional heroism of just bloody keeping on making your work
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:42 AM
This is a simply wonderful piece of writing.
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
🚨Good news, everyone!
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
November 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
🚨Good news, everyone!
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
Love this idea! Going to have to submit something
We publish *imaginary* research abstracts!
The Journal of Imaginary Research is now accepting submissions of new short fictional pieces. Click to read:
Why Abstract fiction?
The theme
How to get started
What to submit to us
What *not* to submit
journalofimaginaryresearch.home.blog/2025/10/28/c...
The Journal of Imaginary Research is now accepting submissions of new short fictional pieces. Click to read:
Why Abstract fiction?
The theme
How to get started
What to submit to us
What *not* to submit
journalofimaginaryresearch.home.blog/2025/10/28/c...
Call for Abstracts – Journal Of Imaginary Research Volume 11
The Journal of Imaginary Research is now accepting submissions of new short fictional pieces for our annual volume produced each November to celebrate Global Academic Writing Month. We pu…
journalofimaginaryresearch.home.blog
November 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Love this idea! Going to have to submit something
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
How thrilling is this! A glowing review of I Dream of Theresa May in the London Evening Standard:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"There’s honestly not a weak link in this hilarious and heart-breaking production"
www.standard.co.uk/culture/thea...
On until November 29th @taratheatre.com :
taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"There’s honestly not a weak link in this hilarious and heart-breaking production"
www.standard.co.uk/culture/thea...
On until November 29th @taratheatre.com :
taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
I Dream of Theresa May: an electric black comedy about the hostile environment
The former Home Secretary torments and guides a queer Indian immigrant as he desperately seeks settled status
www.standard.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
How thrilling is this! A glowing review of I Dream of Theresa May in the London Evening Standard:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"There’s honestly not a weak link in this hilarious and heart-breaking production"
www.standard.co.uk/culture/thea...
On until November 29th @taratheatre.com :
taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"There’s honestly not a weak link in this hilarious and heart-breaking production"
www.standard.co.uk/culture/thea...
On until November 29th @taratheatre.com :
taratheatre.com/whats-on/i-d...
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
Reposted by Vivek Nityananda
PhD position - How jumping spiders see
- Put cute spiders on trackballs!
- Program fancy automated experiments!
- Do cutting edge research!
- Hang out in beautiful Italian cities!
- Be supervised by a super nice chap!
Like invertebrate behaviour and computation stuff? You'll love this.
Link in 🧵
- Put cute spiders on trackballs!
- Program fancy automated experiments!
- Do cutting edge research!
- Hang out in beautiful Italian cities!
- Be supervised by a super nice chap!
Like invertebrate behaviour and computation stuff? You'll love this.
Link in 🧵
November 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
PhD position - How jumping spiders see
- Put cute spiders on trackballs!
- Program fancy automated experiments!
- Do cutting edge research!
- Hang out in beautiful Italian cities!
- Be supervised by a super nice chap!
Like invertebrate behaviour and computation stuff? You'll love this.
Link in 🧵
- Put cute spiders on trackballs!
- Program fancy automated experiments!
- Do cutting edge research!
- Hang out in beautiful Italian cities!
- Be supervised by a super nice chap!
Like invertebrate behaviour and computation stuff? You'll love this.
Link in 🧵