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Phil Jemmett

@philjemmett.bsky.social

Smart science presented in a silly way. STEM Outreach and Widening Participation for WMG - department at the University of Warwick.

30 Posts210 Follower183 Folgt
Robin Ince@robinince.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.

This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenterIn a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career.I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters.Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B
Ali Struthers@dralistruthers.bsky.social · 10mo ago

These lectures will be brilliant & you can watch the live recordings at @warwickuni.bsky.social, hosted by the always brilliant @philjemmett.bsky.social 🤩 Dame Maggie is an absolute icon, so these’ll be great events 👏🏼 Registration link in the post below 👇🏼

Margaret Low@megjlow.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Watch the live recording of the @rigb.org #ChristmasLectures before they are shown on BBC! Featuring Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock. @wmgwarwick.bsky.social hosts a FREE livestream 11 & 16 Dec, for ages 11+. Register here: warwick.ac.uk/wmgoutreach/... #Space #STEM #ScienceForAll #STEMeducation

A poster showing Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock with a background showing space and stars. The text says its the Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution, supported by CGI, and Paul Wilkinson Photography is credited.
Phil Jemmett@philjemmett.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Very happy to be representing the hard work of the School Tasking team! Good luck to all the @uni-of-warwick.bsky.social projects shortlisted at #THEawards in 2025 🎊🎉🥳🏆

Ali Struthers@dralistruthers.bsky.social · 10mo ago

School Tasking is up for Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year at tonight’s @timeshighered.bsky.social Awards 2025 🏆 Representing the best project team ever is the wonderful @philjemmett.bsky.social, so please wish us luck 🤞🏼 And well done & good luck to everyone nominated 🤩

A male smiling at the camera on a suit with a red tie.
Ali Struthers@dralistruthers.bsky.social · 11mo ago

We wrote a thing! But, perhaps more importantly, this @timeshighered.bsky.social article contains an exclusive on whether @alexhorne.bsky.social considers Jaffa Cakes to be cakes or biscuits... 👀

School Tasking@schooltasking.bsky.social · 11mo ago

New article in @timeshighered.bsky.social by @dralistruthers.bsky.social & (Dr) @alexhorne.bsky.social on the importance of being playful in outreach with children 🤩 www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/snail...

Phil Jemmett@philjemmett.bsky.social · 2y ago

I just searched for something that started with "How to make b..." and one of the suggestions was How to make black coffee. Isn't that obvious? Option a) do it in the dark. Option b) start with white coffee and take the milk out.

Phil Jemmett@philjemmett.bsky.social · 2y ago

This trophy does look a bit like a star and a pineapple had a child.. I'm sure there's a CAD tool for that. Extrude, revolve, pineapple star.

School Tasking@schooltasking.bsky.social · 2y ago

Today, the winning trophy from Christ Church Primary in East London left Ali's office with the always brilliant @philjemmett.bsky.social in order to be turned into the real 3D printed trophy for the Champion of Champions, taking place in June this year! 👏 Thanks, Phil - we can't wait to see it! 🏆

Jo Sinton-Hewitt@josintonhewitt.bsky.social · 2y ago

This time last year...30 kids, one lost sombrero, some sneaky clues in an antiquities cabinet, eggs and lots of tasks. All to celebrate the brilliant work done by @alexhorne.bsky.social in his support of @schooltasking.bsky.social

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Ali Struthers@dralistruthers.bsky.social · 2y ago

A year ago today, I donned the silliest of all the hats at Warwick Graduation alongside one of the most genuine people in television in recognition of his contribution to the #SchoolTasking outreach project. From Little to Dr Alex Horne. Or Dr Little. Or Little Dr. Nobody’s really sure.

Alex Horne in a red gown, striped tie and doctorate cap. Ali Struthers in black Warwick PhD robes. Both smiling (Ali laughing, actually, otherwise that face is ridiculous).
Ali Struthers@dralistruthers.bsky.social · 2y ago

Where possible, I try through #SchoolTasking to support talented independent creators. Kimberley's work is one example, but we've also commissioned many crocheted & needle-felted Alex Hornes (details of these below) & rely to a huge extent on the 3D printing prowess of @philjemmett.bsky.social 🤩

Tiny needle felted Alex Horne hangs on a Christmas tree next to a needle felted fox. He clutches a tiny task.Alex Horne smiles at at camera holding a miniature crocheted version of himself.Alex Horne looks quizzically at the camera clutching tiny crocheted versions of himself and Greg Davies.A 3D printed round trophy with stars on it in gold and silver sits in the foreground with a giant duck behind.
School Tasking@schooltasking.bsky.social · 2y ago

We are excited to commission the brilliant @nocontextcolouring.bsky.social for #SchoolTasking prizes this year 🤩 Kimberley is going to be creating these gorgeous #Taskmaster light boxes as prizes for our Regional Final winning teams 🏆 Check out her work here: linktr.ee/nocontextcol...

Framed light box featuring cut out shapes of the Taskmaster house, caravan, dome, and Linda the Cow, in front of a sky of stars.