Being a mum and trying to do [all of the things] means I've been rather quiet of social media of late, so just a note that the world and the news can look increasingly bleak and that doesn't mean their aren't beautiful pockets of goodness and kindness. And perhaps reading this, you are one of them.

The ADHD classic of contacting friends as you want to be social then everyone takes longer than 3 minutes to respond and now I don't want to speak to anyone anymore, so I guess I'll go back to ghosting people for 3 weeks, sorry

Thank you for sharing this brilliant text, Andrew and Zoe @zjayres.bsky.social Very relatable; in so many ways. #AcademicSky #academia #autism #research voicesofacademia.com/2026/07/24/l...

Life as a Late-Diagnosed Autistic Person – A Journey of Self-Rediscovery by Andrew Rate

I am an Associate Professor at a well-regarded Australian university. I am also autistic, having been diagnosed at age 60 after suspecting I was autistic for a few years (mostly following the diagn…

voicesofacademia.com

In toddler whiplash, first time our daughter has said "I love you" tonight. She also said "they have grey hair like mummy". Thanks kiddo.

Article here from chemistry world on the Women in Research charter with some comments from me on why I think it doesn't go far enough. I have a lot to say about this (unsurprisingly) and I'm going to expand below on my comments on bullying and harassment. 🧵 www.chemistryworld.com/news/uk-gove...

UK government’s new charter aims to better support women in research

'Now is the time for research institutions to step up and level the playing field for women,' notes one government official

chemistryworld.com

Got diagnosed with IBS about a decade ago. Fast forward to getting an ADHD diagnosis, and bringing in healthy mechanisms (and simply understanding) to manage it, and I no longer have any stomach issues. Fascinating really what a difference knowing and not masking all the time can do 🧐

Take the hot weather back please

Things no-one told me about having a child, #475: you just have to do 17kg toddler deadlifts on a regular basis

The HPV vaccine is an astounding achievement. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

HPV vaccine means young women now have 'close to zero' risk of cervical cancer death

A new study finds that hundreds of lives have been saved since school-age girls were offered the HPV jab in 2008.

bbc.co.uk

If you are based in the UK, please do consider writing an email to your local library about how important LGBTQ+ books, and representation is. There are several councils in the UK suggesting that books should be banned and that LGBTQ+ books are harmful. This must be challenged at all costs.

I now understand Tolkien's inspiration for Hobbits was toddlers. Second breakfast, elevenses etc.

Day trip!

You can't park there mate

Not Giles 😢

Nothing quite as humbling as parenting. House of Lords yesterday evening, slowly removing PVA glue out of toddler hair this evening (for about 20 mins!)

Not every day you get to go to the House of Lords! A wonderful day, attending the Technician Commitment event, discussing technical skills, representation and recognition

Was expecting white strawberry flowers so these have been a surprising delight 🍓

Toddler saw meerkat at the zoo digging, and said "meerkats gardening!!!!" and I love that gardening is her best reference point

Best flowers I've ever received: "picked for mummy" by our toddler

Absolutely shameful move by the University of Nottingham. The community will not forget. Solidarity with all affected.

Chemistry World@chemistryworld.com · 3mo ago

The chemistry department at the University of Nottingham is set to lose 14 out of 46 of its academic staff, leading to warnings that teaching and research will suffer. www.chemistryworld.com/news/notting...

My view at work today during my lunch break

This is 35 then. Wish I could share with 25 year old me how genuinely happy I am.

This should be a huge wake up call for the scientific community.

Science Magazine@science.org · 3mo ago

Breaking news: Indiana University plant microbiologist Roger Innes has been locked out of his laboratory by the school in response to a request by one of his federal funders. The move comes after Innes complained about the government’s prosecution of Chinese postdocs. https://scim.ag/4tsDqRr

My dean offered to buy a welcome gift for all new PhD students starting our school this fall. #AcademicSky, what should I ask her to purchase? What do you wish you had received in year 1?

It isn't an exaggeration to say that I am alive and well today because of antidepressants. This war on medicine, on science, will kill people.

Miranda Yaver@mirandayaver.bsky.social · 3mo ago

This is such incredible bullshit. I am alive, thriving, and writing books on health policy/politics thanks to antidepressants. Antidepressants aren't for everyone, but they can be literal lifesavers. Attacking their prescribing & use is stigmatizing and dangerous. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/s...

My loves. So very happy with our little life.

Not our toddler quietly whispering to herself "tick tick goes the clock"...#parentinghorror

Someone wrote to me today to tell me my book saved their life. Right book, right time. So there's that, isn't there.

Here, have some whimsy. We all need a bit more whimsy. Love to you all x

Tulips are out