Jeffrey Alexander | Lightnews

Jeff Alexander

@techiewonk.bsky.social

700 followers 460 following 120 posts

Director, Innovation Policy @rti.bsky.social (the Research Triangle Institute). Unapologetic wonk at the intersection of #sciencepolicy, #innovation, and strategy. Ask me about R&D evaluation, innovation metrics, horizon scanning, & cocktails. .. more

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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 16d

Truth.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 20d

Umm…the timescale of these investments are NOT similar. GenAI infrastructure investment (based on announcements) is supposedly happening over a much shorter period

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 23d

Happened when DHS was created after 9/11

Reposted by Michael Kevane, Jeffrey Alexander, Leah Stokes , and 1 more Michael Kevane, Jeffrey Alexander, Leah Stokes, David Darmofal

G Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 23d

Based on early numbers, there are easily more people participating in the second No Kings Day than in the first. Trump's strategy of constantly talking about this on TV and GOP govs sending in the national guard obviously energized the left. docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

20251018_No Kings Day 2 Protests Unofficial Attendance Crowdsourcing

docs.google.com

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Oct 12

I would totally bet that they had grok rewrite the code.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Oct 12

“The software, called AutoRIF, which stands for Automated Reduction in Force, was first developed by the Department of Defense more than two decades ago. Since then, it’s been updated several times and used by a variety of agencies to expedite reductions in workforce.”

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Oct 12

Um, that is actually pretty close to what happened: www.wired.com/story/doge-a...

DOGE Is Working on Software That Automates the Firing of Government Workers

Operatives working for Elon Musk’s DOGE appear to be editing the code of AutoRIF—software designed by the Defense Department that could assist in mass firings of federal workers, sources tell WIRED.

www.wired.com

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Oct 1

The alternative is that millions of contractors (including call center agents, data entry workers) would be furloughed or fired upon shutdown. Unlike feds, furloughed contractors do NOT receive back pay when the gov’t re-opens. And the contract workforce is much bigger than federal workforce.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Oct 1

While this project is a travesty, this is normal practice. As a federal contractor, I can keep working for my federal client until we need direct guidance. This rule enables me to keep my work going (in support of the agency) through a shutdown.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Sep 30

True, it apparently ended when the US surrendered.

Reposted by Jeffrey Alexander

Jeremy B. Yoder 🧬📊🌿🏳️‍🌈🖖🏻 @jbyoder.org · Sep 29

New today: We're petitioning NSF to revert GRFP eligibility criteria to last year's terms, to avoid pulling the rug out from under the earliest of early-career scientists who had every reason to think they'd be able to apply this year. Sign and spread the word!

laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Sep 29

New contest idea—“Americanize” the titles of movies referencing or set in other countries! “All Quiet on the Atlantic Front.” “30 Seconds Over Little Tokyo.” (Someone please do better…)

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Sep 26

What does “follow the facts” mean here—aren’t you supposed to have all the facts needed to prove guilt BEFORE you indict someone?

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Sep 25

And for those who are curious, “Gilders” followed George Gilder, a futurist who promised all kinds of bounties from new communications technologies but is mainly known for pumping telecom tech firms where he owned stock to his followers and cashing out: www.wired.com/2002/07/gild...

The Madness of King George

George Gilder listened to the technology, and became guru of the telecosm. The markets listened to his newsletter, and followed him into the Global Crossing abyss.

www.wired.com

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Sep 23

This course, organized by the DC Chapter of the Technology Transfer Society, explains how technologies invented in labs or at start-ups can be brought to market through partnerships and patent licensing. Great for scientists considering an alternate career! $700 (or $475 for county residents)

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Sep 23

STARTS THURSDAY: Our course on “An Introduction to Technology Transfer and Commercialization” at Montgomery College, Rockville, MD with the option to attend remotely via Zoom. Thursdays from 6:30pm to 9pm Eastern through December 18. See www.montgomerycollege.edu/workforce-de...

Small Business and Entrepreneurship | Montgomery College, Maryland

www.montgomerycollege.edu

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Sep 23

Based on an article for @issuesinst.bsky.social on new ways to calculate biomedical research impact issues.org/nih-intramur.... Cc: @jeremymberg.bsky.social @stuartbuck.bsky.social @shalinjyotishi.bsky.social @standupforscience.bsky.social @davidimiller.bsky.social @maxkozlov.bsky.social

The Real Returns on NIH’s Intramural Research

The NIH intramural research program generates benefits far beyond the property lines of its facilities and laboratories.

issues.org

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Sep 23

I’ll be speaking tomorrow (9/23) at 9am EST at the DC campus of Arizona State U on a project by @rti.bsky.social to calculate the long-term impacts of technologies invented at NIH labs. See cspo.org/event/ntfa09... Register to attend in-person or online. #techtransfer #sciencepolicy

Rethinking the Outcomes of Biomedical Research - CSPO

cspo.org

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Sep 22

MOST of ANY scientific progress is incremental. That’s a feature, not a bug—careful experimental study that has to be reviewed. As a mentor of mine said, the phrase “high risk, high reward research” usually means “please only fund successful research with known results.”

Reposted by Jeffrey Alexander

Michael E. Mann @michaelemann.bsky.social · Sep 18

Please come out (or participate via livestream) for our #ScienceUnderSiege event at the storied DC bookstore @politicsprose.bsky.social, featuring my co-author @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social & yours truly,
Thursday Oct 2: politics-prose.com/mann-hotez

Reposted by Jeffrey Alexander

AAU @aau.edu · Sep 16

On September 15th, Business for Federal Research Funding, a coalition of chambers of commerce representing employers in 35 states, expressed their support for robust R&D funding for FY26. Read the letter:

researchfunding.org

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Sep 2

What a waste especially since the move to the current NSF HQ was controversial and the NSF’s union sued to block it: www.flra.gov/fsip/2014fs_-6

National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia and Local 3403, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO *CASE NOs. 14 FSIP 100 & 104*

ARBITRATOR’S OPINION AND DECISION

www.flra.gov

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Aug 18

For those who don’t know, for DECADES Ukraine was the main location in the USSR for missile development and production. These folks know their stuff. They built the missile that took out Russia’s flagship battle cruiser early in the war.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Aug 11

Plus Capitol Police, US Mint Police, Postal Inspection Service, Dept of Energy Police (the Federal Protective Force), the DoD Police Force…

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Jul 22

NSF gives program directors much more discretion to pick out lower-scored proposals. With the bias inherent in peer review, random selection among the top cohort of proposals is probably more fair than strict adherence to ranked scores.

Reposted by Jeffrey Alexander

Neuromatch @neuromatch.bsky.social · Jul 17

We're gathering insights on how basic scientists think about public engagement, what barriers they face, & what kind of support would make it easier.

👉 Take a few minutes to share your thoughts before 3 Aug: airtable.com/appIOiMGYFhF...

#BasicScience #OpenScience #LabLife #AcademicChatter

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Jul 16

Not just a White House aide. He’s talking about the Science Adviser to the President (probably why Trump doesn’t know him).

Reposted by Jeffrey Alexander

29th Annual Conference on Science and Technology Indicators @stienid2025.bsky.social · Jul 10

The 29th Annual #STI2025 isn’t just great talks — it’s about community + fun too!

📍 Bristol, Sept 3–5:
🏃‍♀️ Morning harbour run
🎨 Banksy treasure hunt
🎲 ‘Publish & Perish’ game
🖼️ Poster bingo

Come for the research, stay for the people. Join us!
👉 stienid2025.org/registration-1

Registration | STI-ENID2025

stienid2025.org

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Jul 1

I always wonder how useful these polls are. He’s not going to run for re-election. If he does, it’s because he can guarantee the outcome. The ultimate lame duck President.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Jun 8

It seems like it’s fair to ask yourself how many hours you are willing to spend writing multiple worthy proposals just to get one that will barely cover the cost of a Graduate Research Assistant.

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