Jeffrey Alexander | Lightnews

Jeff Alexander

@techiewonk.bsky.social

720 followers 470 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 · 2d

Note that the “World’s Top 2% of Scientists” list has no connection to Stanford University or any other institution.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 2d

Keep in mind that CRS is a research branch in the Library of Congress and has no investigative or oversight powers (unlike GAO). This report at most indicates that some member of Congress asked for information about NIH awards.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 3d

I’m torn about this kind of thing. The Science of Science working group has been in planning for a while—pre-dating the current administration. While I don’t at all assume the current leaders act in good faith, we need people in the group who can bear witness to what is discussed.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 21d

It states that those are current US assets, but does not advocate for investing in them—or even for retaining them. The strategy focuses on military dominance and realpolitik as the operational assets (in Trumpworld).

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 21d

In many cases when I’ve asked a “stupid” question, people later tell me that they were wondering the same thing.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 28d

This was in Brazil last week.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Nov 14

And they subpoenaed the Epstein estate because a lawyer for the victims went on Lawrence O’Donnell’s show and said that doing so would enable them to get around DOJ’s intransigence. Masterful move.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Oct 26

Truth.

Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · Oct 21

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 · Oct 18

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 · Oct 18

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 "abiding in the fields" 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.

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