Ali J. Birkett
@alijbirkett.bsky.social
Always curious and usually wearing walking boots! Science Engagement Producer with a PhD in dung beetles. Fascinated by natural world, geography, STEM discoveries, where our food comes from, and social history. #SciComm (She/her)
Pinned
Ali J. Birkett
@alijbirkett.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Hello! Excited to find people on here!
I'm a former field ecology / biogeography researcher and "dung beetle botherer", now working full time in science communication, helping to share the science stories of others. Day-job with Edinburgh Science, by "night" sharing science at music festivals!
I'm a former field ecology / biogeography researcher and "dung beetle botherer", now working full time in science communication, helping to share the science stories of others. Day-job with Edinburgh Science, by "night" sharing science at music festivals!
Hello to all the new Blueskyers 👋
Welcome!
Welcome!
Looking forward to seeing this photo exhibition "Limestone: Life Between the Cracks" in the local libraries of South Cumbria close to the beautiful locations where the photos were taken! 🌿
Thanks for the opportunity to help produce the exhibition @limestonepavements.bsky.social!
#SciComm #Ecology
Thanks for the opportunity to help produce the exhibition @limestonepavements.bsky.social!
#SciComm #Ecology
Carly is currently working with photographer Oana Bakovic to show the beauty and ecology of limestone pavements. Thanks to the @britishecologicalsociety.org we will be producing an exhibit for libraries in Cumbria. This orchid was captured at Gait Barrows.
October 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Looking forward to seeing this photo exhibition "Limestone: Life Between the Cracks" in the local libraries of South Cumbria close to the beautiful locations where the photos were taken! 🌿
Thanks for the opportunity to help produce the exhibition @limestonepavements.bsky.social!
#SciComm #Ecology
Thanks for the opportunity to help produce the exhibition @limestonepavements.bsky.social!
#SciComm #Ecology
Very frightening if this is true.
Terrifying that I won't be very surprised if it is.
Terrifying that I won't be very surprised if it is.
Head of NASA Sean Duffy intends to destroy a satellite that collects key data on carbon dioxide and plant health, by causing it to burn up in the atmosphere. The U.S. Dept of Agriculture and private agriculture firms use the data to forecast crop yield, drought conditions and more.
Why a NASA satellite that scientists and farmers rely on may be destroyed on purpose
The Trump administration has asked NASA staffers to draw up plans to end at least two satellite missions that measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to current and former NASA employees.
www.npr.org
August 10, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Very frightening if this is true.
Terrifying that I won't be very surprised if it is.
Terrifying that I won't be very surprised if it is.
I'm not sure what it says about me that I could immediately recognise the Park Grass experiment from just the thumbnail of this @scishow.bsky.social video!
youtu.be/bFXd7EIXiiA?...
#LongTermExperiment #Agriculture #Ecology #Nitrogen #Science #Evolution
@ect-uk.bsky.social
@rothamsted.bsky.social
youtu.be/bFXd7EIXiiA?...
#LongTermExperiment #Agriculture #Ecology #Nitrogen #Science #Evolution
@ect-uk.bsky.social
@rothamsted.bsky.social
One of the World’s Oldest Experiments is This Patch of Grass
YouTube video by SciShow
youtu.be
August 8, 2025 at 9:21 PM
I'm not sure what it says about me that I could immediately recognise the Park Grass experiment from just the thumbnail of this @scishow.bsky.social video!
youtu.be/bFXd7EIXiiA?...
#LongTermExperiment #Agriculture #Ecology #Nitrogen #Science #Evolution
@ect-uk.bsky.social
@rothamsted.bsky.social
youtu.be/bFXd7EIXiiA?...
#LongTermExperiment #Agriculture #Ecology #Nitrogen #Science #Evolution
@ect-uk.bsky.social
@rothamsted.bsky.social
Sorry for the Bluesky silence. It's been a very busy few months:
- designing Edinburgh Science Festival events 🎭🧪
- preparing for new projects 🤔
- taking a bit of personal time 🥾
Expect more posts in the near future!
#SciComm #science #PublicEngagement
- designing Edinburgh Science Festival events 🎭🧪
- preparing for new projects 🤔
- taking a bit of personal time 🥾
Expect more posts in the near future!
#SciComm #science #PublicEngagement
May 22, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Sorry for the Bluesky silence. It's been a very busy few months:
- designing Edinburgh Science Festival events 🎭🧪
- preparing for new projects 🤔
- taking a bit of personal time 🥾
Expect more posts in the near future!
#SciComm #science #PublicEngagement
- designing Edinburgh Science Festival events 🎭🧪
- preparing for new projects 🤔
- taking a bit of personal time 🥾
Expect more posts in the near future!
#SciComm #science #PublicEngagement
Sharing STEM stories (science, technology, engineering and maths) with people is such a joy! 😁
It's a privilege to be part of the Edinburgh Science events development team... and to moonlight as one of our science communicators at my third Edinburgh Science Festival opening party!
#SciComm #STEM
It's a privilege to be part of the Edinburgh Science events development team... and to moonlight as one of our science communicators at my third Edinburgh Science Festival opening party!
#SciComm #STEM
April 7, 2025 at 8:23 AM
An enlightening threat with lots of info I had no idea about before. An informative #MondayMorning breakfast read!
#ecology #reintroduction #wolf
#ecology #reintroduction #wolf
Sorry, but while I believe it is spread in good faith, I think this is a good time to call out this common mistruth in the Irish ecological community.
Indulge me for a minute, I just finished 5 years in Europe working with wolves, lynx, and deer.
"Lack of wolves" is not the problem. Short🧵
Indulge me for a minute, I just finished 5 years in Europe working with wolves, lynx, and deer.
"Lack of wolves" is not the problem. Short🧵
Deer population 'out of control' due to lack of wolves.
There are no ifs or buts, if we want to restore Ireland’s decimated ecosystems, we must reintroduce apex predators.
There are no ifs or buts, if we want to restore Ireland’s decimated ecosystems, we must reintroduce apex predators.
February 17, 2025 at 9:13 AM
An enlightening threat with lots of info I had no idea about before. An informative #MondayMorning breakfast read!
#ecology #reintroduction #wolf
#ecology #reintroduction #wolf
I've got a lot of work to do today.
Feels like a classic disco tunes sort of day.
Feels like a classic disco tunes sort of day.
a disco ball hanging from the ceiling in a room
Alt: a turning disco ball hanging from the ceiling in a room
media.tenor.com
February 5, 2025 at 10:44 AM
I've got a lot of work to do today.
Feels like a classic disco tunes sort of day.
Feels like a classic disco tunes sort of day.
Wow. 😟😡
Stop worrying about bats and newts? No Rachel Reeves MP – start worrying about the future of our economy if we tear down the nature it depends on.
Nature isn’t a blocker; it’s the foundation of growth.
Nature isn’t a blocker; it’s the foundation of growth.
January 30, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Wow. 😟😡
Highlight of 2024: collaborating with experts to develop Future Farming, showing the potential of #engineering careers in #agriculture and #aquaculture to secondary school students, thanks to @raeng.org.uk.
🏆And now it's shortlisted for an Engineering Matters Award!
www.linkedin.com/posts/edinbu...
🏆And now it's shortlisted for an Engineering Matters Award!
www.linkedin.com/posts/edinbu...
Edinburgh Science on LinkedIn: #raengingenious #futurefarming #engineeringmatters #careershive #stem…
🏆 Future Farming: A Celebration of Innovation and Inspiration! 🏆
We’re thrilled to share that our Future Farming activity has been nominated for an…
www.linkedin.com
January 27, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Highlight of 2024: collaborating with experts to develop Future Farming, showing the potential of #engineering careers in #agriculture and #aquaculture to secondary school students, thanks to @raeng.org.uk.
🏆And now it's shortlisted for an Engineering Matters Award!
www.linkedin.com/posts/edinbu...
🏆And now it's shortlisted for an Engineering Matters Award!
www.linkedin.com/posts/edinbu...
The world is full of so many interesting things! I'm having one of those afternoons where I'm not getting anything done because I keep finding new things to look up. I WILL finally make it into the kitchen sometime before teatime, I hope! 😜 #AlwaysCurious
a frog wearing glasses is reading a book with the words so much to learn so little time
Alt: Gif of a green caterpillar-like "bookworm" wearing glasses wuth their eyes going side to side as they read a book. Text underneath says "so much to learn so little time"
media.tenor.com
January 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The world is full of so many interesting things! I'm having one of those afternoons where I'm not getting anything done because I keep finding new things to look up. I WILL finally make it into the kitchen sometime before teatime, I hope! 😜 #AlwaysCurious
Scottish-based scientists: come and share your work on an Edinburgh Science Festival stage with #FameLab 2025! Application deadline: Sunday 5 Jan.
Details: www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/fam...
#EdSciFest
#SciComm #research #storytelling #communication #STEM #WomenInSTEM #science
Details: www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/fam...
#EdSciFest
#SciComm #research #storytelling #communication #STEM #WomenInSTEM #science
FameLab UK - Edinburgh Science
www.edinburghscience.co.uk
December 28, 2024 at 9:41 PM
Scottish-based scientists: come and share your work on an Edinburgh Science Festival stage with #FameLab 2025! Application deadline: Sunday 5 Jan.
Details: www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/fam...
#EdSciFest
#SciComm #research #storytelling #communication #STEM #WomenInSTEM #science
Details: www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/fam...
#EdSciFest
#SciComm #research #storytelling #communication #STEM #WomenInSTEM #science
Are you a #science researcher or student? ✅️
Looking for an amazing #SciComm opportunity to develop your #communication skills and share your work with a live festival audience? ✅️
Based in #Scotland? ✅️
Well I hope you've got your application in for #FameLab!
www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/fam...
Looking for an amazing #SciComm opportunity to develop your #communication skills and share your work with a live festival audience? ✅️
Based in #Scotland? ✅️
Well I hope you've got your application in for #FameLab!
www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/fam...
FameLab UK - Edinburgh Science
www.edinburghscience.co.uk
December 10, 2024 at 10:22 PM
Are you a #science researcher or student? ✅️
Looking for an amazing #SciComm opportunity to develop your #communication skills and share your work with a live festival audience? ✅️
Based in #Scotland? ✅️
Well I hope you've got your application in for #FameLab!
www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/fam...
Looking for an amazing #SciComm opportunity to develop your #communication skills and share your work with a live festival audience? ✅️
Based in #Scotland? ✅️
Well I hope you've got your application in for #FameLab!
www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/fam...
Reposted by Ali J. Birkett
🐝 Limestone Quarries & Wild Bees
A study from @britishecolsoc.bsky.social finds abandoned quarries can be vital habitats for 114 bee species, including 35 endangered ones, when managed well. Connectivity & floral diversity are key.
🔗 besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#SciComm 🧪
A study from @britishecolsoc.bsky.social finds abandoned quarries can be vital habitats for 114 bee species, including 35 endangered ones, when managed well. Connectivity & floral diversity are key.
🔗 besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#SciComm 🧪
Landscape diversity, habitat connectivity, age and size determine the conservation value of limestone quarries for diverse wild bee communities
Observed negative effects of high woody vegetation cover on bee communities highlight the importance of local management to reduce shrub encroachment and reset successional processes in limestone qua....
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 4, 2024 at 5:56 PM
🐝 Limestone Quarries & Wild Bees
A study from @britishecolsoc.bsky.social finds abandoned quarries can be vital habitats for 114 bee species, including 35 endangered ones, when managed well. Connectivity & floral diversity are key.
🔗 besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#SciComm 🧪
A study from @britishecolsoc.bsky.social finds abandoned quarries can be vital habitats for 114 bee species, including 35 endangered ones, when managed well. Connectivity & floral diversity are key.
🔗 besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#SciComm 🧪
This is a fascinating piece of #bumblebee research! Read the main thread and @hcslambert.bsky.social's interesting answer to questions too.
#ecology #insect #flower #phenology
Love that I'm discovering things like this again thanks to this place
#ecology #insect #flower #phenology
Love that I'm discovering things like this again thanks to this place
🌟 Throwback to my 2020 research published in @science.org 🌼🐝 We showed how bumble bees actively shape their environment—making plants flower earlier to meet their needs. Nature’s engineers in action! 🧪🌏
Sharing this for anyone who missed it—let’s dive in! [1/17] 👇
Sharing this for anyone who missed it—let’s dive in! [1/17] 👇
November 27, 2024 at 8:47 PM
This is a fascinating piece of #bumblebee research! Read the main thread and @hcslambert.bsky.social's interesting answer to questions too.
#ecology #insect #flower #phenology
Love that I'm discovering things like this again thanks to this place
#ecology #insect #flower #phenology
Love that I'm discovering things like this again thanks to this place
I've been out of the field lab for a long while. Who are the #DungBeetle researchers in #Farming and #ecology and #biogeography to follow on here to get me up to speed?
#AlwaysCurious #biodiversity #SustainableFarming #insect #invertebrate #entomology
#AlwaysCurious #biodiversity #SustainableFarming #insect #invertebrate #entomology
November 26, 2024 at 8:19 AM
I've been out of the field lab for a long while. Who are the #DungBeetle researchers in #Farming and #ecology and #biogeography to follow on here to get me up to speed?
#AlwaysCurious #biodiversity #SustainableFarming #insect #invertebrate #entomology
#AlwaysCurious #biodiversity #SustainableFarming #insect #invertebrate #entomology
Reposted by Ali J. Birkett
Blue sky is the 'nice app' where white people make starter packs about their interest or research area but somehow do not notice that these lists are all white and then further do not engage when this pointed out. But you are not racist, right?
November 25, 2024 at 9:45 AM
Blue sky is the 'nice app' where white people make starter packs about their interest or research area but somehow do not notice that these lists are all white and then further do not engage when this pointed out. But you are not racist, right?
Reposted by Ali J. Birkett
ScienceWrite, a UK scheme for aspiring STEM writers from minoritised backgrounds, is open for 2025 applications!
The 3rd year @romatheengineer.bsky.social & I are running this, with support from @royalsociety.bsky.social & I am SO EXCITED
Deadline 3rd Jan #SciComm 🧪
www.sciencewrite.co.uk
The 3rd year @romatheengineer.bsky.social & I are running this, with support from @royalsociety.bsky.social & I am SO EXCITED
Deadline 3rd Jan #SciComm 🧪
www.sciencewrite.co.uk
November 20, 2024 at 1:28 PM
ScienceWrite, a UK scheme for aspiring STEM writers from minoritised backgrounds, is open for 2025 applications!
The 3rd year @romatheengineer.bsky.social & I are running this, with support from @royalsociety.bsky.social & I am SO EXCITED
Deadline 3rd Jan #SciComm 🧪
www.sciencewrite.co.uk
The 3rd year @romatheengineer.bsky.social & I are running this, with support from @royalsociety.bsky.social & I am SO EXCITED
Deadline 3rd Jan #SciComm 🧪
www.sciencewrite.co.uk
Very poignant thread from @be-sciencey.bsky.social. Would be great for the #SciComm community over here to better than it's ever been elsewhere. I'm mostly here to discover and learn instead of share, but would be interested to follow this conversation. Thanks for getting it started Helen!
November 17, 2024 at 12:53 AM
Very poignant thread from @be-sciencey.bsky.social. Would be great for the #SciComm community over here to better than it's ever been elsewhere. I'm mostly here to discover and learn instead of share, but would be interested to follow this conversation. Thanks for getting it started Helen!
Reposted by Ali J. Birkett
Hi #freshwater folks 👋 The Freshwater Biological Association have announced a new initiative to assess one of our rarest fish, the Arctic charr, in Windermere.
There is a crowd funder, too, to support the work ☺️
(And here's a bit of #SciArt from me!)
🧪💦
www.fba.org.uk/lake-distric...
There is a crowd funder, too, to support the work ☺️
(And here's a bit of #SciArt from me!)
🧪💦
www.fba.org.uk/lake-distric...
November 8, 2024 at 7:07 PM
Hi #freshwater folks 👋 The Freshwater Biological Association have announced a new initiative to assess one of our rarest fish, the Arctic charr, in Windermere.
There is a crowd funder, too, to support the work ☺️
(And here's a bit of #SciArt from me!)
🧪💦
www.fba.org.uk/lake-distric...
There is a crowd funder, too, to support the work ☺️
(And here's a bit of #SciArt from me!)
🧪💦
www.fba.org.uk/lake-distric...
Hello to all the new Blueskyers 👋
Welcome!
Welcome!
Hello! Excited to find people on here!
I'm a former field ecology / biogeography researcher and "dung beetle botherer", now working full time in science communication, helping to share the science stories of others. Day-job with Edinburgh Science, by "night" sharing science at music festivals!
I'm a former field ecology / biogeography researcher and "dung beetle botherer", now working full time in science communication, helping to share the science stories of others. Day-job with Edinburgh Science, by "night" sharing science at music festivals!
November 14, 2024 at 6:57 PM
Hello to all the new Blueskyers 👋
Welcome!
Welcome!
Going to have a full read of this later, but a brief look suggests it's a really useful resource for researchers and research-adjacent professionals alike. Thanks @uoylibrary.bsky.social !
We've written a Researcher's Guide to Bluesky!
It's a bit like all those other useful guides to Bluesky, but with several useful insights from University of York academics about using the platform, and we'd love it if it was reposted far and wide...
>> blogs.york.ac.uk/library/2024...
🧵 below
It's a bit like all those other useful guides to Bluesky, but with several useful insights from University of York academics about using the platform, and we'd love it if it was reposted far and wide...
>> blogs.york.ac.uk/library/2024...
🧵 below
The Researcher’s Guide to Bluesky – The Library, Learning, Archives and Wellbeing Blog
blogs.york.ac.uk
November 14, 2024 at 8:42 AM
Going to have a full read of this later, but a brief look suggests it's a really useful resource for researchers and research-adjacent professionals alike. Thanks @uoylibrary.bsky.social !
Ah the things you find yourself doing for work! 🤷 What are you doing with your Thursday afternoon?
#SciComm #PublicEngagement #Events #Science #Pollinators
#SciComm #PublicEngagement #Events #Science #Pollinators
October 24, 2024 at 1:45 PM
Ah the things you find yourself doing for work! 🤷 What are you doing with your Thursday afternoon?
#SciComm #PublicEngagement #Events #Science #Pollinators
#SciComm #PublicEngagement #Events #Science #Pollinators
I didn't know you could do this here, or that this is how this ap has been set up. Very useful info! Thanks Bethany!
#Accessibility #photography
#Accessibility #photography
Welcome! This is gorgeous. Insta- follow.
I encourage you to include alt text. You can go to settings & place a reminder to do so, if you like. You will also find alt text images to engage at much higher rates
Since the feed is self curated ur also encouraged to self re-skeet to followers
NTMY!🌸
I encourage you to include alt text. You can go to settings & place a reminder to do so, if you like. You will also find alt text images to engage at much higher rates
Since the feed is self curated ur also encouraged to self re-skeet to followers
NTMY!🌸
August 18, 2024 at 8:50 AM
I didn't know you could do this here, or that this is how this ap has been set up. Very useful info! Thanks Bethany!
#Accessibility #photography
#Accessibility #photography
Reposted by Ali J. Birkett
Ecologists🌍🧪! I'd love it if you could fill in this short survey about #DataScience & #Ecology pretty please forms.gle/m3ae3JLbHpoU... Fact-finding mission for my new role @dsilancaster. @BESMacroecol.bsky.social
@BES_QE_SIG.bsky.social
@BritishEcolSoc.bsky.social
Thanks! cat to get attention...
@BES_QE_SIG.bsky.social
@BritishEcolSoc.bsky.social
Thanks! cat to get attention...
Cat Dance GIF
media.tenor.com
July 8, 2024 at 9:03 AM
Ecologists🌍🧪! I'd love it if you could fill in this short survey about #DataScience & #Ecology pretty please forms.gle/m3ae3JLbHpoU... Fact-finding mission for my new role @dsilancaster. @BESMacroecol.bsky.social
@BES_QE_SIG.bsky.social
@BritishEcolSoc.bsky.social
Thanks! cat to get attention...
@BES_QE_SIG.bsky.social
@BritishEcolSoc.bsky.social
Thanks! cat to get attention...
An interesting article in The Conversation exploring the challenges in communicating science and how we need to consider people's distrust when we think about how to go about sharing important scientific messages.
theconversation.com/why-some-peo...
theconversation.com/why-some-peo...
Why some people don't trust science – and how to change their minds
People who are suspicious of science often assume they are understand it well – and that others agree with them.
theconversation.com
January 2, 2024 at 10:38 AM
An interesting article in The Conversation exploring the challenges in communicating science and how we need to consider people's distrust when we think about how to go about sharing important scientific messages.
theconversation.com/why-some-peo...
theconversation.com/why-some-peo...