Andy Tattersall
@andytattersall.bsky.social
Open Research Communications Specialist .
Trouble-shooter, techy, writer, podcaster, trainer and speaker.
Research communications and impact trainer - consultant for hire.
https://www.andytattersall.com/
https://linktr.ee/andy_tattersall
Trouble-shooter, techy, writer, podcaster, trainer and speaker.
Research communications and impact trainer - consultant for hire.
https://www.andytattersall.com/
https://linktr.ee/andy_tattersall
Pinned
I'm launching two online academic writing workshops and retreats to help researchers, students, teachers and professionals to kick their 2026 new year writing habits into gear.
I've run hundreds of popular writing retreats at the University of Sheffield, starting back in 2015.
bit.ly/3K6OdjJ
1/4
I've run hundreds of popular writing retreats at the University of Sheffield, starting back in 2015.
bit.ly/3K6OdjJ
1/4
58% of UK Universities still actively posting on X - even being the majority is not a good look.
It’ll look even worse when another dozen or so from the 141 finally cease using that horrendous platform.
It’ll look even worse when another dozen or so from the 141 finally cease using that horrendous platform.
January 10, 2026 at 10:02 AM
58% of UK Universities still actively posting on X - even being the majority is not a good look.
It’ll look even worse when another dozen or so from the 141 finally cease using that horrendous platform.
It’ll look even worse when another dozen or so from the 141 finally cease using that horrendous platform.
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
Here’s just some of that Royal Society code of conduct. It looks extremely clear to me that Musk is breaching it in multiple ways. It also seems clear to me that the Royal Society has explicitly set out that it should judge the character & actions o its fellows.
January 9, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Here’s just some of that Royal Society code of conduct. It looks extremely clear to me that Musk is breaching it in multiple ways. It also seems clear to me that the Royal Society has explicitly set out that it should judge the character & actions o its fellows.
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
Indonesia blocks Musk’s Grok chatbot due to risk of pornographic content
Indonesia blocks Musk’s Grok chatbot due to risk of pornographic content
Move comes after governments and regulators from Europe to Asia have condemned the AI tool and some have opened inquiries into sexualised content
Indonesia temporarily blocked Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot on Saturday due to the risk of AI-generated pornographic content, becoming the first country to deny access to the AI tool.
The move comes after governments, researchers and regulators from Europe to Asia have condemned and some have opened inquiries into sexualised content on the app. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Indonesia blocks Musk’s Grok chatbot due to risk of pornographic content
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
I've been sitting on this for over a month...but given how cross I am with @royalsociety.org at their ongoing inaction over #Elon #Musk I thought I'd share this.
They invited me to serve on their Public Engagement Committee; I could have been more eloquent, but I had to give a firm "no"...
They invited me to serve on their Public Engagement Committee; I could have been more eloquent, but I had to give a firm "no"...
January 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM
I've been sitting on this for over a month...but given how cross I am with @royalsociety.org at their ongoing inaction over #Elon #Musk I thought I'd share this.
They invited me to serve on their Public Engagement Committee; I could have been more eloquent, but I had to give a firm "no"...
They invited me to serve on their Public Engagement Committee; I could have been more eloquent, but I had to give a firm "no"...
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
Really good piece on how with minimal to zero input from experienced librarians, Manchester City Council threw out around a quarter of a million books in a rush during the renovation of Central Library in 2010 by @sophieatkinson.bsky.social for @manchestermill.bsky.social
The lost books of Central Library: scandal or conspiracy theory?
A quarter of a million volumes were disposed of in circumstances that remain deeply contested. Some former workers accuse the council of a cover up
manchestermill.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Really good piece on how with minimal to zero input from experienced librarians, Manchester City Council threw out around a quarter of a million books in a rush during the renovation of Central Library in 2010 by @sophieatkinson.bsky.social for @manchestermill.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
I cannot stress enough that you should not do this.
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health, encouraging users to connect their medical records — The Verge
OpenAI has been dropping hints this week about AI’s role as a “healthcare ally” — and today, the company is announcing a product to go along with that idea: ChatGPT Health.
apple.news
January 8, 2026 at 8:51 PM
I cannot stress enough that you should not do this.
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
@zoecrowther.bsky.social exclusive:
Leaked WhatsApp messages show Labour MPs urging the government to stop using X
Asked to share government messaging on the platform, Labour MPs responded asking why they were still on there when it had put "children in harm's way" and is being run by a "fascist"
Leaked WhatsApp messages show Labour MPs urging the government to stop using X
Asked to share government messaging on the platform, Labour MPs responded asking why they were still on there when it had put "children in harm's way" and is being run by a "fascist"
Leaked WhatsApp Messages Show Labour MPs Demanding Government Leaves X
Exclusive: Leaked WhatsApp messages show Labour MPs urging the government to leave X, arguing that it should 'show direction to others in the UK'.
www.politicshome.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:55 PM
@zoecrowther.bsky.social exclusive:
Leaked WhatsApp messages show Labour MPs urging the government to stop using X
Asked to share government messaging on the platform, Labour MPs responded asking why they were still on there when it had put "children in harm's way" and is being run by a "fascist"
Leaked WhatsApp messages show Labour MPs urging the government to stop using X
Asked to share government messaging on the platform, Labour MPs responded asking why they were still on there when it had put "children in harm's way" and is being run by a "fascist"
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
Inequalities in UK research ‘intensified’ after Covid
Inequities “not only persisted but deepened” in pandemic, @edicaucus.bsky.social study finds, with bullying culture worsening
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Inequities “not only persisted but deepened” in pandemic, @edicaucus.bsky.social study finds, with bullying culture worsening
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Inequalities in UK research ‘intensified’ after Covid - Research Professional News
Inequities “not only persisted but deepened” in pandemic, study finds, with bullying culture worsening
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Inequalities in UK research ‘intensified’ after Covid
Inequities “not only persisted but deepened” in pandemic, @edicaucus.bsky.social study finds, with bullying culture worsening
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Inequities “not only persisted but deepened” in pandemic, @edicaucus.bsky.social study finds, with bullying culture worsening
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
The Need to Stay Informed vs The Need to Finish My Dissertation Edits
a blue robot and an orange robot are boxing in a ring
Alt: rock em sock em robots - a blue robot and an orange robot are boxing in a ring
media.tenor.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The Need to Stay Informed vs The Need to Finish My Dissertation Edits
I hope this email doesn't find you...
January 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM
I hope this email doesn't find you...
A funny 5 year memory popped up in Facebook today that I was dressing like a British Diplomat when working at home in Lockdown.
I rocked a jacket and tie for about 18 months, which really helped with the work discipline and work/home balance.
I bought that dinner jacket on Ebay for £3
I rocked a jacket and tie for about 18 months, which really helped with the work discipline and work/home balance.
I bought that dinner jacket on Ebay for £3
January 8, 2026 at 1:26 PM
A funny 5 year memory popped up in Facebook today that I was dressing like a British Diplomat when working at home in Lockdown.
I rocked a jacket and tie for about 18 months, which really helped with the work discipline and work/home balance.
I bought that dinner jacket on Ebay for £3
I rocked a jacket and tie for about 18 months, which really helped with the work discipline and work/home balance.
I bought that dinner jacket on Ebay for £3
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
X/Twitter's rough full volume is around 500 total million posts every day, or 182 (and a half) billion posts per year.
By contracts, we found 11.2 million research posts in all of 2025 on there.
In other words, 0.000006% of Twitter appears to be sharing research. Basically zero.
By contracts, we found 11.2 million research posts in all of 2025 on there.
In other words, 0.000006% of Twitter appears to be sharing research. Basically zero.
January 8, 2026 at 1:08 PM
X/Twitter's rough full volume is around 500 total million posts every day, or 182 (and a half) billion posts per year.
By contracts, we found 11.2 million research posts in all of 2025 on there.
In other words, 0.000006% of Twitter appears to be sharing research. Basically zero.
By contracts, we found 11.2 million research posts in all of 2025 on there.
In other words, 0.000006% of Twitter appears to be sharing research. Basically zero.
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
Since Jan 1 2025, which feels like four trillion years ago, research has been shared on here 5 million whole-ass times. Bluesky recently passed 2 billion posts IN TOTAL.
So 0.25% of the entire site's traffic was citations to research.
That is actually massively high. Is it? Yes. Here's why.
So 0.25% of the entire site's traffic was citations to research.
That is actually massively high. Is it? Yes. Here's why.
January 8, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Since Jan 1 2025, which feels like four trillion years ago, research has been shared on here 5 million whole-ass times. Bluesky recently passed 2 billion posts IN TOTAL.
So 0.25% of the entire site's traffic was citations to research.
That is actually massively high. Is it? Yes. Here's why.
So 0.25% of the entire site's traffic was citations to research.
That is actually massively high. Is it? Yes. Here's why.
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
AI tool developed by a company owned and run by a Fellow of the @royalsociety.org floods the internet with sexualized photos of women and minors www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
Elon Musk's Grok AI floods X with sexualized photos of women and minors
When contacted by Reuters for comment by email, xAI replied with the message "Legacy Media Lies."
www.reuters.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:02 PM
AI tool developed by a company owned and run by a Fellow of the @royalsociety.org floods the internet with sexualized photos of women and minors www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
As I said this am, work on social mobility “will rub up against powerful interests who see no difficulty in being able to buy advantages in life, but society is crying out for institutions that give anyone a fair shake, whatever their circumstances/background.”
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Cambridge college to target elite private schools for student recruitment
Exclusive: Trinity Hall’s new policy described as a ‘slap in the face’ for state-educated students
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:43 PM
As I said this am, work on social mobility “will rub up against powerful interests who see no difficulty in being able to buy advantages in life, but society is crying out for institutions that give anyone a fair shake, whatever their circumstances/background.”
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
This is a special recording I made after my @socmedhe.bsky.social keynote at the @lancasteruni.bsky.social where I discussed #AcademicTwitter Is Dead — What Died, What Survived, What’s Next
I discussed what happened and what lessons might be learned from it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp3V...
I discussed what happened and what lessons might be learned from it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp3V...
#AcademicTwitter Is Dead — What Died, What Survived, What’s Next
YouTube video by Andy Tattersall
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:02 PM
This is a special recording I made after my @socmedhe.bsky.social keynote at the @lancasteruni.bsky.social where I discussed #AcademicTwitter Is Dead — What Died, What Survived, What’s Next
I discussed what happened and what lessons might be learned from it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp3V...
I discussed what happened and what lessons might be learned from it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp3V...
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
I've learned that Edinburgh University is planning to cut 20% of academics in some departments
To decide who gets the chop, they generated an academic contribution metric that is a raw count of *any type* of output, including book reviews.
The management of UK Universities continues to amaze
To decide who gets the chop, they generated an academic contribution metric that is a raw count of *any type* of output, including book reviews.
The management of UK Universities continues to amaze
January 5, 2026 at 9:20 AM
I've learned that Edinburgh University is planning to cut 20% of academics in some departments
To decide who gets the chop, they generated an academic contribution metric that is a raw count of *any type* of output, including book reviews.
The management of UK Universities continues to amaze
To decide who gets the chop, they generated an academic contribution metric that is a raw count of *any type* of output, including book reviews.
The management of UK Universities continues to amaze
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
Suppose you ask #AI for improvements to your writing.
The #LLM was trained on, but doesn’t mention, Smith’s work.
You adopt the suggestions containing Smith’s ideas.
You don’t even realize YOU’VE PLAGIARIZED because you’ve never read or heard of Smith.
The #LLM was trained on, but doesn’t mention, Smith’s work.
You adopt the suggestions containing Smith’s ideas.
You don’t even realize YOU’VE PLAGIARIZED because you’ve never read or heard of Smith.
LLM use in scholarly writing poses a provenance problem
Nature Machine Intelligence - LLM use in scholarly writing poses a provenance problem
doi.org
December 23, 2025 at 12:07 PM
This looks like a pretty cool job for anyone with the right skills.
Research Scientist @wikimediafoundation.org
job-boards.greenhouse.io/wikimedia/jo...
Research Scientist @wikimediafoundation.org
job-boards.greenhouse.io/wikimedia/jo...
Research Scientist
Remote
job-boards.greenhouse.io
January 6, 2026 at 3:14 PM
This looks like a pretty cool job for anyone with the right skills.
Research Scientist @wikimediafoundation.org
job-boards.greenhouse.io/wikimedia/jo...
Research Scientist @wikimediafoundation.org
job-boards.greenhouse.io/wikimedia/jo...
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
🕰️ In the third of our annual reviews we bring together ten of the best posts exploring the changing concepts, practices and contexts in which research impact occurs.
#ResearchImpact #SocietalImpact #AcademicSky
#ResearchImpact #SocietalImpact #AcademicSky
2025 in review – New pathways to impact? - Impact of Social Sciences
The third of the Impact Blog's annual reviews brings together ten of the best posts focused on how and why research can impact the wider world.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 5, 2026 at 4:04 PM
🕰️ In the third of our annual reviews we bring together ten of the best posts exploring the changing concepts, practices and contexts in which research impact occurs.
#ResearchImpact #SocietalImpact #AcademicSky
#ResearchImpact #SocietalImpact #AcademicSky
I'm sure plenty of people will have trudged back into their office or turned on their home computers, blearily eyed and thinking about all the writing tacks they didn't start or finish in time for Xmas.
I am hosting 2 writing workshops & retreats this month.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/online-ac...
1/5
I am hosting 2 writing workshops & retreats this month.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/online-ac...
1/5
Online Academic Writing Retreats
The purpose of these workshops and online retreats is to give you practical skills and habits to empower yourself to be a more habitual writer. You will learn tried and tested techniques to enhance y...
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 3:29 PM
I'm sure plenty of people will have trudged back into their office or turned on their home computers, blearily eyed and thinking about all the writing tacks they didn't start or finish in time for Xmas.
I am hosting 2 writing workshops & retreats this month.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/online-ac...
1/5
I am hosting 2 writing workshops & retreats this month.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/online-ac...
1/5
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
Zuckerberg settles $8 billion lawsuit over Cambridge Analytica scandal, avoids testifying www.france24.com/en/americas/... @carolecadwalla.bsky.social
Zuckerberg settles $8 billion lawsuit over Cambridge Analytica scandal, avoids testifying
Mark Zuckerberg and current and former Meta executives agreed on Thursday to settle a $8 billion shareholder lawsuit alleging the company’s directors failed to prevent billions of dollars in fines and...
www.france24.com
December 27, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Zuckerberg settles $8 billion lawsuit over Cambridge Analytica scandal, avoids testifying www.france24.com/en/americas/... @carolecadwalla.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy Tattersall
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
December 27, 2025 at 5:27 PM
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
He had to up his game to ensure he got some of the Christmas dinner
December 25, 2025 at 9:11 PM
He had to up his game to ensure he got some of the Christmas dinner