Angela Cassidy
@angecass.bsky.social
Undisciplined scholar. Researching science, society+policy; humans-animals-environments; #OneHealth #microbes #STS #HistSTM #scicomm.
Author, 'Vermin, Victims and Disease: British Debates over Badgers and Bovine TB'
Author, 'Vermin, Victims and Disease: British Debates over Badgers and Bovine TB'
Pinned
Angela Cassidy
@angecass.bsky.social
· Nov 13
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
Please please, GIVE ME A SIGN YOU'RE REAL!
"1. Fill out your profile BEFORE you start following people: issue is that accounts with generic avatars and no biography or introductory text are perceived as likely to be bots, so users not only eschew following back but they may even automatically block"
"1. Fill out your profile BEFORE you start following people: issue is that accounts with generic avatars and no biography or introductory text are perceived as likely to be bots, so users not only eschew following back but they may even automatically block"
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Well well well. Finally, in the light of the resignations of DG and BBC news CEO, the BBC is reporting about the entryists on its own Board, and their agenda to force the BBC's editorial position to the right, even the far right.
Step into the spotlight, Robbie Gibb.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Step into the spotlight, Robbie Gibb.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 10, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Well well well. Finally, in the light of the resignations of DG and BBC news CEO, the BBC is reporting about the entryists on its own Board, and their agenda to force the BBC's editorial position to the right, even the far right.
Step into the spotlight, Robbie Gibb.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Step into the spotlight, Robbie Gibb.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Special book talk today - we do not only talk about books, we also occasionally write them! Join @finnarne.me and @medievalpenguin.bsky.social in discussing Ghosts Behind Glass with @dollyjorgensen.bsky.social. #envhum #envhist
Tomorrow (Monday, Nov 10) the tables are turned: I’m the guest on the Greenhouse #envhum book talk to discuss Ghosts Behind Glass with @finnarne.me & guest host @medievalpenguin.bsky.social
Join us online for the discussion! 4pm CET/3pm GMT/10am EST
newnatures.org/greenhouse/e...
Join us online for the discussion! 4pm CET/3pm GMT/10am EST
newnatures.org/greenhouse/e...
November 10, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Special book talk today - we do not only talk about books, we also occasionally write them! Join @finnarne.me and @medievalpenguin.bsky.social in discussing Ghosts Behind Glass with @dollyjorgensen.bsky.social. #envhum #envhist
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Race was the issue that exposed the bankruptcy of Watson's genetic determinism. In the 20th century, he made his reputation by staunchly championing the power of DNA. In the 21st, he torpedoed that reputation the same way. That is the great tragedy of James Watson.
19/n #JDWxNC
19/n #JDWxNC
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Race was the issue that exposed the bankruptcy of Watson's genetic determinism. In the 20th century, he made his reputation by staunchly championing the power of DNA. In the 21st, he torpedoed that reputation the same way. That is the great tragedy of James Watson.
19/n #JDWxNC
19/n #JDWxNC
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
In the US, though, he had almost no contact w/ Black people outside the service industry. Black students were horrifically underrepresented in higher ed and nonexistent at places like Harvard, Caltech, and Indiana. Personal contact is a great antiserum for racism. Watson never had it.
16/n #JDWxNC
16/n #JDWxNC
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 PM
In the US, though, he had almost no contact w/ Black people outside the service industry. Black students were horrifically underrepresented in higher ed and nonexistent at places like Harvard, Caltech, and Indiana. Personal contact is a great antiserum for racism. Watson never had it.
16/n #JDWxNC
16/n #JDWxNC
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
You can’t really blame arXiv for the decision to stop publishing computer science stuff (given the flood of slop) but this is also a textbook example of a global public good being gratuitously degraded www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Preprint site arXiv is banning computer-science reviews: here’s why
The repository is taking steps to tackle a surge in low quality, AI-generated content.
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:28 PM
You can’t really blame arXiv for the decision to stop publishing computer science stuff (given the flood of slop) but this is also a textbook example of a global public good being gratuitously degraded www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
If I see one more stupid Rosalind Franklin take I'm going to lose my mind. Thank god for @matthewcobb.bsky.social and @nccomfort.bsky.social. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:21 AM
If I see one more stupid Rosalind Franklin take I'm going to lose my mind. Thank god for @matthewcobb.bsky.social and @nccomfort.bsky.social. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Oh and you need to verify your ID to access these functions 👇
I didn’t know that Bluesky has automatic moderation that hides stuff you might not want/need hidden
Go To Settings, Moderation, then click this purple Advanced button to make your own choices — some of this might be very welcome, but some of my settings were too prudish
Go To Settings, Moderation, then click this purple Advanced button to make your own choices — some of this might be very welcome, but some of my settings were too prudish
November 7, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Oh and you need to verify your ID to access these functions 👇
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
In case you've missed it UKRI are currently actively asking for feedback. Respond by 31 December.
(although my internal debate on whether stakeholder is a word that should be banished remains)
www.ukri.org/news/ukri-se...
(although my internal debate on whether stakeholder is a word that should be banished remains)
www.ukri.org/news/ukri-se...
November 7, 2025 at 3:04 PM
In case you've missed it UKRI are currently actively asking for feedback. Respond by 31 December.
(although my internal debate on whether stakeholder is a word that should be banished remains)
www.ukri.org/news/ukri-se...
(although my internal debate on whether stakeholder is a word that should be banished remains)
www.ukri.org/news/ukri-se...
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Yeah a couple folks let me know about that, I added the info to the end of the thread. Seems the only workaround is a VPN.
November 7, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Yeah a couple folks let me know about that, I added the info to the end of the thread. Seems the only workaround is a VPN.
*sigh* and if you're in the UK and have been stonewalling the age verification thing, access to these settings is denied...
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
November 7, 2025 at 8:38 AM
*sigh* and if you're in the UK and have been stonewalling the age verification thing, access to these settings is denied...
One tactic for celebrating your 50th birthday without feeding like crumbling into dust.. go to a gig where performer and audience are significantly crumblier!
November 5, 2025 at 8:15 PM
One tactic for celebrating your 50th birthday without feeding like crumbling into dust.. go to a gig where performer and audience are significantly crumblier!
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Our second event of the year is next Wednesday at 8pm! Come along to a book release talk for @s-pooley.bsky.social's DISCOVERING THE OKAPI
Attendance is free, all are welcome, sign up on the Eventbrite link below. 📗🦓💚
Attendance is free, all are welcome, sign up on the Eventbrite link below. 📗🦓💚
November 5, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Our second event of the year is next Wednesday at 8pm! Come along to a book release talk for @s-pooley.bsky.social's DISCOVERING THE OKAPI
Attendance is free, all are welcome, sign up on the Eventbrite link below. 📗🦓💚
Attendance is free, all are welcome, sign up on the Eventbrite link below. 📗🦓💚
I am SO looking forward to coming back to @manchstm.bsky.social talk through new work on #microbes! #histSTM #STS #envhist
Another seminar for your diaries: on 9 December we are welcoming Dr Angela Cassidy @angecass.bsky.social for a talk on the multiple lives of modern mycobacteria.
blogs.manchester.ac.uk/chstm/2025/1...
blogs.manchester.ac.uk/chstm/2025/1...
CHSTM Research Seminar, 9 December 2025
Dr Angela Cassidy
From shared to separated health - and back again? The multiple lives of modern mycobacteria
blogs.manchester.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 5:38 PM
I am SO looking forward to coming back to @manchstm.bsky.social talk through new work on #microbes! #histSTM #STS #envhist
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Whoa Rebecca Lawrence has resigned as Chief Executive of @britishlibrary.bsky.social. Sorry that this might mean more turmoil at an institution that is a critical part of UK research infrastructure
www.bl.uk/about/press/...
www.bl.uk/about/press/...
British Library Board statement
The British Library Board has announced that Rebecca Lawrence has stepped down as Chief Executive.
www.bl.uk
November 4, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Whoa Rebecca Lawrence has resigned as Chief Executive of @britishlibrary.bsky.social. Sorry that this might mean more turmoil at an institution that is a critical part of UK research infrastructure
www.bl.uk/about/press/...
www.bl.uk/about/press/...
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
🐾 Explore 'Do Not Feed the Animals?' where science meets art to reveal the surprising stories behind why we feed animals, from home to zoo.
Experience vibrant artworks, hands-on research and reflect on your own animal encounters!🦉
📍Queens Building, Streatham campus
📆Until 12 December, all welcome
Experience vibrant artworks, hands-on research and reflect on your own animal encounters!🦉
📍Queens Building, Streatham campus
📆Until 12 December, all welcome
November 4, 2025 at 4:51 PM
🐾 Explore 'Do Not Feed the Animals?' where science meets art to reveal the surprising stories behind why we feed animals, from home to zoo.
Experience vibrant artworks, hands-on research and reflect on your own animal encounters!🦉
📍Queens Building, Streatham campus
📆Until 12 December, all welcome
Experience vibrant artworks, hands-on research and reflect on your own animal encounters!🦉
📍Queens Building, Streatham campus
📆Until 12 December, all welcome
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Oh who is that young sinner with the handcuffs on his wrists?
And what has he been after that they groan and shake their fists?
And wherefore is he wearing such a conscience-stricken air?
Oh they're taking him to prison for the colour of his hair.
(AE Housman)
poets.org/poem/oh-who-...
And what has he been after that they groan and shake their fists?
And wherefore is he wearing such a conscience-stricken air?
Oh they're taking him to prison for the colour of his hair.
(AE Housman)
poets.org/poem/oh-who-...
November 4, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Oh who is that young sinner with the handcuffs on his wrists?
And what has he been after that they groan and shake their fists?
And wherefore is he wearing such a conscience-stricken air?
Oh they're taking him to prison for the colour of his hair.
(AE Housman)
poets.org/poem/oh-who-...
And what has he been after that they groan and shake their fists?
And wherefore is he wearing such a conscience-stricken air?
Oh they're taking him to prison for the colour of his hair.
(AE Housman)
poets.org/poem/oh-who-...
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Occasionally I like to recall the FT’s finest hour: www.ftadviser.com/opinion/2021...
November 4, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Occasionally I like to recall the FT’s finest hour: www.ftadviser.com/opinion/2021...
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
But I do suspect the differences in press attention, along with the lack of social media and rolling news, are why people forget how much worse and more prevalent violence was in the 1990s.
I don’t recall commentators freaking out that they were terrified to go to supermarkets.
I don’t recall commentators freaking out that they were terrified to go to supermarkets.
November 3, 2025 at 9:54 AM
But I do suspect the differences in press attention, along with the lack of social media and rolling news, are why people forget how much worse and more prevalent violence was in the 1990s.
I don’t recall commentators freaking out that they were terrified to go to supermarkets.
I don’t recall commentators freaking out that they were terrified to go to supermarkets.
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
It’s like they are burning the library of Alexandria.
"But perhaps the most consequential long-term loss for federal science is that of institutional knowledge and expertise — and the downstream effects on the training of early-career researchers."
"We lost people with decades of experience and everyone who was very early career, ...”
"We lost people with decades of experience and everyone who was very early career, ...”
Dismantling of US federal agencies will ‘destroy science’
From NASA to the National Institutes of Health, federal agencies conduct research that universities cannot. Agency scientists speak out about the irreplaceable facilities, institutional knowledge and ...
www.nature.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:21 PM
It’s like they are burning the library of Alexandria.
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Anyway, we need some joy, so here's the Egyptian foreign minister being given a Lego Pyramid by the Danish foreign minister.
November 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Anyway, we need some joy, so here's the Egyptian foreign minister being given a Lego Pyramid by the Danish foreign minister.
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
Where Have All The Wild Horses Gone?
"Long thought to be the last wild horses, a new study reveals that Przewalski’s horses had domestic ancestors."
#SciComm🧪 by @grrlscientist.bsky.social
#horses🐎 #genetics🧬 #evolution #ecology #History #Archaeology grrlscientist.medium.com/where-have-a...
"Long thought to be the last wild horses, a new study reveals that Przewalski’s horses had domestic ancestors."
#SciComm🧪 by @grrlscientist.bsky.social
#horses🐎 #genetics🧬 #evolution #ecology #History #Archaeology grrlscientist.medium.com/where-have-a...
November 3, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Where Have All The Wild Horses Gone?
"Long thought to be the last wild horses, a new study reveals that Przewalski’s horses had domestic ancestors."
#SciComm🧪 by @grrlscientist.bsky.social
#horses🐎 #genetics🧬 #evolution #ecology #History #Archaeology grrlscientist.medium.com/where-have-a...
"Long thought to be the last wild horses, a new study reveals that Przewalski’s horses had domestic ancestors."
#SciComm🧪 by @grrlscientist.bsky.social
#horses🐎 #genetics🧬 #evolution #ecology #History #Archaeology grrlscientist.medium.com/where-have-a...
Reposted by Angela Cassidy
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
November 1, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.