Austin Blake, Ph.D.
@austinjoyblake.bsky.social
Ph.D. in clinical psych @ ASU & incoming NIMH T32 postdoc @ CU Anschutz. Studying the link between parent-child separation and parent/child health risk behaviors.
www.austinjblake.com
www.austinjblake.com
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
I posted this article about my student's grant cancellation this morning. A few minutes ago, I learned that another very talented student in my lab had their funding cancelled too. I'm heartbroken -- not just about my students, but the future of science.
darbysaxbe.substack.com/p/my-student...
darbysaxbe.substack.com/p/my-student...
My student's funding just got axed
How the administration's attacks on science are hurting trainees
darbysaxbe.substack.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I posted this article about my student's grant cancellation this morning. A few minutes ago, I learned that another very talented student in my lab had their funding cancelled too. I'm heartbroken -- not just about my students, but the future of science.
darbysaxbe.substack.com/p/my-student...
darbysaxbe.substack.com/p/my-student...
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Big, growing crowd just west of the U.S. Capitol protesting Trump, Musk and DOGE on President’s Day. “Hey Congress, grow a spine,” they shout, gathering for a rally around the reflecting pool.
February 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Big, growing crowd just west of the U.S. Capitol protesting Trump, Musk and DOGE on President’s Day. “Hey Congress, grow a spine,” they shout, gathering for a rally around the reflecting pool.
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
I have been talking to the media, Time, Fortune, NBC, etc., to explain how the onslaught on science and NIH will impact the health of all Americans. Everyone knows someone who has cancer, heart disease, or depression. Spread the word about how cutting science impacts all.
time.com/7216299/nih-...
time.com/7216299/nih-...
Experts Call NIH Budget Cuts an 'Apocalypse' for Science
The reductions target indirect costs that cover administrative and equipment costs.
time.com
February 15, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I have been talking to the media, Time, Fortune, NBC, etc., to explain how the onslaught on science and NIH will impact the health of all Americans. Everyone knows someone who has cancer, heart disease, or depression. Spread the word about how cutting science impacts all.
time.com/7216299/nih-...
time.com/7216299/nih-...
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
For the 79% of heterosexual married women whose legal married name doesn’t match your birth certificate or passport, get ready to have your voting rights frozen.
Yes, read that again.
No, that is not hyperbole.
Act now.
Yes, read that again.
No, that is not hyperbole.
Act now.
“If a married woman hasn’t paid $130 to update her passport —assuming she has one, which only about half of Americans do— she may not be able to vote in the next election if the SAVE Act becomes law,” @wendyweiser.bsky.social tells Glamour
The SAVE Act Could Stop Millions of Women From Voting. Here’s What You Need to Know
The bill would make it harder for women, people of color, young voters, and other marginalized groups to register to vote.
www.glamour.com
February 12, 2025 at 6:42 PM
For the 79% of heterosexual married women whose legal married name doesn’t match your birth certificate or passport, get ready to have your voting rights frozen.
Yes, read that again.
No, that is not hyperbole.
Act now.
Yes, read that again.
No, that is not hyperbole.
Act now.
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Stand Up for Science rallies will be held in DC and state capitals on March 7th. Share with friends. Sign-up here to get email updates with details: www.eventbrite.com/e/stand-up-f...
STAND UP FOR SCIENCE 2025 - DC and NATIONWIDE
Stand up for science with us on March 7th, 2025, because science is for everyone! More info at www.standupforscience2025.org
www.eventbrite.com
February 12, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Stand Up for Science rallies will be held in DC and state capitals on March 7th. Share with friends. Sign-up here to get email updates with details: www.eventbrite.com/e/stand-up-f...
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
A funny historical fact: if you look up where the top science happened around 100 years ago... it was Germany.
I wonder what happened...
I wonder what happened...
Trump and Musk aim to push out 75% of federal employees.
NIH has a highly trained workforce to perform, review, and support science in all 50 states. This cut will decimate America’s science. Cancer research will drop to a trickle. Talented workers will leave to go abroad. 🧪 #medsky 1/
NIH has a highly trained workforce to perform, review, and support science in all 50 states. This cut will decimate America’s science. Cancer research will drop to a trickle. Talented workers will leave to go abroad. 🧪 #medsky 1/
Breaking: Trump is signing an executive order intended to cut federal workforce
Order directs agencies to work with DOGE and says that after the current hiring freeze lifts, agencies will only be able to hire one new employee for every four who leave (with a few exceptions like law enforcement)
Order directs agencies to work with DOGE and says that after the current hiring freeze lifts, agencies will only be able to hire one new employee for every four who leave (with a few exceptions like law enforcement)
February 12, 2025 at 5:30 AM
A funny historical fact: if you look up where the top science happened around 100 years ago... it was Germany.
I wonder what happened...
I wonder what happened...
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Just in case you thought that removing DEI criteria would mean that everyone is competing equally: NIH is removing grad students from underrepresented backgrounds from the applicant pool altogether. Their applications will not be considered. Other students, not from these backgrounds, will be.
February 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Just in case you thought that removing DEI criteria would mean that everyone is competing equally: NIH is removing grad students from underrepresented backgrounds from the applicant pool altogether. Their applications will not be considered. Other students, not from these backgrounds, will be.
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
The CSR comm I'm on just pulled all Diversity F grants from the current review cycle. These apps are reviewed alongside (and by the same criteria) as all other F grants. So, instead of helping these trainees, they will actually be punished by having their grant reviews delayed at least 1 cycle !?!?
February 5, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The CSR comm I'm on just pulled all Diversity F grants from the current review cycle. These apps are reviewed alongside (and by the same criteria) as all other F grants. So, instead of helping these trainees, they will actually be punished by having their grant reviews delayed at least 1 cycle !?!?
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Trump is soooo concerned about fentanyl use among Americans, yet his minions prevent the National Institute on Drug Abuse from meeting. You'd almost think it's not about Americans' use of drugs?
February 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Trump is soooo concerned about fentanyl use among Americans, yet his minions prevent the National Institute on Drug Abuse from meeting. You'd almost think it's not about Americans' use of drugs?
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.
February 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
It’s a discombobulating experience to watch Trump simultaneously write executive orders in the name of “protecting women” while removing entire websites dedicated to women’s health.
He doesn’t care about women. I wish more journalists would call it out every single time he attacks trans people
He doesn’t care about women. I wish more journalists would call it out every single time he attacks trans people
The entire website for the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) is very nearly stripped bare. This is so, so devastating. orwh.od.nih.gov/research/fun...
orwh.od.nih.gov
February 1, 2025 at 10:05 PM
It’s a discombobulating experience to watch Trump simultaneously write executive orders in the name of “protecting women” while removing entire websites dedicated to women’s health.
He doesn’t care about women. I wish more journalists would call it out every single time he attacks trans people
He doesn’t care about women. I wish more journalists would call it out every single time he attacks trans people
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
The biggest news today isn’t Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. It’s that an unelected billionaire now has access to your Social Security income.
Americans should be asking: Who really controls our future?
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...
#SocialSecurity #WealthPower
Americans should be asking: Who really controls our future?
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...
#SocialSecurity #WealthPower
Elon Musk’s Team Now Has Full Access to Treasury’s Payments System
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2025 at 10:56 PM
The biggest news today isn’t Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. It’s that an unelected billionaire now has access to your Social Security income.
Americans should be asking: Who really controls our future?
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...
#SocialSecurity #WealthPower
Americans should be asking: Who really controls our future?
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...
#SocialSecurity #WealthPower
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Oh you mean even if I doomscroll and read every post the coup will still be happening? 🧐
February 1, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Oh you mean even if I doomscroll and read every post the coup will still be happening? 🧐
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Federal funding makes up 33% of U.S. nonprofit revenue. A freeze could cripple essential services like foster care, disaster relief and homeless shelters. Two nonprofit scholars explain: https://buff.ly/416y4Ax (@dyanamason.bsky.social @uoregon.bsky.social; Mirae Kim @georgemasonu.bsky.social)
Nonprofits that provide shelter for homeless people, disaster recovery help, and food for low-income Americans rely heavily on federal funding – they would be reeling if Trump froze that money
Federal grants and contracts are a major source of funding for nonprofit services in the US.
buff.ly
February 1, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Federal funding makes up 33% of U.S. nonprofit revenue. A freeze could cripple essential services like foster care, disaster relief and homeless shelters. Two nonprofit scholars explain: https://buff.ly/416y4Ax (@dyanamason.bsky.social @uoregon.bsky.social; Mirae Kim @georgemasonu.bsky.social)
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
It is simply not enough for universities to say, “Our grants & research offices are looking into how research will be affected by the latest directive.”
University leaders must actively and very publicly make the case for the kind of work many of us do. The silence on this front is deafening.
University leaders must actively and very publicly make the case for the kind of work many of us do. The silence on this front is deafening.
January 31, 2025 at 3:16 AM
It is simply not enough for universities to say, “Our grants & research offices are looking into how research will be affected by the latest directive.”
University leaders must actively and very publicly make the case for the kind of work many of us do. The silence on this front is deafening.
University leaders must actively and very publicly make the case for the kind of work many of us do. The silence on this front is deafening.
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
This is not business as usual.
It’s not just a change in funding priorities going forward; it is the reneging on funding agreements and is profoundly disruptive for even those grants that will be found to be compliant.
Meanwhile, trainees who often live paycheck to paycheck are going unpaid.
It’s not just a change in funding priorities going forward; it is the reneging on funding agreements and is profoundly disruptive for even those grants that will be found to be compliant.
Meanwhile, trainees who often live paycheck to paycheck are going unpaid.
EXCLUSIVE: NSF starts vetting all grants to comply with Trump’s orders
Grantee accounts remain frozen, while union accuses NSF of ignoring rules governing peer review
www.science.org
January 31, 2025 at 12:35 PM
This is not business as usual.
It’s not just a change in funding priorities going forward; it is the reneging on funding agreements and is profoundly disruptive for even those grants that will be found to be compliant.
Meanwhile, trainees who often live paycheck to paycheck are going unpaid.
It’s not just a change in funding priorities going forward; it is the reneging on funding agreements and is profoundly disruptive for even those grants that will be found to be compliant.
Meanwhile, trainees who often live paycheck to paycheck are going unpaid.
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Resurfacing in the light of day: People should archive their favorite CDC datasets today, namely ones around race/ethnic diversity, LGBTQ, flu, covid, reproductive health...
Probably a good idea for someone to archive the entire CDC website tonight...
January 31, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Resurfacing in the light of day: People should archive their favorite CDC datasets today, namely ones around race/ethnic diversity, LGBTQ, flu, covid, reproductive health...
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Many of you may not be familiar with #NIH grants. Here are some facts to help you understand the magnitude of this disaster.
1) NIH grants are extremely difficult to get & not "free money". Researchers must have preliminary data & write detailed proposals. Mine was >200pages & took years to put
1) NIH grants are extremely difficult to get & not "free money". Researchers must have preliminary data & write detailed proposals. Mine was >200pages & took years to put
January 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Many of you may not be familiar with #NIH grants. Here are some facts to help you understand the magnitude of this disaster.
1) NIH grants are extremely difficult to get & not "free money". Researchers must have preliminary data & write detailed proposals. Mine was >200pages & took years to put
1) NIH grants are extremely difficult to get & not "free money". Researchers must have preliminary data & write detailed proposals. Mine was >200pages & took years to put
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
I am begging the national media to start taking this seriously.
Stop buying the claims that the framing of "temporary" or "pause."
They are altering the review processes of federally funded scientific research from merit-based peer review processes to political screening by ideologues.
Stop buying the claims that the framing of "temporary" or "pause."
They are altering the review processes of federally funded scientific research from merit-based peer review processes to political screening by ideologues.
NEW — OMB temporarily pauses all agency grants and loans programs.
Per copy of memo: "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve."
Per copy of memo: "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve."
January 28, 2025 at 1:46 AM
I am begging the national media to start taking this seriously.
Stop buying the claims that the framing of "temporary" or "pause."
They are altering the review processes of federally funded scientific research from merit-based peer review processes to political screening by ideologues.
Stop buying the claims that the framing of "temporary" or "pause."
They are altering the review processes of federally funded scientific research from merit-based peer review processes to political screening by ideologues.
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Ten simple rules for developing good reading habits during graduate school and beyond
To me, the most important are:
Read often, read broadly (incl. older papers and outside your field), and learn to read some papers in detail and others more superficially (and quickly)
To me, the most important are:
Read often, read broadly (incl. older papers and outside your field), and learn to read some papers in detail and others more superficially (and quickly)
January 26, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Ten simple rules for developing good reading habits during graduate school and beyond
To me, the most important are:
Read often, read broadly (incl. older papers and outside your field), and learn to read some papers in detail and others more superficially (and quickly)
To me, the most important are:
Read often, read broadly (incl. older papers and outside your field), and learn to read some papers in detail and others more superficially (and quickly)
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Devastating for scientists and their research, and everyone who benefits from that research.
I’m not sure if everyone outside academia is aware that a delay or “pause” in grant funding often means the researchers themselves are lost from the field, along with their expertise.
I’m not sure if everyone outside academia is aware that a delay or “pause” in grant funding often means the researchers themselves are lost from the field, along with their expertise.
NIH appears to have canceled/postponed all of its study sections—the independent review panels that approve federal grants for health research.
Such grants fund the work/salaries of 300k people at more than 2,500 institutions
Such grants fund the work/salaries of 300k people at more than 2,500 institutions
All NIH study sections canceled indefinitely. This will halt science and devastate research budgets in universities.
January 22, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Devastating for scientists and their research, and everyone who benefits from that research.
I’m not sure if everyone outside academia is aware that a delay or “pause” in grant funding often means the researchers themselves are lost from the field, along with their expertise.
I’m not sure if everyone outside academia is aware that a delay or “pause” in grant funding often means the researchers themselves are lost from the field, along with their expertise.
Can’t wait to dive into this special issue, featuring a paper from my lab!
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
January 9, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Can’t wait to dive into this special issue, featuring a paper from my lab!
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Austin Blake, Ph.D.
Many great points in this piece about PTSD disinformation
Misrepresenting research in a way that discourages ppl from seeking effective care is extremely harmful
Existing evidence-based options for PTSD aren’t perfect & often require flexing to meet individual needs. But they _do_ work
Misrepresenting research in a way that discourages ppl from seeking effective care is extremely harmful
Existing evidence-based options for PTSD aren’t perfect & often require flexing to meet individual needs. But they _do_ work
“The Body Keeps the Score stigmatizes survivors, blames victims, and depoliticizes violence. While masquerading as care for survivors, it creates a hierarchy where marginalized victims are even more marginalized.” My latest, for @motherjones.
www.motherjones.com/media/2024/1...
www.motherjones.com/media/2024/1...
What the most famous book about trauma gets wrong
People kept telling me to read "The Body Keeps the Score." I was shocked at what it actually says.
www.motherjones.com
December 18, 2024 at 11:00 PM
Many great points in this piece about PTSD disinformation
Misrepresenting research in a way that discourages ppl from seeking effective care is extremely harmful
Existing evidence-based options for PTSD aren’t perfect & often require flexing to meet individual needs. But they _do_ work
Misrepresenting research in a way that discourages ppl from seeking effective care is extremely harmful
Existing evidence-based options for PTSD aren’t perfect & often require flexing to meet individual needs. But they _do_ work