Ayanna Kim Thomas
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ayannakim.bsky.social
Ayanna Kim Thomas
@ayannakim.bsky.social
Tufts Professor and Dean. Considers memory reconstruction as a universal principle of cognition. One of the founders of The Spark Society - dedicated to supporting diverse voices in Cognitive Science.
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Hi new folk! Brief intro. I'm a Professor and Dean at Tufts University. My research focus is on memory & metacognition in real-world settings. I like building cross disciplinary collaborations & am dedicated to creating space for diverse perspectives.

I also like horror movies...alot.
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Now with additional barking.
October 19, 2025 at 11:25 PM
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Potato "hiding" when bathtub water starts flowing is pretty damn cute.
October 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
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I was honored by the @psychscience.bsky.social DEI Committee's invitation to help curate this collection of outstanding articles addressing a range of issues related to anti-Black racism. I also couldn't have asked for a more thoughtful and thorough partner in @johnjost.bsky.social. Please share!
This virtual special collection, The Psychological Science of Anti-Black Racism, an Ongoing Social Problem, highlights a selection of articles published in APS journals over the past decade that explore the enduring problem of anti-Black racism in the U.S.

journals.sagepub.com/page/aps/cro...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
August 29, 2025 at 8:47 PM
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Some dogs get a cone. Others get an inflatable donut -- with sprinkles.
August 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM
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Potato climbs up the stairs one at a time in a way that is never not cute.
July 27, 2025 at 11:13 AM
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The June 2025 special issue of Social Cognition -- Tutorials on Novel Methods and Analyses in Social Cognition, Part 1 -- was guest edited by Jimmy Calanchini, Juliane Degner, and Colin Smith, with support from Bertram Gawronski.

The introduction is linked here: doi.org/10.1521/soco....
July 14, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I love Bluesky
July 14, 2025 at 2:39 AM
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I met my amazing wife @ayannakim.bsky.social sixteen years ago today.
July 8, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Happy to report that the @sparksociety.bsky.social NSF grant has been reinstated!
June 30, 2025 at 6:59 PM
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Potato keeps trying to convince me to feed him dinner early... in a really cute way.
May 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
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Took Potato to the beach this morning. Think he liked it.
May 20, 2025 at 1:51 AM
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More than half of the 1500 research grants that NSF has terminated in the past month under orders from President Donald Trump’s administration aimed to bring groups historically underrepresented in science into the mainstream. scim.ag/4jYhB8e
NSF’s grant cuts fall heaviest on scientists from underrepresented groups
Projects to broaden participation were cut disproportionately—and were often led by Black scientists, women, and those with disabilities
scim.ag
May 16, 2025 at 9:10 PM
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Hi folks! The Spark Society and Women in Cognitive Sciences-Canada are excited to share insights about careers outside of the academy. June 5th 12 - 1:30pm
Interested in what you can do with your Cognitive #PsychSciSky PhD besides #AcademicSky? Wondering how to make the transition?

Come to our joint virtual panel hosted by @sparksociety.bsky.social & @wicsc-trainee.bsky.social on June 5th, 2025, 12-1:30 PM EDT.

FREE to register: shorturl.at/5vWjR
May 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Just submitted the final report for the terminated @sparksociety.bsky.social grant. You know, the grant that funded mentorship programs for historically excluded Cognitive Science researchers. I reaching my limit. On everything.💢💢
May 2, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Join the Spark Society!
The Spark Society appreciates your support. Thank you all for your donations. In addition to donations, I encourage those who study animal or human cognition to become a member of the Spark Society. If you support diverse voices and building inclusive spaces in Cognitive Psy/Sci, you belong!
April 22, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Hi friends, the Spark Society's NSF funding has been terminated. We are dedicated to continuing our work and hope we can rely on you for support.
If you want to help support our mission, you can donate here buy.stripe.com/3cs03h1be38D...
Stripe Checkout
buy.stripe.com
April 21, 2025 at 7:07 PM
A really good boy.
Took Potato out to the New England seashore for the first time and he earned the much coveted "Goodest of Dogs" rating.
April 20, 2025 at 1:22 AM
It's Potato appreciate month.
We're really appreciative of having such a sweet, silly dog enter our lives this year.

It's also been kind of a novel surprise that Potato's actually a good dog, too.

Our last dogs - who we loved greatly and miss terribly - were so bad they were once reasonably described as "literally goblins."
April 17, 2025 at 11:04 AM
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Dr. Sam R. Sommers was one of those truly good people who also happened to be a total powerhouse. It is with deep sadness that I share the news of his death. Everyone who had Sam in their lives was lucky, and I am grateful for every moment he shared with me. ❤️💖💫 now.tufts.edu/2025/03/20/r...
Remembering Psychology Professor Sam Sommers
Sam Sommers, longtime professor at Tufts, studied the psychological causes and consequences of racism
now.tufts.edu
March 21, 2025 at 11:53 AM
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"The American Association of University Professors, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education &other groups argue in a lawsuit filed Mon that the orders exceed executive legal authority, violate both the 1st & 5th Amendments, &threaten academic freedom &access to HE for all"
Higher ed organizations sue against Trump’s DEI orders
The American Association of University Professors and others argue in a new lawsuit that the executive orders violate the Constitution.
www.insidehighered.com
February 5, 2025 at 3:28 PM
New doggo alert. This is Potato and he's our new best friend.
Meet Potato, an eleven-month-old English Bulldog with a tender heart. A sweet boy. And quite silly.
February 1, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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We were invited to a James Bond-themed NYE party, so of course dressed as Bond villains.
January 1, 2025 at 6:19 AM
St. Lucia doesn't quit.
Happy Boxing Day Double Rainbow.
December 26, 2024 at 1:50 PM