Dr Dave Clements
@davecl.bsky.social
Astrophysicist at Imperial College. Extragalactic astronomy, observational cosmology, astrobiology. Writes science fiction. Not speaking for anybody. Science for Fiction podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7HzQoyNyNI115W3kgqZAku?si=jK0XQYAyS1ubvzD76spbEg
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
Great read on UKRI's 'buckets.'
“A framework that cannot tell the difference between “the government hasn’t prioritised this” and “this was motivated by curiosity” does not understand what it is governing.”
#UKHE #AcademicSky
“A framework that cannot tell the difference between “the government hasn’t prioritised this” and “this was motivated by curiosity” does not understand what it is governing.”
#UKHE #AcademicSky
I've written about the UKRI funding situation and the 'buckets' explainer, looking in detail at QR, STFC and Quantum. www.ersatzben.com/p/the-bucket...
The Bucket Stops Here
UKRI’s new funding framework takes a stab at classifying budgets – but doesn’t yet govern research
www.ersatzben.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Great read on UKRI's 'buckets.'
“A framework that cannot tell the difference between “the government hasn’t prioritised this” and “this was motivated by curiosity” does not understand what it is governing.”
#UKHE #AcademicSky
“A framework that cannot tell the difference between “the government hasn’t prioritised this” and “this was motivated by curiosity” does not understand what it is governing.”
#UKHE #AcademicSky
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
The RAS @royalastrosoc.bsky.social is encouraging physics teachers to sign our open letter - if you believe astronomy and space science inspire young people then help us fight the UKRI / STFC cuts. ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Open letter on astronomy cuts from UK physics teachers
drupal-media[data-view-mode=half_page_width] { display: inline-block; width: 50%; } The Royal Astronomical Society is encouraging physics teachers in the UK
to sign ...
ras.ac.uk
February 11, 2026 at 6:17 PM
The RAS @royalastrosoc.bsky.social is encouraging physics teachers to sign our open letter - if you believe astronomy and space science inspire young people then help us fight the UKRI / STFC cuts. ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
I think I’ve been scammed….My Rottweilers haven’t grown in months 😱😱
February 14, 2026 at 1:22 PM
I think I’ve been scammed….My Rottweilers haven’t grown in months 😱😱
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
I will never not share my favorite public health poster.
February 15, 2026 at 2:48 AM
I will never not share my favorite public health poster.
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
LONDON FFS
..damn it, this thing was almost wiped out. IT WAS ALMOST WIPED OUT.
(growling) Now all this work is to do again. And it's going to take years. *And thousands of kids will die.* 😡
..damn it, this thing was almost wiped out. IT WAS ALMOST WIPED OUT.
(growling) Now all this work is to do again. And it's going to take years. *And thousands of kids will die.* 😡
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Health officials are racing to contain a growing measles outbreak in London, which has struck down dozens of young children and affected 7 schools and a nursery.
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
London measles outbreak: more than 60 children infected
Cases are spreading between children in Enfield as the virus exploits low MMR vaccination rates, medical experts say
www.thetimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:31 PM
LONDON FFS
..damn it, this thing was almost wiped out. IT WAS ALMOST WIPED OUT.
(growling) Now all this work is to do again. And it's going to take years. *And thousands of kids will die.* 😡
..damn it, this thing was almost wiped out. IT WAS ALMOST WIPED OUT.
(growling) Now all this work is to do again. And it's going to take years. *And thousands of kids will die.* 😡
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
Measles vaccinations weren't given in the UK when I was a child. The illness was common and horrible. Nearly everyone I know had it. I don't personally know anyone who died from it, but a contemporary does. We all vaccinated our kids. Adults who missed it can and should get an MMR free on the NHS.
One in five children infected in the recent London measles outbreak were reportedly hospitalised.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
February 16, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Measles vaccinations weren't given in the UK when I was a child. The illness was common and horrible. Nearly everyone I know had it. I don't personally know anyone who died from it, but a contemporary does. We all vaccinated our kids. Adults who missed it can and should get an MMR free on the NHS.
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
“No platform gets a free pass” says Keir Starmer in a post on a child pornography factory social media site that has a free pass.
Starmer to pledge social media crackdown to protect children — Sky News
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has insisted nobody will get a
apple.news
February 16, 2026 at 8:25 AM
“No platform gets a free pass” says Keir Starmer in a post on a child pornography factory social media site that has a free pass.
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
"If the numbers in Kent reflect the national picture, it could mean as many as 900 victims of domestic abuse are taking their own lives every year – up to 10 times as many as previously thought."
Revealed: The true toll of female suicides in UK with domestic abuse at their core
Exclusive: Research suggests official statistics could track as few as 10% of the true number of cases
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:17 PM
"If the numbers in Kent reflect the national picture, it could mean as many as 900 victims of domestic abuse are taking their own lives every year – up to 10 times as many as previously thought."
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
Rather obviously so. European governments are closer to the Trumpists in practice than people would like to think.
EU’s deportations plan risks ICE-style enforcement, rights groups warn
Crackdown on undocumented people could lead to home raids, surveillance and racial profiling, 75 organisations say
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Rather obviously so. European governments are closer to the Trumpists in practice than people would like to think.
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
Hospital acquired Covid has a 10% fatality rate.
It’s almost completely preventable with respirators and clean air, but healthcare facilities have chosen a policy of forced infection instead.
Let this case set a precedent & start forcing hospitals to adopt airborne precautions!
It’s almost completely preventable with respirators and clean air, but healthcare facilities have chosen a policy of forced infection instead.
Let this case set a precedent & start forcing hospitals to adopt airborne precautions!
La famille d'un homme mort contaminé par le Covid à l'hôpital de La Rochelle en 2021 demande indemnisation au tribunal - ICI
Le tribunal administratif de Poitiers décide, ce jeudi, si la famille d'un homme de 85 ans contaminé par un Covid mortel au sein de l'hôpital de La Rochelle en 2021 doit être indemnisée. Et si les pro...
www.francebleu.fr
February 16, 2026 at 4:53 AM
Hospital acquired Covid has a 10% fatality rate.
It’s almost completely preventable with respirators and clean air, but healthcare facilities have chosen a policy of forced infection instead.
Let this case set a precedent & start forcing hospitals to adopt airborne precautions!
It’s almost completely preventable with respirators and clean air, but healthcare facilities have chosen a policy of forced infection instead.
Let this case set a precedent & start forcing hospitals to adopt airborne precautions!
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
Suella Braverman "The Working Class have had it too good for too long."
Reform telling you exactly what they think about you.
If you aren't a millionaire you are sh*t on their shoe.
Reform telling you exactly what they think about you.
If you aren't a millionaire you are sh*t on their shoe.
February 15, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Suella Braverman "The Working Class have had it too good for too long."
Reform telling you exactly what they think about you.
If you aren't a millionaire you are sh*t on their shoe.
Reform telling you exactly what they think about you.
If you aren't a millionaire you are sh*t on their shoe.
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
PMC COVlD Report, Week of Feb 16, 2026 (U.S.)
14 states are still experiencing High/Very High COVlD levels amid a lingering 12th wave.
Minnesota may be at an all-time high.
THREAD 1 of 4 🧵
14 states are still experiencing High/Very High COVlD levels amid a lingering 12th wave.
Minnesota may be at an all-time high.
THREAD 1 of 4 🧵
February 16, 2026 at 5:39 AM
PMC COVlD Report, Week of Feb 16, 2026 (U.S.)
14 states are still experiencing High/Very High COVlD levels amid a lingering 12th wave.
Minnesota may be at an all-time high.
THREAD 1 of 4 🧵
14 states are still experiencing High/Very High COVlD levels amid a lingering 12th wave.
Minnesota may be at an all-time high.
THREAD 1 of 4 🧵
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
Let me just make a few little adjustments to that title…
“How a scientist with a PhD in Geology and 25 years of experience is helping lead California’s earthquake work”
Way to devalue my experience.
“How a scientist with a PhD in Geology and 25 years of experience is helping lead California’s earthquake work”
Way to devalue my experience.
Wendy Bohon has built a TikTok following as an earthquake geologist. She helps lead earthquake work for the California Geological Survey.
How a TikToker and former actress is helping lead California’s earthquake work
Wendy Bohon has built a TikTok following as an earthquake geologist. She helps lead earthquake work for the California Geological Survey.
bit.ly
February 15, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Let me just make a few little adjustments to that title…
“How a scientist with a PhD in Geology and 25 years of experience is helping lead California’s earthquake work”
Way to devalue my experience.
“How a scientist with a PhD in Geology and 25 years of experience is helping lead California’s earthquake work”
Way to devalue my experience.
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
One in five children infected in the recent London measles outbreak were reportedly hospitalised.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
February 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM
One in five children infected in the recent London measles outbreak were reportedly hospitalised.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
This young girl was battling stage 4 cancer when ICE agents took her Dad.
Ofelia leveraged social media to fight for her Dad’s release.
To call out the cruelty of ICE.
She won.
A judge ordered him released on compassionate grounds & they spent her last month’s together.
Ofelia leveraged social media to fight for her Dad’s release.
To call out the cruelty of ICE.
She won.
A judge ordered him released on compassionate grounds & they spent her last month’s together.
Ofelia Torres, Teen With Cancer Who Fought For Father's Freedom From ICE, Has Died
Torres, 16, died Friday. Her father was arrested in October, the day after she returned from more than a month at the hospital for cancer treatments. She shared her family's plight, and her was father...
blockclubchicago.org
February 15, 2026 at 3:32 AM
This young girl was battling stage 4 cancer when ICE agents took her Dad.
Ofelia leveraged social media to fight for her Dad’s release.
To call out the cruelty of ICE.
She won.
A judge ordered him released on compassionate grounds & they spent her last month’s together.
Ofelia leveraged social media to fight for her Dad’s release.
To call out the cruelty of ICE.
She won.
A judge ordered him released on compassionate grounds & they spent her last month’s together.
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
The UMN leadership - ultimately my bosses - has failed this test, as they have failed every test except, perhaps catering to the needs of power.
Gift link.
Gift link.
Opinion | At the University of Minnesota, neutrality has become censorship
"In theory, neutrality policies protect free debate by allowing the community to disagree on controversial matters. But in practice, these policies are easily weaponized to achieve the opposite — cens...
www.startribune.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:06 PM
The UMN leadership - ultimately my bosses - has failed this test, as they have failed every test except, perhaps catering to the needs of power.
Gift link.
Gift link.
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
Very interesting reading. My colleagues in @imperialphysics.bsky.social and @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social should take a look.
Bucket theory is unglamorous but very important. @ersatzben.com is forensic here - a must read for those interested in UK research policy
www.ersatzben.com/p/the-bucket...
www.ersatzben.com/p/the-bucket...
The Bucket Stops Here
UKRI’s new funding framework takes a stab at classifying budgets – but doesn’t yet govern research
www.ersatzben.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Very interesting reading. My colleagues in @imperialphysics.bsky.social and @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social should take a look.
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
In an internal memo in May, Meta laid out its plans to release facial recognition in its smart glasses, to the blind first, & then to the general public.
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:08 PM
In an internal memo in May, Meta laid out its plans to release facial recognition in its smart glasses, to the blind first, & then to the general public.
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
What’s it like to celebrate your 12th birthday in an immigrant detention center?
No cake. No presents. No party.
Kamilla’s parents told me they planned to buy their daughter a pack of M&Ms — among the only sweets available in the commissary — and pray they get out soon.
Please read their story:
No cake. No presents. No party.
Kamilla’s parents told me they planned to buy their daughter a pack of M&Ms — among the only sweets available in the commissary — and pray they get out soon.
Please read their story:
'Even in Russia, they don't treat children like this': A family's nightmare in ICE detention
A Russian couple and their children sought asylum in the U.S. In a Texas detention center, they say they endured worms in the food and hourslong waits for medicine.
www.nbcnews.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:45 PM
What’s it like to celebrate your 12th birthday in an immigrant detention center?
No cake. No presents. No party.
Kamilla’s parents told me they planned to buy their daughter a pack of M&Ms — among the only sweets available in the commissary — and pray they get out soon.
Please read their story:
No cake. No presents. No party.
Kamilla’s parents told me they planned to buy their daughter a pack of M&Ms — among the only sweets available in the commissary — and pray they get out soon.
Please read their story:
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
I'm seeing an uptick in "royalty recovery" scams like this one.
On left is the solicitation--not a phishing scam, as one might suspect from the paragraph boxed in red.
On right: the scammer replies to the author's excited questions & reveals the "associated fee" that's the purpose of the scam.
On left is the solicitation--not a phishing scam, as one might suspect from the paragraph boxed in red.
On right: the scammer replies to the author's excited questions & reveals the "associated fee" that's the purpose of the scam.
![From: WGA <support@wgaproductionfilms.info>
Date: Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Subject: Invitation for Live Interview & Upcoming Royalty Payment
To: <redacted>
Subject: Invitation for Live Interview & Upcoming Royalty Payment
Dear [redacted],
I hope you are doing well.
My name is Deborah King, and I am your assigned Literary Agent with the WGA Production Team Canada, but our headquarter is in Sacramento, California. You were endorsed to me after your book was published; and after purchasing marketing services from Page & Pixel and Authors Tranquility Press. Yes, great choice and good decision!
Now, I am writing to extend an invitation for you to participate in a live interview as part of our upcoming “AUTHOR TALK”, which highlights the work and insights of distinguished authors. We would be honored to feature you and discuss your book(s) and your experiences as a writer.
If you are interested, we would be glad to arrange the interview at a time that is convenient for you. The format would be a virtual conversation of approximately 30–45 minutes, with an opportunity for audience Q&A if you are comfortable with that. Please let us know your availability over the next few weeks so we can coordinate scheduling and logistics.
In addition, I would like to inform you that your upcoming royalty check for the period January–June 2025 is currently being processed. The expected amount is $124,500.87 dollars and it is scheduled to be issued within the next few weeks. The payment will be sent via: mailed check / direct deposit / wire transfer to the account/address we have on file. If you would like to confirm or update your payment details, please let us know at your earliest convenience.
Please feel free to contact me directly via email at support@wgaproductionfilms.info or reply to this email if you have any questions, would like additional information about the interview, or need clarification regarding your royalty payment.
Thank you for your time and for your c…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:uy6mloyr37qtcdml3bq6a6o4/bafkreid3sbbtnozgaitlc3cqstqeahlrb2ererfxs55ve4jjwl73gyuavm@jpeg)
February 14, 2026 at 6:20 PM
I'm seeing an uptick in "royalty recovery" scams like this one.
On left is the solicitation--not a phishing scam, as one might suspect from the paragraph boxed in red.
On right: the scammer replies to the author's excited questions & reveals the "associated fee" that's the purpose of the scam.
On left is the solicitation--not a phishing scam, as one might suspect from the paragraph boxed in red.
On right: the scammer replies to the author's excited questions & reveals the "associated fee" that's the purpose of the scam.
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
Russia killed opposition leader Alexei Navalny using toxin from dart frog, UK says
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Russia killed opposition leader Alexei Navalny using toxin from dart frog, UK says
There is no innocent explanation for the toxin being found in samples taken from Navalny's body, Foreign Office says.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Russia killed opposition leader Alexei Navalny using toxin from dart frog, UK says
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
I just applied for a passport renewal. The cost was $149 including postage. Requiring a passport or similar proof of citizenship to vote is thus a poll tax. The SAVE Act before the Senate asks to do just that.
Call your Senators at 202-224-3121 and tell them NO SAVE ACT
Call your Senators at 202-224-3121 and tell them NO SAVE ACT
The GOP’s Voter Integrity Sham
Make the Republicans hell bent on passing the SAVE Act put money where their mouths are.
open.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:37 PM
I just applied for a passport renewal. The cost was $149 including postage. Requiring a passport or similar proof of citizenship to vote is thus a poll tax. The SAVE Act before the Senate asks to do just that.
Call your Senators at 202-224-3121 and tell them NO SAVE ACT
Call your Senators at 202-224-3121 and tell them NO SAVE ACT
Reposted by Dr Dave Clements
