Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
@drcurlytop.bsky.social
Scientist by training, creative by nature | Science & Tech Policy & Communications | Storyteller | Editor | Writer | Speaker | Dancer | Co-founder building a circular economy @Communitique | opinions mine | PhD Biochemistry & Biophysics 🏳️🌈 she/her/dr
Pinned
Welcome! 👋 on this page, we’re excited about
- science + comms + policy 🌎
- art + dance 🪩 🎨
- community building 👩🏻🤝👩🏼👩🏿🤝👨🏽👨🏻🤝👨🏿
- sustainability ♻️
- baking 🍰
#science #dance #scicomm #sciencepolicy #policy #community #sustainability #baking
- science + comms + policy 🌎
- art + dance 🪩 🎨
- community building 👩🏻🤝👩🏼👩🏿🤝👨🏽👨🏻🤝👨🏿
- sustainability ♻️
- baking 🍰
#science #dance #scicomm #sciencepolicy #policy #community #sustainability #baking
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
US veterans agency orders scientists not to publish in journals without clearance. Story by @aglantz.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Exclusive: US veterans agency orders scientists not to publish in journals without clearance
Move that seeks political control of doctors’ and scientists’ published research fits a pattern of censorship by the Trump administration, veterans advocates say
www.theguardian.com
June 2, 2025 at 2:22 PM
US veterans agency orders scientists not to publish in journals without clearance. Story by @aglantz.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
🚨 A proposed policy would reclassify career civil servants as political appointees, fundamentally altering how the government, and science, works.
TAKE ACTION!
You can submit a public comment to stop this by May 23rd ⬇️
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
What you can do & why it matters: 🧵
TAKE ACTION!
You can submit a public comment to stop this by May 23rd ⬇️
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
What you can do & why it matters: 🧵
May 9, 2025 at 7:23 PM
🚨 A proposed policy would reclassify career civil servants as political appointees, fundamentally altering how the government, and science, works.
TAKE ACTION!
You can submit a public comment to stop this by May 23rd ⬇️
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
What you can do & why it matters: 🧵
TAKE ACTION!
You can submit a public comment to stop this by May 23rd ⬇️
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
What you can do & why it matters: 🧵
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
Most Americans use federal science information on a weekly basis, a new poll finds
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
www.npr.org
May 6, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
#DCClimateWeek we’re celebrating launch of our clothes swap app, Communitique, TOMORROW! (Friday!) with a competition with the best prize — local art! #SwapDC #Sustainablefashion
Sneak peak of local DC art you could win TOMORROW! Join our Communitique clothes swap competition and find us at Friday’s swap event! Tell your friends and find more details here: linktr.ee/communitique
May 2, 2025 at 12:43 AM
#DCClimateWeek we’re celebrating launch of our clothes swap app, Communitique, TOMORROW! (Friday!) with a competition with the best prize — local art! #SwapDC #Sustainablefashion
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
We kicked off DC Climate Week with doughnuts, coffee, sustainable fashion convo, and friends!
Our #DCClimateWeek clothes swap competition is on NOW!
Our #DCClimateWeek clothes swap competition is on NOW!
April 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM
We kicked off DC Climate Week with doughnuts, coffee, sustainable fashion convo, and friends!
Our #DCClimateWeek clothes swap competition is on NOW!
Our #DCClimateWeek clothes swap competition is on NOW!
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
How firm is the hold of antivax beliefs?
From the parents of the 6 year old unvaccinated child who died of measles:
“Don’t do the shots,” the girl’s mother said. Measles, she added, is “not as bad as they’re making it out to be.” She noted that her four other children all recovered…
From the parents of the 6 year old unvaccinated child who died of measles:
“Don’t do the shots,” the girl’s mother said. Measles, she added, is “not as bad as they’re making it out to be.” She noted that her four other children all recovered…
How the anti-vaccine movement weaponized a 6-year-old’s measles death
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
How the anti-vaccine movement weaponized a 6-year-old’s measles death
Anti-vaccine influencers see the child’s death as proof — not of the danger of measles, but of their own debunked theories.
www.nbcnews.com
March 20, 2025 at 10:18 AM
How firm is the hold of antivax beliefs?
From the parents of the 6 year old unvaccinated child who died of measles:
“Don’t do the shots,” the girl’s mother said. Measles, she added, is “not as bad as they’re making it out to be.” She noted that her four other children all recovered…
From the parents of the 6 year old unvaccinated child who died of measles:
“Don’t do the shots,” the girl’s mother said. Measles, she added, is “not as bad as they’re making it out to be.” She noted that her four other children all recovered…
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end - which you can never afford to lose - with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they may be.” ADM James Stockdale
March 19, 2025 at 4:59 PM
“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end - which you can never afford to lose - with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they may be.” ADM James Stockdale
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
With new tariffs, shopping is about to get even more expensive. In 2022, the U.S. imported more than $79 BILLION worth of textiles and clothing, mostly from China.
Sure would be a shame if someone built a free clothes swapping app…
Is anyone doing that?? Oh wait, ITS ME! 🙂↔️
Sure would be a shame if someone built a free clothes swapping app…
Is anyone doing that?? Oh wait, ITS ME! 🙂↔️
March 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
With new tariffs, shopping is about to get even more expensive. In 2022, the U.S. imported more than $79 BILLION worth of textiles and clothing, mostly from China.
Sure would be a shame if someone built a free clothes swapping app…
Is anyone doing that?? Oh wait, ITS ME! 🙂↔️
Sure would be a shame if someone built a free clothes swapping app…
Is anyone doing that?? Oh wait, ITS ME! 🙂↔️
Our mobile clothes swapping app is coming to an App Store near you soon! 😍
SNEAK PEAK! 🤫 We’re SO EXCITED! Mobile app dropping soon! Tell your friends! And make sure you sign up in our link in bio to be the first to know! 💛🩷♻️
#slowfashion #sustainable #sustainability #fashion #startup #appdevelopment #tech #womenintech #sustainablefashion #clothesswap #community
#slowfashion #sustainable #sustainability #fashion #startup #appdevelopment #tech #womenintech #sustainablefashion #clothesswap #community
February 25, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Our mobile clothes swapping app is coming to an App Store near you soon! 😍
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
Firings at the NSF included permanent employees who had already completed their one-year probationary period, as well as at-will workers.
National Science Foundation Fires 168 Workers as Federal Purge Continues
Firings at the NSF included permanent employees who had already completed their one-year probationary period, as well as at-will workers.
wrd.cm
February 18, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Firings at the NSF included permanent employees who had already completed their one-year probationary period, as well as at-will workers.
No words to describe how difficult yesterday was at NSF. 10% of our employees gone. World-leading experts across science, technology, and education. Skilled workers dedicated to using their talents for public service. It is a devastating loss for those who remain and for the American people.
February 19, 2025 at 2:53 PM
No words to describe how difficult yesterday was at NSF. 10% of our employees gone. World-leading experts across science, technology, and education. Skilled workers dedicated to using their talents for public service. It is a devastating loss for those who remain and for the American people.
ALL STATES rely on NSF and NIH for millions-to-billions of dollars to flow in. This money supports essential and lifesaving health initiatives, research, and interventions. Plus lays the ground for emerging technologies, scientific breakthroughs, startups and education.
www.axios.com/2025/01/29/f...
www.axios.com/2025/01/29/f...
Which states get the most federal health and science funding
NSF grant reviews and NIH funding for new projects are at least temporarily paused.
www.axios.com
February 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
ALL STATES rely on NSF and NIH for millions-to-billions of dollars to flow in. This money supports essential and lifesaving health initiatives, research, and interventions. Plus lays the ground for emerging technologies, scientific breakthroughs, startups and education.
www.axios.com/2025/01/29/f...
www.axios.com/2025/01/29/f...
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
Research universities are often the largest employers in their region. They are often the primary health care providers to communities. This funding shift will not only reduce US research leadership, it will put working people out of work and reduce healthcare access.
Excellent 🧵 on this evening's NIH announcement of a dramatic reduction in indirect rates for research institutions, which amounts to a generational restructuring of the US research and development ecosystem. These cuts are effective immediately, not just for new grants but for existing ones.
6. The policy does not just affect funding going forward. All existing NIH grants will have their indirect rates cut to 15% as of today, the date of issuance.
For a large university, this creates a sudden and catastrophic shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars against already budgeted funds.
For a large university, this creates a sudden and catastrophic shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars against already budgeted funds.
February 8, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Research universities are often the largest employers in their region. They are often the primary health care providers to communities. This funding shift will not only reduce US research leadership, it will put working people out of work and reduce healthcare access.
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
White House budget proposal may slash NSF funding from 9 billion to 3 billion a year.
White House budget proposal could shatter the National Science Foundation
“This kind of cut would kill American science and boost China.”…
arstechnica.com
February 7, 2025 at 12:03 AM
White House budget proposal may slash NSF funding from 9 billion to 3 billion a year.
Public resource to track legal challenges to Trump administration actions:
www.justsecurity.org/107087/track...
www.justsecurity.org/107087/track...
Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
A public resource tracking the legal challenges to the Trump administration's executive orders and actions.
www.justsecurity.org
February 7, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Public resource to track legal challenges to Trump administration actions:
www.justsecurity.org/107087/track...
www.justsecurity.org/107087/track...
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
Here's a proposed solution
The 1st world's recycling plant in the UK, with an ambitious goal
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com feature
The 1st world's recycling plant in the UK, with an ambitious goal
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com feature
February 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Here's a proposed solution
The 1st world's recycling plant in the UK, with an ambitious goal
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com feature
The 1st world's recycling plant in the UK, with an ambitious goal
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @nature.com feature
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
I logged into SSA.gov and downloaded the history of social security and Medicare payments associated with my account, because who knows what is going to happen to government security.
The United States Social Security Administration | SSA
Official website of the U.S. Social Security Administration.
SSA.gov
February 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I logged into SSA.gov and downloaded the history of social security and Medicare payments associated with my account, because who knows what is going to happen to government security.
The sudden and unprecedented USAID Stop-Work Order doesn’t just impact those overseas; it weakens our nation’s global standing, disrupts critical aid efforts, and threatens our own economic and national security.
51,000+ estimated American jobs lost
100,000+ estimated global
www.usaidstopwork.com
51,000+ estimated American jobs lost
100,000+ estimated global
www.usaidstopwork.com
USAIDStopWork
www.usaidstopwork.com
February 3, 2025 at 3:37 PM
The sudden and unprecedented USAID Stop-Work Order doesn’t just impact those overseas; it weakens our nation’s global standing, disrupts critical aid efforts, and threatens our own economic and national security.
51,000+ estimated American jobs lost
100,000+ estimated global
www.usaidstopwork.com
51,000+ estimated American jobs lost
100,000+ estimated global
www.usaidstopwork.com
If science is the pursuit and application of knowledge following methodology based on evidence & we have the duty to conduct & apply science with integrity, in the interest of humanity, stewardship for the environment, & with respect for human rights…
then science is political and always has been.
then science is political and always has been.
If you can, do something, speak up and act up. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Scientists as political advocates
Science, both teaching and doing, is under attack. The recent US presidential election of a person and platform with anti-science bias exemplifies this. The study of climate processes and patterns and...
www.science.org
February 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM
If science is the pursuit and application of knowledge following methodology based on evidence & we have the duty to conduct & apply science with integrity, in the interest of humanity, stewardship for the environment, & with respect for human rights…
then science is political and always has been.
then science is political and always has been.
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
The Solar for All program helped low-income families lower their electricity bills & get some breathing room, while also cleaning up the air & getting more solar into neighborhoods. An illegal pause on projects already contracted hurts communities. Unlock it, & double it. www.npr.org/2024/07/31/g...
Why the U.S. government is spending $7 billion on solar for low-income homes
Solar energy can reduce climate pollution and electric bills. The U.S. government will soon start giving out $7 billion in grants for solar programs for low-income homes.
www.npr.org
January 30, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The Solar for All program helped low-income families lower their electricity bills & get some breathing room, while also cleaning up the air & getting more solar into neighborhoods. An illegal pause on projects already contracted hurts communities. Unlock it, & double it. www.npr.org/2024/07/31/g...
Reposted by Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D.
The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program awards women postdoctoral scientists. Candidates must have their PhD, started their postdoctoral research position, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Applications due 5:00pm ET on Friday, February 14.
www.loreal.com/en/usa/pages...
www.loreal.com/en/usa/pages...
L'Oréal USA For Women in Science
The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program has awarded 80 postdoctoral women scientists over $4 million in grants since 2003.
www.loreal.com
January 29, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program awards women postdoctoral scientists. Candidates must have their PhD, started their postdoctoral research position, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Applications due 5:00pm ET on Friday, February 14.
www.loreal.com/en/usa/pages...
www.loreal.com/en/usa/pages...
Need a bit of help contacting your representatives? There’s an app for that!
apps.apple.com/app/id120255...
apps.apple.com/app/id120255...
5 Calls: Contact Your Congress
**As seen on MSNBC...**
apps.apple.com
January 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Need a bit of help contacting your representatives? There’s an app for that!
apps.apple.com/app/id120255...
apps.apple.com/app/id120255...
How much harm is done when states lose federal funding?
State revenue — tanked 📉
Education, small business, community support, scientific research, healthcare.
It’s your jobs, your security. It’s feeding children.
“I don’t do politics.”
Oh baby, you do.
Image @pewresearch.org pew.org/3WEbFYB
State revenue — tanked 📉
Education, small business, community support, scientific research, healthcare.
It’s your jobs, your security. It’s feeding children.
“I don’t do politics.”
Oh baby, you do.
Image @pewresearch.org pew.org/3WEbFYB
January 29, 2025 at 2:22 PM
How much harm is done when states lose federal funding?
State revenue — tanked 📉
Education, small business, community support, scientific research, healthcare.
It’s your jobs, your security. It’s feeding children.
“I don’t do politics.”
Oh baby, you do.
Image @pewresearch.org pew.org/3WEbFYB
State revenue — tanked 📉
Education, small business, community support, scientific research, healthcare.
It’s your jobs, your security. It’s feeding children.
“I don’t do politics.”
Oh baby, you do.
Image @pewresearch.org pew.org/3WEbFYB
If you want to change the future, you’ve gotta find a seat at the kids (soon to be adults!) table! Another season of science fair judging underway 🤗
January 24, 2025 at 1:50 AM
If you want to change the future, you’ve gotta find a seat at the kids (soon to be adults!) table! Another season of science fair judging underway 🤗