Rachel Dale
@drracheldale.bsky.social
Senior scientist with 2 science hats: Mental health (humans) & animal behaviour (canids/elephants).
Co-host @wildbehaviorpod.bsky.social
Mountain and camping addict. Scot in Austria. 🏳️🌈
Co-host @wildbehaviorpod.bsky.social
Mountain and camping addict. Scot in Austria. 🏳️🌈
Pinned
Rachel Dale
@drracheldale.bsky.social
· Jan 17
Dive into the world of animal behaviour with us.
Subscribe now so you don't miss the first episode!
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6vxB3zL...
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
#SciComm #animal #podcast
Subscribe now so you don't miss the first episode!
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6vxB3zL...
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
#SciComm #animal #podcast
NEW PODCAST!
Woohoo 🥳 My side project with Megan Lambert is finally coming to fruition. If you're into animal behaviour and/or podcasts please give us a follow and subscribe 🎙️
#AVeryNotSeriousSciencePodcast #SciComm #animal #podcast
Woohoo 🥳 My side project with Megan Lambert is finally coming to fruition. If you're into animal behaviour and/or podcasts please give us a follow and subscribe 🎙️
#AVeryNotSeriousSciencePodcast #SciComm #animal #podcast
Reposted by Rachel Dale
The man actually mistook his *bat* for a hat, but lexical competition just didn't have the same broad appeal
Fascinating (and depressing) piece on the complicated Oliver Sacks, whose writing on neurology captivated and inspired so many.
"Sacks wrote in his journal,
Guilt has been *much* greater since 'Hat' because of (among other things)
My lies,
falsification"
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
"Sacks wrote in his journal,
Guilt has been *much* greater since 'Hat' because of (among other things)
My lies,
falsification"
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Oliver Sacks Put Himself Into His Case Studies. What Was the Cost?
The scientist was famous for linking healing with storytelling. Sometimes that meant reshaping patients’ reality.
www.newyorker.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The man actually mistook his *bat* for a hat, but lexical competition just didn't have the same broad appeal
Super proud of my office buddy and unofficial PhD student for defending her thesis!
She's done some great work on stress in young people, especially gender-non-conforming youth.
Here's to further collaborations Dr @teresaorourke.bsky.social!
She's done some great work on stress in young people, especially gender-non-conforming youth.
Here's to further collaborations Dr @teresaorourke.bsky.social!
We are proud to congratulate Dr. Teresa O’Rourke, @teresaorourke.bsky.social, on successfully defending her PhD! 🎉🔬
In her dissertation, she investigated risk and protective factors for mental health in young people experiencing chronic stress. We are excited where her work takes her next! 🍀
In her dissertation, she investigated risk and protective factors for mental health in young people experiencing chronic stress. We are excited where her work takes her next! 🍀
December 11, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Super proud of my office buddy and unofficial PhD student for defending her thesis!
She's done some great work on stress in young people, especially gender-non-conforming youth.
Here's to further collaborations Dr @teresaorourke.bsky.social!
She's done some great work on stress in young people, especially gender-non-conforming youth.
Here's to further collaborations Dr @teresaorourke.bsky.social!
Iain Douglas-Hamilton was a champion for elephants 🐘 & one of the inspirations for my own research. He was among the 1st to study ele social behaviour & it was his life's work to protect them
Sending my condolences to all the friends & family during this sad time
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Sending my condolences to all the friends & family during this sad time
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Iain Douglas-Hamilton, pioneering elephant conservationist, dies aged 83
His groundbreaking field research was instrumental in banning the international ivory trade and protecting elephants from poachers.
www.bbc.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Iain Douglas-Hamilton was a champion for elephants 🐘 & one of the inspirations for my own research. He was among the 1st to study ele social behaviour & it was his life's work to protect them
Sending my condolences to all the friends & family during this sad time
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Sending my condolences to all the friends & family during this sad time
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Rachel Dale
watch out for pretend papers guys!
So...my undergrad thesis student is doing a quality analysis of studies found in meta-analyses. She identified a few and we contacted the authors to request their effect sizes and other variables for the studies in their papers.
Here's what happened:
scientiapsychiatrica.com/index.php/Sc...
Here's what happened:
scientiapsychiatrica.com/index.php/Sc...
The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis | Scientia Psychiatrica
Introduction: The proliferation of social media has raised significant concerns about its potential effects on the mental health of adolescents. This meta-analysis aims to provide a comprehensive asse...
scientiapsychiatrica.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:48 PM
watch out for pretend papers guys!
"when people can see real, practical ways to make a difference, their worry can turn into positive action... Also research consistently shows that taking climate-positive actions can improve wellbeing"
#hope
#hope
Climate change may be adding to mental health pressures, from trauma to climate distress, but climate action can be a positive way to cope.
Three ways climate change affects mental health – and why the story is more hopeful than it might seem
Climate change may be adding to mental health pressures, from trauma to climate distress, but climate action can be a positive way to cope.
tcnv.link
December 4, 2025 at 1:19 PM
"when people can see real, practical ways to make a difference, their worry can turn into positive action... Also research consistently shows that taking climate-positive actions can improve wellbeing"
#hope
#hope
Reposted by Rachel Dale
The problems with academic publishing in one graph. The big for-profit publishers get product for free and sell it back to us. Their profits rival those from the big tech companies. This is money that could have supported research, teaching and graduate students.
From: danielroelfs.com/pos...
From: danielroelfs.com/pos...
November 27, 2025 at 8:06 PM
The problems with academic publishing in one graph. The big for-profit publishers get product for free and sell it back to us. Their profits rival those from the big tech companies. This is money that could have supported research, teaching and graduate students.
From: danielroelfs.com/pos...
From: danielroelfs.com/pos...
NEW RESEARCH 📣
Now with a summary infographic
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
#LGBTQIA+ #psychotherapy #psychotherapie
Now with a summary infographic
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
#LGBTQIA+ #psychotherapy #psychotherapie
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
NEW RESEARCH 📣
Now with a summary infographic
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
#LGBTQIA+ #psychotherapy #psychotherapie
Now with a summary infographic
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
#LGBTQIA+ #psychotherapy #psychotherapie
📣 NEW PAPER!
How prepared are psychotherapists in Austria to work with LGBTQIA+ clients? 🏳️🌈
Only 5% felt they definitely had enough training on LGBTQIA+ topics and 2% received obligatory training. Training & self-education were positively associated with allyship
1/3
#LGBTQIA #InclusiveHealthcare
How prepared are psychotherapists in Austria to work with LGBTQIA+ clients? 🏳️🌈
Only 5% felt they definitely had enough training on LGBTQIA+ topics and 2% received obligatory training. Training & self-education were positively associated with allyship
1/3
#LGBTQIA #InclusiveHealthcare
Attitudes of Psychotherapists in Working with LGBTQIA+ Clients and Validation of the German Version of the Ally Identity Measure
It is well established that people of LGBTQIA+ communities suffer more often from mental illness and encounter greater barriers to accessing mental health services compared to hetero/cis people. Mo...
www.tandfonline.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:57 AM
📣 NEW PAPER!
How prepared are psychotherapists in Austria to work with LGBTQIA+ clients? 🏳️🌈
Only 5% felt they definitely had enough training on LGBTQIA+ topics and 2% received obligatory training. Training & self-education were positively associated with allyship
1/3
#LGBTQIA #InclusiveHealthcare
How prepared are psychotherapists in Austria to work with LGBTQIA+ clients? 🏳️🌈
Only 5% felt they definitely had enough training on LGBTQIA+ topics and 2% received obligatory training. Training & self-education were positively associated with allyship
1/3
#LGBTQIA #InclusiveHealthcare
While I wouldn't go as far as calling this tool use, it's certainly a clever way of acquiring food (check out the video in the article) 🐺
#wolf
#wolf
Have wild wolves learned to use tools?
Video captures a lone female pulling crab traps out of the water, but does it count as tool use?
www.science.org
November 18, 2025 at 10:52 AM
While I wouldn't go as far as calling this tool use, it's certainly a clever way of acquiring food (check out the video in the article) 🐺
#wolf
#wolf
Reposted by Rachel Dale
3 year postdoc funded by @ukri.org NERC on between-group cooperation in the Shark Bay dolphins is now live - please share widely 🙏 www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
Details | Working at Bristol | University of Bristol
University of Bristol Beacon House Queens Road Bristol, BS8 1QU, UK Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000 Contact us
www.bristol.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 9:43 AM
3 year postdoc funded by @ukri.org NERC on between-group cooperation in the Shark Bay dolphins is now live - please share widely 🙏 www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
Reposted by Rachel Dale
Years ago, I attempted a self-assessment of my potential gender biases in an academic research setting:
ecoevoevoeco.blogspot.com/2016/04/subt...
Today, I happened on a very nice summary of how to avoid such biases in letters of recommendation, which provides an comprehensive outline. Check it out
ecoevoevoeco.blogspot.com/2016/04/subt...
Today, I happened on a very nice summary of how to avoid such biases in letters of recommendation, which provides an comprehensive outline. Check it out
October 31, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Years ago, I attempted a self-assessment of my potential gender biases in an academic research setting:
ecoevoevoeco.blogspot.com/2016/04/subt...
Today, I happened on a very nice summary of how to avoid such biases in letters of recommendation, which provides an comprehensive outline. Check it out
ecoevoevoeco.blogspot.com/2016/04/subt...
Today, I happened on a very nice summary of how to avoid such biases in letters of recommendation, which provides an comprehensive outline. Check it out
There's some good advice in here. We tend towards the negative in our viewing so we have to actively search for the positive.
I've been trying to curate my feeds for a while to include more positive content like Reasons to be Cheerful. Now I'll also try more inspiring content too.
I've been trying to curate my feeds for a while to include more positive content like Reasons to be Cheerful. Now I'll also try more inspiring content too.
Social media can push us to the dark side, with negative content. A new study finds watching inspiring videos for just 3 minutes a day is on par with meditation for boosting mood and reducing stress.
Got 3 minutes? This habit may help boost hope and reduce stress
Social media can push us to the dark side, with negative content. A new study finds watching inspiring videos for just 3 minutes a day is on par with meditation for boosting mood and reducing stress.
n.pr
October 28, 2025 at 7:46 AM
There's some good advice in here. We tend towards the negative in our viewing so we have to actively search for the positive.
I've been trying to curate my feeds for a while to include more positive content like Reasons to be Cheerful. Now I'll also try more inspiring content too.
I've been trying to curate my feeds for a while to include more positive content like Reasons to be Cheerful. Now I'll also try more inspiring content too.
Reposted by Rachel Dale
What we all need right now. I LOVE the comedy wildlife photography awards
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 – in pictures
From a red-throated loon touching down on water, to good and bad hair days, and an airborne squirrel, here is a selection of the finalists in this year’s Nikon Comedy Wildlife awards
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:52 AM
What we all need right now. I LOVE the comedy wildlife photography awards
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Rachel Dale
Researchers at Brown University found that AI chatbots routinely violate core mental health ethics standards, underscoring the need for legal standards and oversight as use of these tools increases. www.brown.edu/news/2025-10...
New study: AI chatbots systematically violate mental health ethics standards
Researchers at Brown University found that AI chatbots routinely violate core mental health ethics standards, underscoring the need for legal standards and oversight as use of these tools increases.
www.brown.edu
October 21, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Researchers at Brown University found that AI chatbots routinely violate core mental health ethics standards, underscoring the need for legal standards and oversight as use of these tools increases. www.brown.edu/news/2025-10...
It's not everyday you get to climb at work. Oh wait, now it is thanks to our new boulder wall!
Thanks @unikrems.bsky.social for this new research (and climbing) opportunity!
#PerkOfTheJob #ClimbingTherapy #MentalHealth
Thanks @unikrems.bsky.social for this new research (and climbing) opportunity!
#PerkOfTheJob #ClimbingTherapy #MentalHealth
September 30, 2025 at 6:50 AM
It's not everyday you get to climb at work. Oh wait, now it is thanks to our new boulder wall!
Thanks @unikrems.bsky.social for this new research (and climbing) opportunity!
#PerkOfTheJob #ClimbingTherapy #MentalHealth
Thanks @unikrems.bsky.social for this new research (and climbing) opportunity!
#PerkOfTheJob #ClimbingTherapy #MentalHealth
Not one of my usual topics, but it's great to see some good science news.
An exciting breakthrough to add some positivity to our feeds!
Yay for science 🧪
An exciting breakthrough to add some positivity to our feeds!
Yay for science 🧪
Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time
One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.
www.bbc.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Not one of my usual topics, but it's great to see some good science news.
An exciting breakthrough to add some positivity to our feeds!
Yay for science 🧪
An exciting breakthrough to add some positivity to our feeds!
Yay for science 🧪
Reposted by Rachel Dale
Highlights of this year’s Ig Nobel recipients include a nutrition prize for studying the preferred pizza toppings of rainbow lizards at a seaside resort in Togo
go.nature.com/3I4wd8E
go.nature.com/3I4wd8E
Tipsy bats and perfect pasta: Ig Nobels celebrate ‘improbable’ research
Nature - The annual awards are a celebration of weird but thought-provoking science.
go.nature.com
September 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Highlights of this year’s Ig Nobel recipients include a nutrition prize for studying the preferred pizza toppings of rainbow lizards at a seaside resort in Togo
go.nature.com/3I4wd8E
go.nature.com/3I4wd8E
"good advice should balance doing more with doing less... while well-meaning, it can unintentionally make mental health feel like an endless list of chores."
I think even mental health professionals have a bias for additive advice. This is an interesting concept that definitely needs more research
I think even mental health professionals have a bias for additive advice. This is an interesting concept that definitely needs more research
New research finds that people prefer to advise others to engage in more tasks to benefit their mental health, rather than dial their activities back to create breathing room: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
People neglect 'subtractive' mental health advice | BPS
New research finds that people prefer to advise others to engage in more tasks to benefit their mental health, rather than dial their activities back to create breathing room.
www.bps.org.uk
September 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
"good advice should balance doing more with doing less... while well-meaning, it can unintentionally make mental health feel like an endless list of chores."
I think even mental health professionals have a bias for additive advice. This is an interesting concept that definitely needs more research
I think even mental health professionals have a bias for additive advice. This is an interesting concept that definitely needs more research
Incredible shots as always for the #Wildlife photographer of the year.
The elephant in the rubbish tip is particularly shocking and the wolf photo is simply beautiful.
The elephant in the rubbish tip is particularly shocking and the wolf photo is simply beautiful.
Wildlife photographer of the year 2025 – in pictures
Picked from a record 60,636 entries, the first images from the Natural History Museum’s wildlife photographer of the year competition have been released. The photographs, which range from a lion facin...
www.theguardian.com
August 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Incredible shots as always for the #Wildlife photographer of the year.
The elephant in the rubbish tip is particularly shocking and the wolf photo is simply beautiful.
The elephant in the rubbish tip is particularly shocking and the wolf photo is simply beautiful.
Reposted by Rachel Dale
“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't. Habit is persistence in practice.”
― Octavia Butler
#AcWri #WritingSky #AcademicSky
― Octavia Butler
#AcWri #WritingSky #AcademicSky
August 25, 2025 at 2:25 PM
“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't. Habit is persistence in practice.”
― Octavia Butler
#AcWri #WritingSky #AcademicSky
― Octavia Butler
#AcWri #WritingSky #AcademicSky
📣 New paper!
When young adults took part in a digital detox to use their phones for <2h/day, their mental health and stress improved. Great! BUT...
their heart rate variability went up, indicating higher physiological stress.
What’s going on? 🧵 1/3
@ehps.bsky.social #psychology
When young adults took part in a digital detox to use their phones for <2h/day, their mental health and stress improved. Great! BUT...
their heart rate variability went up, indicating higher physiological stress.
What’s going on? 🧵 1/3
@ehps.bsky.social #psychology
The influence of smartphone reduction on heart rate variability: a secondary analysis from a randomised controlled trial
Despite the benefits smartphone technology offers, our phones are available to us almost all of the time and excessive smartphone use may be linked to problematic behaviours and mental illness symp...
www.tandfonline.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:41 AM
📣 New paper!
When young adults took part in a digital detox to use their phones for <2h/day, their mental health and stress improved. Great! BUT...
their heart rate variability went up, indicating higher physiological stress.
What’s going on? 🧵 1/3
@ehps.bsky.social #psychology
When young adults took part in a digital detox to use their phones for <2h/day, their mental health and stress improved. Great! BUT...
their heart rate variability went up, indicating higher physiological stress.
What’s going on? 🧵 1/3
@ehps.bsky.social #psychology
