Elizabeth Bonawitz
@ebonawitz.bsky.social
Assoc. Prof. Learning Sciences, Harvard GSE. Study learning in early childhood using computational modeling & empirical studies. Speaking for self only. She/her
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
R.I.P. 2025 (2025 - 2025)
December 31, 2025 at 8:05 PM
R.I.P. 2025 (2025 - 2025)
🔥
Can't wait!
Can't wait!
Invited speaker lineup is out for SPP 2026! More information on the meeting here: www.socphilpsych.org/meetings.html
Submissions accepted until Jan 16! Come hang in Baltimore; conference is at Johns Hopkins from June 17-20, 2026!
@socphilpsych.bsky.social
@joshrottman.bsky.social
#SPP2026
Submissions accepted until Jan 16! Come hang in Baltimore; conference is at Johns Hopkins from June 17-20, 2026!
@socphilpsych.bsky.social
@joshrottman.bsky.social
#SPP2026
December 27, 2025 at 3:41 PM
🔥
Can't wait!
Can't wait!
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
📚 Now reading: Elgin, Catherine Z. (2017) True enough.
Will be compiling some quotes and thoughts over time. Pin📍or bookmark this thread if you want to follow along.
1/🧵
Will be compiling some quotes and thoughts over time. Pin📍or bookmark this thread if you want to follow along.
1/🧵
December 27, 2025 at 12:05 PM
📚 Now reading: Elgin, Catherine Z. (2017) True enough.
Will be compiling some quotes and thoughts over time. Pin📍or bookmark this thread if you want to follow along.
1/🧵
Will be compiling some quotes and thoughts over time. Pin📍or bookmark this thread if you want to follow along.
1/🧵
Cannot WAIT to read this.
Excited to announce a new book telling the story of mathematical approaches to studying the mind, from the origins of cognitive science to modern AI! The Laws of Thought will be published in February and is available for pre-order now.
December 18, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Cannot WAIT to read this.
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
Princeton's AI Lab is advertising positions for AI Postdoctoral Fellows in two areas: studying natural and artificial minds, and designing, understanding or engineering large AI models. We are also searching for a Lead Research Software Engineer! ai.princeton.edu/ai-lab/emplo...
Employment Opportunities
Find and learn more about our open positions.Join our team
ai.princeton.edu
December 16, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Princeton's AI Lab is advertising positions for AI Postdoctoral Fellows in two areas: studying natural and artificial minds, and designing, understanding or engineering large AI models. We are also searching for a Lead Research Software Engineer! ai.princeton.edu/ai-lab/emplo...
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
oh what fun it is to have this paper out :)
December 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
oh what fun it is to have this paper out :)
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
Nice thread describing our new study on why kids play
oh what fun it is to have this paper out :)
December 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Nice thread describing our new study on why kids play
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
The Press and @openmindjournal.bsky.social are pleased to announce a partnership with Lyrasis through the Open Access Community Investment Program (OACIP).
Learn how your institution can support this initiative to continue providing the latest #cogsci research—free of charge—here: bit.ly/452nMma
Learn how your institution can support this initiative to continue providing the latest #cogsci research—free of charge—here: bit.ly/452nMma
The MIT Press and Open Mind partner with Lyrasis to support diamond open access publishing through the Open Access Community Investment Program
The Open Access Community Investment Program (OACIP), an innovative model for community action, will seek support for MIT Press journal Open Mind through July 2026
bit.ly
December 11, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The Press and @openmindjournal.bsky.social are pleased to announce a partnership with Lyrasis through the Open Access Community Investment Program (OACIP).
Learn how your institution can support this initiative to continue providing the latest #cogsci research—free of charge—here: bit.ly/452nMma
Learn how your institution can support this initiative to continue providing the latest #cogsci research—free of charge—here: bit.ly/452nMma
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
fun pre-print for your start of week reading:
"People Make Graded Judgments About The Inconceivable"
(by Hu, Sosa, and me)
doi.org/10.31234/osf...
"People Make Graded Judgments About The Inconceivable"
(by Hu, Sosa, and me)
doi.org/10.31234/osf...
December 8, 2025 at 2:18 PM
fun pre-print for your start of week reading:
"People Make Graded Judgments About The Inconceivable"
(by Hu, Sosa, and me)
doi.org/10.31234/osf...
"People Make Graded Judgments About The Inconceivable"
(by Hu, Sosa, and me)
doi.org/10.31234/osf...
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
new: Eric Bigelow @ericbigelow.bsky.social suggests the 2 main ways of controlling LLMs (prompting & steering) can be understood as changing model beliefs (as in Bayesian belief updating)
"Belief Dynamics Reveal the Dual Nature of In-Context Learning & Activation Steering"
arxiv.org/pdf/2511.00617
"Belief Dynamics Reveal the Dual Nature of In-Context Learning & Activation Steering"
arxiv.org/pdf/2511.00617
December 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
new: Eric Bigelow @ericbigelow.bsky.social suggests the 2 main ways of controlling LLMs (prompting & steering) can be understood as changing model beliefs (as in Bayesian belief updating)
"Belief Dynamics Reveal the Dual Nature of In-Context Learning & Activation Steering"
arxiv.org/pdf/2511.00617
"Belief Dynamics Reveal the Dual Nature of In-Context Learning & Activation Steering"
arxiv.org/pdf/2511.00617
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
my five year old had RSV when he was six months old and when we brought him to the pediatrician they were like yeah go directly to the hospital we’re calling ahead
scariest few days of our lives
from the bottom of my heart: all these people can go to hell
scariest few days of our lives
from the bottom of my heart: all these people can go to hell
Exclusive: US FDA launches fresh safety scrutiny of approved RSV therapies for infants reut.rs/48JXrL2
Exclusive: US FDA launches fresh safety scrutiny of approved RSV therapies for infants
U.S. health regulators informed senior executives at Merck, Sanofi and AstraZeneca last week that their approved protective RSV treatments for infants would be subject to fresh safety scrutiny following concerns raised by vaccine skeptics, multiple sources familiar with the situation told Reuters.
reut.rs
December 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM
my five year old had RSV when he was six months old and when we brought him to the pediatrician they were like yeah go directly to the hospital we’re calling ahead
scariest few days of our lives
from the bottom of my heart: all these people can go to hell
scariest few days of our lives
from the bottom of my heart: all these people can go to hell
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
Students, staff, faculty turning to ChatGPT? That means they are being asked to do things they don't have the time, resources, support, etc to do.
December 9, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Students, staff, faculty turning to ChatGPT? That means they are being asked to do things they don't have the time, resources, support, etc to do.
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
Because the vaccine prevents chronic hepatitis B for which there is no cure and the lifelong treatment costs more than a single birth dose of the vaccine. Insurance companies recognize this is a no brainer.
Brought to you by prevention beats treatment any day.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/07/h...
Brought to you by prevention beats treatment any day.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/07/h...
Insurance coverage of hepatitis B vaccine won’t change, industry and officials say | CNN
Parents will still be able to get the hepatitis B vaccine for their children at no cost even though the US Centers for Disease and Control Prevention’s vaccine advisers recommended a major change to t...
www.cnn.com
December 8, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Because the vaccine prevents chronic hepatitis B for which there is no cure and the lifelong treatment costs more than a single birth dose of the vaccine. Insurance companies recognize this is a no brainer.
Brought to you by prevention beats treatment any day.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/07/h...
Brought to you by prevention beats treatment any day.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/07/h...
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
Please consider supporting this important resource if it is easy and appealing for you. Here’s the link to donate (make sure it says you are giving to “Children Helping Science Platform Fund” specifically - if you get redirected just search to find correct fund). giving.mit.edu/search/node/...
Fund Search Results | Giving to MIT
giving.mit.edu
December 5, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Please consider supporting this important resource if it is easy and appealing for you. Here’s the link to donate (make sure it says you are giving to “Children Helping Science Platform Fund” specifically - if you get redirected just search to find correct fund). giving.mit.edu/search/node/...
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
There’s a fantastic developmental science resource called Children Helping Science, at MIT (childrenhelpingscience.com). Researchers run child studies online, Parents sign up & participate with their kids. CHS got an offer from an anonymous donor: matching gifts up to $100K through December!
Home
- Children Helping Science
childrenhelpingscience.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:06 PM
There’s a fantastic developmental science resource called Children Helping Science, at MIT (childrenhelpingscience.com). Researchers run child studies online, Parents sign up & participate with their kids. CHS got an offer from an anonymous donor: matching gifts up to $100K through December!
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
The decision by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to downgrade its recommendations to protect infants from hepatitis B is a dangerous move that will harm children.
Click here to read AAP's full statement: bit.ly/3Y9ZQJT
Click here to read AAP's full statement: bit.ly/3Y9ZQJT
December 5, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The decision by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to downgrade its recommendations to protect infants from hepatitis B is a dangerous move that will harm children.
Click here to read AAP's full statement: bit.ly/3Y9ZQJT
Click here to read AAP's full statement: bit.ly/3Y9ZQJT
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
Congress is currently considering a piece of legislation that would effectively sever all scientific ties between the US and China. Unbelievable.
You can read the AAU response here:
www.aau.edu/key-issues/a...
You can read the AAU response here:
www.aau.edu/key-issues/a...
December 4, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Congress is currently considering a piece of legislation that would effectively sever all scientific ties between the US and China. Unbelievable.
You can read the AAU response here:
www.aau.edu/key-issues/a...
You can read the AAU response here:
www.aau.edu/key-issues/a...
My email spam box today
🤝
12-yr-old waiting for the late bus in the sleet
"it's giving Tuesday"
(thanks @apmackey.bsky.social for the inspiration)
🤝
12-yr-old waiting for the late bus in the sleet
"it's giving Tuesday"
(thanks @apmackey.bsky.social for the inspiration)
December 2, 2025 at 2:46 PM
My email spam box today
🤝
12-yr-old waiting for the late bus in the sleet
"it's giving Tuesday"
(thanks @apmackey.bsky.social for the inspiration)
🤝
12-yr-old waiting for the late bus in the sleet
"it's giving Tuesday"
(thanks @apmackey.bsky.social for the inspiration)
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
📢 Applications are open for the 2026 #JacobsCIFARFellowship!
A new partnership between the Jacobs Foundation and CIFAR supports early- & mid-career researchers advancing how children learn & develop worldwide.
🗓️ Apply by 2 February 2026 → cifarportal.smapply.io/prog/jacobs_...
A new partnership between the Jacobs Foundation and CIFAR supports early- & mid-career researchers advancing how children learn & develop worldwide.
🗓️ Apply by 2 February 2026 → cifarportal.smapply.io/prog/jacobs_...
November 24, 2025 at 4:05 PM
📢 Applications are open for the 2026 #JacobsCIFARFellowship!
A new partnership between the Jacobs Foundation and CIFAR supports early- & mid-career researchers advancing how children learn & develop worldwide.
🗓️ Apply by 2 February 2026 → cifarportal.smapply.io/prog/jacobs_...
A new partnership between the Jacobs Foundation and CIFAR supports early- & mid-career researchers advancing how children learn & develop worldwide.
🗓️ Apply by 2 February 2026 → cifarportal.smapply.io/prog/jacobs_...
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
I am so honored to be selected for the 2026-2028 cohort of @jacobsfoundation.bsky.social Research Fellows! I think this is my greatest example of perseverance -- this was my *7th* application and *3rd* time as a finalist!😱 Applications now open to join next year!
jacobsfoundation.org/fellowships/...
jacobsfoundation.org/fellowships/...
Jacobs Foundation Research Fellows - Jacobs Foundation
jacobsfoundation.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I am so honored to be selected for the 2026-2028 cohort of @jacobsfoundation.bsky.social Research Fellows! I think this is my greatest example of perseverance -- this was my *7th* application and *3rd* time as a finalist!😱 Applications now open to join next year!
jacobsfoundation.org/fellowships/...
jacobsfoundation.org/fellowships/...
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
Looking for a funded Ph.D. in #CogSci in an interdisciplinary, research-first program? Apply to CEU!
cognitivescience.ceu.edu/admission
Deadline February 4, 2026. Please share with any interested students!
#PsychSciSky #DevPsych #CogPsych
cognitivescience.ceu.edu/admission
Deadline February 4, 2026. Please share with any interested students!
#PsychSciSky #DevPsych #CogPsych
Applications Are Now Open for Academic Year 2026-2027 | Department of Cognitive Science
cognitivescience.ceu.edu
November 24, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Looking for a funded Ph.D. in #CogSci in an interdisciplinary, research-first program? Apply to CEU!
cognitivescience.ceu.edu/admission
Deadline February 4, 2026. Please share with any interested students!
#PsychSciSky #DevPsych #CogPsych
cognitivescience.ceu.edu/admission
Deadline February 4, 2026. Please share with any interested students!
#PsychSciSky #DevPsych #CogPsych
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
🚨🚨🚨
Our 52nd Annual Meeting will be held from June 18–20, 2026 at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, with a pre-conference on Mental Control and Agency held at JHU on June 17
🚨🚨🚨
We are currently inviting submissions of papers (talks and posters)!
Our 52nd Annual Meeting will be held from June 18–20, 2026 at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, with a pre-conference on Mental Control and Agency held at JHU on June 17
🚨🚨🚨
We are currently inviting submissions of papers (talks and posters)!
November 22, 2025 at 11:04 PM
🚨🚨🚨
Our 52nd Annual Meeting will be held from June 18–20, 2026 at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, with a pre-conference on Mental Control and Agency held at JHU on June 17
🚨🚨🚨
We are currently inviting submissions of papers (talks and posters)!
Our 52nd Annual Meeting will be held from June 18–20, 2026 at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, with a pre-conference on Mental Control and Agency held at JHU on June 17
🚨🚨🚨
We are currently inviting submissions of papers (talks and posters)!
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
Personal Statements, Addendum:
some are written as if the applicant is a passive object that greater forces act on:
"I was led to X | this moved me to Y | I become fascinated by Z"
I encourage you to position your "journey" as an active choice, with you as the agent that makes the choices.
some are written as if the applicant is a passive object that greater forces act on:
"I was led to X | this moved me to Y | I become fascinated by Z"
I encourage you to position your "journey" as an active choice, with you as the agent that makes the choices.
I again caution that that advice isn't meant to fit everyone; personal statements ARE personal and used differently (or not at all). I am only addressing a specific thing that I sometimes see students facing, when they think it HAS to be about challenges met and overcome.
November 21, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Personal Statements, Addendum:
some are written as if the applicant is a passive object that greater forces act on:
"I was led to X | this moved me to Y | I become fascinated by Z"
I encourage you to position your "journey" as an active choice, with you as the agent that makes the choices.
some are written as if the applicant is a passive object that greater forces act on:
"I was led to X | this moved me to Y | I become fascinated by Z"
I encourage you to position your "journey" as an active choice, with you as the agent that makes the choices.
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
I am honored to be promoted to Professor of Education with tenure at the Harvard Graduate School of Education @harvardeducation.bsky.social !!! Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. ❤️
www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/2...
www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/2...
Gaab Named Professor of Education
Nadine Gaab, a leading researcher of atypical learning trajectories in language and literacy, joined the Ed School in 2020
www.gse.harvard.edu
November 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I am honored to be promoted to Professor of Education with tenure at the Harvard Graduate School of Education @harvardeducation.bsky.social !!! Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. ❤️
www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/2...
www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/2...
Reposted by Elizabeth Bonawitz
Officially out in the current issue of Trends in Cognitive Sciences:
"Physics versus graphics as an organizing dichotomy in cognition"
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
"Physics versus graphics as an organizing dichotomy in cognition"
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
November 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Officially out in the current issue of Trends in Cognitive Sciences:
"Physics versus graphics as an organizing dichotomy in cognition"
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
"Physics versus graphics as an organizing dichotomy in cognition"
www.cell.com/trends/cogni...