Dr Katie Twomey
@k2mey.bsky.social
Autistic, prob AuDHD. LGBTQ+ ally because obviously. Routine goblin. She/her. Sweary, sorry. Lecturer (UK), researcher in language development, psycholinguistics, autism. ♾️🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
Pinned
I was just thinking that the bit of the Traitors we all really watch it for is the round table, so why don't they just make it mostly that, then realised that's PMQs
February 2, 2026 at 10:45 PM
I was just thinking that the bit of the Traitors we all really watch it for is the round table, so why don't they just make it mostly that, then realised that's PMQs
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
Enjoyed that! Some great new comedians I've never seen before and I didn't even have to leave my room. Give @coherentcomedy.bsky.social a follow and check out their free monthly nights.
February 2, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Enjoyed that! Some great new comedians I've never seen before and I didn't even have to leave my room. Give @coherentcomedy.bsky.social a follow and check out their free monthly nights.
This made me laugh so much I pulled a muscle in my face and possibly brain
This got out of hand.
February 2, 2026 at 9:36 PM
This made me laugh so much I pulled a muscle in my face and possibly brain
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
Do NOT use an app to track your hormones
“Now the march of wearable tech is coming to the aid of what some say is a long underserved market: menopausal women.”
“Companies are developing everything from apps offering dietary advice to devices that track symptoms, hormones and body temperature.”
“Companies are developing everything from apps offering dietary advice to devices that track symptoms, hormones and body temperature.”
‘Menopause gold rush’? Boom in hi-tech products as stigma starts to recede
The march of wearable tech is coming to the aid of women in what some say is a long underserved market
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Do NOT use an app to track your hormones
I've only read up to the paywall but this is an incredibly weakly-argued piece where the authors claim LLMs are intelligent based on their own redefinition of what intelligence is. Not one psychologist or cognitive scientist between them.
The vision of human-level machine intelligence laid out by Alan Turing in the 1950s is now a reality. Eyes unclouded by dread or hype will help us to prepare for what comes next
go.nature.com/4kxrivL
go.nature.com/4kxrivL
Does AI already have human-level intelligence? The evidence is clear
The vision of human-level machine intelligence laid out by Alan Turing in the 1950s is now a reality. Eyes unclouded by dread or hype will help us to prepare for what comes next.
go.nature.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:44 PM
I've only read up to the paywall but this is an incredibly weakly-argued piece where the authors claim LLMs are intelligent based on their own redefinition of what intelligence is. Not one psychologist or cognitive scientist between them.
Ooop
Peter Mandelson has written to Labour's general secretary to 'step down' from party membership. Labour was being called on to suspend/investigate; his being an ex-member may prevent/impede that. I think Mandelson is currently on leave of absence from House of Lords
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Lord Mandelson resigns from Labour Party over Epstein links
Lord Mandelson resigns from Labour Party over Epstein links
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Ooop
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
All JK Rowling's talk about protecting women and children is such bs. It was always about hating trans people. She invited him to the Harry Potter Broadway opening in 2018. This was way after Epstein was convicted of soliciting sex from a minor.
JK Rowling's team invited Jeffery Epstein to the deathly hallows play and to a Harry potter dinner.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov
February 1, 2026 at 7:38 PM
All JK Rowling's talk about protecting women and children is such bs. It was always about hating trans people. She invited him to the Harry Potter Broadway opening in 2018. This was way after Epstein was convicted of soliciting sex from a minor.
Waterstones in Lancaster has a sign on the door saying WE ARE SOLD OUT OF POKEMON and that sort of thing is why I love living here
February 1, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Waterstones in Lancaster has a sign on the door saying WE ARE SOLD OUT OF POKEMON and that sort of thing is why I love living here
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
🍓TOMORROW NIGHT🍓
Boom, this is a brilliant line-up full of wonderful people (see also: funny)
Ignore the fact that Chris will be there and get tickets below 👇
#CoherentComedy
Boom, this is a brilliant line-up full of wonderful people (see also: funny)
Ignore the fact that Chris will be there and get tickets below 👇
#CoherentComedy
February 1, 2026 at 7:16 PM
🍓TOMORROW NIGHT🍓
Boom, this is a brilliant line-up full of wonderful people (see also: funny)
Ignore the fact that Chris will be there and get tickets below 👇
#CoherentComedy
Boom, this is a brilliant line-up full of wonderful people (see also: funny)
Ignore the fact that Chris will be there and get tickets below 👇
#CoherentComedy
Not sure who I have a bigger crush on out of Eloise and Benedict Bridgerton
February 1, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Not sure who I have a bigger crush on out of Eloise and Benedict Bridgerton
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
Both MRC and BBSRC responsive modes now withdrawn until further notice. Existing applications unlikely to succeed (late 2025 round expecting 1-5% success rate).
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Both MRC and BBSRC responsive modes now withdrawn until further notice. Existing applications unlikely to succeed (late 2025 round expecting 1-5% success rate).
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
You don't have to dirty your soul to be a successful academic or a scientist. Have some fucking pride. Have some fucking principles.
If you think you DO need to do that, all I can say is that I beg you not to go into academia or science.
If you think you DO need to do that, all I can say is that I beg you not to go into academia or science.
February 1, 2026 at 2:29 AM
You don't have to dirty your soul to be a successful academic or a scientist. Have some fucking pride. Have some fucking principles.
If you think you DO need to do that, all I can say is that I beg you not to go into academia or science.
If you think you DO need to do that, all I can say is that I beg you not to go into academia or science.
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
I am really angry about all of the scientists who cozied up to Epstein even after it was known who he was.
I am nearly as angry at how many people are justifying this as "they had to, it's how academia works"
NO IT FUCKING WELL ISN'T
I am nearly as angry at how many people are justifying this as "they had to, it's how academia works"
NO IT FUCKING WELL ISN'T
You don't have to dirty your soul to be a successful academic or a scientist. Have some fucking pride. Have some fucking principles.
If you think you DO need to do that, all I can say is that I beg you not to go into academia or science.
If you think you DO need to do that, all I can say is that I beg you not to go into academia or science.
February 1, 2026 at 3:35 AM
I am really angry about all of the scientists who cozied up to Epstein even after it was known who he was.
I am nearly as angry at how many people are justifying this as "they had to, it's how academia works"
NO IT FUCKING WELL ISN'T
I am nearly as angry at how many people are justifying this as "they had to, it's how academia works"
NO IT FUCKING WELL ISN'T
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
i will never forgive the techbros for ruining computer
computer was the only thing i liked
computer was the only thing i liked
September 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
i will never forgive the techbros for ruining computer
computer was the only thing i liked
computer was the only thing i liked
Yes. But they made their own decisions.
It's easy to see these academics as individual bad actors. But I'd argue--they were enabled by "elite" schools' look-the-other-way approach to dealing with big-name abusers, and by the fact that, societially, we treat people associated with "elite" schools as automatically deserving of deference.
Academics vying for a spot in Epstein‘s world. There are so many. I feel the need to make a thread, so I don’t keep confusing them. 1/
February 1, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Yes. But they made their own decisions.
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
i honestly can't understand why any of you would spend mental energy on coming up with charitable excuses and defenses for why these names are in these files but sadly it is something so many people do in every individual sexual harassment case as well. so much cope, so much rationalization.
January 31, 2026 at 11:51 PM
i honestly can't understand why any of you would spend mental energy on coming up with charitable excuses and defenses for why these names are in these files but sadly it is something so many people do in every individual sexual harassment case as well. so much cope, so much rationalization.
I've looked at it and it's just links to click on. I bet if an undergrad submitted it for their final year product they'd fail. AI (ha) is just a money siphon.
January 31, 2026 at 10:01 PM
I've looked at it and it's just links to click on. I bet if an undergrad submitted it for their final year product they'd fail. AI (ha) is just a money siphon.
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
I like this quote from Travis Alabanza's None of the Above: 'If transness is working correctly, it is pushing for a world where anyone can express themselves in any way and not be deserving of violence: that no expression of any self becomes a reason why someone may incite harm.'
We all need this.
We all need this.
January 31, 2026 at 2:16 PM
I like this quote from Travis Alabanza's None of the Above: 'If transness is working correctly, it is pushing for a world where anyone can express themselves in any way and not be deserving of violence: that no expression of any self becomes a reason why someone may incite harm.'
We all need this.
We all need this.
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
We agreed that it was important to explicitly address the political climate Weird Pride Day is taking place in this year.
Weird Pride is a celebration, but also, always, an act of defiance - perhaps now more than ever.
Credit to David @neurohubcommunity.org for suggesting this.
#StayWeird, folks.
Weird Pride is a celebration, but also, always, an act of defiance - perhaps now more than ever.
Credit to David @neurohubcommunity.org for suggesting this.
#StayWeird, folks.
Weird Pride Day 4th March 2026
Weird Pride in a Hostile World
This is a day for people to embrace their weirdness, & reject the stigma associated with being weird. To publicly express pride in the things that make us weird, and to celebrate the diversity of humankind
Find out more weirdpride.day
Weird Pride in a Hostile World
This is a day for people to embrace their weirdness, & reject the stigma associated with being weird. To publicly express pride in the things that make us weird, and to celebrate the diversity of humankind
Find out more weirdpride.day
January 31, 2026 at 2:13 PM
We agreed that it was important to explicitly address the political climate Weird Pride Day is taking place in this year.
Weird Pride is a celebration, but also, always, an act of defiance - perhaps now more than ever.
Credit to David @neurohubcommunity.org for suggesting this.
#StayWeird, folks.
Weird Pride is a celebration, but also, always, an act of defiance - perhaps now more than ever.
Credit to David @neurohubcommunity.org for suggesting this.
#StayWeird, folks.
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
If you want to know more about how sexual violence has shaped higher education and set the stage for gender inequality across the rest of society, I wrote a book about it:
On the Wrong Side: How Universities Protect Perpetrators and Betray Survivors of Sexual Violence
How Universities Protect Perpetrators and Betray Survivors of Sexual Violence
bookshop.org
January 31, 2026 at 6:31 PM
If you want to know more about how sexual violence has shaped higher education and set the stage for gender inequality across the rest of society, I wrote a book about it:
It's rotten to the core and makes me want to leave academia. These are psychology people. Pinker and Chomsky are in there (as if we didn't already know). The sexual harassment that goes on at conferences is the tip of the iceberg it seems. I hate that I work in an industry where I have to have...
And, for completeness’ sake, Dan Ariely asking to add Jeffrey Epstein to his professional network on LinkedIn bsky.app/profile/kjhe...
Opening scene?
January 31, 2026 at 6:08 PM
It's rotten to the core and makes me want to leave academia. These are psychology people. Pinker and Chomsky are in there (as if we didn't already know). The sexual harassment that goes on at conferences is the tip of the iceberg it seems. I hate that I work in an industry where I have to have...
We're doing a detective puzzle and it keeps blindsiding us with accidental poetry. "Love isn't a headline. It lives in the quiet places". "Sometimes loyalty is a trap dressed like duty".
January 31, 2026 at 3:48 PM
We're doing a detective puzzle and it keeps blindsiding us with accidental poetry. "Love isn't a headline. It lives in the quiet places". "Sometimes loyalty is a trap dressed like duty".
Everyone's jaws are on the floor because of the disemboweling of US research, and yet...
Three UK research councils suspend funding opportunities
“Temporary block on grant applications by MRC, BBSRC and EPSRC heightens concerns over funding cuts”
“Temporary block on grant applications by MRC, BBSRC and EPSRC heightens concerns over funding cuts”
Three UK research councils suspend funding opportunities
Temporary block on grant applications by MRC, BBSRC and EPSRC heightens concerns over funding cuts
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Everyone's jaws are on the floor because of the disemboweling of US research, and yet...
Reposted by Dr Katie Twomey
Seriously?! This 'use & governance' narrative abdicates from the necessity of refusal while simultaneously discrediting citizen assemblies. AI agents are complete BS, the question which should be asked is what further precaritisation & immiseration they'll be used to divert our attention from.
Invitation to Tender: The Delegation Conversation.
We are looking for a partner who can design and adapt deliberative methods for a proposed People’s Forum on the use and governance of Advanced AI Assistants.
Full details: adalovelaceinstitute.org/ai-assistant...
Deadline: 15 February 2026.
We are looking for a partner who can design and adapt deliberative methods for a proposed People’s Forum on the use and governance of Advanced AI Assistants.
Full details: adalovelaceinstitute.org/ai-assistant...
Deadline: 15 February 2026.
Invitation to Tender: The Delegation Conversation
A People’s Forum on the use and governance of Advanced AI Assistants
adalovelaceinstitute.org
January 30, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Seriously?! This 'use & governance' narrative abdicates from the necessity of refusal while simultaneously discrediting citizen assemblies. AI agents are complete BS, the question which should be asked is what further precaritisation & immiseration they'll be used to divert our attention from.