Louis Schipper
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louisschipper.bsky.social
Louis Schipper
@louisschipper.bsky.social
370 followers 340 following 130 posts
Researching how can we reduce environmental impacts of land use. Current focus: GHG emissions from peat, biogeochemistry, soil carbon, temperature dependence of the biosphere. He/him. Website: waiber.com
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louisschipper.bsky.social
A new soil lecturer position available at the University of Waikato (equivalent to Assistant Professor in US terms).
elhs.fa.ap1.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Lecturer in Soil Science
Teach and research soil science while shaping the next generation of environmental scientists at a globally ranked university.
elhs.fa.ap1.oraclecloud.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
tepunahamatatini.bsky.social
Ngā mihi nui to our treasured Kaumātua Professor Tom Roa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato, Ngāti Apakura), who has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit 🧵
Tom Roa smiles on the pae.
December 31, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
hansonmark.bsky.social
We wrote the Strain on scientific publishing to highlight the problems of time & trust. With a fantastic group of co-authors, we present The Drain of Scientific Publishing:

a 🧵 1/n

Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
Oligopoly: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
A table showing profit margins of major publishers. A snippet of text related to this table is below. 1. The four-fold drain 1.1 Money Currently, academic publishing is dominated by profit-oriented, multinational companies for whom scientific knowledge is a commodity to be sold back to the academic community who created it. The dominant four are Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley and Taylor & Francis, which collectively generated over US$7.1 billion in revenue from journal publishing in 2024 alone, and over US$12 billion in profits between 2019 and 2024 (Table 1A). Their profit margins have always been over 30% in the last five years, and for the largest publisher (Elsevier) always over 37%. Against many comparators, across many sectors, scientific publishing is one of the most consistently profitable industries (Table S1). These financial arrangements make a substantial difference to science budgets. In 2024, 46% of Elsevier revenues and 53% of Taylor & Francis revenues were generated in North America, meaning that North American researchers were charged over US$2.27 billion by just two for-profit publishers. The Canadian research councils and the US National Science Foundation were allocated US$9.3 billion in that year. A figure detailing the drain on researcher time. 1. The four-fold drain 1.2 Time The number of papers published each year is growing faster than the scientific workforce, with the number of papers per researcher almost doubling between 1996 and 2022 (Figure 1A). This reflects the fact that publishers’ commercial desire to publish (sell) more material has aligned well with the competitive prestige culture in which publications help secure jobs, grants, promotions, and awards. To the extent that this growth is driven by a pressure for profit, rather than scholarly imperatives, it distorts the way researchers spend their time. The publishing system depends on unpaid reviewer labour, estimated to be over 130 million unpaid hours annually in 2020 alone (9). Researchers have complained about the demands of peer-review for decades, but the scale of the problem is now worse, with editors reporting widespread difficulties recruiting reviewers. The growth in publications involves not only the authors’ time, but that of academic editors and reviewers who are dealing with so many review demands. Even more seriously, the imperative to produce ever more articles reshapes the nature of scientific inquiry. Evidence across multiple fields shows that more papers result in ‘ossification’, not new ideas (10). It may seem paradoxical that more papers can slow progress until one considers how it affects researchers’ time. While rewards remain tied to volume, prestige, and impact of publications, researchers will be nudged away from riskier, local, interdisciplinary, and long-term work. The result is a treadmill of constant activity with limited progress whereas core scholarly practices – such as reading, reflecting and engaging with others’ contributions – is de-prioritized. What looks like productivity often masks intellectual exhaustion built on a demoralizing, narrowing scientific vision. A table of profit margins across industries. The section of text related to this table is below: 1. The four-fold drain 1.1 Money Currently, academic publishing is dominated by profit-oriented, multinational companies for whom scientific knowledge is a commodity to be sold back to the academic community who created it. The dominant four are Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley and Taylor & Francis, which collectively generated over US$7.1 billion in revenue from journal publishing in 2024 alone, and over US$12 billion in profits between 2019 and 2024 (Table 1A). Their profit margins have always been over 30% in the last five years, and for the largest publisher (Elsevier) always over 37%. Against many comparators, across many sectors, scientific publishing is one of the most consistently profitable industries (Table S1). These financial arrangements make a substantial difference to science budgets. In 2024, 46% of Elsevier revenues and 53% of Taylor & Francis revenues were generated in North America, meaning that North American researchers were charged over US$2.27 billion by just two for-profit publishers. The Canadian research councils and the US National Science Foundation were allocated US$9.3 billion in that year. The costs of inaction are plain: wasted public funds, lost researcher time, compromised scientific integrity and eroded public trust. Today, the system rewards commercial publishers first, and science second. Without bold action from the funders we risk continuing to pour resources into a system that prioritizes profit over the advancement of scientific knowledge.
November 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
louisschipper.bsky.social
Another way NZ resembles Ireland
December 4, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
veronikameduna.bsky.social
I thought of the gold clam invasion in the Waikato mostly as a threat to ecosystems, but the clams' need for calcium to build their shells impairs arsenic removal during treatment, threatening drinking water for millions theconversation.com/gold-clam-in...
Gold clam invasion in NZ threatens drinking water for millions of people
The invasion threatens more than water. Clams could foul dam intakes and reduce hydroelectric efficiency in a river that generates 13% of New Zealand’s power.
theconversation.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:08 PM
louisschipper.bsky.social
Excited to have this paper out, soil microbial growth Topt (and other metrics) increases by 0.22°C–0.27°C per 1°C warming along a longstanding geothermal gradient.

Global Change Biology | Environmental Change Journal | Wiley Online Library onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Thermal Adaptation of Bacterial and Fungal Growth in a Geothermally Influenced Soil Transect
We examined how soil microbes adapt to long-term warming along a natural geothermal gradient in Aotearoa New Zealand (17°C–42°C). Laboratory incubations of these soils across multiple temperatures re...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
angmcgaughran.bsky.social
Also excited to be chatting about this tonight on www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro... - around 8.05/8.10pm if you're keen to tune in 🕸️🕸️🕸️
October 31, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
angmcgaughran.bsky.social
A Conversation piece on our (@manpreetkdhami.bsky.social @sbirdy.bsky.social) quirky fake spiderweb research for eDNA biomonitoring, just out in time for Halloween. Paper forthcoming!

theconversation.com/spiders-insp...
Spiders inspired biologists to create artificial webs to capture airborne DNA for biodiversity monitoring
Natural spiderwebs are good at capturing DNA from the environment, but artificial webs are cheap and provide better control – without harm to spiders.
theconversation.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:46 AM
louisschipper.bsky.social
I had to read this twice, what?
October 14, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
cubaraglanguy.bsky.social
Good Lord!
October 14, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
climate.skyfleet.blue
New Zealand accused of ‘full-blown climate denial’ over cuts to methane reduction targets #Climate
New Zealand accused of ‘full-blown climate denial’ over cuts to methane reduction targets
Farmers praised the move, but scientists and opposition parties criticised it as ‘weak’ and ‘unambitious’
www.theguardian.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:12 AM
louisschipper.bsky.social
"Agriculture and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay said the government had worked closely with industry and accepted a range of advice to determine a "practical target"."
Imagine a business setting a "practical target" rather than success and being ambitious
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Scientists fear weaker methane target signals wider retreat from climate action
After cutting methane targets, New Zealand has a choice: shoulder the burden at huge cost - or cause more warming to the planet.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 13, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
kirstyjohnston.bsky.social
I thought I’d have a go at answering the question: what’s the flow on effect on emissions budgets from the methane cuts?

The answer was worse than I had anticipated

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Scientists fear weaker methane target signals wider retreat from climate action
After cutting methane targets, New Zealand has a choice: shoulder the burden at huge cost - or cause more warming to the planet.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 13, 2025 at 4:00 AM
louisschipper.bsky.social
"Chief people officer Keri-Anne Tane said reduced funding and the sector going through reforms meant they had to pause taking on new graduates."
www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/575...
Shrinking job market forces scientists to pursue careers offshore
After 13 years studying for a biology degree, Ian has had to apply - unsuccessfully - for labouring jobs.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 12, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
loraxcate.bsky.social
Applications for @ipcc.bsky.social AR7 Chapter Scientists close on 18th October. Great opportunity for emerging researchers from developing countries! 🧪🌎🌱
loraxcate.bsky.social Cate Macinnis-Ng @loraxcate.bsky.social · Oct 5
📣 Opportunity for early career researchers from developing countries who work on climate change. IPCC is calling for chapter scientists for assessment round 7. Successful applicants will receive a stipend for 48 months. 🧪🌎
www.ictp.it/opportunity/...
IPCC AR7 Chapter Scientists | ICTP
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is in the process of preparing its Seventh Assessment report (AR7). The IPCC Working Groups are seeking highly motivated early-career researchers f...
www.ictp.it
October 8, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
sciam.bsky.social
Every year, the Ig Nobel Prizes honor the weirdest and most wonderful science out there—like studying how drunk bats fly or the physics of perfect pasta. It’s all real research, and it’s all hilariously brilliant. Because sometimes science makes you laugh… then think.

🎤🎥🎞️@tomlumperson.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
smcnz.bsky.social
High nitrate levels found in rural NZ drinking water – Expert Reaction
High nitrate levels found in rural NZ drinking water - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
Tens of thousands of rural New Zealanders could be drinking water with harmful nitrate levels, researchers say. The first-ever national rural drinking water survey found 5% of the private bore samples...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
September 29, 2025 at 11:00 PM
louisschipper.bsky.social
We need the NZ Climate Change Commission independence, wisdom, courage, and intellect. www.climatecommission.govt.nz/who-we-are/o...
Our Board and Chief Executive
He Pou a Rangi - The Climate Change Commission provides independent, expert advice to government to help Aotearoa New Zealand transition to a low-emissions and climate-resilient economy.
www.climatecommission.govt.nz
September 19, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
kityates.bsky.social
It seems like it’s dangerous for scientists to speak out against Colossal’s “de extinction research”.

www.newscientist.com/article/2490...
Critics of de-extinction research hit by mystery smear campaign
Several researchers who have been critical of Colossal Biosciences’ plans to revive extinct animals say they have been targeted by online articles trying to discredit them
www.newscientist.com
September 18, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
evcurvefuturist.com
It feels slow not because of facts, but because the doom-narrative drowns out reality. 📉 The truth: solar doubled from 1,000 → 2,000 TWh in just 3 yrs, wind’s surging too. Fossils took decades. The fastest energy leap in history is here—don’t let fear blind you. ⚡🌞 #EnergyTransition #BESS #EVs #LFP
Climate action can feel slow – but the fastest energy leap in history has begun
Weaning ourselves off fossil fuels is glacially slow – isn’t it? This pessimistic narrative doesn’t stack up against evidence of very rapid change in the real world.
theconversation.com
September 13, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
te-ara-paerangi.community
More cuts to the Marsden Fund. This time $20 million from the annual budget cut starting next year. This is on top of previous cuts by this government. They are trying to skip the 'priming the pump' step of public research as a driver of the economy. How well that is going to work?
#NZPOL
Fewer Marsden Fund grants after government cuts
A major research fund has been forced to slash its grant allocation by more than $20 million next year.
www.rnz.co.nz
September 6, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
robmunter.nl
On behalf of the Netherlands, I’m sorry for all the whales that are killed by our windmills throughout the centuries. 🌬️
michaelemann.bsky.social Michael E. Mann @michaelemann.bsky.social · Aug 26
Sadly, there are documented cases:
August 26, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
rjme.bsky.social
Folks, there is a snail out there looking for love and you may be able to help them find it.... www.nzgeo.com/newsletter/t...
The Weekender August 22 2025
nzgeo.com The Weekender Free newsletter AUGUST 22, 2025 By James Frankham Publisher This month, a miracle. New Zealand Geographic illustrator Giselle Clarkson found a left-spiralling snail in her gard...
www.nzgeo.com
August 22, 2025 at 8:34 PM
louisschipper.bsky.social
Important read "For Indigenous Peoples in the 21st century, statistical erasure remains an ongoing issue."
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...?
Census in crisis—further erasure of Indigenous Peoples?
In 2013, demographer David Coleman wrote that the population census in its traditional form was heading toward its twilight. Its impending demise was being driven by digitization, rapid data transfer,...
www.science.org
August 7, 2025 at 9:19 PM