Liz Renner
@lrrenner.bsky.social
Academic; cats, culture, child development, cultural evolution, social learning; she/her #BiInSci
Pinned
Liz Renner
@lrrenner.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Bridging the Species Divide: Animal minds and the human-animal relationship (Ref: RDF26/HW/PSY/RENNER) at Northumbria University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Bridging the Species Divide: Animal minds and the human-animal relationship (Ref: RDF26/HW/PSY/RENNER) at Northumbria University, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
Are you interested in doing a PhD about what humans infer about animal minds?
Check out this opportunity @northumbriapsy.bsky.social with me, @mdconstable.bsky.social and Lee Shepherd!
Deadline 23 Jan 2026
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Check out this opportunity @northumbriapsy.bsky.social with me, @mdconstable.bsky.social and Lee Shepherd!
Deadline 23 Jan 2026
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Liz Renner
To bring in the New Year, here's a proposal for external regulation of academic publishing, through a voluntary system of journal certification to the ISO 9001 quality management standard. 🧪 #ResearchIntegrity (1/2) www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:28 PM
To bring in the New Year, here's a proposal for external regulation of academic publishing, through a voluntary system of journal certification to the ISO 9001 quality management standard. 🧪 #ResearchIntegrity (1/2) www.nature.com/articles/d41...
How do cats sleep so hard?
December 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
How do cats sleep so hard?
Reposted by Liz Renner
Each time we refuse, we make it easier for others (and ourselves) to refuse again. We can also make positive statements about what we value: authenticity, accountability, human connection, and credit where credit is due (e.g. to artists for their work).
>>
>>
December 30, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Each time we refuse, we make it easier for others (and ourselves) to refuse again. We can also make positive statements about what we value: authenticity, accountability, human connection, and credit where credit is due (e.g. to artists for their work).
>>
>>
Reposted by Liz Renner
🚨Roll up, roll up, fully-funded #PhD deadlines approaching...
6th Jan: tinyurl.com/aja54nr6
8th Jan: tinyurl.com/4jfy47pp
Social monitoring & manipulation
#meerkats #mongooses #macaques #fieldwork #long-termdata
@patrick-kennedy.bsky.social @ljnbrent.bsky.social
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
6th Jan: tinyurl.com/aja54nr6
8th Jan: tinyurl.com/4jfy47pp
Social monitoring & manipulation
#meerkats #mongooses #macaques #fieldwork #long-termdata
@patrick-kennedy.bsky.social @ljnbrent.bsky.social
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
December 30, 2025 at 10:15 AM
🚨Roll up, roll up, fully-funded #PhD deadlines approaching...
6th Jan: tinyurl.com/aja54nr6
8th Jan: tinyurl.com/4jfy47pp
Social monitoring & manipulation
#meerkats #mongooses #macaques #fieldwork #long-termdata
@patrick-kennedy.bsky.social @ljnbrent.bsky.social
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
6th Jan: tinyurl.com/aja54nr6
8th Jan: tinyurl.com/4jfy47pp
Social monitoring & manipulation
#meerkats #mongooses #macaques #fieldwork #long-termdata
@patrick-kennedy.bsky.social @ljnbrent.bsky.social
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
Reposted by Liz Renner
Oceanus, with lobsters emerging from his forehead, vomits up two dolphins
Was he *being sick on porpoise*?
(apologies)
Detail from a 4th century floor found at Withington #Roman villa #Gloucestershire and lifted in 1812
📷 © The Trustees of the British Museum
Happy last #MosaicMonday of the year
Was he *being sick on porpoise*?
(apologies)
Detail from a 4th century floor found at Withington #Roman villa #Gloucestershire and lifted in 1812
📷 © The Trustees of the British Museum
Happy last #MosaicMonday of the year
December 29, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Oceanus, with lobsters emerging from his forehead, vomits up two dolphins
Was he *being sick on porpoise*?
(apologies)
Detail from a 4th century floor found at Withington #Roman villa #Gloucestershire and lifted in 1812
📷 © The Trustees of the British Museum
Happy last #MosaicMonday of the year
Was he *being sick on porpoise*?
(apologies)
Detail from a 4th century floor found at Withington #Roman villa #Gloucestershire and lifted in 1812
📷 © The Trustees of the British Museum
Happy last #MosaicMonday of the year
Reposted by Liz Renner
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
Reposted by Liz Renner
Peter Thiel’s Christmas party had an odd theme this year: “all things Britain.” (per NYT)
As Trump sunsets and backlash builds, expect a focus shift to the UK—where some see brighter possibilities for fascism,network states, and monarchies.
As Trump sunsets and backlash builds, expect a focus shift to the UK—where some see brighter possibilities for fascism,network states, and monarchies.
December 29, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Peter Thiel’s Christmas party had an odd theme this year: “all things Britain.” (per NYT)
As Trump sunsets and backlash builds, expect a focus shift to the UK—where some see brighter possibilities for fascism,network states, and monarchies.
As Trump sunsets and backlash builds, expect a focus shift to the UK—where some see brighter possibilities for fascism,network states, and monarchies.
Reposted by Liz Renner
Worth noting that “instructors have infinite time and energy to reimagine entirely their pedagogy with every new tech innovation” is at least as naive an assumption as “gen ai will go away.”
Academics literally cannot make Gen AI go away. As in it is not possible to make it happen on a political, legal, and technical level. We do not and will not command the massive violence necessary to make chatGPT or Claude disappear. Responsible pedagogy grapples with the fact!
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
December 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Worth noting that “instructors have infinite time and energy to reimagine entirely their pedagogy with every new tech innovation” is at least as naive an assumption as “gen ai will go away.”
Reposted by Liz Renner
Saw Bluesky described as where elder millennials go to retire from the internet, and immediately felt the peace that passes all understanding wash over me. None of have to struggle any longer. We completed our time.
December 29, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Saw Bluesky described as where elder millennials go to retire from the internet, and immediately felt the peace that passes all understanding wash over me. None of have to struggle any longer. We completed our time.
Reposted by Liz Renner
"Never tried therapy before but this is probably it?"
9 words summarising the attitude of Big Tech to all things of which they have no knowledge or experience - with GenAI, they can do [thing] without [thing] experts or even educating themselves on [thing].
My eyes rolled a grand total of 720° 🙄
9 words summarising the attitude of Big Tech to all things of which they have no knowledge or experience - with GenAI, they can do [thing] without [thing] experts or even educating themselves on [thing].
My eyes rolled a grand total of 720° 🙄
December 28, 2025 at 9:06 PM
"Never tried therapy before but this is probably it?"
9 words summarising the attitude of Big Tech to all things of which they have no knowledge or experience - with GenAI, they can do [thing] without [thing] experts or even educating themselves on [thing].
My eyes rolled a grand total of 720° 🙄
9 words summarising the attitude of Big Tech to all things of which they have no knowledge or experience - with GenAI, they can do [thing] without [thing] experts or even educating themselves on [thing].
My eyes rolled a grand total of 720° 🙄
Reposted by Liz Renner
Buttons are back. Knobs are back. Dumb devices are back. Own-it-forever software is back. Print is back. Personal websites and chronological feeds are back. Touching grass is back. People keep saying 2015, but it’s not far enough. The entire 2010s were a mistake. We must retvrn to… 2009.
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its senses.
Rejoice! Carmakers Are Embracing Physical Buttons Again
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its…
wrd.cm
December 28, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Buttons are back. Knobs are back. Dumb devices are back. Own-it-forever software is back. Print is back. Personal websites and chronological feeds are back. Touching grass is back. People keep saying 2015, but it’s not far enough. The entire 2010s were a mistake. We must retvrn to… 2009.
Reposted by Liz Renner
So many academics I know, myself included, love their jobs, care deeply for their students and their students' well-being and success, and just want what's best for them. We are all trying to deal with this disruption and many people feel like no one is listening to their legit concerns. 6/7
December 27, 2025 at 5:08 PM
So many academics I know, myself included, love their jobs, care deeply for their students and their students' well-being and success, and just want what's best for them. We are all trying to deal with this disruption and many people feel like no one is listening to their legit concerns. 6/7
Reposted by Liz Renner
However we feel about gAI personally, most academics I know aren't arrogant enough to believe we can "make it go away." What we do have the experience to know is that it is harmful for many classrooms, and the ability to do is refuse the tech and this narrative of inevitability.
Academics literally cannot make Gen AI go away. As in it is not possible to make it happen on a political, legal, and technical level. We do not and will not command the massive violence necessary to make chatGPT or Claude disappear. Responsible pedagogy grapples with the fact!
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
December 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
However we feel about gAI personally, most academics I know aren't arrogant enough to believe we can "make it go away." What we do have the experience to know is that it is harmful for many classrooms, and the ability to do is refuse the tech and this narrative of inevitability.
Reposted by Liz Renner
Southern white-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus siki) are found in Laos and Vietnam. Females are gold, males are black; both have a white haired "halo" around their faces. Threatened by forest fragmentation, hunting, and capture for the pet trade. Only ~600 mature individuals remain. Critically Endangered.
December 27, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Southern white-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus siki) are found in Laos and Vietnam. Females are gold, males are black; both have a white haired "halo" around their faces. Threatened by forest fragmentation, hunting, and capture for the pet trade. Only ~600 mature individuals remain. Critically Endangered.
Reposted by Liz Renner
Corporal Foxtrot Ochoa
Impulsive Alchemist
she/her
drinking coffee that smells of mahogany
is always late
sober
Impulsive Alchemist
she/her
drinking coffee that smells of mahogany
is always late
sober
December 26, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Corporal Foxtrot Ochoa
Impulsive Alchemist
she/her
drinking coffee that smells of mahogany
is always late
sober
Impulsive Alchemist
she/her
drinking coffee that smells of mahogany
is always late
sober
Reposted by Liz Renner
fascinating, i was under the impression that the only reason people would ever learn anything is to get a job and the only thing universities should do is ‘produce graduates’ (and maybe vaccines)…
if only we could learn something from this story in the UK
if only we could learn something from this story in the UK
'Record numbers of Swedish retirees are enrolling in a university run “by pensioners for pensioners” amid increased loneliness and a growing appetite for learning and in-person interactions.' 1/2
‘Keeps your mind alert’: older Swedes reap the benefits of learning for pleasure
Retirees with ‘fantastic hunger for education’ taking part in university organised events in record numbers
www.theguardian.com
December 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
fascinating, i was under the impression that the only reason people would ever learn anything is to get a job and the only thing universities should do is ‘produce graduates’ (and maybe vaccines)…
if only we could learn something from this story in the UK
if only we could learn something from this story in the UK
Reposted by Liz Renner
maybe i am being naive but i think developing pathways for lifelong learning through intro or survey classes and small-group seminars open to anyone with an interest (without the degree at the end, perhaps) might be more sustainable than chasing international students forever
December 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
maybe i am being naive but i think developing pathways for lifelong learning through intro or survey classes and small-group seminars open to anyone with an interest (without the degree at the end, perhaps) might be more sustainable than chasing international students forever
Reposted by Liz Renner
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
December 24, 2025 at 7:56 PM
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
Reposted by Liz Renner
Trinidad white-fronted capuchins (Cebus trinitatis) are limited to two populations in Trinidad. Fewer than 50 mature individuals remain wild. Threats include habitat loss and degradation, and hunting as crop pests and for pets. Critically Endangered. Photo:© William Stephens/iNaturalist/CC4.0.
December 25, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Trinidad white-fronted capuchins (Cebus trinitatis) are limited to two populations in Trinidad. Fewer than 50 mature individuals remain wild. Threats include habitat loss and degradation, and hunting as crop pests and for pets. Critically Endangered. Photo:© William Stephens/iNaturalist/CC4.0.
Reposted by Liz Renner
a very meowy christmas for all who celebrate!
December 24, 2025 at 4:08 PM
a very meowy christmas for all who celebrate!
Reposted by Liz Renner
Felix Reilly
Eccentric Triathlete
she/her
smells of velvet
currently standing in a locker room but forgot why
only knows how to cook spaghetti
Eccentric Triathlete
she/her
smells of velvet
currently standing in a locker room but forgot why
only knows how to cook spaghetti
December 25, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Felix Reilly
Eccentric Triathlete
she/her
smells of velvet
currently standing in a locker room but forgot why
only knows how to cook spaghetti
Eccentric Triathlete
she/her
smells of velvet
currently standing in a locker room but forgot why
only knows how to cook spaghetti
If you work in a post-92 university, take this campaign as a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Future. If management succeeds with their plan at Northumbria, every other post-92 will be doing it next year.
Solidarity to @northumbriauni.bsky.social staff, told they must move to a pension scheme widely considered worse or face a pay freeze (against UK-wide bargaining). United as unions, they can beat it (& deter other employers from trying similar). Post those ballots, & join if you’re not a member!
The only thing cooler than this post box? Posting your vote in the @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social local ballot to stop a pay freeze @northumbriauni.bsky.social!
December 24, 2025 at 8:47 AM
If you work in a post-92 university, take this campaign as a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Future. If management succeeds with their plan at Northumbria, every other post-92 will be doing it next year.
Reposted by Liz Renner
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
December 19, 2025 at 12:24 PM
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
Reposted by Liz Renner
✨ Steal the Look: Resplendent Quetzal
🔴 Holiday party incoming, and the party doesn't start ‘til I fly in.
🎄 Happy Holidaying from the ABC team!
Learn more in our bird library:
bit.ly/44z4Yen
🔴 Holiday party incoming, and the party doesn't start ‘til I fly in.
🎄 Happy Holidaying from the ABC team!
Learn more in our bird library:
bit.ly/44z4Yen
December 23, 2025 at 8:27 PM
✨ Steal the Look: Resplendent Quetzal
🔴 Holiday party incoming, and the party doesn't start ‘til I fly in.
🎄 Happy Holidaying from the ABC team!
Learn more in our bird library:
bit.ly/44z4Yen
🔴 Holiday party incoming, and the party doesn't start ‘til I fly in.
🎄 Happy Holidaying from the ABC team!
Learn more in our bird library:
bit.ly/44z4Yen
Made one batch of cookies and I am knackered.
December 23, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Made one batch of cookies and I am knackered.