Matt Kerr
@mattkerr.bsky.social
Postdoc in @econovoau.bsky.social - diversity dynamics in novel ecosystems. Palaeo/macro-ecology.
Also chatting craft beer, tabletop gaming, and open/ethical science.
Views mine. He/him. 🐚🐟🌍
Also chatting craft beer, tabletop gaming, and open/ethical science.
Views mine. He/him. 🐚🐟🌍
Pinned
Matt Kerr
@mattkerr.bsky.social
· Mar 15
1/6 Paper Alert📢📢📢
New publication from #ECONOVO on the widespread ecological novelty across the terrestrial biosphere🌱
Read the article here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Key take homes below👇
New publication from #ECONOVO on the widespread ecological novelty across the terrestrial biosphere🌱
Read the article here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Key take homes below👇
Widespread ecological novelty across the terrestrial biosphere - Nature Ecology & Evolution
Even outside urban and agricultural areas, ecosystems are vastly transformed as a result of human activities. Here the authors map patterns in climate change, defaunation and floristic disruption to q...
www.nature.com
Read our new study on mapping ecologically novel conditions - out now in Nature Ecology and Evolution 🌍🦬🌿
Headline finding is that 58% of the biosphere is experiencing highly novel conditions, but nowhere was low - we really are living in a novel world.
Headline finding is that 58% of the biosphere is experiencing highly novel conditions, but nowhere was low - we really are living in a novel world.
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Do you teach #rstats? Do your students complain about how lame and old-fashioned dplyr is? Don't worry: I have the solution for you: github.com/hadley/genzp....
genzplyr is dplyr, but bussin fr fr no cap.
genzplyr is dplyr, but bussin fr fr no cap.
GitHub - hadley/genzplyr: dplyr but make it bussin fr fr no cap
dplyr but make it bussin fr fr no cap. Contribute to hadley/genzplyr development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Do you teach #rstats? Do your students complain about how lame and old-fashioned dplyr is? Don't worry: I have the solution for you: github.com/hadley/genzp....
genzplyr is dplyr, but bussin fr fr no cap.
genzplyr is dplyr, but bussin fr fr no cap.
Reposted by Matt Kerr
COOLEST RUNNINGS,,, cuz it’s Cooler than Cool Runnings.
Your boy Flavor Flav is now an Official Sponsor and The Official Hype Man of the USA Olympic Bobsled + Skeleton team. YEAH BOOYYYEEEE,!!
Your boy Flavor Flav is now an Official Sponsor and The Official Hype Man of the USA Olympic Bobsled + Skeleton team. YEAH BOOYYYEEEE,!!
October 27, 2025 at 4:54 PM
COOLEST RUNNINGS,,, cuz it’s Cooler than Cool Runnings.
Your boy Flavor Flav is now an Official Sponsor and The Official Hype Man of the USA Olympic Bobsled + Skeleton team. YEAH BOOYYYEEEE,!!
Your boy Flavor Flav is now an Official Sponsor and The Official Hype Man of the USA Olympic Bobsled + Skeleton team. YEAH BOOYYYEEEE,!!
Reposted by Matt Kerr
"We conducted a host of sensitivity analyses and found our model was robust to a variety of assumptions and alternative specifications."
Translation: "I released my imposter syndrome from its mental prison, dialed up my anxiety to max and imagined the ways I could be made to look like a fraud"
Translation: "I released my imposter syndrome from its mental prison, dialed up my anxiety to max and imagined the ways I could be made to look like a fraud"
October 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
"We conducted a host of sensitivity analyses and found our model was robust to a variety of assumptions and alternative specifications."
Translation: "I released my imposter syndrome from its mental prison, dialed up my anxiety to max and imagined the ways I could be made to look like a fraud"
Translation: "I released my imposter syndrome from its mental prison, dialed up my anxiety to max and imagined the ways I could be made to look like a fraud"
Reposted by Matt Kerr
This Discussion-Reply is WILD
As pointed out in the Reply, the language used in the Discussion is 100% inappropriate and in my view, a failure of the editorial process
www.lyellcollection.org/doi/full/10....
As pointed out in the Reply, the language used in the Discussion is 100% inappropriate and in my view, a failure of the editorial process
www.lyellcollection.org/doi/full/10....
Reply to comment on ‘Rivers of the Variscan Foreland: fluvial morphodynamics in the Pennant Formation of South Wales, UK’ | Journal of the Geological Society
www.lyellcollection.org
October 21, 2025 at 11:06 AM
This Discussion-Reply is WILD
As pointed out in the Reply, the language used in the Discussion is 100% inappropriate and in my view, a failure of the editorial process
www.lyellcollection.org/doi/full/10....
As pointed out in the Reply, the language used in the Discussion is 100% inappropriate and in my view, a failure of the editorial process
www.lyellcollection.org/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Open Letter by scientists to the Council:
"Climate Neutrality Is Europe’s Greatest Economic Opportunity”.
Ahead of the European Council meeting on 23.10.2025,
2,178 scientists urge EU Heads of States & Governments to take ambitious decisions for the 2040 targets.
zenodo.org/records/1739...
"Climate Neutrality Is Europe’s Greatest Economic Opportunity”.
Ahead of the European Council meeting on 23.10.2025,
2,178 scientists urge EU Heads of States & Governments to take ambitious decisions for the 2040 targets.
zenodo.org/records/1739...
October 20, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Open Letter by scientists to the Council:
"Climate Neutrality Is Europe’s Greatest Economic Opportunity”.
Ahead of the European Council meeting on 23.10.2025,
2,178 scientists urge EU Heads of States & Governments to take ambitious decisions for the 2040 targets.
zenodo.org/records/1739...
"Climate Neutrality Is Europe’s Greatest Economic Opportunity”.
Ahead of the European Council meeting on 23.10.2025,
2,178 scientists urge EU Heads of States & Governments to take ambitious decisions for the 2040 targets.
zenodo.org/records/1739...
Reposted by Matt Kerr
📣Calling ecological leaders!
We're looking for people with a passion for effective leadership and management in the ecology workplace to join our Emerging Leaders and Managers (ELM) network committee.
We're looking for people with a passion for effective leadership and management in the ecology workplace to join our Emerging Leaders and Managers (ELM) network committee.
October 16, 2025 at 10:03 AM
📣Calling ecological leaders!
We're looking for people with a passion for effective leadership and management in the ecology workplace to join our Emerging Leaders and Managers (ELM) network committee.
We're looking for people with a passion for effective leadership and management in the ecology workplace to join our Emerging Leaders and Managers (ELM) network committee.
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Back in June we were back on the Oxfordshire “dinosaur highway”, excavating more dinosaur tracks with our teams from the Universities of Birmingham, Oxford & Liverpool John Moores. The BBC have a story out today about our work at the site:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc...
In the footsteps of giants - BBC News
One of the longest sets of dinosaur footprints in the world has been discovered in a limestone quary near Bicester, in Oxfordshire, England.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Back in June we were back on the Oxfordshire “dinosaur highway”, excavating more dinosaur tracks with our teams from the Universities of Birmingham, Oxford & Liverpool John Moores. The BBC have a story out today about our work at the site:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc...
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Looking forward to this! I will be helping @josephtobias.bsky.social lead discussions on what preregistration could look like for macroecology - join us on Wednesday 📝🌍
🚨 SORTEE’s conference #SORTEE2025 is fast approaching
This year, we have opted once again for a format that facilitates lively exchanges of ideas & which has led to wonderful outcomes. Some examples: www.sortee.org/past/
There is still time to join us - register at sortee.org/upcoming/
This year, we have opted once again for a format that facilitates lively exchanges of ideas & which has led to wonderful outcomes. Some examples: www.sortee.org/past/
There is still time to join us - register at sortee.org/upcoming/
Past events
Past events by Society for Open, Reliable, and Transparent Ecology and Evolutionary biology (SORTEE)
www.sortee.org
October 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Looking forward to this! I will be helping @josephtobias.bsky.social lead discussions on what preregistration could look like for macroecology - join us on Wednesday 📝🌍
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Here I am. Once again. I'm out of archaeologists.
We matched 576 groups w/archaeologists, leaving 13 groups unmatched. This brings me pain! We've never run out of scientists like this before. 598 requests for one category is A LOT. But still.
Archaeologists 🥺
www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
We matched 576 groups w/archaeologists, leaving 13 groups unmatched. This brings me pain! We've never run out of scientists like this before. 598 requests for one category is A LOT. But still.
Archaeologists 🥺
www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
Sign Up
Skype a Scientist gives you the opportunity to connect with students and the public around the world.
www.skypeascientist.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Here I am. Once again. I'm out of archaeologists.
We matched 576 groups w/archaeologists, leaving 13 groups unmatched. This brings me pain! We've never run out of scientists like this before. 598 requests for one category is A LOT. But still.
Archaeologists 🥺
www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
We matched 576 groups w/archaeologists, leaving 13 groups unmatched. This brings me pain! We've never run out of scientists like this before. 598 requests for one category is A LOT. But still.
Archaeologists 🥺
www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
I rely heavily on Untitled1 through Untitled30 for support! I should acknowledge them more.
Something I jokingly said at work, but dang if it isn't actually true:
"Everyone needs an emotional support R script."
You know, those R scripts in your project where you test your freak code before you're confident it works?
#RStats
"Everyone needs an emotional support R script."
You know, those R scripts in your project where you test your freak code before you're confident it works?
#RStats
October 1, 2025 at 11:50 AM
I rely heavily on Untitled1 through Untitled30 for support! I should acknowledge them more.
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Untitled1 is the one true way
September 30, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Untitled1 is the one true way
Reposted by Matt Kerr
JOBS JOBS JOBS! Stony Brook are advertising two assistant professorships in vertebrate palaeo/evolution, one focused on (in the words of the SVP programme) NOT DINOSAURS and the other on evolutionary neurology:
apply.interfolio.com/172502
apply.interfolio.com/172517
apply.interfolio.com/172502
apply.interfolio.com/172517
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:06 AM
JOBS JOBS JOBS! Stony Brook are advertising two assistant professorships in vertebrate palaeo/evolution, one focused on (in the words of the SVP programme) NOT DINOSAURS and the other on evolutionary neurology:
apply.interfolio.com/172502
apply.interfolio.com/172517
apply.interfolio.com/172502
apply.interfolio.com/172517
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Forgotten Victorian hobby: seaweed herbariums bound in scallop shells
www.sturgisantiques.com/items/victor...
www.sturgisantiques.com/items/victor...
September 24, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Forgotten Victorian hobby: seaweed herbariums bound in scallop shells
www.sturgisantiques.com/items/victor...
www.sturgisantiques.com/items/victor...
Reposted by Matt Kerr
If you know anyone interested in starting a Master's project working on ammonoid phylogenetics (or the phylogenetics of a mollusc group spanning the OAE2 event in the Late Cretaceous), then ask them to get in touch with me.
The situation is a little tricky, as it would be funded by the remainder…
The situation is a little tricky, as it would be funded by the remainder…
September 7, 2025 at 9:45 AM
If you know anyone interested in starting a Master's project working on ammonoid phylogenetics (or the phylogenetics of a mollusc group spanning the OAE2 event in the Late Cretaceous), then ask them to get in touch with me.
The situation is a little tricky, as it would be funded by the remainder…
The situation is a little tricky, as it would be funded by the remainder…
Reposted by Matt Kerr
🚨 New paper in PLOS Biology!
📉 Women publish up to 45% fewer papers than men
📉 Non-native English speakers: –35%
📉 Triple barrier (woman + non-native English + low-income): –70%
🌍 Language & equity matter in science!
👉 doi.org/10.1371/jour...
#EquityInScience #LanguageMatters #OpenScience
📉 Women publish up to 45% fewer papers than men
📉 Non-native English speakers: –35%
📉 Triple barrier (woman + non-native English + low-income): –70%
🌍 Language & equity matter in science!
👉 doi.org/10.1371/jour...
#EquityInScience #LanguageMatters #OpenScience
September 19, 2025 at 9:38 AM
🚨 New paper in PLOS Biology!
📉 Women publish up to 45% fewer papers than men
📉 Non-native English speakers: –35%
📉 Triple barrier (woman + non-native English + low-income): –70%
🌍 Language & equity matter in science!
👉 doi.org/10.1371/jour...
#EquityInScience #LanguageMatters #OpenScience
📉 Women publish up to 45% fewer papers than men
📉 Non-native English speakers: –35%
📉 Triple barrier (woman + non-native English + low-income): –70%
🌍 Language & equity matter in science!
👉 doi.org/10.1371/jour...
#EquityInScience #LanguageMatters #OpenScience
Reposted by Matt Kerr
We have a lab slack channel called Bad Plots. I added this beauty today (boxplots always give me problems), but at least my lab is extremely supportive.
September 19, 2025 at 5:09 AM
We have a lab slack channel called Bad Plots. I added this beauty today (boxplots always give me problems), but at least my lab is extremely supportive.
Reposted by Matt Kerr
With this methodology, you'd also find that native herbivores generally "harm" plants and native carnivores generally "harm" their prey & competition - unsurprisingly, intuitively & given the huge literature on herbivory, competition, predation etc 🌿
September 18, 2025 at 5:48 AM
With this methodology, you'd also find that native herbivores generally "harm" plants and native carnivores generally "harm" their prey & competition - unsurprisingly, intuitively & given the huge literature on herbivory, competition, predation etc 🌿
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Early registration (and the best possible rates) still open for the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology annual meeting 2025 in Birmingham, but it closes on Thursday. Register now if you haven't already! #SVP2025 #2025SVP
vertpaleo.org/2025-registr...
vertpaleo.org/2025-registr...
2025 Registration Information – Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
vertpaleo.org
September 16, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Early registration (and the best possible rates) still open for the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology annual meeting 2025 in Birmingham, but it closes on Thursday. Register now if you haven't already! #SVP2025 #2025SVP
vertpaleo.org/2025-registr...
vertpaleo.org/2025-registr...
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Check out the graphical abstract for a paper recently published in Ecological Modelling.
I have papers published in Ecological Modelling. Never again, I guess.
I have papers published in Ecological Modelling. Never again, I guess.
August 25, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Check out the graphical abstract for a paper recently published in Ecological Modelling.
I have papers published in Ecological Modelling. Never again, I guess.
I have papers published in Ecological Modelling. Never again, I guess.
Don't share too many mini photos since the move to blue sky - but I've been really enjoying painting models from the Grand Cathay range! Still some work to do, but I think these may get a spot on the shelf. Really beautiful sculpts.
August 18, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Don't share too many mini photos since the move to blue sky - but I've been really enjoying painting models from the Grand Cathay range! Still some work to do, but I think these may get a spot on the shelf. Really beautiful sculpts.
Reposted by Matt Kerr
I’m very happy to share our new paper “Intensive feeding modifies nutrient patterns in a strictly protected area” (doi.org/10.1016/j.je...), just out in Journal of Environmental Management. We explore underestimated consequences of a common management practice: supplementary feeding of deer. (1/5)
Redirecting
doi.org
August 17, 2025 at 12:47 PM
I’m very happy to share our new paper “Intensive feeding modifies nutrient patterns in a strictly protected area” (doi.org/10.1016/j.je...), just out in Journal of Environmental Management. We explore underestimated consequences of a common management practice: supplementary feeding of deer. (1/5)
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Do you love alpine plants, ancient DNA, and/or population genetics? My lab will be hiring a postdoc soon to be based at the University of Maine! We’re looking for someone who uses genetic tools and thinks like a community ecologist. Happy to chat at #ESA2025 if you’re interested.
August 10, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Do you love alpine plants, ancient DNA, and/or population genetics? My lab will be hiring a postdoc soon to be based at the University of Maine! We’re looking for someone who uses genetic tools and thinks like a community ecologist. Happy to chat at #ESA2025 if you’re interested.
Reposted by Matt Kerr
It’s time to show oysters some love because it’s World Oyster Day! 🦪🦪🦪🦪🦪🦪
Did you know that the largest oyster ever found was a Pacific oyster that was 35.5 cm long?
To put that in perspective, normally, Pacific oysters reach 15-20 centimetres.
📷 Wadden Sea Center
1/3
Did you know that the largest oyster ever found was a Pacific oyster that was 35.5 cm long?
To put that in perspective, normally, Pacific oysters reach 15-20 centimetres.
📷 Wadden Sea Center
1/3
August 5, 2025 at 9:07 AM
It’s time to show oysters some love because it’s World Oyster Day! 🦪🦪🦪🦪🦪🦪
Did you know that the largest oyster ever found was a Pacific oyster that was 35.5 cm long?
To put that in perspective, normally, Pacific oysters reach 15-20 centimetres.
📷 Wadden Sea Center
1/3
Did you know that the largest oyster ever found was a Pacific oyster that was 35.5 cm long?
To put that in perspective, normally, Pacific oysters reach 15-20 centimetres.
📷 Wadden Sea Center
1/3
Reposted by Matt Kerr
Today is also #WorldOysterDay 🦪 - on a #MolluscMonday !
“Denticulated Oyster” (Striostrea denticulata)
illustration by R. P. Nodder in George Shaw’s _The naturalist's miscellany_ Vol. 16, London, 1804-5
Via Biodiversity Heritage Library : www.flickr.com/photos/biodi...
“Denticulated Oyster” (Striostrea denticulata)
illustration by R. P. Nodder in George Shaw’s _The naturalist's miscellany_ Vol. 16, London, 1804-5
Via Biodiversity Heritage Library : www.flickr.com/photos/biodi...
August 6, 2024 at 3:27 AM
Today is also #WorldOysterDay 🦪 - on a #MolluscMonday !
“Denticulated Oyster” (Striostrea denticulata)
illustration by R. P. Nodder in George Shaw’s _The naturalist's miscellany_ Vol. 16, London, 1804-5
Via Biodiversity Heritage Library : www.flickr.com/photos/biodi...
“Denticulated Oyster” (Striostrea denticulata)
illustration by R. P. Nodder in George Shaw’s _The naturalist's miscellany_ Vol. 16, London, 1804-5
Via Biodiversity Heritage Library : www.flickr.com/photos/biodi...