M Smallman
@melaniesmallman.bsky.social
Professor of Science & Technology Studies and Director of Scicom @stsucl.bsky.social Author Governance Democracy & Ethics, ex-Chair SERA Labour Environment Campaign. Science & society, tech, inequality & populism, climate change & tech ethics. EASST.
When I became an academic, I completely underestimated how much of my time would be spent setting up passwords, finding them then logging into systems of my own university, other universities and various publishing companies. So fulfilling.
November 21, 2025 at 11:50 AM
When I became an academic, I completely underestimated how much of my time would be spent setting up passwords, finding them then logging into systems of my own university, other universities and various publishing companies. So fulfilling.
I've been saying this for years to AI engineers who seem to think they are developing the 'luxury' service. Nope, it's the rubbish option that rich people will upgrade from.
There is one more post to be written here, about how AI is now often an austerity technology, inserted into a human process to compensate for the fact that there is just not enough time and money, and many workers are expected to do more and more with less and less.
November 21, 2025 at 8:39 AM
I've been saying this for years to AI engineers who seem to think they are developing the 'luxury' service. Nope, it's the rubbish option that rich people will upgrade from.
Glad to see it finally acknowledged that things could have been very different but 23,000 unnecessary deaths is shameful. We can't let entitlement be more important than competence again.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
‘Chaotic and indecisive’: key findings of report on UK’s Covid response under Tories
Second pandemic report focuses on decision-making, organisation and messaging by senior politicians including Boris Johnson
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Glad to see it finally acknowledged that things could have been very different but 23,000 unnecessary deaths is shameful. We can't let entitlement be more important than competence again.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by M Smallman
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Covid inquiry live: ‘Inexcusable’ delays under Johnson led to 23,000 deaths
Lockdowns may have been avoided if Boris Johnson’s government had acted faster, damning report finds
www.thetimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
I've just received an appointment letter from @imperialnhs.bsky.social via 2 texts and an email. Each connected to a different 3rd party app, that I had to register & sign consent with. So it seems my medical correspondence is being shared with at least five organisations (inc gp & hosp). Not OK.
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I've just received an appointment letter from @imperialnhs.bsky.social via 2 texts and an email. Each connected to a different 3rd party app, that I had to register & sign consent with. So it seems my medical correspondence is being shared with at least five organisations (inc gp & hosp). Not OK.
Great. So trains are to become even more of a noisy hellscape.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Formula 1 tech used to improve train Wi-Fi on GWR
The 60 day pilot will use signals from mobile phone masts and satellites in space to create a more reliable connection.
www.bbc.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Great. So trains are to become even more of a noisy hellscape.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Late but huge thanks to the authors of this (very useful) paper for flagging the Multiscale Ethics Framework as an emerging idea in #AIethics in healthcare. I am worried about future of NHS is we don't think about impact of tech beyond individuals.
journals.plos.org/digitalhealt...
journals.plos.org/digitalhealt...
Ethical challenges and evolving strategies in the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical practice
Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed various sectors, including healthcare, where it holds the potential to transform clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. However, its integ...
journals.plos.org
November 13, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Late but huge thanks to the authors of this (very useful) paper for flagging the Multiscale Ethics Framework as an emerging idea in #AIethics in healthcare. I am worried about future of NHS is we don't think about impact of tech beyond individuals.
journals.plos.org/digitalhealt...
journals.plos.org/digitalhealt...
The problem is, spread as well as size matters. £8 return on £1 investment could be driving inequality in the UK if the £1 comes from everyone and the £8 goes exclusively to those owning tech companies, by passing the treasury.
Government has published one of those quiet but important documents that might get overlooked as it is not 'newsy'. The headline finding is that £1 of public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The value of public R&D
www.gov.uk
October 30, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The problem is, spread as well as size matters. £8 return on £1 investment could be driving inequality in the UK if the £1 comes from everyone and the £8 goes exclusively to those owning tech companies, by passing the treasury.
Reposted by M Smallman
A call for papers for a special collection of #CitizenScience Theory and Practice - Citizen Science for Evidence-based Policy and Decision-Making. Deadline for abstracts of 250 words is 15 December. Do you have an example? participatorysciences.org/2025/10/15/c...
Call for Abstracts Policy and Decision-Making - Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences
CITIZEN SCIENCE: THEORY AND PRACTICE Special Collection: Citizen Science for Evidence-based Policy and Decision-Making Call for Abstracts Issue editors: Muki Haklay1,2, Smriti Safaya3,4, Jay Benforad...
participatorysciences.org
October 22, 2025 at 9:15 PM
A call for papers for a special collection of #CitizenScience Theory and Practice - Citizen Science for Evidence-based Policy and Decision-Making. Deadline for abstracts of 250 words is 15 December. Do you have an example? participatorysciences.org/2025/10/15/c...
The privatisation of University spaces is increasingly depressing me. It is almost impossible to organise an open event now, particularly when security staff have been replaced by swipe cards. Seemingly small changes but significant in the relationship between academia and the rest of the world.
October 22, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The privatisation of University spaces is increasingly depressing me. It is almost impossible to organise an open event now, particularly when security staff have been replaced by swipe cards. Seemingly small changes but significant in the relationship between academia and the rest of the world.
Reposted by M Smallman
❗️JOB: Assistant Professor Social Studies of Medicine, joint appointment in sociology (65%) and #hps (35%)
#histstm #histmed #histsci
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/assista...
#histstm #histmed #histsci
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/assista...
Assistant Professor Social Studies of Medicine
This is a joint post 65% Sociology, 35% HPS. The Departments of Sociology and History and Philosophy of Science are looking to recruit an Assistant Professor in the Social Studies of Medicine in a
www.cam.ac.uk
October 21, 2025 at 6:38 AM
❗️JOB: Assistant Professor Social Studies of Medicine, joint appointment in sociology (65%) and #hps (35%)
#histstm #histmed #histsci
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/assista...
#histstm #histmed #histsci
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/assista...
Looking forward to this afternoon's AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award Lecture with the Economist's Natasha Loder. We are almost sold out, so hurry if you still want to join us!
www.ucl.ac.uk/mathematical...
www.ucl.ac.uk/mathematical...
UCL-STS Hosts 2025 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award Lecture
From Print to Prompts: What the Past Says About the Future of Science Journalism - A lecture by Natasha Loder, The Economist's health editor
www.ucl.ac.uk
October 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Looking forward to this afternoon's AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award Lecture with the Economist's Natasha Loder. We are almost sold out, so hurry if you still want to join us!
www.ucl.ac.uk/mathematical...
www.ucl.ac.uk/mathematical...
Happy to share a whole year's worth of programme for the London PUS Seminars. All are in person at LSE and usually followed by a beer - email me to join the email list and to find out more.
londonpus.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/2...
londonpus.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/2...
2025-26 Seminar Schedule
We are delighted that this year we have pre-planned the whole year’s schedule. All seminars take place in person, 16.00-18.00 at LSE. 2025 Term 1 29 Oct: Cows – from a cuddly…
londonpus.wordpress.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Happy to share a whole year's worth of programme for the London PUS Seminars. All are in person at LSE and usually followed by a beer - email me to join the email list and to find out more.
londonpus.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/2...
londonpus.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/2...
Reposted by M Smallman
In this talk I'll reflect back on what journalism's past tells us about the future of science journalism. I'll also talk about my long love affair with journalism, and how to get a bikini wax on expenses. Do come and join us, and let us debate the future.
Still time to join us on 15th October to talk the future of science journalism with @natashaloder.bsky.social as @stsucl.bsky.social hosts the @aaas.org @kavlifoundation.org Award lecture. Sign up here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-sts-ho...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-sts-ho...
UCL-STS Hosts 2025 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award Lecture
From Print to Prompts: What the Past Says About the Future of Science Journalism - A lecture by Natasha Loder, The Economist's health editor
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 10:07 AM
In this talk I'll reflect back on what journalism's past tells us about the future of science journalism. I'll also talk about my long love affair with journalism, and how to get a bikini wax on expenses. Do come and join us, and let us debate the future.
Still time to join us on 15th October to talk the future of science journalism with @natashaloder.bsky.social as @stsucl.bsky.social hosts the @aaas.org @kavlifoundation.org Award lecture. Sign up here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-sts-ho...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-sts-ho...
UCL-STS Hosts 2025 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award Lecture
From Print to Prompts: What the Past Says About the Future of Science Journalism - A lecture by Natasha Loder, The Economist's health editor
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Still time to join us on 15th October to talk the future of science journalism with @natashaloder.bsky.social as @stsucl.bsky.social hosts the @aaas.org @kavlifoundation.org Award lecture. Sign up here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-sts-ho...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-sts-ho...
Reposted by M Smallman
Labour MP Alex Sobel describes government fee levy plan as “stupid”, and also says ministers should never have implemented free speech act.
Meanwhile, Russell Group VC describes fee levy as “utterly bonkers”.
Lively session at #Lab25.
Full story:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Meanwhile, Russell Group VC describes fee levy as “utterly bonkers”.
Lively session at #Lab25.
Full story:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Labour MP describes government fee levy plan as ‘stupid’ - Research Professional News
Labour 2025: Alex Sobel also says ministers “should never should have implemented free speech act”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Labour MP Alex Sobel describes government fee levy plan as “stupid”, and also says ministers should never have implemented free speech act.
Meanwhile, Russell Group VC describes fee levy as “utterly bonkers”.
Lively session at #Lab25.
Full story:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Meanwhile, Russell Group VC describes fee levy as “utterly bonkers”.
Lively session at #Lab25.
Full story:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
A fitting tribute to my friend and former MP Iain Coleman.
It was an incredible honour stand in his seat when he retired and I regret that I wasn't able to continue his amazing work. But my abiding memory will always be how much fun and great company Iain was. xxx
labourlist.org/2025/09/iain...
It was an incredible honour stand in his seat when he retired and I regret that I wasn't able to continue his amazing work. But my abiding memory will always be how much fun and great company Iain was. xxx
labourlist.org/2025/09/iain...
Iain Coleman obituary: 'Labour could do with a few more Iain Colemans right now' - LabourList
Tributes have poured in for former Labour MP Iain Coleman, who represented Hammersmith and Fulham between 1997 and…
labourlist.org
September 24, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A fitting tribute to my friend and former MP Iain Coleman.
It was an incredible honour stand in his seat when he retired and I regret that I wasn't able to continue his amazing work. But my abiding memory will always be how much fun and great company Iain was. xxx
labourlist.org/2025/09/iain...
It was an incredible honour stand in his seat when he retired and I regret that I wasn't able to continue his amazing work. But my abiding memory will always be how much fun and great company Iain was. xxx
labourlist.org/2025/09/iain...
Also, what's the point of Oxford education now? All of the conversations/training sessions I've had about leaning into student use of genAI requires me to abondon any attempt to teach my subject or critical skills and instead to teach prompt engineering. Absolute rubbish.
Will Oxford disclose how much it paid (or did not pay) for this?
Surely a sweetheart deal (has research money thrown in!) so OpenAI can plaster Oxford over its marketing and raid other unis’ fees, library budgets to throw into the sector’s massive inference funding chasm.
Surely a sweetheart deal (has research money thrown in!) so OpenAI can plaster Oxford over its marketing and raid other unis’ fees, library budgets to throw into the sector’s massive inference funding chasm.
NEW: Oxford will be the first UK university to give all staff and students free ChatGPT Edu access, from this academic year.
ChatGPT Edu is built for education, with enhanced privacy and security.
ChatGPT Edu is built for education, with enhanced privacy and security.
September 22, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Also, what's the point of Oxford education now? All of the conversations/training sessions I've had about leaning into student use of genAI requires me to abondon any attempt to teach my subject or critical skills and instead to teach prompt engineering. Absolute rubbish.
Excellent run up to the start of the academic year yesterday, looking at amazing art and finding inspiration and fascinating connections to our own ideas. (And suprisingly, I am not one of the guilty parties!)
Yesterday Tate Modern saw us wandering around its exhibits for our away day. We discussed good & bad theologies of radio technologies; whether Rothko's moods exist or are performed, & what happens to art when stripped of context. All while setting off alarms & getting told off for touching exhibits.
September 17, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Excellent run up to the start of the academic year yesterday, looking at amazing art and finding inspiration and fascinating connections to our own ideas. (And suprisingly, I am not one of the guilty parties!)
Reposted by M Smallman
Yes, Defra becomes the first department with a full complement of ministers to be all female.
(Welsh department has been but only has two ministers).
(Welsh department has been but only has two ministers).
All 5 of DEFRA’s ministers are now women! Is this the first time a UK government department has an all-female ministerial team? www.gov.uk/government/o...
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk @robertsaunders.bsky.social @samfr.bsky.social
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk @robertsaunders.bsky.social @samfr.bsky.social
September 7, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Yes, Defra becomes the first department with a full complement of ministers to be all female.
(Welsh department has been but only has two ministers).
(Welsh department has been but only has two ministers).
Reposted by M Smallman
Also the first time the three great offices of state (FCDO, Home, CX) have all been held by women at the same time.
September 5, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Also the first time the three great offices of state (FCDO, Home, CX) have all been held by women at the same time.
😂
Dorries famously asked Microsoft when they were "going to get rid of their algorithms" when she met with them while planning the Online Safety Act.
“We will police the streets and not the tweets and change all that damaging legislation,” says Nigel Farage on stage at Reform – just after welcoming the minister responsible for passing the Online Safety Act onto the stage with him, and into his party.
September 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
😂
How can I have spent the last week in Somerville and not have been made aware of this? www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
The cat mayoral race: meet 11 runners and riders in the US’s most furious – and furriest – election
It has been the talk of Somerville, Massachusetts this summer, with the winner announced later today. Will it be the candidate who promises free kibble or the one who speaks gnomically of ‘CRIME’?
www.theguardian.com
September 5, 2025 at 5:22 AM
How can I have spent the last week in Somerville and not have been made aware of this? www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Why would the NHS want this? Handing over money to tech companies instead of humans would have profound effects on the UK economy and long term affordability of NHS (people pay taxes + circulation of £ matters) for at best marginal improvements in productivity.
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Robot surgery on humans could be trialled within decade after success on pig organs
AI-trained robot carries out procedures on dead pig organs to remove gall bladders without any human help
www.theguardian.com
July 9, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Why would the NHS want this? Handing over money to tech companies instead of humans would have profound effects on the UK economy and long term affordability of NHS (people pay taxes + circulation of £ matters) for at best marginal improvements in productivity.
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Confirming what I realised about the ATI (and AI) a while ago. It was always about defence.
Glad I am no longer a fellow there - we have enough horrible ways of killing people don't need more and this will have serious implications for everyone's privacy & freedom.
Glad I am no longer a fellow there - we have enough horrible ways of killing people don't need more and this will have serious implications for everyone's privacy & freedom.
Big story breaking this evening.
Alan Turing Institute told to focus on defence or lose funding.
The science secretary Peter Kyle has threatened to pull defence R&D funds, while reforms could see EPSRC grant revisited.
Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Alan Turing Institute told to focus on defence or lose funding.
The science secretary Peter Kyle has threatened to pull defence R&D funds, while reforms could see EPSRC grant revisited.
Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Alan Turing Institute told to focus on defence or lose funding - Research Professional News
Science secretary threatens to pull defence R&D funds, while reforms could see EPSRC grant revisited
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
July 4, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Confirming what I realised about the ATI (and AI) a while ago. It was always about defence.
Glad I am no longer a fellow there - we have enough horrible ways of killing people don't need more and this will have serious implications for everyone's privacy & freedom.
Glad I am no longer a fellow there - we have enough horrible ways of killing people don't need more and this will have serious implications for everyone's privacy & freedom.