Neil Robinson
@neiljoerobinson.bsky.social
Joint Head of Research Infrastructure at UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) | Views my own | Prev. theoretical physicist in NL, USA, and UK | R&I policy, science and tech, & other interests (incl. art, poetry and cats!)
Reposted by Neil Robinson
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Neil Robinson
Today, a friend involved in the Esna restoration project has shared with me his latest stunning photos of the restored ceiling and columns of the Temple of Khnum in Esna, Upper #Egypt. During a multi-year restoration project, the dirt and soot that had obscured the ...🧵1/3
📷 D. v. Recklinghausen
🏺
📷 D. v. Recklinghausen
🏺
November 7, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Today, a friend involved in the Esna restoration project has shared with me his latest stunning photos of the restored ceiling and columns of the Temple of Khnum in Esna, Upper #Egypt. During a multi-year restoration project, the dirt and soot that had obscured the ...🧵1/3
📷 D. v. Recklinghausen
🏺
📷 D. v. Recklinghausen
🏺
Reposted by Neil Robinson
Day 8 of #31DaysOfGraves - Glass
When visiting a graveyard, have you ever wondered what these flat marble plates, reminiscent of chopping boards, are?
They're the bases of Victorian/Edwardian "Immortelles" that once held fragile memorial ornaments under a glass dome. Not many now survive intact...
When visiting a graveyard, have you ever wondered what these flat marble plates, reminiscent of chopping boards, are?
They're the bases of Victorian/Edwardian "Immortelles" that once held fragile memorial ornaments under a glass dome. Not many now survive intact...
October 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Day 8 of #31DaysOfGraves - Glass
When visiting a graveyard, have you ever wondered what these flat marble plates, reminiscent of chopping boards, are?
They're the bases of Victorian/Edwardian "Immortelles" that once held fragile memorial ornaments under a glass dome. Not many now survive intact...
When visiting a graveyard, have you ever wondered what these flat marble plates, reminiscent of chopping boards, are?
They're the bases of Victorian/Edwardian "Immortelles" that once held fragile memorial ornaments under a glass dome. Not many now survive intact...
Reposted by Neil Robinson
you ever think about those real weird overlaps. like tennessee williams might have listened to the ramones
October 7, 2025 at 9:42 PM
you ever think about those real weird overlaps. like tennessee williams might have listened to the ramones
“one cat has “eyes like dewdrops on a lotus”, while another’s are “lit like fireflies, applied liquid gold”. One has a “body colored as a conch shell”, while another is “white as cliffs”…” publicdomainreview.org/collection/t...
The Cat’s *Maew*: Thai Treatise on Auspicious Felines (19th Century)
A manuscript that pairs illustrations of cats with poetic descriptions and notes on what mystical benefits their owners might hope to accrue.
publicdomainreview.org
September 17, 2025 at 4:33 PM
“one cat has “eyes like dewdrops on a lotus”, while another’s are “lit like fireflies, applied liquid gold”. One has a “body colored as a conch shell”, while another is “white as cliffs”…” publicdomainreview.org/collection/t...
Reposted by Neil Robinson
Big day @leverhulme.ac.uk - we are celebrating our centenary by investing £100m in blue skies research and doctoral centres. Here I explain why... @wonkhe.bsky.social
Research funding requires research capacity wonkhe.com/blogs/resear...
Research funding requires research capacity wonkhe.com/blogs/resear...
Research funding requires research capacity
The Leverhulme Trust is investing an extra £100m in supporting research next year. Anna Vignoles calls for new thinking on ways to sustain university research infrastructures
wonkhe.com
July 7, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Big day @leverhulme.ac.uk - we are celebrating our centenary by investing £100m in blue skies research and doctoral centres. Here I explain why... @wonkhe.bsky.social
Research funding requires research capacity wonkhe.com/blogs/resear...
Research funding requires research capacity wonkhe.com/blogs/resear...
Reposted by Neil Robinson
ICYMI: EPSRC wishes to understand the scale, nature, and scientific value of potential large-scale infrastructure investments to maintain the UK as a leading scientific nation. Representatives of relevant scientific communities are invited to submit statements of need according to the… #EPSRC
Statements of Need in Research Infrastructure
EPSRC wishes to understand the scale, nature, and scientific value of potential large-scale infrastructure investments to maintain the UK as a leading scientific nation. Representatives of relevant scientific communities are invited to submit statements of need according to the assessment criteria.
www.ukri.org
March 21, 2025 at 2:54 PM
ICYMI: EPSRC wishes to understand the scale, nature, and scientific value of potential large-scale infrastructure investments to maintain the UK as a leading scientific nation. Representatives of relevant scientific communities are invited to submit statements of need according to the… #EPSRC
Reposted by Neil Robinson
They deserve some kind of award at Bloomberg for making these excellent visualizations of monopolization tendencies in the AI supply chain.
March 21, 2025 at 5:05 AM
They deserve some kind of award at Bloomberg for making these excellent visualizations of monopolization tendencies in the AI supply chain.
Reposted by Neil Robinson
In a first for any research council we know of, EPSRC shared their data with us and the Alan Turing Institute to delve into what it shows about equity and diversity in application processes.
📖 Read about our findings: rss.org.uk/news-publica...
📖 Read about our findings: rss.org.uk/news-publica...
March 6, 2025 at 10:06 AM
In a first for any research council we know of, EPSRC shared their data with us and the Alan Turing Institute to delve into what it shows about equity and diversity in application processes.
📖 Read about our findings: rss.org.uk/news-publica...
📖 Read about our findings: rss.org.uk/news-publica...
Reposted by Neil Robinson
" Dear Colleagues,
As part of the ongoing Road-mapping Exercise for Electron Microscopy in the Physical Sciences, EPSRC are arranging an initial Town Hall meeting on 26 March 2025 at Mary Ward House Conference Centre (London WC1H 9SN), which is just off Tavistock Square,
As part of the ongoing Road-mapping Exercise for Electron Microscopy in the Physical Sciences, EPSRC are arranging an initial Town Hall meeting on 26 March 2025 at Mary Ward House Conference Centre (London WC1H 9SN), which is just off Tavistock Square,
March 6, 2025 at 10:17 AM
" Dear Colleagues,
As part of the ongoing Road-mapping Exercise for Electron Microscopy in the Physical Sciences, EPSRC are arranging an initial Town Hall meeting on 26 March 2025 at Mary Ward House Conference Centre (London WC1H 9SN), which is just off Tavistock Square,
As part of the ongoing Road-mapping Exercise for Electron Microscopy in the Physical Sciences, EPSRC are arranging an initial Town Hall meeting on 26 March 2025 at Mary Ward House Conference Centre (London WC1H 9SN), which is just off Tavistock Square,
Reposted by Neil Robinson
a visual poem for #smallpoemsunday, using Walden as the source text. this is in the new issue of @hungermtn.bsky.social
February 16, 2025 at 8:45 PM
a visual poem for #smallpoemsunday, using Walden as the source text. this is in the new issue of @hungermtn.bsky.social
Reposted by Neil Robinson
eight-critical-questions-for-the-new-chief-executive-of-ukri. Fun as ever to write with @uofgvc.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social
Eight critical questions for the new chief executive of UKRI
With announcement of a new UKRI chief executive expected imminently, Anton Muscatelli and Miles Padgett set out the most pressing issues for the new incumbent With announcement of a new UKRI chief exe...
wonkhe.com
February 16, 2025 at 5:16 AM
eight-critical-questions-for-the-new-chief-executive-of-ukri. Fun as ever to write with @uofgvc.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social
Reposted by Neil Robinson
In the early 1930’s, Hans Bethe developed an “ansatz,” a starting point for predicting the behavior of quantum systems. When Hitler rose to power, he fled Germany and became a leader of the Manhattan project in America. His ansatz is still widely used today. https://buff.ly/4gU4fb3
February 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
In the early 1930’s, Hans Bethe developed an “ansatz,” a starting point for predicting the behavior of quantum systems. When Hitler rose to power, he fled Germany and became a leader of the Manhattan project in America. His ansatz is still widely used today. https://buff.ly/4gU4fb3
Reposted by Neil Robinson
If there ever was a moment for all of us to stand together in defence of publicly funded #science in all its disciplinary breadth, it is now.
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2025/02/10/p...
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2025/02/10/p...
Prometheus and the privatization of science
Prometheus in Greek mythology stole fire from Zeus, who had taken it away from humans and was threatening their destruction, and returned it to them, and also taught them arts and technology. His p…
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com
February 10, 2025 at 10:21 AM
If there ever was a moment for all of us to stand together in defence of publicly funded #science in all its disciplinary breadth, it is now.
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2025/02/10/p...
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2025/02/10/p...
Reposted by Neil Robinson
Reposted by Neil Robinson
The purr article on French Wikipedia has a chart that sorts cats into the groups "purrs," "uncertain," "probably purrs," and "no data"
February 5, 2025 at 4:30 AM
The purr article on French Wikipedia has a chart that sorts cats into the groups "purrs," "uncertain," "probably purrs," and "no data"
Reposted by Neil Robinson
Winds from #StormEowyn already causing an increase in seismic noise as measured by the gravity meter at the University of Edinburgh School of GeoSciences. (Current plots at www.geos.ed.ac.uk/~hcp/gravity/ .)
January 24, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Winds from #StormEowyn already causing an increase in seismic noise as measured by the gravity meter at the University of Edinburgh School of GeoSciences. (Current plots at www.geos.ed.ac.uk/~hcp/gravity/ .)
Reposted by Neil Robinson
Happy New Year from AHRC!
Here's a vision for 2025, in which properly funding the national capability that we have in outstanding #arts and #humanities #research will strengthen the power of #science to build a better future for all.
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2025/01/01/2...
Here's a vision for 2025, in which properly funding the national capability that we have in outstanding #arts and #humanities #research will strengthen the power of #science to build a better future for all.
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2025/01/01/2...
2025 The way ahead
This year, Government will set a multi-year spending settlement for financial years 2026/7 and on. It’s the first major reset since 2021. In that settlement the overall science budget r…
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com
January 1, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Happy New Year from AHRC!
Here's a vision for 2025, in which properly funding the national capability that we have in outstanding #arts and #humanities #research will strengthen the power of #science to build a better future for all.
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2025/01/01/2...
Here's a vision for 2025, in which properly funding the national capability that we have in outstanding #arts and #humanities #research will strengthen the power of #science to build a better future for all.
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2025/01/01/2...
Reposted by Neil Robinson
On the opportunity cost of failing – radically failing – to recognise what we can and what we need to do in arts and humanities to develop a national capability that genuinely supports this country’s future agenda.
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2024/12/31/f...
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2024/12/31/f...
Funding arts and humanities
Arts and humanities research in the UK is consistently producing outstanding work across all disciplines. By all the criteria of judgement, the Research Excellence Framework, league tables (which …
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com
December 31, 2024 at 9:36 AM
On the opportunity cost of failing – radically failing – to recognise what we can and what we need to do in arts and humanities to develop a national capability that genuinely supports this country’s future agenda.
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2024/12/31/f...
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2024/12/31/f...
Reposted by Neil Robinson
This may look hand made but it's not. Strong winds during #StormDarragh over Exmoor have created this. Beautiful.
📷 Exmoor4All
📷 Exmoor4All
December 9, 2024 at 11:16 AM
This may look hand made but it's not. Strong winds during #StormDarragh over Exmoor have created this. Beautiful.
📷 Exmoor4All
📷 Exmoor4All
Reposted by Neil Robinson
I recently saw an amazing Navajo rug at the National Gallery of Art. It looks abstract at first, but it is a detailed representation of the Intel Pentium processor. Called "Replica of a Chip", it was created in 1994 by Marilou Schultz, a Navajo/Diné weaver and math teacher. 1/n
November 25, 2024 at 4:29 PM
I recently saw an amazing Navajo rug at the National Gallery of Art. It looks abstract at first, but it is a detailed representation of the Intel Pentium processor. Called "Replica of a Chip", it was created in 1994 by Marilou Schultz, a Navajo/Diné weaver and math teacher. 1/n
Reposted by Neil Robinson
Several weeks after it was first cool to make starter packs... here's mine on UK Research Policy and Practice.
I'm sure there are many I've missed, so further suggestions for the list are very welcome.
go.bsky.app/8TzcaEV
I'm sure there are many I've missed, so further suggestions for the list are very welcome.
go.bsky.app/8TzcaEV
UK Research Funding Policy and Practice
Join the conversation
go.bsky.app
December 5, 2024 at 5:50 PM
Several weeks after it was first cool to make starter packs... here's mine on UK Research Policy and Practice.
I'm sure there are many I've missed, so further suggestions for the list are very welcome.
go.bsky.app/8TzcaEV
I'm sure there are many I've missed, so further suggestions for the list are very welcome.
go.bsky.app/8TzcaEV
Great 🧵
#Poets-- If you had a poem that was your "Play Freebird!" poem, what would it be? Meaning--what poem are you best known for, or do you feel people love most? Share it on this thread...
Here's mine from Dialogues with Rising Tides (Copper Canyon Press)
Here's mine from Dialogues with Rising Tides (Copper Canyon Press)
November 24, 2024 at 8:53 AM
Great 🧵
Reposted by Neil Robinson
Ea-nāṣir is the recipient of the world’s oldest complaint letter. He’s reportedly the worst businessman of the 18th century, a mediocre conman whose actions should have him put out of business. Is this fair?
Here’s a thread on the most up-to-date research on this captivating figure.
Here’s a thread on the most up-to-date research on this captivating figure.
November 22, 2024 at 9:34 PM
Ea-nāṣir is the recipient of the world’s oldest complaint letter. He’s reportedly the worst businessman of the 18th century, a mediocre conman whose actions should have him put out of business. Is this fair?
Here’s a thread on the most up-to-date research on this captivating figure.
Here’s a thread on the most up-to-date research on this captivating figure.
Reposted by Neil Robinson
A haunting piece about reconstructed prehistoric homes that have been abandoned and are themselves now becoming archaeology: 'Fragments of material culture ... are slowly becoming archaeology within the interior: this time we can witness the end of a prehistory.'
An old blog post The End of Prehistory gives a sense of the decline of this heritage centre.
heritagelandscapecreativity.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/e...
#Archaeology #ArchScot
heritagelandscapecreativity.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/e...
#Archaeology #ArchScot
The End of Prehistory
Three times I have been to this place, I should have been more… The first time was in 1994 to take part in excavations on the site before the Archaeolink Prehistory Park was built. The secon…
heritagelandscapecreativity.wordpress.com
November 23, 2024 at 9:05 AM
A haunting piece about reconstructed prehistoric homes that have been abandoned and are themselves now becoming archaeology: 'Fragments of material culture ... are slowly becoming archaeology within the interior: this time we can witness the end of a prehistory.'