Roli Roberts
@roliroberts.bsky.social
Senior Editor at @plosbiology.org; Scientist, Humanist, Optimist and Recovering Academic. All opinions my own.
Pinned
Roli Roberts
@roliroberts.bsky.social
· Dec 16
IT'S OFFICIAL! From today, @plos.org and its journals are no longer posting on Twitter/X. If you want to carry on hearing about great science in our journal, follow @plosbiology.org on Bluesky here: bsky.app/profile/plos...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
About that exclusive, "closed-to-press" MAHA summit last week with RFK and JD Vance: I got in.
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
About that exclusive, "closed-to-press" MAHA summit last week with RFK and JD Vance: I got in.
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
I'm at the Willard Hotel where I've been denied entry and kicked out of the Reclaiming Science event with NIH director Bhattacharya & other top agency leaders.
@jocelynkaiser.bsky.social and I registered for the event months ago yet were told capacity was full, even as they let in dozens of others.
@jocelynkaiser.bsky.social and I registered for the event months ago yet were told capacity was full, even as they let in dozens of others.
January 30, 2026 at 6:07 PM
I'm at the Willard Hotel where I've been denied entry and kicked out of the Reclaiming Science event with NIH director Bhattacharya & other top agency leaders.
@jocelynkaiser.bsky.social and I registered for the event months ago yet were told capacity was full, even as they let in dozens of others.
@jocelynkaiser.bsky.social and I registered for the event months ago yet were told capacity was full, even as they let in dozens of others.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
The director of Melania movie
January 31, 2026 at 6:59 PM
The director of Melania movie
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Icy Commute 8”x10” oil
Available on my website.
Available on my website.
January 31, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Icy Commute 8”x10” oil
Available on my website.
Available on my website.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
I won’t stop reporting the truth. The First Amendment is the bedrock of our democracy, and I’ll continue to fight to protect it 🤝🏾🇺🇸
January 31, 2026 at 4:40 AM
I won’t stop reporting the truth. The First Amendment is the bedrock of our democracy, and I’ll continue to fight to protect it 🤝🏾🇺🇸
Reposted by Roli Roberts
King's Parade, Cambridge, oil on canvas board from 10 years ago (sold)
#Cambridge #oilpainting #KingsCollege
#Cambridge #oilpainting #KingsCollege
January 31, 2026 at 8:28 AM
King's Parade, Cambridge, oil on canvas board from 10 years ago (sold)
#Cambridge #oilpainting #KingsCollege
#Cambridge #oilpainting #KingsCollege
Reposted by Roli Roberts
RAND PAUL: If a country bombed our air defense missiles, captured & removed our president, & blockaded our country, would that be considered an act of war?
RUBIO: We just don't believe this operation comes anywhere close to the constitutional definition
PAUL: Of course it would be an act of war!
RUBIO: We just don't believe this operation comes anywhere close to the constitutional definition
PAUL: Of course it would be an act of war!
January 28, 2026 at 4:29 PM
RAND PAUL: If a country bombed our air defense missiles, captured & removed our president, & blockaded our country, would that be considered an act of war?
RUBIO: We just don't believe this operation comes anywhere close to the constitutional definition
PAUL: Of course it would be an act of war!
RUBIO: We just don't believe this operation comes anywhere close to the constitutional definition
PAUL: Of course it would be an act of war!
Reposted by Roli Roberts
A retired Minneapolis couple who had guns pointed at them by ICE in a church parking lot.
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 7:09 PM
A retired Minneapolis couple who had guns pointed at them by ICE in a church parking lot.
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
Reposted by Roli Roberts
This giant ICE Army they are building this year is also likely to be at polling places during the midterms in heavily Democratic precincts with the excuse being that they are looking for “illegals trying to vote.”
January 29, 2026 at 1:54 AM
This giant ICE Army they are building this year is also likely to be at polling places during the midterms in heavily Democratic precincts with the excuse being that they are looking for “illegals trying to vote.”
Reposted by Roli Roberts
I am hearing that RFK Jr.’s minions are going to go after HPV vaccines. I’ve got problems with these people and now you’re going to hear about them, first from a personal perspective and then from a professional one.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
January 28, 2026 at 7:52 PM
I am hearing that RFK Jr.’s minions are going to go after HPV vaccines. I’ve got problems with these people and now you’re going to hear about them, first from a personal perspective and then from a professional one.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Roli Roberts
More and more Americans are voicing their outrage at the tactics being deployed by federal agents in Minnesota. But it’s important to understand the broader implications of what this administration is doing, and the threat it poses to the basic freedoms of every American.
January 28, 2026 at 3:02 PM
More and more Americans are voicing their outrage at the tactics being deployed by federal agents in Minnesota. But it’s important to understand the broader implications of what this administration is doing, and the threat it poses to the basic freedoms of every American.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Reposted by Roli Roberts
After being held in two of them as a boy, I fought for decades urging America to never again build concentration camps and put human beings in them. It breaks my heart to watch this happen twice now in my own lifetime.
January 27, 2026 at 9:30 PM
After being held in two of them as a boy, I fought for decades urging America to never again build concentration camps and put human beings in them. It breaks my heart to watch this happen twice now in my own lifetime.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
I grew up with Alex Pretti
The kind-hearted ICU nurse shot by ICE agents was my childhood best friend.
www.theverge.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:45 PM
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
January 27, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Downfall Bovino Edition. You're welcome.
January 27, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Downfall Bovino Edition. You're welcome.
Reposted by Roli Roberts
The last word on Ctenophores versus Sponges (not).
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What were the first animals? The fierce sponge–jelly battle that just won’t end
For almost two decades, scientists have debated whether sponges or comb jellies are the first animal lineage. Now some are calling for a more harmonious approach.
www.nature.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:19 PM
The last word on Ctenophores versus Sponges (not).
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Less than a month to apply to join the BES editorial board as an Associate editor!🌳🌍 📖
If you're interested in contributing to any of the BES journals, check out the link below 👇
buff.ly/6ymRGcB
If you're interested in contributing to any of the BES journals, check out the link below 👇
buff.ly/6ymRGcB
January 27, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Less than a month to apply to join the BES editorial board as an Associate editor!🌳🌍 📖
If you're interested in contributing to any of the BES journals, check out the link below 👇
buff.ly/6ymRGcB
If you're interested in contributing to any of the BES journals, check out the link below 👇
buff.ly/6ymRGcB
Reposted by Roli Roberts
What's more fun than writing this paper is the brilliant minds of @plosbiology.org @roliroberts.bsky.social coming up with ways to deal with BlueSky's censorship.
Men with surfboards, could this paper be anymore aussie? @ceb-uwa.bsky.social @monashbiol.bsky.social @biologyanu.bsky.social
Men with surfboards, could this paper be anymore aussie? @ceb-uwa.bsky.social @monashbiol.bsky.social @biologyanu.bsky.social
Why is the human #penis unusually large compared to other primates? @upama.bsky.social @mikejennions.bsky.social &co show that #genital size is a cue for male-male assessment in humans, so #PenisSize likely evolved due to both female choice & male-male rivalry @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/45tjF33
January 26, 2026 at 10:55 PM
What's more fun than writing this paper is the brilliant minds of @plosbiology.org @roliroberts.bsky.social coming up with ways to deal with BlueSky's censorship.
Men with surfboards, could this paper be anymore aussie? @ceb-uwa.bsky.social @monashbiol.bsky.social @biologyanu.bsky.social
Men with surfboards, could this paper be anymore aussie? @ceb-uwa.bsky.social @monashbiol.bsky.social @biologyanu.bsky.social
Reposted by Roli Roberts
January 26, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by Roli Roberts
Two things to learn from this.
1. The rightwing newspapers are lobby groups whose purpose is to advance the class interest of their proprietors.
2. Lobbyists for the rich and powerful lose their jobs if they are not prepared to lie.
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-...
1. The rightwing newspapers are lobby groups whose purpose is to advance the class interest of their proprietors.
2. Lobbyists for the rich and powerful lose their jobs if they are not prepared to lie.
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-...
Analysis: UK newspaper editorial opposition to climate action overtakes support for first time - Carbon Brief
Nearly 100 UK newspaper editorials opposed climate action in 2025, a record figure that reveals the backlash against net-zero in the right-leaning press
www.carbonbrief.org
January 26, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Two things to learn from this.
1. The rightwing newspapers are lobby groups whose purpose is to advance the class interest of their proprietors.
2. Lobbyists for the rich and powerful lose their jobs if they are not prepared to lie.
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-...
1. The rightwing newspapers are lobby groups whose purpose is to advance the class interest of their proprietors.
2. Lobbyists for the rich and powerful lose their jobs if they are not prepared to lie.
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
those who predicted authoritarianism were both dismissed, & deeply misunderstood, by the media
my latest for @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
my latest for @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
The Americans Who Saw All This Coming—but Were Ignored and Maligned
Call them the Cassandras: the people—mostly not white and male—who smelled the fascism all over Trump from jump street. Why were they “alarmists,” and how did “anti-alarmism” become cool?
newrepublic.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
those who predicted authoritarianism were both dismissed, & deeply misunderstood, by the media
my latest for @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
my latest for @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
Reposted by Roli Roberts
nothing smacks of professional-grade logistics like FREE scrawled on a cardboard box in bubble letters
January 26, 2026 at 1:23 AM
nothing smacks of professional-grade logistics like FREE scrawled on a cardboard box in bubble letters
Reposted by Roli Roberts
The killings in Minneapolis didn’t come out of nowhere.
Funding, legal cover, weakened oversight, and dehumanising rhetoric ramping up over a year. This started on 20 Jan 2025 with Trump's executive orders on immigration.
I lay it out in my latest post.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/the-ice-st...
Funding, legal cover, weakened oversight, and dehumanising rhetoric ramping up over a year. This started on 20 Jan 2025 with Trump's executive orders on immigration.
I lay it out in my latest post.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/the-ice-st...
The ICE Storm: a year-long escalation
Funding, law, rhetoric, violence. How each has fed the other to lead here
christinapagel.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:39 AM
The killings in Minneapolis didn’t come out of nowhere.
Funding, legal cover, weakened oversight, and dehumanising rhetoric ramping up over a year. This started on 20 Jan 2025 with Trump's executive orders on immigration.
I lay it out in my latest post.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/the-ice-st...
Funding, legal cover, weakened oversight, and dehumanising rhetoric ramping up over a year. This started on 20 Jan 2025 with Trump's executive orders on immigration.
I lay it out in my latest post.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/the-ice-st...