Sarah Hird, PhD
@sarahhird.bsky.social
Associate Professor at University of Connecticut studying evolution & bird microbiomes. More importantly: I’m an aspiring anti-racist, raging feminist & trying to ACT NOW on the climate crisis. Please read The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg et al.
Every single person on campus today:
November 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Every single person on campus today:
Reposted by Sarah Hird, PhD
FYI at our most recent bargaining session UConn *still* had no response to our paid leave proposal. April 7 —> Nov 18 = 32 wks. If our proposal were a baby it would be the size of a papaya 🥭
👁️👁️
“Hird said while some faculty have six months of medical leave available to them, it does not include healthy post-partum mothers, fathers, non-birthing mothers & adoptive parents that are not experiencing a qualifying medical condition.”
dailycampus.com/2025/11/10/u...
#nutmegsky
“Hird said while some faculty have six months of medical leave available to them, it does not include healthy post-partum mothers, fathers, non-birthing mothers & adoptive parents that are not experiencing a qualifying medical condition.”
dailycampus.com/2025/11/10/u...
#nutmegsky
UConn faculty paid family leave debate continues in CT Mirror Op Ed pages
University of Connecticut faculty have expressed their frustration with university administrations over paid family leave policies.
dailycampus.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:51 PM
FYI at our most recent bargaining session UConn *still* had no response to our paid leave proposal. April 7 —> Nov 18 = 32 wks. If our proposal were a baby it would be the size of a papaya 🥭
A great overview of what (& why) UConn faculty are fighting for with contract negotiations: dailycampus.com/2025/11/18/l...
#nutmegsky @uconnaaup.bsky.social
#nutmegsky @uconnaaup.bsky.social
LTTE: Support UConn Faculty’s Reasonable Contract Demands
For months now, the UConn-AAUP negotiating team has made minimal progress at the bargaining table across from the UConn administration’s negotiators.
dailycampus.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:12 PM
A great overview of what (& why) UConn faculty are fighting for with contract negotiations: dailycampus.com/2025/11/18/l...
#nutmegsky @uconnaaup.bsky.social
#nutmegsky @uconnaaup.bsky.social
I have decided I like the ability to give an email a 👍.
It means: “I acknowledge and/or appreciate your email but I will not clog your inbox to relay that simple message.”
Any other adopters of this…convenience?
It means: “I acknowledge and/or appreciate your email but I will not clog your inbox to relay that simple message.”
Any other adopters of this…convenience?
November 12, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I have decided I like the ability to give an email a 👍.
It means: “I acknowledge and/or appreciate your email but I will not clog your inbox to relay that simple message.”
Any other adopters of this…convenience?
It means: “I acknowledge and/or appreciate your email but I will not clog your inbox to relay that simple message.”
Any other adopters of this…convenience?
You ever see someone else’s post & think you picked the wrong field?
What are the DUELING DINOSAURS???
What is Nanotyrranus & why is it controversial?!?!
(Violet Beauregarde voice) I want to be a dinosaur scientist! Sigh.
What are the DUELING DINOSAURS???
What is Nanotyrranus & why is it controversial?!?!
(Violet Beauregarde voice) I want to be a dinosaur scientist! Sigh.
Pretty much standing room only for @jgn-paleo.bsky.social presenting on the Dueling Dinosaurs and recent Nanotyrannus publication.
Starting out providing context for Nanotyrannus research and controversy.
#2025SVP
Starting out providing context for Nanotyrannus research and controversy.
#2025SVP
November 12, 2025 at 12:38 PM
You ever see someone else’s post & think you picked the wrong field?
What are the DUELING DINOSAURS???
What is Nanotyrranus & why is it controversial?!?!
(Violet Beauregarde voice) I want to be a dinosaur scientist! Sigh.
What are the DUELING DINOSAURS???
What is Nanotyrranus & why is it controversial?!?!
(Violet Beauregarde voice) I want to be a dinosaur scientist! Sigh.
Reposted by Sarah Hird, PhD
Awesome to see you fighting for such a basic human right! But also frustrating! 😣
Tell them that in Sweden we give 480 days paid parental leave to split between parents as they choose, for each child. So a few months should be bare minimum.
Tell them that in Sweden we give 480 days paid parental leave to split between parents as they choose, for each child. So a few months should be bare minimum.
November 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Awesome to see you fighting for such a basic human right! But also frustrating! 😣
Tell them that in Sweden we give 480 days paid parental leave to split between parents as they choose, for each child. So a few months should be bare minimum.
Tell them that in Sweden we give 480 days paid parental leave to split between parents as they choose, for each child. So a few months should be bare minimum.
👁️👁️
“Hird said while some faculty have six months of medical leave available to them, it does not include healthy post-partum mothers, fathers, non-birthing mothers & adoptive parents that are not experiencing a qualifying medical condition.”
dailycampus.com/2025/11/10/u...
#nutmegsky
“Hird said while some faculty have six months of medical leave available to them, it does not include healthy post-partum mothers, fathers, non-birthing mothers & adoptive parents that are not experiencing a qualifying medical condition.”
dailycampus.com/2025/11/10/u...
#nutmegsky
UConn faculty paid family leave debate continues in CT Mirror Op Ed pages
University of Connecticut faculty have expressed their frustration with university administrations over paid family leave policies.
dailycampus.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
👁️👁️
“Hird said while some faculty have six months of medical leave available to them, it does not include healthy post-partum mothers, fathers, non-birthing mothers & adoptive parents that are not experiencing a qualifying medical condition.”
dailycampus.com/2025/11/10/u...
#nutmegsky
“Hird said while some faculty have six months of medical leave available to them, it does not include healthy post-partum mothers, fathers, non-birthing mothers & adoptive parents that are not experiencing a qualifying medical condition.”
dailycampus.com/2025/11/10/u...
#nutmegsky
Reposted by Sarah Hird, PhD
Important update. SNAP is FULLY FUNDED in Connecticut as of today. The state has given assurance that it will backstop payment should the Trump administration persist in its callous effort to starve American families for political leverage.
November 8, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Important update. SNAP is FULLY FUNDED in Connecticut as of today. The state has given assurance that it will backstop payment should the Trump administration persist in its callous effort to starve American families for political leverage.
Prosanta is amazing and this piece is amazing.
“Letting your colleagues see your vulnerability and letting them share their concern, well-wishes and help gives you an opportunity to embrace their compassion when you need it the most.”
“Letting your colleagues see your vulnerability and letting them share their concern, well-wishes and help gives you an opportunity to embrace their compassion when you need it the most.”
I’m stuck in bed between chemo treatments for metastatic coloncancer, wearing a take-home chemo pump attached to my chest.
I wanted to share my advice that you can benefit from ‘Letting Your Colleagues In’ don’t need to struggle alone
@insidehighered.com
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
I wanted to share my advice that you can benefit from ‘Letting Your Colleagues In’ don’t need to struggle alone
@insidehighered.com
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
Consider Sharing Health Challenges With Colleagues (opinion)
Being open with my colleagues about my cancer diagnosis has allowed me to access an enormous source of support and comfort.
www.insidehighered.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Prosanta is amazing and this piece is amazing.
“Letting your colleagues see your vulnerability and letting them share their concern, well-wishes and help gives you an opportunity to embrace their compassion when you need it the most.”
“Letting your colleagues see your vulnerability and letting them share their concern, well-wishes and help gives you an opportunity to embrace their compassion when you need it the most.”
November 6, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I wish people wouldn’t post garbage people’s garbage posts from garbage websites here.
a black and white photo of a man in a suit and tie making a funny face .
Alt: a black and white scene of gene wilder saying oh, uhh…no thanks
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
I wish people wouldn’t post garbage people’s garbage posts from garbage websites here.
The horns I’ve had for a while but there’s something new in my zoom meetings….
November 5, 2025 at 3:08 PM
The horns I’ve had for a while but there’s something new in my zoom meetings….
Reposted by Sarah Hird, PhD
Are you intetested in deep sea and ship-based #SciComm strategies? Join us TODAY for our COBRA webinar!! (This will also be recorded and posted freely online afterwards!)
Super pumped to be a guest speaker in the COBRA webinar series in two weeks’ time, along with Olivia Pereira from @mbarinews.bsky.social! We’ll be talking about our Science Communication strategies & experiences. Register for Zoom link here: cobra.bigelow.org/webinars/
November 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Are you intetested in deep sea and ship-based #SciComm strategies? Join us TODAY for our COBRA webinar!! (This will also be recorded and posted freely online afterwards!)
November 4, 2025 at 12:46 PM
“Ugh I feel like too much of a Debbie Downer for Halloween this year” —>
Eureka —>
costume for next year all sorted
Eureka —>
costume for next year all sorted
October 31, 2025 at 6:08 PM
“Ugh I feel like too much of a Debbie Downer for Halloween this year” —>
Eureka —>
costume for next year all sorted
Eureka —>
costume for next year all sorted
I would like to know more about the little icon here…
October 31, 2025 at 11:53 AM
I would like to know more about the little icon here…
My response to the UConn response to my op-ed about Paid Leave: share.google/s2knvzJs8q3I...
(Published on UConn AAUP’s webpage because CT Mirror doesn’t publish second responses, which……..fine, ok, I totally get.)
(Published on UConn AAUP’s webpage because CT Mirror doesn’t publish second responses, which……..fine, ok, I totally get.)
October 30, 2025 at 3:19 PM
My response to the UConn response to my op-ed about Paid Leave: share.google/s2knvzJs8q3I...
(Published on UConn AAUP’s webpage because CT Mirror doesn’t publish second responses, which……..fine, ok, I totally get.)
(Published on UConn AAUP’s webpage because CT Mirror doesn’t publish second responses, which……..fine, ok, I totally get.)
Every year near my first kid’s birthday - I am overwhelmed with how grateful I am for my family and, specifically, how grateful I am that it’s not 2013…
(Warning - this is my story of pregnancy-related trauma …)
www.storycollider.org/singles/2020...
(Warning - this is my story of pregnancy-related trauma …)
www.storycollider.org/singles/2020...
Sarah Hird: My Emotional Bunker — The Story Collider
Evolutionary biologist Sarah Hird's first pregnancy becomes a crisis in her scientific faith when doctors warn her that there may be something severely wrong with her baby.
www.storycollider.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Every year near my first kid’s birthday - I am overwhelmed with how grateful I am for my family and, specifically, how grateful I am that it’s not 2013…
(Warning - this is my story of pregnancy-related trauma …)
www.storycollider.org/singles/2020...
(Warning - this is my story of pregnancy-related trauma …)
www.storycollider.org/singles/2020...
Saw this book from the breakfast table and it’s haunting me. What do people do all day? What do people DO all day?? What kind of a question is that.
On closer inspection: maybe I need a vacation.
On closer inspection: maybe I need a vacation.
October 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Saw this book from the breakfast table and it’s haunting me. What do people do all day? What do people DO all day?? What kind of a question is that.
On closer inspection: maybe I need a vacation.
On closer inspection: maybe I need a vacation.
Reposted by Sarah Hird, PhD
Reader, there is no amount of “record-setting” that can refute the facts - UConn faculty have ZERO days guaranteed paid family leave.
We know our tactics are working when we see PR panic like this: ctmirror.org/2025/10/24/s...
Opinion: Setting the record straight on UConn paid leave provisions
Being able to recruit and retain the best faculty means ensuring the negotiated pay and benefits the university offers are highly competitive.
ctmirror.org
October 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reader, there is no amount of “record-setting” that can refute the facts - UConn faculty have ZERO days guaranteed paid family leave.
Talk about an in-flight meal.
For the first time, researchers have captured rats hunting bats by grabbing them from the sky. Learn more: https://scim.ag/3Jqldmn
For the first time, researchers have captured rats hunting bats by grabbing them from the sky. Learn more: https://scim.ag/3Jqldmn
October 27, 2025 at 10:57 PM
My kids have decided these are The Bottom Tier from the downtown trick or treating yesterday. Kind of feel bad for them. All they ever wanted is to make a child happy…
October 26, 2025 at 4:23 PM
My kids have decided these are The Bottom Tier from the downtown trick or treating yesterday. Kind of feel bad for them. All they ever wanted is to make a child happy…
UConn responded to my op-ed and I have a few immediate thoughts (that followed the initial shock/terror/happiness that this got anyone's attention...)
ctmirror.org/2025/10/24/s...
ctmirror.org/2025/10/24/s...
October 24, 2025 at 2:50 PM
UConn responded to my op-ed and I have a few immediate thoughts (that followed the initial shock/terror/happiness that this got anyone's attention...)
ctmirror.org/2025/10/24/s...
ctmirror.org/2025/10/24/s...
Reposted by Sarah Hird, PhD
In the #NutmegSky there's CT Foodshare:
www.ctfoodshare.org
They take volunteers, if you have more time than money.
www.ctfoodshare.org
They take volunteers, if you have more time than money.
October 22, 2025 at 11:33 PM
In the #NutmegSky there's CT Foodshare:
www.ctfoodshare.org
They take volunteers, if you have more time than money.
www.ctfoodshare.org
They take volunteers, if you have more time than money.
Reposted by Sarah Hird, PhD
Following on yesterday’s contract action, here’s my union colleague @sarahhird.bsky.social saying what NEEDS to be SAID. ctmirror.org/2025/10/21/t...
October 21, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Following on yesterday’s contract action, here’s my union colleague @sarahhird.bsky.social saying what NEEDS to be SAID. ctmirror.org/2025/10/21/t...