Sarah Otner
@sarahotner.bsky.social
Professor of Org. Theory & Innovation. Lapsed swimmer and diver, resumed dancer, jogger-in-training. Data wonk, travel geek, foodie. Studies #fragrance, #architecture, #books, #metascience. Loves dogs & crime fiction.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2743-8462
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2743-8462
Reposted by Sarah Otner
Only 30% of my students showed up for class today. 35% have never shown up this term (Week 4). This is the first time since 2022 (when I first taught this module here) that I’ve not had 90-100% attendance at every session.
Trying to wrap my head around what’s going on!
Trying to wrap my head around what’s going on!
February 5, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Only 30% of my students showed up for class today. 35% have never shown up this term (Week 4). This is the first time since 2022 (when I first taught this module here) that I’ve not had 90-100% attendance at every session.
Trying to wrap my head around what’s going on!
Trying to wrap my head around what’s going on!
Reposted by Sarah Otner
Can you build a career and make a positive impact? Absolutely.
Professor Matthew Agarwala explains how studying sustainability can open doors to careers in finance, consulting, policy, tech, and beyond.
🎥 Watch the full presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzkG8oJCyiE
Professor Matthew Agarwala explains how studying sustainability can open doors to careers in finance, consulting, policy, tech, and beyond.
🎥 Watch the full presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzkG8oJCyiE
February 5, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Can you build a career and make a positive impact? Absolutely.
Professor Matthew Agarwala explains how studying sustainability can open doors to careers in finance, consulting, policy, tech, and beyond.
🎥 Watch the full presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzkG8oJCyiE
Professor Matthew Agarwala explains how studying sustainability can open doors to careers in finance, consulting, policy, tech, and beyond.
🎥 Watch the full presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzkG8oJCyiE
Reposted by Sarah Otner
As a PhD student, I was told that "seniors" are always really busy, though I speculated, I really wasn't sure how this materialized. I'm not yet SSJ3 Senior, just like baby-senior, but one way it materializes is "Death by 1000 cuts" ⬇️
February 5, 2026 at 3:40 PM
As a PhD student, I was told that "seniors" are always really busy, though I speculated, I really wasn't sure how this materialized. I'm not yet SSJ3 Senior, just like baby-senior, but one way it materializes is "Death by 1000 cuts" ⬇️
Reposted by Sarah Otner
Again, annoyingly, UKRI staff mentioning 3 areas (buckets) rather than 4. Why do I keep mentioning this? Because in my view bucket 4 which includes talent (PhD funding etc.), infrastructure and institutes should not be an after thought as they create a distinct critical capability for the UK.
Medical Research Council ‘will fund fewer applicant-led grants’.
Confirmation from deputy leader comes as council restructures investments, with calls on hold until summer.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Confirmation from deputy leader comes as council restructures investments, with calls on hold until summer.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Medical Research Council ‘will fund fewer applicant-led grants’ - Research Professional News
Confirmation from deputy leader comes as council restructures investments, with calls on hold until summer
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Again, annoyingly, UKRI staff mentioning 3 areas (buckets) rather than 4. Why do I keep mentioning this? Because in my view bucket 4 which includes talent (PhD funding etc.), infrastructure and institutes should not be an after thought as they create a distinct critical capability for the UK.
Reposted by Sarah Otner
The MRC has asked each of its grant review boards to recommend no more than 3 applications for funding, RPN has heard from multiple sources
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
January 30, 2026 at 7:59 AM
The MRC has asked each of its grant review boards to recommend no more than 3 applications for funding, RPN has heard from multiple sources
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
Reposted by Sarah Otner
How do stories shape leadership and brands?
Join the Sussex MBA Speaker Series with Roger Wade, founder of Boxfresh & Boxpark, and Sussex alumnus, as he shares how storytelling shaped his entrepreneurial journey.
Register now: https://ow.ly/1pap50Y5Omt
Join the Sussex MBA Speaker Series with Roger Wade, founder of Boxfresh & Boxpark, and Sussex alumnus, as he shares how storytelling shaped his entrepreneurial journey.
Register now: https://ow.ly/1pap50Y5Omt
January 30, 2026 at 12:15 PM
How do stories shape leadership and brands?
Join the Sussex MBA Speaker Series with Roger Wade, founder of Boxfresh & Boxpark, and Sussex alumnus, as he shares how storytelling shaped his entrepreneurial journey.
Register now: https://ow.ly/1pap50Y5Omt
Join the Sussex MBA Speaker Series with Roger Wade, founder of Boxfresh & Boxpark, and Sussex alumnus, as he shares how storytelling shaped his entrepreneurial journey.
Register now: https://ow.ly/1pap50Y5Omt
Looking to connect with a UK contracts lawyer who understands complex research projects and IP consequences, and UK Higher Education environment. Single (not ongoing) consultancy. Please RT.
January 29, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Looking to connect with a UK contracts lawyer who understands complex research projects and IP consequences, and UK Higher Education environment. Single (not ongoing) consultancy. Please RT.
Reposted by Sarah Otner
Have you been asked to be involved in a #GiveToGain #IWD20260 event?
You may wish to know the below.
TL:DR the #GiveToGain campaign is run by a private limited company with no apparent links to the UNWomen's campaign or feminist movement. Profiting from merchandise
www.kcl.ac.uk/internationa...
You may wish to know the below.
TL:DR the #GiveToGain campaign is run by a private limited company with no apparent links to the UNWomen's campaign or feminist movement. Profiting from merchandise
www.kcl.ac.uk/internationa...
January 28, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Have you been asked to be involved in a #GiveToGain #IWD20260 event?
You may wish to know the below.
TL:DR the #GiveToGain campaign is run by a private limited company with no apparent links to the UNWomen's campaign or feminist movement. Profiting from merchandise
www.kcl.ac.uk/internationa...
You may wish to know the below.
TL:DR the #GiveToGain campaign is run by a private limited company with no apparent links to the UNWomen's campaign or feminist movement. Profiting from merchandise
www.kcl.ac.uk/internationa...
Reposted by Sarah Otner
Overheads rocketed out of step with salaries and funding. I've sat with many an academic with costs way over budget who see cutting the RA and doing more themselves as the only way to stay in budget once essential DI non-staff is covered.
January 28, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Overheads rocketed out of step with salaries and funding. I've sat with many an academic with costs way over budget who see cutting the RA and doing more themselves as the only way to stay in budget once essential DI non-staff is covered.
Reposted by Sarah Otner
hey dear history-of-science-community: is there an equivalent to the Solvay-conference on physics 1927 (Brussels) in other disciplines that can be regarded as forming moment of a research field? Any in the SSH?
@jelena3121.bsky.social @martinreinhart.openbiblio.social.ap.brid.gy
@jelena3121.bsky.social @martinreinhart.openbiblio.social.ap.brid.gy
January 26, 2026 at 9:38 AM
hey dear history-of-science-community: is there an equivalent to the Solvay-conference on physics 1927 (Brussels) in other disciplines that can be regarded as forming moment of a research field? Any in the SSH?
@jelena3121.bsky.social @martinreinhart.openbiblio.social.ap.brid.gy
@jelena3121.bsky.social @martinreinhart.openbiblio.social.ap.brid.gy
Reposted by Sarah Otner
JOB! I'm hiring a postdoc for 2 years on my ERC MaMo project.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
January 21, 2026 at 12:32 PM
JOB! I'm hiring a postdoc for 2 years on my ERC MaMo project.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
Looking for someone with strong quant methods, ongoing work close to the project's aims, and a desire to publish in sociology. Start flexible in the next 12 months.
Formal call out shortly, but contact me first.
Reposted by Sarah Otner
Together with the @royalsociety.org, we invite applications for the International Fellowships 2026. The scheme supports international early career researchers in advancing their expertise through collaborations with UK partners. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3LaMIBC
January 15, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Together with the @royalsociety.org, we invite applications for the International Fellowships 2026. The scheme supports international early career researchers in advancing their expertise through collaborations with UK partners. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3LaMIBC
Reposted by Sarah Otner
Peer Review is broken because a generation of Editors were trained that peer review is sacrosanct. Thus we have Editors who are clerks, sending and re-sending manuscripts to reviewers until they are happy. That's not the job. Be an Editor, not a clerk. Use your skill and judgement. Make decisions.
January 14, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Peer Review is broken because a generation of Editors were trained that peer review is sacrosanct. Thus we have Editors who are clerks, sending and re-sending manuscripts to reviewers until they are happy. That's not the job. Be an Editor, not a clerk. Use your skill and judgement. Make decisions.
Reposted by Sarah Otner
Ethnographers/qual researchers among you: What note-writing software do you use and do you recommend it? Not the physical jottings, but when you get back to your computer and write it all out. Like Evernote, Google Keep, OneNote, etc. I've only used Word, and that becomes a mess. TIA!
January 9, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Ethnographers/qual researchers among you: What note-writing software do you use and do you recommend it? Not the physical jottings, but when you get back to your computer and write it all out. Like Evernote, Google Keep, OneNote, etc. I've only used Word, and that becomes a mess. TIA!
Reposted by Sarah Otner
This small clifftop station on the Lizard helped change how the world communicates.
This January marks 125 years since the opening of the Lizard Wireless Station – a small clifftop station with a truly global legacy.
Photo: David Sellman
This January marks 125 years since the opening of the Lizard Wireless Station – a small clifftop station with a truly global legacy.
Photo: David Sellman
January 9, 2026 at 9:11 AM
This small clifftop station on the Lizard helped change how the world communicates.
This January marks 125 years since the opening of the Lizard Wireless Station – a small clifftop station with a truly global legacy.
Photo: David Sellman
This January marks 125 years since the opening of the Lizard Wireless Station – a small clifftop station with a truly global legacy.
Photo: David Sellman
It is not "a one-time gesture of goodwill" if you are sending me something because you made a mistake. It is a partial reparation, undermined by your attitude. #Rant
January 6, 2026 at 9:46 AM
It is not "a one-time gesture of goodwill" if you are sending me something because you made a mistake. It is a partial reparation, undermined by your attitude. #Rant
Reposted by Sarah Otner
I'm afraid there *is* an obvious answer: it can't.
January 6, 2026 at 7:10 AM
I'm afraid there *is* an obvious answer: it can't.
Saturday night thread: Reply with the song that describes you the worst yet nevertheless gets you going. Here's mine:
open.spotify.com/track/5PbCpQ...
open.spotify.com/track/5PbCpQ...
I Hate People (Willow Pill)
open.spotify.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Saturday night thread: Reply with the song that describes you the worst yet nevertheless gets you going. Here's mine:
open.spotify.com/track/5PbCpQ...
open.spotify.com/track/5PbCpQ...
Reposted by Sarah Otner
I know I do this a lot but I will never get over flight attendants being both the only thing standing between me and death in an emergency and also credit card salespeople. Truly, in a right world, one could only be one at a time and never in the same place at the same time.
January 1, 2026 at 9:55 PM
I know I do this a lot but I will never get over flight attendants being both the only thing standing between me and death in an emergency and also credit card salespeople. Truly, in a right world, one could only be one at a time and never in the same place at the same time.
Reposted by Sarah Otner
3a. When asked to think carefully about what they would have to spend less time doing, in order to write more, many people realize that they don't actually want to spend more time writing. They want to have more written output with their name on it, which is a different goal.
December 31, 2025 at 5:09 PM
3a. When asked to think carefully about what they would have to spend less time doing, in order to write more, many people realize that they don't actually want to spend more time writing. They want to have more written output with their name on it, which is a different goal.
Reposted by Sarah Otner
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
52 is no age at all. Such a senseless loss, especially when so much slime and evil endures. 😢
theconversation.com/emma-johnsto...
theconversation.com/emma-johnsto...
Emma Johnston was a visionary scientist, environmentalist and leader, with an abiding hope for humanity
The University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor, who has died aged 52, was driven by a deep love of science and a desire to safeguard the planet’s future.
theconversation.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:27 PM
52 is no age at all. Such a senseless loss, especially when so much slime and evil endures. 😢
theconversation.com/emma-johnsto...
theconversation.com/emma-johnsto...
Reposted by Sarah Otner
What is the intersection of machine learning, causal inference, and economics?
What are promising avenues for research at this intersection?
I just drafted a new talk exploring these questions:
maxkasy.github.io/home/files/s...
Thoughts and comments welcome!
What are promising avenues for research at this intersection?
I just drafted a new talk exploring these questions:
maxkasy.github.io/home/files/s...
Thoughts and comments welcome!
maxkasy.github.io
December 27, 2025 at 5:34 PM
What is the intersection of machine learning, causal inference, and economics?
What are promising avenues for research at this intersection?
I just drafted a new talk exploring these questions:
maxkasy.github.io/home/files/s...
Thoughts and comments welcome!
What are promising avenues for research at this intersection?
I just drafted a new talk exploring these questions:
maxkasy.github.io/home/files/s...
Thoughts and comments welcome!
Knives Out 3 is the best so far. Still only a max. 4-star. BUT it is visually beautiful, much more self-aware and referential, with a perfectly-cast ensemble. Might be less laudatory had I paid for it or been inconvenienced by a cinema trip. Otherwise delightful!
December 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Knives Out 3 is the best so far. Still only a max. 4-star. BUT it is visually beautiful, much more self-aware and referential, with a perfectly-cast ensemble. Might be less laudatory had I paid for it or been inconvenienced by a cinema trip. Otherwise delightful!