Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
@sciencecolin.bsky.social
Ecology and Remote Sensing | Former museum educator | Let's make the world a little bit better today... 🌈🌱🛰️🪿🦫(he/him)
Protect trans rights 🏳️⚧️ | Be Good
Protect trans rights 🏳️⚧️ | Be Good
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
AGU has an easy-to-use toolkit set for public feedback to proposed government actions. Now is a great time to respond to NSF’s proposed shuttering of NCAR. agu.quorum.us/campaign/154...
Share your comments on NCAR with NSF
Tell NSF the future that you want for NCAR by 13 March
agu.quorum.us
January 29, 2026 at 6:51 PM
AGU has an easy-to-use toolkit set for public feedback to proposed government actions. Now is a great time to respond to NSF’s proposed shuttering of NCAR. agu.quorum.us/campaign/154...
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
In case anyone wants a little break, here are a few of my favorite facts that I learned in 2025, in no particular order.
Some trees benefit from, and may even encourage, getting struck by lightning because it kills their nearby competitors nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Some trees benefit from, and may even encourage, getting struck by lightning because it kills their nearby competitors nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
January 28, 2026 at 3:44 PM
In case anyone wants a little break, here are a few of my favorite facts that I learned in 2025, in no particular order.
Some trees benefit from, and may even encourage, getting struck by lightning because it kills their nearby competitors nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Some trees benefit from, and may even encourage, getting struck by lightning because it kills their nearby competitors nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
MAJOR NEWS! We just launched an awesome new tool! The illustrated Birds of the World Phylogeny Explorer lets users trace any bird’s lineage, compare species relationships, and explore major evolutionary milestones with a click of a button. SHARE and EXPLORE! birdsoftheworld.org/bow/news/phy...
January 27, 2026 at 1:26 AM
MAJOR NEWS! We just launched an awesome new tool! The illustrated Birds of the World Phylogeny Explorer lets users trace any bird’s lineage, compare species relationships, and explore major evolutionary milestones with a click of a button. SHARE and EXPLORE! birdsoftheworld.org/bow/news/phy...
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
Writing is a big part of being a researcher, but grad students are rarely trained to do it well. Three researchers who double as writing instructors share their strategies for making the process more productive than painful: spklr.io/633238aIlD
#AcademicSky #SciWri #AcademicWriting
#AcademicSky #SciWri #AcademicWriting
Three tips for scientific writing: a guide for graduate students
Do you struggle with the blank page? These strategies could help.
spklr.io
January 22, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Writing is a big part of being a researcher, but grad students are rarely trained to do it well. Three researchers who double as writing instructors share their strategies for making the process more productive than painful: spklr.io/633238aIlD
#AcademicSky #SciWri #AcademicWriting
#AcademicSky #SciWri #AcademicWriting
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 20, 2026 at 10:53 PM
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
Trump has been in office for one year. We at @nature.com did a deep dive looking at the administration's disruption of science in numbers.
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
www.nature.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Trump has been in office for one year. We at @nature.com did a deep dive looking at the administration's disruption of science in numbers.
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
Take a look—the numbers are staggering. By me, @dangaristo.bsky.social, Jeff Tollefson, @kimay.bsky.social, & help from @noamross.net @scott-delaney.bsky.social
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
Your relationship with your advisor matters more than how cool the project is. Ask about the advisor's mentoring style, editing turnaround time, opinion on collaborations, and grad student expectations up front. Ask the grad students if the PI is respectful towards their students, (cont)
January 20, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Your relationship with your advisor matters more than how cool the project is. Ask about the advisor's mentoring style, editing turnaround time, opinion on collaborations, and grad student expectations up front. Ask the grad students if the PI is respectful towards their students, (cont)
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
This 1943 U.S. Army film warned about fascism in America
January 19, 2026 at 3:08 PM
This 1943 U.S. Army film warned about fascism in America
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
Are you a grad student in Illinois or Indiana working on topics that could benefit #GreatLakes communities? The @ilinseagrant.bsky.social Graduate Scholars program provides funding to advance research as well as professional networking and development opportunities iiseagrant.org/its-time-to-...
It’s time to apply for the 2026 IISG Graduate Scholars Program - Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for our 2026 Graduate Scholars Program. The scholars program is designed to build a community of researchers and...
iiseagrant.org
January 19, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Are you a grad student in Illinois or Indiana working on topics that could benefit #GreatLakes communities? The @ilinseagrant.bsky.social Graduate Scholars program provides funding to advance research as well as professional networking and development opportunities iiseagrant.org/its-time-to-...
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
Something that I think doesn’t get examined enough is the tendency for technological creep to lead to a reductionist view of ecology where emergent forms and patterns are increasingly reduced to physics and de-contextualized, generalizable theories
January 18, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Something that I think doesn’t get examined enough is the tendency for technological creep to lead to a reductionist view of ecology where emergent forms and patterns are increasingly reduced to physics and de-contextualized, generalizable theories
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
🚨 Minneapolis General Strike January 23 🚨
✊ ICE OUT of Minnesota! ✊
✊ ICE OUT of Minnesota! ✊
every single successful general strike in US history has had union backing through the local AFL-CIO
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
January 16, 2026 at 10:23 PM
🚨 Minneapolis General Strike January 23 🚨
✊ ICE OUT of Minnesota! ✊
✊ ICE OUT of Minnesota! ✊
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
🚨 PhD offer (please share)
Fascinated by bird migration and movement ecology? 🦜🌍 Join us at @vogelwarte.bsky.social to study annual cycle energetics with multi-sensor loggers in multiple species
Deadline: 20 Feb 2026
Starting: June 2026
Supervision: Martins Briedis & me
Info: tinyurl.com/2dbv9nzh
Fascinated by bird migration and movement ecology? 🦜🌍 Join us at @vogelwarte.bsky.social to study annual cycle energetics with multi-sensor loggers in multiple species
Deadline: 20 Feb 2026
Starting: June 2026
Supervision: Martins Briedis & me
Info: tinyurl.com/2dbv9nzh
January 15, 2026 at 1:31 PM
🚨 PhD offer (please share)
Fascinated by bird migration and movement ecology? 🦜🌍 Join us at @vogelwarte.bsky.social to study annual cycle energetics with multi-sensor loggers in multiple species
Deadline: 20 Feb 2026
Starting: June 2026
Supervision: Martins Briedis & me
Info: tinyurl.com/2dbv9nzh
Fascinated by bird migration and movement ecology? 🦜🌍 Join us at @vogelwarte.bsky.social to study annual cycle energetics with multi-sensor loggers in multiple species
Deadline: 20 Feb 2026
Starting: June 2026
Supervision: Martins Briedis & me
Info: tinyurl.com/2dbv9nzh
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
HAPPY #FOSSILFRIDAY! Join us for a conversation with renowned paleo artist 🎨 Gabriel Ugueto!
Learn about his artistic journey, passion for illustrating, and how he recreates animals through CGI for productions like Prehistoric Planet ❄️.
Join FREE via Zoom. 9 a.m. MST, 11 a.m. EST: bit.ly/49ykwlz
Learn about his artistic journey, passion for illustrating, and how he recreates animals through CGI for productions like Prehistoric Planet ❄️.
Join FREE via Zoom. 9 a.m. MST, 11 a.m. EST: bit.ly/49ykwlz
January 16, 2026 at 3:19 PM
HAPPY #FOSSILFRIDAY! Join us for a conversation with renowned paleo artist 🎨 Gabriel Ugueto!
Learn about his artistic journey, passion for illustrating, and how he recreates animals through CGI for productions like Prehistoric Planet ❄️.
Join FREE via Zoom. 9 a.m. MST, 11 a.m. EST: bit.ly/49ykwlz
Learn about his artistic journey, passion for illustrating, and how he recreates animals through CGI for productions like Prehistoric Planet ❄️.
Join FREE via Zoom. 9 a.m. MST, 11 a.m. EST: bit.ly/49ykwlz
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
As Year 2 of Trump 2.0 begins, here’s a refresher on how first-year actions affected climate, energy, public health, academia, and the environment.
Follow the AGU Eos thread below ⬇️
Follow the AGU Eos thread below ⬇️
As Year 2 of Trump 2.0 starts, get a refresher on how the administration’s actions in its first year affected climate change and energy policy, public health and safety, the federal workforce, academia, and the environment.
eos.org/state-of-the...
eos.org/state-of-the...
The State of the Science 1 Year On - Eos
eos.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:36 PM
As Year 2 of Trump 2.0 begins, here’s a refresher on how first-year actions affected climate, energy, public health, academia, and the environment.
Follow the AGU Eos thread below ⬇️
Follow the AGU Eos thread below ⬇️
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
Do you care about the future of the US NSF and science in general? The agency is seeking feedback on the draft Strategic Plan. www.nsf.gov/od/updates/n...
NSF seeks public input on its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–2030 NSF Strategic Plan
www.nsf.gov
January 13, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Do you care about the future of the US NSF and science in general? The agency is seeking feedback on the draft Strategic Plan. www.nsf.gov/od/updates/n...
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
First-of-a-kind study shows encouraging data for trans kids who socially transition
Ninety-four percent of participants in a new study stood firm in their trans identity after five years, and "detransitioning" is rare.
www.popsci.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
The U.S. is forcing massive deportations of working-age people with jobs who're contributing to the safety net, while conservatives drape themselves in concern for an aging population.
This is entirely about nativism.
This is entirely about nativism.
January 13, 2026 at 5:17 PM
The U.S. is forcing massive deportations of working-age people with jobs who're contributing to the safety net, while conservatives drape themselves in concern for an aging population.
This is entirely about nativism.
This is entirely about nativism.
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
Everything is really scary and horrible, and on the utter flipside, we made these really adorable valentines.
The dissonance of seeing horror, then posting "hey buy some cute valentines" is making me feel loopy.
But also nice things persist despite terror? Ugh idk.
Get 'em at SquidFacts.net
The dissonance of seeing horror, then posting "hey buy some cute valentines" is making me feel loopy.
But also nice things persist despite terror? Ugh idk.
Get 'em at SquidFacts.net
January 13, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Everything is really scary and horrible, and on the utter flipside, we made these really adorable valentines.
The dissonance of seeing horror, then posting "hey buy some cute valentines" is making me feel loopy.
But also nice things persist despite terror? Ugh idk.
Get 'em at SquidFacts.net
The dissonance of seeing horror, then posting "hey buy some cute valentines" is making me feel loopy.
But also nice things persist despite terror? Ugh idk.
Get 'em at SquidFacts.net
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
This isn't just a casual observation. Fascism scholars have long made this point. It's why calling them "weird" was a more effective strategy than talking about the prices of eggs. Fascism is an aesthetic political movement - you need to make people feel embarassed and horrified by it.
one of the most effective weapons we have against fascism is mockery, especially when its really funny
It occurs to me all the yelling at ICE in MPLS isn't merely funny. Getting made fun of like this is awful for morale. ICE is losing field officers faster than it can wave them through training, and a big part of it is how little of this these little weasels can take.
January 12, 2026 at 5:54 PM
This isn't just a casual observation. Fascism scholars have long made this point. It's why calling them "weird" was a more effective strategy than talking about the prices of eggs. Fascism is an aesthetic political movement - you need to make people feel embarassed and horrified by it.
Cuyahoga River!
*currently NOT on fire
*currently NOT on fire
now: the hudson
then: the neosho
honorary mention: the connecticut (because i hiked two weeks to its source)
then: the neosho
honorary mention: the connecticut (because i hiked two weeks to its source)
My favorite Twitter prompt was "RT this with your home river," so reskeet this with your home river.
Mine is the Patuxent.
Mine is the Patuxent.
January 12, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Cuyahoga River!
*currently NOT on fire
*currently NOT on fire
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
AOC: This has now become what we feared most about ICE for a long time—that it would be used as an anti-civilian force with no accountability. At the end of the day, what we saw today was a murder, and murders in cold blood need to be prosecuted.
January 8, 2026 at 12:05 AM
AOC: This has now become what we feared most about ICE for a long time—that it would be used as an anti-civilian force with no accountability. At the end of the day, what we saw today was a murder, and murders in cold blood need to be prosecuted.
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
Brooke is a great scientist and fabulous science communicator and disability advocate. You should hire her.
I am looking for a postdoc position + will be attending #SICB2026! My areas of interest/experience: sexual selection, reproduction, host-parasite interactions, animal behavior, (plus bio ed and disability advocacy in bio). I would be happy to chat with anyone attending who is looking for postdocs!
January 4, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Brooke is a great scientist and fabulous science communicator and disability advocate. You should hire her.
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
Whatever you might think of Maduro, the seizure and kidnapping of a head of state takes us to a very dark place. Vast, arbitrary, extra-legal power, which could be exercised almost anywhere, regardless of the character of the target government.
January 3, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Whatever you might think of Maduro, the seizure and kidnapping of a head of state takes us to a very dark place. Vast, arbitrary, extra-legal power, which could be exercised almost anywhere, regardless of the character of the target government.
Reposted by Colin Sweeney, Ph.D.
I called my reps. The theme was “YOU HAVE TO DO MORE. DO MORE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, YOU HAVE TO STOP THIS.”
The 5 calls app makes it super easy: 5calls.org
The 5 calls app makes it super easy: 5calls.org
January 3, 2026 at 2:17 PM
I called my reps. The theme was “YOU HAVE TO DO MORE. DO MORE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, YOU HAVE TO STOP THIS.”
The 5 calls app makes it super easy: 5calls.org
The 5 calls app makes it super easy: 5calls.org