Stephen Curry
@scurry.bsky.social
Proud Ballymena Professor. Senior Strategic Advisor at RoRI; Emeritus Prof at Imperial. Former DORA Chair. Husband, father, carer. Also cares about science & equity. Personal a/c. Writes occasionally at http://occamstypewriter.org/scurry/.
Pinned
Second of my #BooksOf2026 is Human Kind - A Hopeful History by Rutger Bergman. Leans on social psychology (a somewhat debased currency) as much as history, but not uncritically, and so mounts a spirited and thought-provoking case for human goodness. A very welcome antidote to the news cycle.
Came across this paper very recently. It’s excellent: a clear, concise and incisive diagnosis of democracy’s current ills and pointers to a way out (which will be no easy task).
🧵 Across the world, democracy isn’t just under pressure, it’s facing epistemic collapse: a breakdown in the shared ability to know what’s true, to reason together and to hold power to account.
A new guest paper by @eliothiggins.bsky.social and @drnataliemartin.bsky.social explores how to fix it.
A new guest paper by @eliothiggins.bsky.social and @drnataliemartin.bsky.social explores how to fix it.
Verification, Deliberation, Accountability: A new framework for tackling epistemic collapse and renewing democracy
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Came across this paper very recently. It’s excellent: a clear, concise and incisive diagnosis of democracy’s current ills and pointers to a way out (which will be no easy task).
Reposted by Stephen Curry
One of the reasons why Elon Musk and other folks on the right want to shut down Wikipedia (or "compete" with it). It's a good platform for regular folks to accumulate data, even keep track of all of this administration's atrocities in real time. Great work
Even when there’s no accountability, the record matters. Credit to the Wikipedia editors maintaining this page.
Deaths, detentions and deportations of American citizens in the second Trump administration - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
January 25, 2026 at 3:20 AM
One of the reasons why Elon Musk and other folks on the right want to shut down Wikipedia (or "compete" with it). It's a good platform for regular folks to accumulate data, even keep track of all of this administration's atrocities in real time. Great work
Reposted by Stephen Curry
The task for political leadership now is not just to tell the truth, but to make people care about what is true and what is not.
January 24, 2026 at 11:28 PM
The task for political leadership now is not just to tell the truth, but to make people care about what is true and what is not.
Reposted by Stephen Curry
The same experts that dissect Russian propaganda now dissect statements of the DHS. This is painful to watch - but utterly necessary.
Federal law enforcement agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Jan. 24 according to local police officials. DHS told Fox News that the man was “armed with a gun”. A video of the shooting appears to show that a gun was taken from the man before the first shot was fired. x.com/BillMelugin_...
January 24, 2026 at 10:51 PM
The same experts that dissect Russian propaganda now dissect statements of the DHS. This is painful to watch - but utterly necessary.
Reposted by Stephen Curry
Sadiq Khan says integration matters. But making refugee status temporary "will leave people in a precarious state, suspended in limbo for years, their lives overshadowed with uncertainty”
Doubling how long it takes people to settle "doesn't give people a stake in society, it takes that stake away"
Doubling how long it takes people to settle "doesn't give people a stake in society, it takes that stake away"
January 24, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Sadiq Khan says integration matters. But making refugee status temporary "will leave people in a precarious state, suspended in limbo for years, their lives overshadowed with uncertainty”
Doubling how long it takes people to settle "doesn't give people a stake in society, it takes that stake away"
Doubling how long it takes people to settle "doesn't give people a stake in society, it takes that stake away"
Reposted by Stephen Curry
My God. I’m writing about the last 100 years of theories of equality and just realised that Rawls’ A Theory of Justice (1971) falls into the first half.
January 24, 2026 at 10:15 AM
My God. I’m writing about the last 100 years of theories of equality and just realised that Rawls’ A Theory of Justice (1971) falls into the first half.
Perhaps not quite up there with Ancher’s work but I should reserve judgement till I’ve seen more that a copy on a postage stamp (which was stuck to a letter received today from my aunt in Dublin)
January 24, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Perhaps not quite up there with Ancher’s work but I should reserve judgement till I’ve seen more that a copy on a postage stamp (which was stuck to a letter received today from my aunt in Dublin)
Reposted by Stephen Curry
📚 On this International Day of Education, we’re excited to share that DORA is launching an introductory course on Responsible Research Assessment in February 2026!
An online, self-paced course on the basics of RRA, open to all career stages. Watch this space! 🧐
An online, self-paced course on the basics of RRA, open to all career stages. Watch this space! 🧐
January 24, 2026 at 12:26 PM
📚 On this International Day of Education, we’re excited to share that DORA is launching an introductory course on Responsible Research Assessment in February 2026!
An online, self-paced course on the basics of RRA, open to all career stages. Watch this space! 🧐
An online, self-paced course on the basics of RRA, open to all career stages. Watch this space! 🧐
Intriguing review by @ananyo.bsky.social of a recent history of maths www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Forget formalism: mathematics was built on infighting and emotional turmoil
A fast-paced book captures how theory and formal proof intertwined with the personal lives of prominent mathematicians.
www.nature.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Intriguing review by @ananyo.bsky.social of a recent history of maths www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Peace-making, Putin style. There can be no future in which this war criminal has any business on the world stage. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Russia launches ‘brutal’ attack on Ukraine as peace talks continue
Kyiv says Moscow used 396 drones and missiles in ‘another night of Russian terror’ on second day of talks in UAE
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Peace-making, Putin style. There can be no future in which this war criminal has any business on the world stage. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by Stephen Curry
Fascinating and thoughtful perspective on what both Labour and, by extension, Britain, can do in response to what Carney has identified as a ‘rupture’. The shifting of geopolitical tectonic plates doesn’t have to mean societal collapse, but it does require seeing the moment of what it is.
Never waste a crisis, right? So how can Labour use the geopolitical crisis to re-build its fortunes at home? My thoughts today...
The Rupture
A way forward for Labour after Greenland
open.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Fascinating and thoughtful perspective on what both Labour and, by extension, Britain, can do in response to what Carney has identified as a ‘rupture’. The shifting of geopolitical tectonic plates doesn’t have to mean societal collapse, but it does require seeing the moment of what it is.
A well fed Mr Fox on the patio just now. Eat your heart out Davy Attenborough.
January 24, 2026 at 9:29 AM
A well fed Mr Fox on the patio just now. Eat your heart out Davy Attenborough.
Starmer should get the King to write another letter to Trump, this time saying he’s not welcome in the U.K. until he apologises for his ignorant and outrageous remarks about NATO troops.
January 23, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Starmer should get the King to write another letter to Trump, this time saying he’s not welcome in the U.K. until he apologises for his ignorant and outrageous remarks about NATO troops.
Reposted by Stephen Curry
And so it begins... 3 UK universities (Essex, Sussex & Kent) have just gone public about walking away from their Elsevier Read & Publish deals, despite Jisc's recently announced agreement. Expect to see more of these over the coming months. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/three-m... #OpenAccess
Three major research universities opt out of new Elsevier deal
Complaints over ‘price increases’ and open access models spur UK institutions to walk away from offer from publishing giant, despite nationally negotiated agreement
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:12 PM
And so it begins... 3 UK universities (Essex, Sussex & Kent) have just gone public about walking away from their Elsevier Read & Publish deals, despite Jisc's recently announced agreement. Expect to see more of these over the coming months. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/three-m... #OpenAccess
Carney is laughing and leaders who have accepted are now confirmed as Trump’s stooges. A clown show.
January 23, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Carney is laughing and leaders who have accepted are now confirmed as Trump’s stooges. A clown show.
Reposted by Stephen Curry
We are Christopher Isherwood, watching the increasingly alarming scenes in the Berlin street below from our apartment window above.
"Liam’s teacher, Ella Sullivan, teared up when thinking about Liam. 'He’s a bright young student,' she said, 'and he’s so kind and loving. His classmates miss him.'"
www.startribune.com/preschooler-...
www.startribune.com/preschooler-...
Preschooler and three other students detained by ICE, school district leader says
The detentions of Columbia Heights students come after weeks of heightened concern and enforcement presence near and on Twin Cities school property.
www.startribune.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:10 AM
We are Christopher Isherwood, watching the increasingly alarming scenes in the Berlin street below from our apartment window above.
How did F1 get a best picture nomination!?! It’s dross. Not even the manifold charms of Brad Pitt could save it. www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...
Oscar nominations 2026: the full list
All the nominees, from Sinners to One Battle After Another, for the 98th Academy Awards, which are due to take place on 15 March
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:00 PM
How did F1 get a best picture nomination!?! It’s dross. Not even the manifold charms of Brad Pitt could save it. www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...
Rain Man is such a great film because of Cruise’s performance, not Hoffman’s. A shame he didn’t even get an Oscar nomination for it.
January 22, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Rain Man is such a great film because of Cruise’s performance, not Hoffman’s. A shame he didn’t even get an Oscar nomination for it.
Reposted by Stephen Curry
January 22, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Regretfully, I have just declined another invitation to review for the Royal Society, pointing out that I will continue to do so until it can credibly demonstrate its willingness to defend the values of the scientific community.
January 22, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Regretfully, I have just declined another invitation to review for the Royal Society, pointing out that I will continue to do so until it can credibly demonstrate its willingness to defend the values of the scientific community.
Reposted by Stephen Curry
Typically incisive and optimistic post from Eric. As he says, if this large effect were the product of Alzheimer’s research it would be hailed as a huge breakthrough. And yet, in the UK, those of us between 65 and 70 can’t get the vaccine on the NHS (v expensive as private purchase)…
The Shingles vaccine and reduction of dementia: a new natural experiment from Canada replicated 3 others and adds to this week's link to slowing of biological aging.
erictopol.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
erictopol.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
Spotlight on the Shingles Vaccine—Again!
Two new studies add to a remarkable body of evidence for benefit
erictopol.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:58 AM
Typically incisive and optimistic post from Eric. As he says, if this large effect were the product of Alzheimer’s research it would be hailed as a huge breakthrough. And yet, in the UK, those of us between 65 and 70 can’t get the vaccine on the NHS (v expensive as private purchase)…
Good (though hopefully it was never in doubt).
BREAKING: “We won’t be one of the signatories.. we do also have concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper tells #BBCBreakfast the UK won't be part of a US-proposed Gaza "Board of Peace"
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper tells #BBCBreakfast the UK won't be part of a US-proposed Gaza "Board of Peace"
January 22, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Good (though hopefully it was never in doubt).
Alchemy! Alchemy! They’ve all got it alchemy!
Scientists mimicking the Big Bang accidentally turn lead into gold
Scientists mimicking the Big Bang accidentally turn lead into gold
Scientists mimicking the Big Bang accidentally turn lead into gold
www.independent.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Alchemy! Alchemy! They’ve all got it alchemy!
Reposted by Stephen Curry
Today Dallas County declared Tommy Lee Walker innocent of a 1953 murder for which he was wrongfully executed 70 years ago. Arrested at 19, executed within 3 years. A life stolen. Justice much delayed. Awed by the Walker family's persistence. So proud of this @innocenceproject team.
BREAKING: 70 years after his wrongful execution, Tommy Lee Walker is declared innocent.
“The court’s declaration today provides some semblance of belated justice to Mr. Walker’s legacy, and to his son, our client Edward Smith,” said Chris Fabricant. https://bit.ly/3LVoOKA
“The court’s declaration today provides some semblance of belated justice to Mr. Walker’s legacy, and to his son, our client Edward Smith,” said Chris Fabricant. https://bit.ly/3LVoOKA
Tommy Lee Walker Declared Innocent 70 Years After His Execution
Dallas County Commissioners Court posthumously proclaimed Mr. Walker’s innocence in the 1954 racially-fueled capital murder case.
innocenceproject.org
January 21, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Today Dallas County declared Tommy Lee Walker innocent of a 1953 murder for which he was wrongfully executed 70 years ago. Arrested at 19, executed within 3 years. A life stolen. Justice much delayed. Awed by the Walker family's persistence. So proud of this @innocenceproject team.
Reposted by Stephen Curry
The New World asked me to speak to some British trans women about what life has been like for them over the past few years - here's what they had to say, in their own words: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
January 21, 2026 at 9:38 AM
The New World asked me to speak to some British trans women about what life has been like for them over the past few years - here's what they had to say, in their own words: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...