Sean McMahon
@seanhmcmahon.bsky.social
Astrobiologist & palaeobiologist @ Univ. Edinburgh / Co-director, UK Centre for Astrobiology / Director, MSc Astrobiology & Planetary Sciences / Deputy Chair, Council for the Defence of British Universities. https://www.astrobiology.ac.uk/mcmahon-group
Pinned
Stories Gallery | CDBU
cdbu.org.uk
We need to begin to tell these stories about universities as well. So — what did university mean to you? Contact @cdbu.bsky.social at cdbupress@gmail.com with your story. You can read some previous submissions here: cdbu.org.uk/stories/
Amazing.
An Asgard archaeon with internal membrane compartments
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Amazing.
‼️New PhD project in Edinburgh: "Animals, traits, and oxygen in the Ediacaran Nama Group, Namibia". Supervised by Rachel Wood (Amelia Penny and I co-supervising) — big UK+Namibian team — help us understand early animal evolution! Apply by Dec 14th #paleontology
e5-dtp.ed.ac.uk/project?item...
e5-dtp.ed.ac.uk/project?item...
November 9, 2025 at 8:16 PM
‼️New PhD project in Edinburgh: "Animals, traits, and oxygen in the Ediacaran Nama Group, Namibia". Supervised by Rachel Wood (Amelia Penny and I co-supervising) — big UK+Namibian team — help us understand early animal evolution! Apply by Dec 14th #paleontology
e5-dtp.ed.ac.uk/project?item...
e5-dtp.ed.ac.uk/project?item...
A university without arts and languages is not a university.
Well this is awful news: tinyurl.com/yr65mjkx
'All modern language and music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham.'
Nottingham friends: please be assured that we will join you in protesting against this decision in the strongest possible terms. Solidarity.
'All modern language and music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham.'
Nottingham friends: please be assured that we will join you in protesting against this decision in the strongest possible terms. Solidarity.
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:18 PM
A university without arts and languages is not a university.
Reposted by Sean McMahon
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
Reposted by Sean McMahon
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 AM
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
Why is life the way it is? It was a pleasure to share a stage with Nick Lane, @mamaphysikerin.bsky.social, and Cait MacPhee yesterday evening for the @royalsoced.bsky.social seminar event preceding Nick Lane's Gifford Lecture. You can watch the recording here: #astrobiology #evolution #biochemistry
Why is life the way it is?
YouTube video by The Royal Society of Edinburgh
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Why is life the way it is? It was a pleasure to share a stage with Nick Lane, @mamaphysikerin.bsky.social, and Cait MacPhee yesterday evening for the @royalsoced.bsky.social seminar event preceding Nick Lane's Gifford Lecture. You can watch the recording here: #astrobiology #evolution #biochemistry
Congratulations to Ruby Allen-Brown for winning the UKCA-Harding Essay Prize 2025. You can read Ruby's winning entry at: www.astrobiology.ac.uk/opportunitie...
October 27, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Congratulations to Ruby Allen-Brown for winning the UKCA-Harding Essay Prize 2025. You can read Ruby's winning entry at: www.astrobiology.ac.uk/opportunitie...
Reposted by Sean McMahon
Yay. Priceless. The right column at the right time. And a gleefully English two fingers to the haters.
October 25, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Yay. Priceless. The right column at the right time. And a gleefully English two fingers to the haters.
So often universities are spoken about in instrumental language: as institutions that confer skills and training, and as engines of economic growth. Universities are both these things of course...
October 25, 2025 at 2:05 PM
So often universities are spoken about in instrumental language: as institutions that confer skills and training, and as engines of economic growth. Universities are both these things of course...
What a beaut!
#FossilFriday from these Tumbiana Formation stromatolites (~2.7 billion years old)!
Stromatolites have a distinct layered structure formed by microbial mats and sediment🦠
Found by Emeritus Professor Zheng-Xiang Li, Curtin University
#Stromatolites #ArcheanEra #AustralianFossils #AustralianGeology
Stromatolites have a distinct layered structure formed by microbial mats and sediment🦠
Found by Emeritus Professor Zheng-Xiang Li, Curtin University
#Stromatolites #ArcheanEra #AustralianFossils #AustralianGeology
October 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
What a beaut!
Reposted by Sean McMahon
A mere 4 million years after an asteroid slammed into what is now Lake Lappajärvi 🇫🇮, microbes showed up to colonize the place.
A Flash, a Boom, a New Microbe Habitat - Eos
After an asteroid struck Finland long ago, microscopic life colonized the impact site within a few million years, new research reveals.
eos.org
October 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
A mere 4 million years after an asteroid slammed into what is now Lake Lappajärvi 🇫🇮, microbes showed up to colonize the place.
Yet more lay-offs at JPL. MAGA = Making America Geocentric Again?
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to lay off about 550 workers reut.rs/4302N2L
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to lay off about 550 workers
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said on Monday it will cut nearly 550 jobs as part of a restructuring, not related to the current U.S. government shutdown.
reut.rs
October 14, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Yet more lay-offs at JPL. MAGA = Making America Geocentric Again?
Reposted by Sean McMahon
October 11, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Really nice to see my work with Peter Vickers, Cyrille Jeancolas, Cat Gillen, and others make the cover of Sciences et Avenir :-). You can read the original paper here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
👽🛸 Sommes-nous seuls ? La quête d'une activité biologique extraterrestre fait désormais l'objet de recherches approfondies. Sur Mars, au cœur des lunes océans de Saturne et Jupiter, et au-delà vers les exoplanètes...
En vente jusqu'au 22 octobre 👉 https://l.sciencesetavenir.fr/QoH
En vente jusqu'au 22 octobre 👉 https://l.sciencesetavenir.fr/QoH
October 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Really nice to see my work with Peter Vickers, Cyrille Jeancolas, Cat Gillen, and others make the cover of Sciences et Avenir :-). You can read the original paper here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
"Farewell to the NASA we knew, and to all the employees that made America the great place it was for so many decades. From here on out, things will never be the same." Just heartbreaking. bigthink.com/starts-with-...
Thousands of NASA employees to bid farewell to the NASA they knew
As October begins, thousands of longtime NASA employees are leaving the agency. 4000+ will exit by January 9, 2026, changing NASA forever.
bigthink.com
October 3, 2025 at 9:54 AM
"Farewell to the NASA we knew, and to all the employees that made America the great place it was for so many decades. From here on out, things will never be the same." Just heartbreaking. bigthink.com/starts-with-...
Reposted by Sean McMahon
Today's Defenders Day in Ukraine.
Our defenders are addressing the world to remind everyone what Ukraine is fighting for: a safe childhood for children, peaceful land, internationally recognized borders, justice for every innocent victim, and a free, independent Europe.
Thank you, Heroes!
Our defenders are addressing the world to remind everyone what Ukraine is fighting for: a safe childhood for children, peaceful land, internationally recognized borders, justice for every innocent victim, and a free, independent Europe.
Thank you, Heroes!
October 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Today's Defenders Day in Ukraine.
Our defenders are addressing the world to remind everyone what Ukraine is fighting for: a safe childhood for children, peaceful land, internationally recognized borders, justice for every innocent victim, and a free, independent Europe.
Thank you, Heroes!
Our defenders are addressing the world to remind everyone what Ukraine is fighting for: a safe childhood for children, peaceful land, internationally recognized borders, justice for every innocent victim, and a free, independent Europe.
Thank you, Heroes!
Another great study from Khawaja and colleagues. www.nature.com/articles/s41.... Tantalising clues here that Enceladus might actually be doing stuff, not just spitting out the same comet-like organic molecules it contained when it formed. But more data needed! #astrobiology #originoflife
Detection of organic compounds in freshly ejected ice grains from Enceladus’s ocean - Nature Astronomy
Fresh ice grains from Enceladus’s plume were analysed during the highest-speed fly-by of the Cassini spacecraft. Organic compounds with a range of chemical structures were discovered, suggesting comprehensive subsurface chemistry on Enceladus.
www.nature.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Another great study from Khawaja and colleagues. www.nature.com/articles/s41.... Tantalising clues here that Enceladus might actually be doing stuff, not just spitting out the same comet-like organic molecules it contained when it formed. But more data needed! #astrobiology #originoflife
I am once again asking NASA to find a way of launching Trump into the Sun. He'll finally get the tan he's always wanted.
“The Destruction of NASA’s Mission” Whistleblowers reveal OMB’s Unconstitutional Plot to Gut the Agency
New from Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation Ranking Member Maria Cantwell.
NOTE: This is indeed what I have seen going on inside NASA.
🧪🔭
www.commerce.senate.gov/services/fil...
New from Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation Ranking Member Maria Cantwell.
NOTE: This is indeed what I have seen going on inside NASA.
🧪🔭
www.commerce.senate.gov/services/fil...
September 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I am once again asking NASA to find a way of launching Trump into the Sun. He'll finally get the tan he's always wanted.
Reposted by Sean McMahon
Beautiful #Ediacaran fossil light on the E surface at Mistaken Point 🤩
September 20, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Beautiful #Ediacaran fossil light on the E surface at Mistaken Point 🤩
Reposted by Sean McMahon
We are pleased to share this letter written by one of our members, Professor Leo McCann 👏https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/sep/16/how-ai-is-undermining-learning-and-teaching-in-universities
How AI is undermining learning and teaching in universities | Letter
Letter: Prof Leo McCann and Prof Simon Sweeney say student misuse of generative artificial intelligence is widespread and we must be sceptical of its usefulness
www.theguardian.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:57 PM
We are pleased to share this letter written by one of our members, Professor Leo McCann 👏https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/sep/16/how-ai-is-undermining-learning-and-teaching-in-universities
Reposted by Sean McMahon
We are pleased to publish our Position on the Unsustainability of UK University Funding Models. Visit our website to read it in full:
The Unsustainability of University Funding Models | CDBU
cdbu.org.uk
September 22, 2025 at 8:06 PM
We are pleased to publish our Position on the Unsustainability of UK University Funding Models. Visit our website to read it in full:
Reposted by Sean McMahon
If this plan is implemented, it will cripple British universities and health care, and tear apart families.
All 'skilled' immigrants will require £60k salary & cannot use NHS. Permanent residence will be scrapped entirely. Citizenship made insanely hard.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
All 'skilled' immigrants will require £60k salary & cannot use NHS. Permanent residence will be scrapped entirely. Citizenship made insanely hard.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage vows to scrap indefinite leave to remain, placing thousands at risk of deportation
Reform UK plans to force non-citizens to apply for visas with high salary thresholds and no access to NHS services
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:42 AM
If this plan is implemented, it will cripple British universities and health care, and tear apart families.
All 'skilled' immigrants will require £60k salary & cannot use NHS. Permanent residence will be scrapped entirely. Citizenship made insanely hard.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
All 'skilled' immigrants will require £60k salary & cannot use NHS. Permanent residence will be scrapped entirely. Citizenship made insanely hard.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Sean McMahon
New Paper by Parry et al., reinterpreting the oldest diverse #jellyfish fauna as sessile polypoid dinomischids 🪼
These findings significantly expand the temporal and geographical range of dinomischids, elucidating their morphological and taphonomic variation.
buff.ly/ERV7P3C
#PaleoSky #Fossils
These findings significantly expand the temporal and geographical range of dinomischids, elucidating their morphological and taphonomic variation.
buff.ly/ERV7P3C
#PaleoSky #Fossils
Browse all journals
Browse all journals
doi.org
September 18, 2025 at 9:47 AM
New Paper by Parry et al., reinterpreting the oldest diverse #jellyfish fauna as sessile polypoid dinomischids 🪼
These findings significantly expand the temporal and geographical range of dinomischids, elucidating their morphological and taphonomic variation.
buff.ly/ERV7P3C
#PaleoSky #Fossils
These findings significantly expand the temporal and geographical range of dinomischids, elucidating their morphological and taphonomic variation.
buff.ly/ERV7P3C
#PaleoSky #Fossils
For those in UK #academia, please give @cdbu.bsky.social a follow and think about joining us. CDBU's work to influence UK university policy and governance on behalf of academic values is very much needed in the present polycrisis. For some reason we never got much attention on Twitter... cdbu.org.uk
Council for the Defence of British Universities | CDBU
The Council for the Defence of British Universities is proud to fund research into many aspects of higher education in the UK, including governance, policy, ...
cdbu.org.uk
September 16, 2025 at 9:44 PM
For those in UK #academia, please give @cdbu.bsky.social a follow and think about joining us. CDBU's work to influence UK university policy and governance on behalf of academic values is very much needed in the present polycrisis. For some reason we never got much attention on Twitter... cdbu.org.uk
New paper led by my PhD student, Edwin Rodriguez! Building on previous work, we present a systematic description of the ONE BILLION YEAR OLD fossils of the phosphates of the Diabaig Formation, NW Scotland — including some early eukaryotes and new species... #paleontology #fossils #geology
September 16, 2025 at 9:27 AM
New paper led by my PhD student, Edwin Rodriguez! Building on previous work, we present a systematic description of the ONE BILLION YEAR OLD fossils of the phosphates of the Diabaig Formation, NW Scotland — including some early eukaryotes and new species... #paleontology #fossils #geology