Sheril Kirshenbaum
@sheril.bsky.social
Political scientist. Author. Host of PBS Serving Up Science. www.sherilkirshenbaum.com
Surrounded by Waymos.
January 3, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Surrounded by Waymos.
“You're an interesting species, an interesting mix. You're capable of such beautiful dreams & such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you're not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we found that makes the emptiness bearable, each other.”
- Carl Sagan, Contact
- Carl Sagan, Contact
December 31, 2025 at 6:47 PM
“You're an interesting species, an interesting mix. You're capable of such beautiful dreams & such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you're not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we found that makes the emptiness bearable, each other.”
- Carl Sagan, Contact
- Carl Sagan, Contact
May we find peace, health, and change in 2026 ✨
December 30, 2025 at 9:06 PM
May we find peace, health, and change in 2026 ✨
Reposted by Sheril Kirshenbaum
There are some magic little lands out there in the world.
December 24, 2025 at 12:02 AM
There are some magic little lands out there in the world.
It didn’t have to be this way.
December 14, 2025 at 3:03 AM
It didn’t have to be this way.
Reposted by Sheril Kirshenbaum
Scientific information does not flow into policy the way most scientists think. Twenty years after her jarring first day as a fisheries-biologist-turned-Senate-staffer, @sheril.bsky.social lays out what every scientist hoping to influence policy on the Hill needs to know: issues.org/information-...
May 12, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Scientific information does not flow into policy the way most scientists think. Twenty years after her jarring first day as a fisheries-biologist-turned-Senate-staffer, @sheril.bsky.social lays out what every scientist hoping to influence policy on the Hill needs to know: issues.org/information-...
“There’s no wrong age to be powerful, compelling, or taken seriously, there’s only a wrong lens.”
Art by Erika Sjule
Art by Erika Sjule
November 25, 2025 at 3:05 PM
“There’s no wrong age to be powerful, compelling, or taken seriously, there’s only a wrong lens.”
Art by Erika Sjule
Art by Erika Sjule
Evolution doesn’t look how it’s depicted in pop culture. We often picture the famous “March of Progress” illustration where a series of apes stand in line leading to a modern human.
But evolution is not linear. It branches and divides and recombines.
Image: @tmkeesey.bsky.social
But evolution is not linear. It branches and divides and recombines.
Image: @tmkeesey.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Evolution doesn’t look how it’s depicted in pop culture. We often picture the famous “March of Progress” illustration where a series of apes stand in line leading to a modern human.
But evolution is not linear. It branches and divides and recombines.
Image: @tmkeesey.bsky.social
But evolution is not linear. It branches and divides and recombines.
Image: @tmkeesey.bsky.social
If it were up to me, we’d have better food distribution & more public libraries.
November 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
If it were up to me, we’d have better food distribution & more public libraries.
The government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
Shutdown Before the Fall?
Why this routine "crisis" should serve as a warning.
sheril.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
🔴 Funding opportunity! 🔴
science-foundation.org/what-ifs-2025/
What if… you had 10K in a gift fund at your institution for curiosity-driven #science?
Apply to “What Ifs…?” @sciencefoundation.bsky.social
Applications open 11/10, close 12/1
science-foundation.org/what-ifs-2025/
What if… you had 10K in a gift fund at your institution for curiosity-driven #science?
Apply to “What Ifs…?” @sciencefoundation.bsky.social
Applications open 11/10, close 12/1
What Ifs 2025 – Public Science, Public Good
science-foundation.org
November 3, 2025 at 9:58 PM
🔴 Funding opportunity! 🔴
science-foundation.org/what-ifs-2025/
What if… you had 10K in a gift fund at your institution for curiosity-driven #science?
Apply to “What Ifs…?” @sciencefoundation.bsky.social
Applications open 11/10, close 12/1
science-foundation.org/what-ifs-2025/
What if… you had 10K in a gift fund at your institution for curiosity-driven #science?
Apply to “What Ifs…?” @sciencefoundation.bsky.social
Applications open 11/10, close 12/1
Of all the Serving Up Science episodes, this is my favorite. wkar.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/can...
It’s also our least popular & least viewed. But for 7 mins, I got to talk about how amazing & essential soil really is @pbs.org. And that’s a win! 👩🏻🌾🪴
It’s also our least popular & least viewed. But for 7 mins, I got to talk about how amazing & essential soil really is @pbs.org. And that’s a win! 👩🏻🌾🪴
Can Soil Make or Break Our Food Future? | Serving Up Science | PBS LearningMedia
Unearth the world beneath our feet and soil's vital role in our food system, as host Sheril digs into the dirt on dirt. Discover the rich tapestry of soil types, the microorganisms that enable its vit...
wkar.pbslearningmedia.org
November 3, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Of all the Serving Up Science episodes, this is my favorite. wkar.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/can...
It’s also our least popular & least viewed. But for 7 mins, I got to talk about how amazing & essential soil really is @pbs.org. And that’s a win! 👩🏻🌾🪴
It’s also our least popular & least viewed. But for 7 mins, I got to talk about how amazing & essential soil really is @pbs.org. And that’s a win! 👩🏻🌾🪴
Delighted to be at @nationalacademies.org exploring the future of the U.S. research enterprise during this period of transition.
3 takeaways:
• Forge partnerships that blend public purpose & research w private innovation.
• Rebuild trust across sectors.
• Tell the story of science & innovation.
3 takeaways:
• Forge partnerships that blend public purpose & research w private innovation.
• Rebuild trust across sectors.
• Tell the story of science & innovation.
October 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Delighted to be at @nationalacademies.org exploring the future of the U.S. research enterprise during this period of transition.
3 takeaways:
• Forge partnerships that blend public purpose & research w private innovation.
• Rebuild trust across sectors.
• Tell the story of science & innovation.
3 takeaways:
• Forge partnerships that blend public purpose & research w private innovation.
• Rebuild trust across sectors.
• Tell the story of science & innovation.
My thoughts are with the people in Hurricane Melissa’s path.
Climate change makes the ocean warmer, fueling stronger, more intense storms.
It’s not about politics. I hope we can come together to help the communities impacted by this extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane.
Climate change makes the ocean warmer, fueling stronger, more intense storms.
It’s not about politics. I hope we can come together to help the communities impacted by this extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane.
October 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
My thoughts are with the people in Hurricane Melissa’s path.
Climate change makes the ocean warmer, fueling stronger, more intense storms.
It’s not about politics. I hope we can come together to help the communities impacted by this extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane.
Climate change makes the ocean warmer, fueling stronger, more intense storms.
It’s not about politics. I hope we can come together to help the communities impacted by this extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane.
Can We Rebuild Trust in Congress? sheril.substack.com/p/can-we-reb...
Can We Rebuild Trust in Congress?
How Congressional Dysfunction Paved the Road to Political Violence
sheril.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Can We Rebuild Trust in Congress? sheril.substack.com/p/can-we-reb...
As the #shutdown drags on & political violence ⬆️, the question isn’t whether we can return to some imagined golden age of bipartisanship.
It’s whether we can rebuild the relationships that make democratic governance possible.
My new op-ed in @thehill.com: thehill.com/opinion/cong... #uspol
It’s whether we can rebuild the relationships that make democratic governance possible.
My new op-ed in @thehill.com: thehill.com/opinion/cong... #uspol
thehill.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
As the #shutdown drags on & political violence ⬆️, the question isn’t whether we can return to some imagined golden age of bipartisanship.
It’s whether we can rebuild the relationships that make democratic governance possible.
My new op-ed in @thehill.com: thehill.com/opinion/cong... #uspol
It’s whether we can rebuild the relationships that make democratic governance possible.
My new op-ed in @thehill.com: thehill.com/opinion/cong... #uspol
Jane Goodall, one of my greatest heroes, has passed away. How lucky we were to read her books and learn from her wisdom about our place on Earth. She was an inspiration to me and countless others. And her memory is a blessing.
October 1, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Jane Goodall, one of my greatest heroes, has passed away. How lucky we were to read her books and learn from her wisdom about our place on Earth. She was an inspiration to me and countless others. And her memory is a blessing.
The federal government has shut down. So why does the 21st disruption of federal funding since 1976 feel... normal?
We've spent decades dismantling the norms that made compromise possible in Congress.
This routine "crisis" should serve as a warning. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
We've spent decades dismantling the norms that made compromise possible in Congress.
This routine "crisis" should serve as a warning. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
Shutdown Before the Fall?
Why this routine "crisis" should serve as a warning.
sheril.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:58 PM
The federal government has shut down. So why does the 21st disruption of federal funding since 1976 feel... normal?
We've spent decades dismantling the norms that made compromise possible in Congress.
This routine "crisis" should serve as a warning. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
We've spent decades dismantling the norms that made compromise possible in Congress.
This routine "crisis" should serve as a warning. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
Ebola outbreak in DR Congo rages, w 61% death rate & lack of $
“In the past, USAID provided critical support to respond to such outbreaks. But, w funding cuts & a dismantling of the agency the US is notably absent.. it will be difficult to compensate for the loss.” arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
“In the past, USAID provided critical support to respond to such outbreaks. But, w funding cuts & a dismantling of the agency the US is notably absent.. it will be difficult to compensate for the loss.” arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
Ebola outbreak in DR Congo rages, with 61% death rate and funding running dry
Responders ask for $25 million to contain the disease. They have $2.2 million.
arstechnica.com
September 27, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Ebola outbreak in DR Congo rages, w 61% death rate & lack of $
“In the past, USAID provided critical support to respond to such outbreaks. But, w funding cuts & a dismantling of the agency the US is notably absent.. it will be difficult to compensate for the loss.” arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
“In the past, USAID provided critical support to respond to such outbreaks. But, w funding cuts & a dismantling of the agency the US is notably absent.. it will be difficult to compensate for the loss.” arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
Meet our new English budgie! Like his brother Kiwi, he has a few unusual quirks, but we think he’s perfect!
Now this little peanut needs a name… He arrived as “Moe” so that’s a possibility, but what would you name this sweet boy?
Now this little peanut needs a name… He arrived as “Moe” so that’s a possibility, but what would you name this sweet boy?
September 20, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Meet our new English budgie! Like his brother Kiwi, he has a few unusual quirks, but we think he’s perfect!
Now this little peanut needs a name… He arrived as “Moe” so that’s a possibility, but what would you name this sweet boy?
Now this little peanut needs a name… He arrived as “Moe” so that’s a possibility, but what would you name this sweet boy?
"Amid massive cuts to US scientific research, the Science Foundation will raise public funds for transdisciplinary, discovery-based research!" www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Congratulations Maren Friesen, Venkatesh Srinivas & @sciencefoundation.bsky.social! Donate at science-foundation.org/donate/
Congratulations Maren Friesen, Venkatesh Srinivas & @sciencefoundation.bsky.social! Donate at science-foundation.org/donate/
Will the public support basic science? A new non-profit aims to find out
The Science Foundation seeks donations to fund ten $10,000 ‘what if’ seed grants.
www.nature.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:24 PM
"Amid massive cuts to US scientific research, the Science Foundation will raise public funds for transdisciplinary, discovery-based research!" www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Congratulations Maren Friesen, Venkatesh Srinivas & @sciencefoundation.bsky.social! Donate at science-foundation.org/donate/
Congratulations Maren Friesen, Venkatesh Srinivas & @sciencefoundation.bsky.social! Donate at science-foundation.org/donate/
“One of the best-known anchors on Fox News has suggested killing people as a way to end the country’s homelessness crisis.” 👀
www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-hos...
www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-hos...
Fox News Host Offers Bloodthirsty Fix to Homeless Crisis
Brian Kilmeade has a truly outrageous proposal for addressing what he considers one of the root causes of violence in public places.
www.thedailybeast.com
September 14, 2025 at 2:46 PM
“One of the best-known anchors on Fox News has suggested killing people as a way to end the country’s homelessness crisis.” 👀
www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-hos...
www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-hos...
Good.
Details at: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Details at: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
August 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Good.
Details at: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Details at: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Pretty sure the vast majority of people don’t want to get sick regardless of their party affiliation. 🤔
August 27, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Pretty sure the vast majority of people don’t want to get sick regardless of their party affiliation. 🤔