Virginia Schutte
@vgwschutte.bsky.social
Independent (freelance) #SciComm practitioner: storyteller, consultant, trainer. Specialties: social media, communications strategy, building community. Background: (marine) ecology PhD. Open to work. VirginiaSchutte.com
Pinned
Virginia Schutte
@vgwschutte.bsky.social
· Feb 24
a man in a white shirt and black shorts is standing in front of a brick house .
Alt: Napoleon Dynamite from the movie of that name: a man in a white shirt and black shorts standing in front of a brick house awkwardly waving beyond the camera and saying "HEY" without smiling
media.tenor.com
3K followers introduction! 🧵
I'm an independent science communicator; I'm a co-founder, creator, trainer, and strategist. I'm a freelancer fortunate enough to make things I like with people I like : )
(there's a lot of evil laughter in this thread, I just realized as I was about to post 😇)
I'm an independent science communicator; I'm a co-founder, creator, trainer, and strategist. I'm a freelancer fortunate enough to make things I like with people I like : )
(there's a lot of evil laughter in this thread, I just realized as I was about to post 😇)
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I was avoiding the bus kidnap story because I assumed it was about The Troubles, but it is not and you should read the Bus Kidnap Story.
I just woke up from a nap and somehow while I was asleep, everyone on the bus has figured out we are not going to the right place
January 20, 2026 at 11:49 AM
I was avoiding the bus kidnap story because I assumed it was about The Troubles, but it is not and you should read the Bus Kidnap Story.
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I'm a good mom with a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and 15 years of experience researching human pathogens. I'm objectively more of an expert than RFK Jr. on almost every topic he's spreading harmful disinfo about.
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
HHS Secretary RFK Jr: "This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that"
January 18, 2026 at 2:29 PM
I'm a good mom with a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and 15 years of experience researching human pathogens. I'm objectively more of an expert than RFK Jr. on almost every topic he's spreading harmful disinfo about.
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I am a mom with a PhD in cognitive neuroscience, and now I work in health care technical assessment — which means my job is to read the scientific literature about medical devices or treatments and write reports. Vaccines are safe and effective!
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
HHS Secretary RFK Jr: "This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that"
January 17, 2026 at 7:32 PM
I am a mom with a PhD in cognitive neuroscience, and now I work in health care technical assessment — which means my job is to read the scientific literature about medical devices or treatments and write reports. Vaccines are safe and effective!
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I have loved reading this thread, and the Quote Posts it inspired. I’d just encourage other people to read them, too.
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
HHS Secretary RFK Jr: "This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that"
January 17, 2026 at 6:53 PM
I have loved reading this thread, and the Quote Posts it inspired. I’d just encourage other people to read them, too.
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I am a good mother of two adult children with a PhD in physical oceanography. Studied global carbon cycling & phys/bio interactions using remote sensing tech. Decades later I'm still wrangling data but to support our state's childcare system. Always trust childcare experts because I am not!
January 17, 2026 at 4:26 PM
I am a good mother of two adult children with a PhD in physical oceanography. Studied global carbon cycling & phys/bio interactions using remote sensing tech. Decades later I'm still wrangling data but to support our state's childcare system. Always trust childcare experts because I am not!
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I am the good mother my kids deserve. I also have a PhD in Pharmacology and have spent my career working on military brain health issues. A significant task was noting differences between junior troops vs NCOs vs officers on behavioral health outcomes and doing the research to understand more. 🧪
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
HHS Secretary RFK Jr: "This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that"
January 17, 2026 at 6:59 AM
I am the good mother my kids deserve. I also have a PhD in Pharmacology and have spent my career working on military brain health issues. A significant task was noting differences between junior troops vs NCOs vs officers on behavioral health outcomes and doing the research to understand more. 🧪
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I'm a mom with a PhD in infectious disease epidemiology, and I absolutely trust my kids' pediatrician to keep us UTD
Also, our research shows most parents and adolescents trust their pediatricians
Also, our research shows most parents and adolescents trust their pediatricians
January 16, 2026 at 6:09 PM
I'm a mom with a PhD in infectious disease epidemiology, and I absolutely trust my kids' pediatrician to keep us UTD
Also, our research shows most parents and adolescents trust their pediatricians
Also, our research shows most parents and adolescents trust their pediatricians
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I have an MS in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan (focus on microbiology). My children are fully vaccinated, happy, healthy, 30 somethings.
#RFKJr is NOT an expert 🧠🪱
I have an MS in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan (focus on microbiology). My children are fully vaccinated, happy, healthy, 30 somethings.
#RFKJr is NOT an expert 🧠🪱
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
HHS Secretary RFK Jr: "This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that"
January 16, 2026 at 8:19 PM
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I have an MS in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan (focus on microbiology). My children are fully vaccinated, happy, healthy, 30 somethings.
#RFKJr is NOT an expert 🧠🪱
I have an MS in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan (focus on microbiology). My children are fully vaccinated, happy, healthy, 30 somethings.
#RFKJr is NOT an expert 🧠🪱
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I have a PhD in Microbiology. I work on understanding fungal and protist pathogens, their function, how the environment they live in shapes them especially under stress.
Also I like to communicate science and train the nex gen of experts. 🧪🧫
Also I like to communicate science and train the nex gen of experts. 🧪🧫
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
HHS Secretary RFK Jr: "This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that"
January 16, 2026 at 6:25 PM
I have a PhD in Microbiology. I work on understanding fungal and protist pathogens, their function, how the environment they live in shapes them especially under stress.
Also I like to communicate science and train the nex gen of experts. 🧪🧫
Also I like to communicate science and train the nex gen of experts. 🧪🧫
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I’m a mom with a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in language and literacy. I study adolescent reading, writing and the teaching of writing, and censorship and its impacts. I know a lot about teaching and learning and schools and reading and writing.
January 16, 2026 at 6:14 PM
I’m a mom with a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in language and literacy. I study adolescent reading, writing and the teaching of writing, and censorship and its impacts. I know a lot about teaching and learning and schools and reading and writing.
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I’m a mom with a PhD in biopsychology who studies neural development. I am the expert.
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
HHS Secretary RFK Jr: "This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that"
January 16, 2026 at 5:44 PM
I’m a mom with a PhD in biopsychology who studies neural development. I am the expert.
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
RFK jr. says a "good mother" doesn't trust the experts.
Many of those good mothers are experts.
Many of those good mothers are experts.
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
HHS Secretary RFK Jr: "This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that"
January 16, 2026 at 4:50 PM
RFK jr. says a "good mother" doesn't trust the experts.
Many of those good mothers are experts.
Many of those good mothers are experts.
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I have a PhD in atmospheric science. I'm an expert in the science of severe storms and in teaching and learning in the sciences. I've won awards for my teaching, research, and service contributions. My kids think I'm pretty great and know a thing or two about the weather!
January 16, 2026 at 2:13 PM
I have a PhD in atmospheric science. I'm an expert in the science of severe storms and in teaching and learning in the sciences. I've won awards for my teaching, research, and service contributions. My kids think I'm pretty great and know a thing or two about the weather!
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I’m a mom of two with a PhD in ecology. More specifically, I’m an ornithologist who works on delivering high quality data to inform conservation and management of North America’s birds. And I trust my kids’ pediatricians!
January 16, 2026 at 2:11 PM
I’m a mom of two with a PhD in ecology. More specifically, I’m an ornithologist who works on delivering high quality data to inform conservation and management of North America’s birds. And I trust my kids’ pediatricians!
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I am a good mother - even my kid says so. I have a Ph.D. in applied climatology, an award-winning career in federal service as a meteorologist and climatologist, and a book published six months ago that connects weather, climate, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. 🧪
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
HHS Secretary RFK Jr: "This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that"
January 16, 2026 at 2:04 PM
I am a good mother - even my kid says so. I have a Ph.D. in applied climatology, an award-winning career in federal service as a meteorologist and climatologist, and a book published six months ago that connects weather, climate, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. 🧪
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I am a mom with a PhD in chemical physics. I worked in satellite meteorology, numerical weather prediction, weather and climate risk data analysis.
January 16, 2026 at 2:03 PM
I am a mom with a PhD in chemical physics. I worked in satellite meteorology, numerical weather prediction, weather and climate risk data analysis.
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
HHS Secretary RFK Jr: "This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that"
January 16, 2026 at 1:55 PM
How many good mothers on Bluesky ARE the expert??
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
I’ll start: I have a PhD in ecology. I’m a science communicator: an award-winning creator, strategist, and impact producer. I make stuff for the internet that brings people together 🧪
Your turn! GO OFF, GOOD MOMS OF BLUESKY
Happy to vouch for the excellence of this opportunity- 10 days left to apply!
Seeking scientist volunteers for the 2026 spring semester! Want to practice science communication and help author a 🌟comic🌟 about your research? Apply by 1/25. Please share widely. bit.ly/comicscollabspring2026
January 15, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Happy to vouch for the excellence of this opportunity- 10 days left to apply!
YES- coordinated grift!
- food pyramid: not as simple as “meat & dairy win”. It contradicts itself -> influencers can claim any interpretation and promote any product
- Tylenol: message wasn’t “nope”, it was “use this other drug”. Dr. Oz has financial ties to a company that makes that other drug
- food pyramid: not as simple as “meat & dairy win”. It contradicts itself -> influencers can claim any interpretation and promote any product
- Tylenol: message wasn’t “nope”, it was “use this other drug”. Dr. Oz has financial ties to a company that makes that other drug
There’s a big story everyone is missing—but this article hits on it.
We aren’t just seeing public health dismantled bc we’ve been taken over by conspiracy theorists and lunatics.
What we’re really seeing is the giant, predatory, underegulated wellness industry come to Washington.
We aren’t just seeing public health dismantled bc we’ve been taken over by conspiracy theorists and lunatics.
What we’re really seeing is the giant, predatory, underegulated wellness industry come to Washington.
FDA deletes warning on bogus autism therapies touted by RFK Jr.‘s allies
The agency used to warn of chelation, used by RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine ally David Geier.
arstechnica.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:21 PM
YES- coordinated grift!
- food pyramid: not as simple as “meat & dairy win”. It contradicts itself -> influencers can claim any interpretation and promote any product
- Tylenol: message wasn’t “nope”, it was “use this other drug”. Dr. Oz has financial ties to a company that makes that other drug
- food pyramid: not as simple as “meat & dairy win”. It contradicts itself -> influencers can claim any interpretation and promote any product
- Tylenol: message wasn’t “nope”, it was “use this other drug”. Dr. Oz has financial ties to a company that makes that other drug
BLAH. The risk will be broader
Some may try to write a paper based on images, but others might seek or spend resources looking for something fake
And, importantly: enough of these will make scientists protect their resources by restricting interactions w non-specialists, with ripple effects
Some may try to write a paper based on images, but others might seek or spend resources looking for something fake
And, importantly: enough of these will make scientists protect their resources by restricting interactions w non-specialists, with ripple effects
A thought from @drandrewthaler.bsky.social that's going to fester:
How long until we start to see range extension papers- "This species is thought to live over there, but we saw it over here and therefore it needs protection here"- based on fake images?
www.southernfriedscience.com/thats-not-a-...
How long until we start to see range extension papers- "This species is thought to live over there, but we saw it over here and therefore it needs protection here"- based on fake images?
www.southernfriedscience.com/thats-not-a-...
That’s not a blobfish: Deep Sea Social Media is Flooded by AI Slop
Well, it finally happened. Over the last two week, my usually well-curated feeds of videos from the deep sea have been overrun with AI slop masquerading as authentic images of strange and delightfu…
www.southernfriedscience.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:43 PM
BLAH. The risk will be broader
Some may try to write a paper based on images, but others might seek or spend resources looking for something fake
And, importantly: enough of these will make scientists protect their resources by restricting interactions w non-specialists, with ripple effects
Some may try to write a paper based on images, but others might seek or spend resources looking for something fake
And, importantly: enough of these will make scientists protect their resources by restricting interactions w non-specialists, with ripple effects
People way underuse email scheduling
Was I up at 4am because I suck at sleeping? Nope! I was working hard at a respectable person time because I am a respectable person
Am I constantly updating complex contact tracking spreadsheets outside of my email client? Nope! I'm just boomeranging my emails
Was I up at 4am because I suck at sleeping? Nope! I was working hard at a respectable person time because I am a respectable person
Am I constantly updating complex contact tracking spreadsheets outside of my email client? Nope! I'm just boomeranging my emails
January 12, 2026 at 7:45 PM
People way underuse email scheduling
Was I up at 4am because I suck at sleeping? Nope! I was working hard at a respectable person time because I am a respectable person
Am I constantly updating complex contact tracking spreadsheets outside of my email client? Nope! I'm just boomeranging my emails
Was I up at 4am because I suck at sleeping? Nope! I was working hard at a respectable person time because I am a respectable person
Am I constantly updating complex contact tracking spreadsheets outside of my email client? Nope! I'm just boomeranging my emails
Well written, with resources to help with every suggestion
"I'm not in Minnesota -- what can I do to help?"
A list of ideas!
A list of ideas!
January 12, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Well written, with resources to help with every suggestion
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
In Japanese, it’s called “Mimi-ika” which means a squid with ear like fins 🦑
Those Mickey like fins are its most charming feature!
Those Mickey like fins are its most charming feature!
January 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM
In Japanese, it’s called “Mimi-ika” which means a squid with ear like fins 🦑
Those Mickey like fins are its most charming feature!
Those Mickey like fins are its most charming feature!
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
I am trying Mr. Box.
April 28, 2024 at 5:56 PM
I am trying Mr. Box.
Reposted by Virginia Schutte
Idea: do more good things and fewer bad things
January 12, 2026 at 2:11 AM
Idea: do more good things and fewer bad things