Ashley A. Dineen
@aadineen.bsky.social
PhD, Sr. Museum Scientist of Invertebrate Paleontology at the University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP). Researching deep-time functional diversity dynamics. First-gen student. Enthusiastic baker.
The @paleosoc.bsky.social Collections Committee is gathering responses from anyone who works in a paleontological/geological collection in the US about the current state of funding. It can be submitted in as little as 5 minutes (but the more detail the better)! Link here: forms.gle/6C5E5GS4MZ58....
October 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The @paleosoc.bsky.social Collections Committee is gathering responses from anyone who works in a paleontological/geological collection in the US about the current state of funding. It can be submitted in as little as 5 minutes (but the more detail the better)! Link here: forms.gle/6C5E5GS4MZ58....
In a shocking turn of events, I recently found out that I was awarded my first NSF research grant as a PI!
And while I'm ecstatic, it is definitely a conflicting feeling to celebrate right now when so many others have seen their funding pulled for no reason at all.
And while I'm ecstatic, it is definitely a conflicting feeling to celebrate right now when so many others have seen their funding pulled for no reason at all.
July 8, 2025 at 5:56 PM
In a shocking turn of events, I recently found out that I was awarded my first NSF research grant as a PI!
And while I'm ecstatic, it is definitely a conflicting feeling to celebrate right now when so many others have seen their funding pulled for no reason at all.
And while I'm ecstatic, it is definitely a conflicting feeling to celebrate right now when so many others have seen their funding pulled for no reason at all.
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
🧪 The NSF grant terminations hit women, racial & ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities the hardest.
E.g.:
--Female PIs were 58% of canceled grants (but 34% of all active grants)
--Black PIs were 17% of canceled grants (but 4% as base rate)
A closer look shows this is structural... 🧵
E.g.:
--Female PIs were 58% of canceled grants (but 34% of all active grants)
--Black PIs were 17% of canceled grants (but 4% as base rate)
A closer look shows this is structural... 🧵
Trump officials take steps toward a radically different NSF
Efforts to shrink staff, budget, and focus have alarmed members of Congress
www.science.org
May 13, 2025 at 11:04 PM
🧪 The NSF grant terminations hit women, racial & ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities the hardest.
E.g.:
--Female PIs were 58% of canceled grants (but 34% of all active grants)
--Black PIs were 17% of canceled grants (but 4% as base rate)
A closer look shows this is structural... 🧵
E.g.:
--Female PIs were 58% of canceled grants (but 34% of all active grants)
--Black PIs were 17% of canceled grants (but 4% as base rate)
A closer look shows this is structural... 🧵
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
NSF’s entire Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EDU/EES), which “aims to provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to actively participate and excel in STEM disciplines” and some of it congressionally mandated, was just notified they will be RIFed. www.nsf.gov/edu/ees/about
About EES
The NSF Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES) aims to provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds, especially those historically underrepresented in science and engineering.
www.nsf.gov
May 9, 2025 at 3:14 PM
NSF’s entire Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EDU/EES), which “aims to provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to actively participate and excel in STEM disciplines” and some of it congressionally mandated, was just notified they will be RIFed. www.nsf.gov/edu/ees/about
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
“Save the US NSF” Take Action Toolkit www.savensf.com
Home | Savensf
www.savensf.com
May 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
“Save the US NSF” Take Action Toolkit www.savensf.com
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
It's the last day of classes! Congratulations to all those graduating and good luck on your exams. Go Bears! 🐻🐻🐻🦖🐻🐻🐻
May 2, 2025 at 10:34 PM
It's the last day of classes! Congratulations to all those graduating and good luck on your exams. Go Bears! 🐻🐻🐻🦖🐻🐻🐻
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
Apply for Senior Museum Scientist in Paleobotany at the UCMP. Learn more:
ucmp.berkeley.edu/2025/04/appl...
ucmp.berkeley.edu/2025/04/appl...
April 30, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Apply for Senior Museum Scientist in Paleobotany at the UCMP. Learn more:
ucmp.berkeley.edu/2025/04/appl...
ucmp.berkeley.edu/2025/04/appl...
NSF halts grant awards while staff do second review | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
NSF halts grant awards while staff do second review
Action comes after DOGE team arrives at science agency
www.science.org
April 17, 2025 at 5:14 PM
NSF halts grant awards while staff do second review | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
“It’s a wonderful time to be alive,” said the tri-lobed creature, its protruding feelers and antennules twitching spasmodically with anticipation. “To be born during this, the Cambrian Explosion—why, I couldn’t imagine a better period, really.”
Evolution Going Great, Reports Trilobite
Slowly inching his segmented exoskeleton across the sea floor, a local marine arthropod, class Trilobita, reported that Earth’s natural evolution was "progressing quite nicely."
theonion.com
April 2, 2025 at 4:04 AM
“It’s a wonderful time to be alive,” said the tri-lobed creature, its protruding feelers and antennules twitching spasmodically with anticipation. “To be born during this, the Cambrian Explosion—why, I couldn’t imagine a better period, really.”
On Wisconsin!
Breaking News: Susan Crawford, a liberal judge, won a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court seat despite $25 million in spending by Elon Musk on her opponent. nyti.ms/4jbwPWD
April 2, 2025 at 3:10 AM
On Wisconsin!
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
UC continues to stand in the way of meaningful negotiations to address the staffing crisis hurting patients, research, and students, opting instead for illegal divide-and-conquer tactics and unfair labor practices. Enough.
UC workers set for 1-day strike over contract
For the third time in about four months, University of California health care and other workers plan to walk off the job Tuesday.
www.nbcbayarea.com
April 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM
UC continues to stand in the way of meaningful negotiations to address the staffing crisis hurting patients, research, and students, opting instead for illegal divide-and-conquer tactics and unfair labor practices. Enough.
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
"UC leadership needs to ask itself if they want to side with the billionaires trying to dismantle public healthcare, research, and education, or the frontline workers who are fighting to protect our services and the people who depend on them."
University of California employee labor group authorizes third strike in last six months
ISLA VISTA, Calif. – On Friday, University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) -a union representing about 20,000 technical and research workers
keyt.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
"UC leadership needs to ask itself if they want to side with the billionaires trying to dismantle public healthcare, research, and education, or the frontline workers who are fighting to protect our services and the people who depend on them."
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
IMLS, the primary source of federal support for U.S. libraries and museums, is one of seven independent agencies that President Donald Trump wants to dismantle because he believes what they do is “unnecessary.” scim.ag/4iryNlY
Trump order could wipe out federal support for U.S. science museums
Institute of Museum and Library Services now run by Department of Labor as part of proposed dismantling
scim.ag
March 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM
IMLS, the primary source of federal support for U.S. libraries and museums, is one of seven independent agencies that President Donald Trump wants to dismantle because he believes what they do is “unnecessary.” scim.ag/4iryNlY
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
As the Trump administration threatens to pull federal funds from universities, including those for medical and scientific research, the University of California has announced a hiring freeze and additional cuts.
University of California orders hiring freeze, cuts in response to Trump threats
As the Trump administration threatens to pull federal funds from universities, including those for medical and scientific research, the University of California has announced a hiring freeze and additional cuts.
www.latimes.com
March 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
As the Trump administration threatens to pull federal funds from universities, including those for medical and scientific research, the University of California has announced a hiring freeze and additional cuts.
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
A recent Executive Order would gut the only federal agency dedicated to America’s museums. The Institute of Museum & Library Services makes up only 0.0046% of the federal budget. Take action now: www.congressweb.com/aam/95/
General Public: Urge Congress to Save IMLS
On March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing further cuts to the government agency that efficiently provides CRITICAL funding to museums and libraries in all 50 states.The Institut...
www.congressweb.com
March 18, 2025 at 9:46 PM
A recent Executive Order would gut the only federal agency dedicated to America’s museums. The Institute of Museum & Library Services makes up only 0.0046% of the federal budget. Take action now: www.congressweb.com/aam/95/
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
can't believe it's 2025 and i'm stressed about tariffs and measles, like am i a character in an american girl book
March 3, 2025 at 9:09 PM
can't believe it's 2025 and i'm stressed about tariffs and measles, like am i a character in an american girl book
Day 3 of our strike against UC's refusal to negotiate a fair contract #UPTE #UC #UCBerkeley #UnionStrong
February 28, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Day 3 of our strike against UC's refusal to negotiate a fair contract #UPTE #UC #UCBerkeley #UnionStrong
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
“UC has tremendous resources — $20 billion in reserves. They should be supporting research as we face federal attacks."
UC, your time is better spent protecting public healthcare, research & education—not undermining workers' rights & bargaining in bad faith.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/02/27/u...
UC, your time is better spent protecting public healthcare, research & education—not undermining workers' rights & bargaining in bad faith.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/02/27/u...
UC health and research workers in two unions stage statewide strike
University of California health, laboratory, mental health and IT workers are demanding better pay and more resources.
www.mercurynews.com
February 28, 2025 at 3:14 PM
“UC has tremendous resources — $20 billion in reserves. They should be supporting research as we face federal attacks."
UC, your time is better spent protecting public healthcare, research & education—not undermining workers' rights & bargaining in bad faith.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/02/27/u...
UC, your time is better spent protecting public healthcare, research & education—not undermining workers' rights & bargaining in bad faith.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/02/27/u...
Day 2 of our strike against UC's refusal to negotiate a fair contract #upte #UC #AFSCME #UCBerkeley #UnionStrong
February 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Day 2 of our strike against UC's refusal to negotiate a fair contract #upte #UC #AFSCME #UCBerkeley #UnionStrong
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
Absolutely massive march of strikers in Westwood at UCLA @afscme3299.bsky.social @uptecwa.bsky.social. Biggest protest I’ve seen in some years. Quite a show of solidarity!
February 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Absolutely massive march of strikers in Westwood at UCLA @afscme3299.bsky.social @uptecwa.bsky.social. Biggest protest I’ve seen in some years. Quite a show of solidarity!
February 26, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen
Utterly devastating....
Please let the GEO/EAR community know: Program Directors and Mission Support who’ve been at NSF under two years were just terminated via Zoom. Even those of us whose offer letter stated one probationary year and whose government data states “permanent”.
February 18, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Utterly devastating....