🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
@alexsmithants.bsky.social
Assoc. Prof of #Biology at UofG, Guelph, ON, Canada. Inspired by the #Biodiversity in ACG, Costa Rica. #Ecology, #Evolution, #Entomology
Opinions my own & oh so rarely overlap with my employer.
he/him
www.malexsmith.com
www.youtube.com/@Alex_Smith_Ants
Opinions my own & oh so rarely overlap with my employer.
he/him
www.malexsmith.com
www.youtube.com/@Alex_Smith_Ants
Pinned
🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
@alexsmithants.bsky.social
· Nov 25
U of G announces new 1,500-bed student housing project
Two-tower building with up to 10 storeys expected to be ready in four or five years
www.guelphtoday.com
The @uofguelph.bsky.social is planning a massive housing project to be built on natural land rather than more appropriate spaces for needed expansion
Where are environmental impact statements?
Where is the community engagement?
@richrdreporting.bsky.social
www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/u...
Where are environmental impact statements?
Where is the community engagement?
@richrdreporting.bsky.social
www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/u...
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
This past Monday and Tuesday (Nov 3rd - 4th), I had the pleasure of participating in the 2025 Latornell Conservation Symposium. I presented a summary of my Ph.D. research and moderated two great sessions. #latornell #latornell2025 #ontario #conservation
@uofguelph.bsky.social
@uofguelph.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 7:07 PM
This past Monday and Tuesday (Nov 3rd - 4th), I had the pleasure of participating in the 2025 Latornell Conservation Symposium. I presented a summary of my Ph.D. research and moderated two great sessions. #latornell #latornell2025 #ontario #conservation
@uofguelph.bsky.social
@uofguelph.bsky.social
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
As I see more and more people being let go here at the university, and their work being shoved into other peoples' portfolios to shrivel up and waste away, I think I'd like us to consider maybe ditching software licences and subscriptions instead.
November 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
As I see more and more people being let go here at the university, and their work being shoved into other peoples' portfolios to shrivel up and waste away, I think I'd like us to consider maybe ditching software licences and subscriptions instead.
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
Again, whatever happens, sports at this level is about living in the moment and feeling the emotions, which you do not get to choose
November 2, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Again, whatever happens, sports at this level is about living in the moment and feeling the emotions, which you do not get to choose
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
Success. Nearly 259 Foldscope deployed in hands of unsuspecting candy crazy kids. Halloween is always more colorful with the microscopes - specially in a few weeks they could look at the micro-fauna of the teeth with so much sugar consumption.
November 1, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Success. Nearly 259 Foldscope deployed in hands of unsuspecting candy crazy kids. Halloween is always more colorful with the microscopes - specially in a few weeks they could look at the micro-fauna of the teeth with so much sugar consumption.
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
The last time Canada won the World Series was 1993.
The last time Canada won the Stanley Cup was 1993.
Jays win tonight. Habs in June.
Here we go.
The last time Canada won the Stanley Cup was 1993.
Jays win tonight. Habs in June.
Here we go.
November 1, 2025 at 12:02 AM
The last time Canada won the World Series was 1993.
The last time Canada won the Stanley Cup was 1993.
Jays win tonight. Habs in June.
Here we go.
The last time Canada won the Stanley Cup was 1993.
Jays win tonight. Habs in June.
Here we go.
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
How can I be expected to labour today under these conditions? #JaysInSix #WantItAll
ONE. WIN. AWAY.
The Blue Jays take Game 5 in L.A. and head back to Toronto with the chance to claim their first World Series title since 1993.
The Blue Jays take Game 5 in L.A. and head back to Toronto with the chance to claim their first World Series title since 1993.
October 31, 2025 at 1:51 PM
How can I be expected to labour today under these conditions? #JaysInSix #WantItAll
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
If you are a Canadian scientist 🧪 alarmed by the unfair targeting of academics working on research related to EDI in the US ➡️
Turn your attention to our own House of Commons' Standing Committee on Science and Research and consider signing this open letter:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Turn your attention to our own House of Commons' Standing Committee on Science and Research and consider signing this open letter:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Open Letter to Protect Tri-Council EDI Data
Why do we need urgent action to protect our data?
The mandate of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research is to review and report on topics relating to science and research in ...
docs.google.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:41 PM
If you are a Canadian scientist 🧪 alarmed by the unfair targeting of academics working on research related to EDI in the US ➡️
Turn your attention to our own House of Commons' Standing Committee on Science and Research and consider signing this open letter:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Turn your attention to our own House of Commons' Standing Committee on Science and Research and consider signing this open letter:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
I encourage you to contact your MP, the Minister of Health, and your institution. This has already been bulldozed through with a 15 day requirement to meet the request. Watching politicians vandalize scientific institutions is distressing enough next door, let's not start here.
October 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
I encourage you to contact your MP, the Minister of Health, and your institution. This has already been bulldozed through with a 15 day requirement to meet the request. Watching politicians vandalize scientific institutions is distressing enough next door, let's not start here.
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
This will destroy trust and the ability to conduct honest, rigorous review. The request arises "as part of the study on the impact of federal funding allocation criteria on research excellence." Make of that what you will. www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentView...
Minutes - SRSR (45-1) - No. 6 - House of Commons of Canada
Minutes - SRSR (45-1) - No. 6 - House of Commons of Canada
www.ourcommons.ca
October 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
This will destroy trust and the ability to conduct honest, rigorous review. The request arises "as part of the study on the impact of federal funding allocation criteria on research excellence." Make of that what you will. www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentView...
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
Confidential data in your app? Too bad. Disclose a non-visibile disability? It's public now.
October 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Confidential data in your app? Too bad. Disclose a non-visibile disability? It's public now.
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
This includes grants and fellowships. Student's personal statements, letters of support. Everything. Do we have no protections for student privacy in this country?
October 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
This includes grants and fellowships. Student's personal statements, letters of support. Everything. Do we have no protections for student privacy in this country?
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
These data will become part of the parliamentary record, a massive breach of privacy and confidentiality. Applicants of course waive some confidentialiy rights as condition of applying for and receiving funding. But confidentiality in peer review is sacrosanct.
October 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
These data will become part of the parliamentary record, a massive breach of privacy and confidentiality. Applicants of course waive some confidentialiy rights as condition of applying for and receiving funding. But confidentiality in peer review is sacrosanct.
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
Canadian researchers should be aware the there is a motion before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Research to force Tricouncils to hand over disaggregated peer review data on all applications:
Applicant names, profiles, demographics
Reviewers names, profiles, comments, and scores
Applicant names, profiles, demographics
Reviewers names, profiles, comments, and scores
October 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Canadian researchers should be aware the there is a motion before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Research to force Tricouncils to hand over disaggregated peer review data on all applications:
Applicant names, profiles, demographics
Reviewers names, profiles, comments, and scores
Applicant names, profiles, demographics
Reviewers names, profiles, comments, and scores
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
Here's a recording of my 10-minute presentation about addressing shared indoor air as an accessibility barrier in our learning environments.
Feel free to share!
youtu.be/HD0wVoN7Pr8
Feel free to share!
youtu.be/HD0wVoN7Pr8
October 31, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Here's a recording of my 10-minute presentation about addressing shared indoor air as an accessibility barrier in our learning environments.
Feel free to share!
youtu.be/HD0wVoN7Pr8
Feel free to share!
youtu.be/HD0wVoN7Pr8
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
October 31, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
It's time to get your free flu and covid shots Ontario!
Many locally owned pharmacies in Guelph are providing the shots, like Walsh's West End Pharmacy.
Check the list to find a pharmacy near you, www.ontario.ca/vaccine-loca...
Many locally owned pharmacies in Guelph are providing the shots, like Walsh's West End Pharmacy.
Check the list to find a pharmacy near you, www.ontario.ca/vaccine-loca...
October 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
It's time to get your free flu and covid shots Ontario!
Many locally owned pharmacies in Guelph are providing the shots, like Walsh's West End Pharmacy.
Check the list to find a pharmacy near you, www.ontario.ca/vaccine-loca...
Many locally owned pharmacies in Guelph are providing the shots, like Walsh's West End Pharmacy.
Check the list to find a pharmacy near you, www.ontario.ca/vaccine-loca...
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
Making a special digital-equity-based petition to the publishing board of a journal on Equity and Society is next-level frustrating
#HigherEd 🧪
#HigherEd 🧪
October 29, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Making a special digital-equity-based petition to the publishing board of a journal on Equity and Society is next-level frustrating
#HigherEd 🧪
#HigherEd 🧪
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
Brittle star swimming! Love this movement.
October 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Brittle star swimming! Love this movement.
I love this sound!
Can you spot the group(s) of ~100 Sandhill Cranes that flew high over head this weekend ?
Can you spot the group(s) of ~100 Sandhill Cranes that flew high over head this weekend ?
October 27, 2025 at 10:50 PM
I love this sound!
Can you spot the group(s) of ~100 Sandhill Cranes that flew high over head this weekend ?
Can you spot the group(s) of ~100 Sandhill Cranes that flew high over head this weekend ?
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
Calling all Marthas, Handmaids & Guardians (and everyday fans)!! Start your self-guided stroll through #Cbridge’s Handmaid’s Tale filming locations and exhibits.
On until Nov. 6
Pick up a map at City Hall or view online: cambridge.ca/Handmaids
#CbridgeOnScreen #GileadExperience #UnderHisEye
On until Nov. 6
Pick up a map at City Hall or view online: cambridge.ca/Handmaids
#CbridgeOnScreen #GileadExperience #UnderHisEye
October 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Calling all Marthas, Handmaids & Guardians (and everyday fans)!! Start your self-guided stroll through #Cbridge’s Handmaid’s Tale filming locations and exhibits.
On until Nov. 6
Pick up a map at City Hall or view online: cambridge.ca/Handmaids
#CbridgeOnScreen #GileadExperience #UnderHisEye
On until Nov. 6
Pick up a map at City Hall or view online: cambridge.ca/Handmaids
#CbridgeOnScreen #GileadExperience #UnderHisEye
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
A meeting doesn’t just occupy time, it takes it away. How can we grow more consciousness of the value of other people’s time?
The 76 hour long meeting
Time spent in a meeting = (Duration of a meeting) (Number of attendees)
scienceforeveryone.science
October 22, 2025 at 2:18 PM
A meeting doesn’t just occupy time, it takes it away. How can we grow more consciousness of the value of other people’s time?
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
So proud of Dr. Aaron Goodman! #dragonflies
New research in #RESSystematicEnt
Systematic and taxonomic revision of emerald and tigertail #dragonflies (#Anisoptera: #Synthemistidae and #Corduliidae)
doi.org/10.1111/syen.70000
#Phylogenetics #Biogeography #Taxonomy #Libelluloidea
@gkergoat.bsky.social @wiley.com
Systematic and taxonomic revision of emerald and tigertail #dragonflies (#Anisoptera: #Synthemistidae and #Corduliidae)
doi.org/10.1111/syen.70000
#Phylogenetics #Biogeography #Taxonomy #Libelluloidea
@gkergoat.bsky.social @wiley.com
October 19, 2025 at 12:51 PM
So proud of Dr. Aaron Goodman! #dragonflies
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
Read the first half of this story and you’d think everything is just fantastic in Canadian science. 🧪
But when you (hopefully) read on through to the second half… (1/2)
🔗 www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
But when you (hopefully) read on through to the second half… (1/2)
🔗 www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
October 19, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Read the first half of this story and you’d think everything is just fantastic in Canadian science. 🧪
But when you (hopefully) read on through to the second half… (1/2)
🔗 www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
But when you (hopefully) read on through to the second half… (1/2)
🔗 www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
Reposted by 🍁 Alex Smith 🍁
