Prof Ben Britton
@bmatb.expmicromech.com
Dyslexic atomic sorcerer @ UBC, Vancouver 🍁 (he/him & 🏳️🌈). 🐕 dad.
Materials and Manufacturing Engineering (🔬⚛️), Clean Tech, Academic Governance (UBC Senate & Faculty Assoc.), EDI.
Leads @expmicromech.com.
Has too many hills to die on. Views own.
Materials and Manufacturing Engineering (🔬⚛️), Clean Tech, Academic Governance (UBC Senate & Faculty Assoc.), EDI.
Leads @expmicromech.com.
Has too many hills to die on. Views own.
Pinned
Scheduling Matters — UBC Senate
The UBC Vancouver Senate is currently considering the timing of its main meetings, following a motion from the Agenda Committee and…
bmatb.medium.com
A brief blog piece that supports the proposal to move the #UBC Senate Meetings to a 4-6.30pm (currently 6-8.30pm).
bmatb.medium.com/scheduling-m...
bmatb.medium.com/scheduling-m...
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
BREAKING: The Supreme Court DENIES former county clerk Kim Davis's request for the justices to take up her longshot bid to overturn 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges marriage equality decision. No justice even writes about the request.
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
BREAKING: The Supreme Court DENIES former county clerk Kim Davis's request for the justices to take up her longshot bid to overturn 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges marriage equality decision. No justice even writes about the request.
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
Oops. Ooooooooooooops.
I do hope that nobody has been given or denied a job/promotion based on their SpringerNature citation counts in the past 15 years.
arxiv.org/pdf/2511.01675
h/t @nathlarigaldie.bsky.social
I do hope that nobody has been given or denied a job/promotion based on their SpringerNature citation counts in the past 15 years.
arxiv.org/pdf/2511.01675
h/t @nathlarigaldie.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Oops. Ooooooooooooops.
I do hope that nobody has been given or denied a job/promotion based on their SpringerNature citation counts in the past 15 years.
arxiv.org/pdf/2511.01675
h/t @nathlarigaldie.bsky.social
I do hope that nobody has been given or denied a job/promotion based on their SpringerNature citation counts in the past 15 years.
arxiv.org/pdf/2511.01675
h/t @nathlarigaldie.bsky.social
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
A significant new development in the Imperial College pay dispute.
The Joint Trade Unions have uncovered that key 2018 pay benchmarking recommendations—based on extensive staff consultation—were quietly set aside by College management.
Read the full update here: ucu.imperial.ac.uk/archives/1143
The Joint Trade Unions have uncovered that key 2018 pay benchmarking recommendations—based on extensive staff consultation—were quietly set aside by College management.
Read the full update here: ucu.imperial.ac.uk/archives/1143
Joint Trade Unions demand transparency over Imperial’s pay benchmarking
In brief (if you don’t have much time)
The Imperial Joint Trade Unions (JTU) have written to the University Negotiating Team (UNT) to raise serious concerns about the College’s handling of the 2018 Pa...
ucu.imperial.ac.uk
November 7, 2025 at 11:24 AM
A significant new development in the Imperial College pay dispute.
The Joint Trade Unions have uncovered that key 2018 pay benchmarking recommendations—based on extensive staff consultation—were quietly set aside by College management.
Read the full update here: ucu.imperial.ac.uk/archives/1143
The Joint Trade Unions have uncovered that key 2018 pay benchmarking recommendations—based on extensive staff consultation—were quietly set aside by College management.
Read the full update here: ucu.imperial.ac.uk/archives/1143
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
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 6, 2025 at 11:36 AM
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.
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
how about you pay your reviewers instead.
How are you using social media in your research and career? Fill in this survey for a chance at a $100 gift card: spklr.io/63321BzS5X
November 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM
how about you pay your reviewers instead.
I’m a bit puzzled that the employers of faculty and staff-and the educators responsible for students whose information we protect so carefully-haven’t made any public statements about the risks of releasing private grant information in Canada, which contains confidential and sensitive details.
November 5, 2025 at 3:17 PM
I’m a bit puzzled that the employers of faculty and staff-and the educators responsible for students whose information we protect so carefully-haven’t made any public statements about the risks of releasing private grant information in Canada, which contains confidential and sensitive details.
It's nice to hear encouraging news from south of the border.
Yay you folks!
Yay you folks!
November 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM
It's nice to hear encouraging news from south of the border.
Yay you folks!
Yay you folks!
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
Just remember, the Liberals supported this too. If they think this will attract more researchers to Canada, they are smoking the dope they legalized. And once again, just like animal research, why is it @picardonhealth.bsky.social who needs to raise this publicly and not @u15ca.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Just remember, the Liberals supported this too. If they think this will attract more researchers to Canada, they are smoking the dope they legalized. And once again, just like animal research, why is it @picardonhealth.bsky.social who needs to raise this publicly and not @u15ca.bsky.social
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
Yes is the correct answer! Academic freedom surely covers commentary on the governance of academic grant funding
Today's head scratch - "is it within my academic freedom to comment on the request from the House of Commons sub committee on tri-council funding & EDI?"
[the short answer, in my personal opinion - yes]
[the short answer, in my personal opinion - yes]
November 4, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Yes is the correct answer! Academic freedom surely covers commentary on the governance of academic grant funding
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
I'm concerned that the information is being handed over to an anonymous entity requester with a very tight timeline. That lack of transparency sets of alarm bells and hints at nothing good or legitimate in its intent.
November 4, 2025 at 2:35 AM
I'm concerned that the information is being handed over to an anonymous entity requester with a very tight timeline. That lack of transparency sets of alarm bells and hints at nothing good or legitimate in its intent.
Today's head scratch - "is it within my academic freedom to comment on the request from the House of Commons sub committee on tri-council funding & EDI?"
[the short answer, in my personal opinion - yes]
[the short answer, in my personal opinion - yes]
November 4, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Today's head scratch - "is it within my academic freedom to comment on the request from the House of Commons sub committee on tri-council funding & EDI?"
[the short answer, in my personal opinion - yes]
[the short answer, in my personal opinion - yes]
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
This is a remarkable case of Chinese authorities threatening a UK university into halting research on human rights violations, and the university acquiescing.
China intimidated UK university to ditch human rights research, documents show
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to Professor Laura Murphy for restricting her academic freedom.
www.bbc.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:44 AM
This is a remarkable case of Chinese authorities threatening a UK university into halting research on human rights violations, and the university acquiescing.
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
"Sheffield Hallam University staff in China were threatened ... access to the university's websites from China was blocked, impeding its ability to recruit Chinese students, in a campaign of threats and intimidation lasting more than two years."
This is a remarkable case of Chinese authorities threatening a UK university into halting research on human rights violations, and the university acquiescing.
China intimidated UK university to ditch human rights research, documents show
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to Professor Laura Murphy for restricting her academic freedom.
www.bbc.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:46 AM
"Sheffield Hallam University staff in China were threatened ... access to the university's websites from China was blocked, impeding its ability to recruit Chinese students, in a campaign of threats and intimidation lasting more than two years."
Sighs - it's 4.40 pm, and I swear I was going to read and edit some academic writing.
Instead - today has been consumed mostly with trying to balance a budget.
I guess budgets are important for this whole 'science & research' thing...?
Instead - today has been consumed mostly with trying to balance a budget.
I guess budgets are important for this whole 'science & research' thing...?
November 4, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Sighs - it's 4.40 pm, and I swear I was going to read and edit some academic writing.
Instead - today has been consumed mostly with trying to balance a budget.
I guess budgets are important for this whole 'science & research' thing...?
Instead - today has been consumed mostly with trying to balance a budget.
I guess budgets are important for this whole 'science & research' thing...?
Are you, or one of your friends, or one of your students, interested in a funded PhD position, based on the beautiful campus of UBC in Vancouver, Canada, in the area of advanced electron microscopy & materials engineering, of materials for transport & clean energy - if so - see 👇
🧪🔬
🧪🔬
We have two funded PhD positions in the group (based at UBC, Vancouver, Canada) - for a May or September 2026 start date - in advancing electron microscopy & materials for clean energy + transportation - to find out more:
www.expmicromech.com/people/oppor...
www.expmicromech.com/people/oppor...
Experimental Micromechanical Characterisation Research Group - Opportunities
NEW OPPORTUNITIES:
2 Fully Funded PhD Positions: Advanced Electron Microscopy for Materials Engineering @ UBC (Vancouver) – www.expmicromech.com/people/opportunities
Join the Experimental Micromechani...
www.expmicromech.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Are you, or one of your friends, or one of your students, interested in a funded PhD position, based on the beautiful campus of UBC in Vancouver, Canada, in the area of advanced electron microscopy & materials engineering, of materials for transport & clean energy - if so - see 👇
🧪🔬
🧪🔬
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
This is not a debate club. This is not an official government forum. This is not the United Nations. This is not even a college class. This is a social media website that I use to amuse myself and to talk to interesting people. And I find it much more amusing when I can block whoever I want.
November 3, 2025 at 7:57 PM
This is not a debate club. This is not an official government forum. This is not the United Nations. This is not even a college class. This is a social media website that I use to amuse myself and to talk to interesting people. And I find it much more amusing when I can block whoever I want.
Why did I start reading the oral statements on the House of Common's Standing Committee on Science and Research on a Friday.
I clearly just want to annoy myself.
(There are some great comments, and then there are some very shit ones...).
I clearly just want to annoy myself.
(There are some great comments, and then there are some very shit ones...).
October 31, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Why did I start reading the oral statements on the House of Common's Standing Committee on Science and Research on a Friday.
I clearly just want to annoy myself.
(There are some great comments, and then there are some very shit ones...).
I clearly just want to annoy myself.
(There are some great comments, and then there are some very shit ones...).
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
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 Prof Ben Britton
Canadians 🇨🇦 - researchers and those who care about privacy and EDI - please read the thread that precedes this post and PLEASE sign the letter in the post below…
Yes! Contact them and sign this petition here —it’s not just about EDI data! So much personally identifying information for applicants and reviewers will not be protected!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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 31, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Canadians 🇨🇦 - researchers and those who care about privacy and EDI - please read the thread that precedes this post and PLEASE sign the letter in the post below…
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
Yes! Contact them and sign this petition here —it’s not just about EDI data! So much personally identifying information for applicants and reviewers will not be protected!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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 11:36 PM
Yes! Contact them and sign this petition here —it’s not just about EDI data! So much personally identifying information for applicants and reviewers will not be protected!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Just got some very embargoed, but very good news.
Yay!
Yay!
October 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Just got some very embargoed, but very good news.
Yay!
Yay!
"De mortuis nil nisi bonum" - the social construct of not speaking ill of the dead.
This is awkward when the recently deceased did something bad, at their former employer, and were found guilty of it, by their former employer, and the obituary, by their former employer, ignores this.
This is awkward when the recently deceased did something bad, at their former employer, and were found guilty of it, by their former employer, and the obituary, by their former employer, ignores this.
October 30, 2025 at 1:36 PM
"De mortuis nil nisi bonum" - the social construct of not speaking ill of the dead.
This is awkward when the recently deceased did something bad, at their former employer, and were found guilty of it, by their former employer, and the obituary, by their former employer, ignores this.
This is awkward when the recently deceased did something bad, at their former employer, and were found guilty of it, by their former employer, and the obituary, by their former employer, ignores this.
Have to delete my browser cookies, which may fix the big thing that's broken, but break all the other things.
Ugh.
Ugh.
October 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Have to delete my browser cookies, which may fix the big thing that's broken, but break all the other things.
Ugh.
Ugh.