Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
@derekhennen.bsky.social
Entomologist & Myriapodologist: leaf litter critter enthusiast.
Author of Ohio Millipede Field Guide.
"Scientist & avowed Swiftie" -Rolling Stone
Richmond, VA
www.derekhennen.com
Author of Ohio Millipede Field Guide.
"Scientist & avowed Swiftie" -Rolling Stone
Richmond, VA
www.derekhennen.com
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
What a photograph.
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
November 15, 2025 at 1:51 PM
What a photograph.
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
When I think about how exquisitely careful NEH staff were to be fair, impartial, and rigorous, and how much work people put into grants so small they’re pocket change…I just want to scream.
Fired Scholars and Big Grants to Favored Projects: Inside Trump’s N.E.H.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:12 PM
When I think about how exquisitely careful NEH staff were to be fair, impartial, and rigorous, and how much work people put into grants so small they’re pocket change…I just want to scream.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
NEW:
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules
A federal judge ruled Donald Trump cannot demand that UCLA pay a $1.2 billion settlement that would have restricted academic freedoms.
calmatters.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:18 AM
NEW:
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins plans to make all SNAP recipients reapply and prove "that they literally are vulnerable and they can’t survive without it.”
The 'genuinely disabled'
The 'literally vulnerable'
They keep moving the goalposts.
They were never going to fund SNAP. It's eugenics:
The 'genuinely disabled'
The 'literally vulnerable'
They keep moving the goalposts.
They were never going to fund SNAP. It's eugenics:
Trump administration will require SNAP participants to reapply for benefits
Food aid recipients are already required to recertify their information regularly. But the move is part of USDA chief Brooke Rollins’ effort to overhaul the program.
www.politico.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:09 PM
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins plans to make all SNAP recipients reapply and prove "that they literally are vulnerable and they can’t survive without it.”
The 'genuinely disabled'
The 'literally vulnerable'
They keep moving the goalposts.
They were never going to fund SNAP. It's eugenics:
The 'genuinely disabled'
The 'literally vulnerable'
They keep moving the goalposts.
They were never going to fund SNAP. It's eugenics:
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
This is *depraved* -- glamor shots & an exculpatory feature for a woman who shit on the key central tenets of journalism, repeatedly.
NYT is celebrating elite freedom from accountability. Actively celebrating it. You wouldn't put this in a satire, it's too ham-handed!
NYT is celebrating elite freedom from accountability. Actively celebrating it. You wouldn't put this in a satire, it's too ham-handed!
November 14, 2025 at 6:25 PM
This is *depraved* -- glamor shots & an exculpatory feature for a woman who shit on the key central tenets of journalism, repeatedly.
NYT is celebrating elite freedom from accountability. Actively celebrating it. You wouldn't put this in a satire, it's too ham-handed!
NYT is celebrating elite freedom from accountability. Actively celebrating it. You wouldn't put this in a satire, it's too ham-handed!
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
NEW: We’ve uncovered the first known example of taxpayer money flowing from DHS to businesses controlled by Kristi Noem’s allies and friends.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
November 14, 2025 at 12:20 PM
NEW: We’ve uncovered the first known example of taxpayer money flowing from DHS to businesses controlled by Kristi Noem’s allies and friends.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Great to have @nathangrayson.bsky.social back on the show to understand how video games are part of Saudi Arabia reputation-laundering effort.
We also discussed the @aftermath.site refresh that you should definitely check out!
We also discussed the @aftermath.site refresh that you should definitely check out!
The Saudis are buying Electronic Arts in a massive $55 billion deal — but why would they want a games publisher?
This week @nathangrayson.bsky.social joins @parismarx.com to discuss how Saudi Arabia uses games to try to improve its image.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/302_...
This week @nathangrayson.bsky.social joins @parismarx.com to discuss how Saudi Arabia uses games to try to improve its image.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/302_...
November 14, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Great to have @nathangrayson.bsky.social back on the show to understand how video games are part of Saudi Arabia reputation-laundering effort.
We also discussed the @aftermath.site refresh that you should definitely check out!
We also discussed the @aftermath.site refresh that you should definitely check out!
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Because international student enrollment is so often used as a cudgel in discussions about immigration, this is a good time to remind people that international students aren't taking up spaces for US students at state schools, they are paying full tuition that FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR US STUDENTS.
November 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Because international student enrollment is so often used as a cudgel in discussions about immigration, this is a good time to remind people that international students aren't taking up spaces for US students at state schools, they are paying full tuition that FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR US STUDENTS.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
In June, after Jenna Norton put her name on public criticism of the NIH's direction under President Trump, Jay Bhattacharya told us: "Respectful dissent in science is productive."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Now she says she's been placed on leave.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Now she says she's been placed on leave.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
‘We Dissent’: NIH Workers Protest Trump Policies That ‘Harm the Health of Americans’ - KFF Health News
A letter signed by more than 300 National Institutes of Health workers — some still working, others who were fired this year — is an extraordinary public rebuke of actions taken under Director Jay Bha...
kffhealthnews.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:19 PM
In June, after Jenna Norton put her name on public criticism of the NIH's direction under President Trump, Jay Bhattacharya told us: "Respectful dissent in science is productive."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Now she says she's been placed on leave.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Now she says she's been placed on leave.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
I say it over and over again: when you have that much money, you want to live where you want to live and you are simply not going to relocate because of marginal tax rates
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I say it over and over again: when you have that much money, you want to live where you want to live and you are simply not going to relocate because of marginal tax rates
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Just aching for colleagues and peers and students in Texas right now.
Also they’re setting up a hotline to report faculty, I sure hope that number becomes available
Also they’re setting up a hotline to report faculty, I sure hope that number becomes available
Let me fix that for you:
Texas A&M is limiting how instructors may discuss gender identity and race in classrooms in an assault on academic freedom unseen in America since the Red Scare.
Texas A&M is limiting how instructors may discuss gender identity and race in classrooms in an assault on academic freedom unseen in America since the Red Scare.
November 14, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Just aching for colleagues and peers and students in Texas right now.
Also they’re setting up a hotline to report faculty, I sure hope that number becomes available
Also they’re setting up a hotline to report faculty, I sure hope that number becomes available
Full bore racism and xenophobia promulgated by the worst people in America
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Full bore racism and xenophobia promulgated by the worst people in America
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Every "population crisis" article in western media is just "WHERE ARE THE WHITE BABIES" in disguise and we absolutely do not have to give any credence to any of them
November 13, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Every "population crisis" article in western media is just "WHERE ARE THE WHITE BABIES" in disguise and we absolutely do not have to give any credence to any of them
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Both Texas A&M and Indiana University should lose accreditation.
Indiana University, which has now been subordinated to the direct control of the Indiana GOP, announces that criticism of the MAGA movement and doctrines of the GOP is forbidden. An instructor is dismissed for speaking critical words about the MAGA movement.
Indiana Professor Removed From Class Over White Supremacy Lesson
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Both Texas A&M and Indiana University should lose accreditation.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
You can disagree and argue as much as you like but the point of evaluating something scientifically is that not every statement should be given equal credence because evidence matters
JD Vance: "Science as practiced in its best form is that if you disagree with it, then you ought to criticize it and you ought to argue against it."
November 13, 2025 at 7:36 PM
You can disagree and argue as much as you like but the point of evaluating something scientifically is that not every statement should be given equal credence because evidence matters
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
I always get a kick out of the NYT Defense Squad trotting out harrumphing takes about how serious journalists don't report on mere speculation, blow things out of proportion, dig into their colleagues' email, etc etc
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I always get a kick out of the NYT Defense Squad trotting out harrumphing takes about how serious journalists don't report on mere speculation, blow things out of proportion, dig into their colleagues' email, etc etc
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Attn graduate and undergraduate students! 🚨 🪲 🦋🚨 New research funding opportunity from @xercessociety.bsky.social! $5000; deadline is Jan 7 2026. xerces.org/bandrosky
Deborah BanDrosky Award | Xerces Society
The Deborah BanDrosky Awards are made to students engaged in higher education studies and research related to invertebrate conservation.
xerces.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Attn graduate and undergraduate students! 🚨 🪲 🦋🚨 New research funding opportunity from @xercessociety.bsky.social! $5000; deadline is Jan 7 2026. xerces.org/bandrosky
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
My latest paper is now published in an issue! We showcased the incredible scientific contributions that local and amateur naturalists make for research on long term change! 💚🌍
doi.org/10.1111/icad...
doi.org/10.1111/icad...
Local entomologists shine a light on moth communities: The value of amateur records in cataloguing long‐term change
Written records associated with museum collections are often underutilised. We use two new macro-moth collections donated to the University Museum of Zoology (Cambridge) to investigate long-term cha...
doi.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:18 PM
My latest paper is now published in an issue! We showcased the incredible scientific contributions that local and amateur naturalists make for research on long term change! 💚🌍
doi.org/10.1111/icad...
doi.org/10.1111/icad...
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Our leading news organizations turned a cache of ultimately-innocuous emails into a scandal-coded weeklong series of front page stories leading into the 2016 election. If they do not cover the "emails from notorious pedophile implication the President" emails with the same fervor, it's curious!
November 12, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Our leading news organizations turned a cache of ultimately-innocuous emails into a scandal-coded weeklong series of front page stories leading into the 2016 election. If they do not cover the "emails from notorious pedophile implication the President" emails with the same fervor, it's curious!
My soil sifters arrived! I use these bad boys to sift out snail shells from the leaf litter I collect for myriapods, what a rush!
November 12, 2025 at 1:35 PM
My soil sifters arrived! I use these bad boys to sift out snail shells from the leaf litter I collect for myriapods, what a rush!
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Big news - I’ll be starting an #insect #systematics lab at University of Nebraska-Lincoln this coming academic year! I’m looking to #recruit #PhDstudents to work in #wasp systematics, especially gall systems, to begin Fall 2026. Please help me spread the word — more details on the flyer below!
November 12, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Big news - I’ll be starting an #insect #systematics lab at University of Nebraska-Lincoln this coming academic year! I’m looking to #recruit #PhDstudents to work in #wasp systematics, especially gall systems, to begin Fall 2026. Please help me spread the word — more details on the flyer below!
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
NOAA cut funding to the Alaska Earthquake Center, directed by my friend Mike West. As a result, seismic monitoring by nine stations in Alaska tracking tsunami-causing earthquakes will go offline by the end of the month. This endangers people in Alaska, Hawaiʻi, and other parts of the Pacific.
This lab is key for tracking deadly waves. Its sensors are about to go offline.
After NOAA cut funding to the lab that’s been monitoring seismic activity for more than 25 years, nine stations tracking tsunami-causing earthquakes for the agency will go offline by the end of the mo...
www.washingtonpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:24 PM
NOAA cut funding to the Alaska Earthquake Center, directed by my friend Mike West. As a result, seismic monitoring by nine stations in Alaska tracking tsunami-causing earthquakes will go offline by the end of the month. This endangers people in Alaska, Hawaiʻi, and other parts of the Pacific.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
During his campaign, Trump (& RFK) promised to rein in the use of dangerous pesticides, but the EPA has loosened oversight and is accelerating pesticide approvals.
Notably, the top 4 positions in the new Trump EPA’s chemical safety office are held by former pesticide and chemical industry lobbyists
Notably, the top 4 positions in the new Trump EPA’s chemical safety office are held by former pesticide and chemical industry lobbyists
Trump officials set to approve ‘forever chemical’ as pesticide ingredient
Critics say that fifth Pfas Trump’s EPA has proposed for approval this year would put food and water supply at risk
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:42 PM
During his campaign, Trump (& RFK) promised to rein in the use of dangerous pesticides, but the EPA has loosened oversight and is accelerating pesticide approvals.
Notably, the top 4 positions in the new Trump EPA’s chemical safety office are held by former pesticide and chemical industry lobbyists
Notably, the top 4 positions in the new Trump EPA’s chemical safety office are held by former pesticide and chemical industry lobbyists
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
When people say "There weren't many women in palaeontology/palaeoart in the 19 & 20th century" they pretend that women in the Central & East Europe did not exist, despite ladies ruling the show in that corner of the world for a century.
November 11, 2025 at 5:14 AM
When people say "There weren't many women in palaeontology/palaeoart in the 19 & 20th century" they pretend that women in the Central & East Europe did not exist, despite ladies ruling the show in that corner of the world for a century.