Rachel Dale
@drracheldale.bsky.social
Senior scientist with 2 science hats: Mental health (humans) & animal behaviour (canids/elephants).
Co-host @wildbehaviorpod.bsky.social
Mountain and camping addict. Scot in Austria. 🏳️🌈
Co-host @wildbehaviorpod.bsky.social
Mountain and camping addict. Scot in Austria. 🏳️🌈
Pinned
Rachel Dale
@drracheldale.bsky.social
· Jan 17
Dive into the world of animal behaviour with us.
Subscribe now so you don't miss the first episode!
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6vxB3zL...
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
#SciComm #animal #podcast
Subscribe now so you don't miss the first episode!
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6vxB3zL...
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
#SciComm #animal #podcast
NEW PODCAST!
Woohoo 🥳 My side project with Megan Lambert is finally coming to fruition. If you're into animal behaviour and/or podcasts please give us a follow and subscribe 🎙️
#AVeryNotSeriousSciencePodcast #SciComm #animal #podcast
Woohoo 🥳 My side project with Megan Lambert is finally coming to fruition. If you're into animal behaviour and/or podcasts please give us a follow and subscribe 🎙️
#AVeryNotSeriousSciencePodcast #SciComm #animal #podcast
Reposted by Rachel Dale
Intrigued by animal innovation and avian cognition? My PI Dr. Megan Lambert is advertising a new shiny PhD position studying innovation in kea parrots! Info attached 🤩🦜
For inquiries: Megan.Lambert@vetmeduni.ac.at
For inquiries: Megan.Lambert@vetmeduni.ac.at
November 11, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Intrigued by animal innovation and avian cognition? My PI Dr. Megan Lambert is advertising a new shiny PhD position studying innovation in kea parrots! Info attached 🤩🦜
For inquiries: Megan.Lambert@vetmeduni.ac.at
For inquiries: Megan.Lambert@vetmeduni.ac.at
Reposted by Rachel Dale
3 year postdoc funded by @ukri.org NERC on between-group cooperation in the Shark Bay dolphins is now live - please share widely 🙏 www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
Details | Working at Bristol | University of Bristol
University of Bristol Beacon House Queens Road Bristol, BS8 1QU, UK Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000 Contact us
www.bristol.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 9:43 AM
3 year postdoc funded by @ukri.org NERC on between-group cooperation in the Shark Bay dolphins is now live - please share widely 🙏 www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
Reposted by Rachel Dale
Years ago, I attempted a self-assessment of my potential gender biases in an academic research setting:
ecoevoevoeco.blogspot.com/2016/04/subt...
Today, I happened on a very nice summary of how to avoid such biases in letters of recommendation, which provides an comprehensive outline. Check it out
ecoevoevoeco.blogspot.com/2016/04/subt...
Today, I happened on a very nice summary of how to avoid such biases in letters of recommendation, which provides an comprehensive outline. Check it out
October 31, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Years ago, I attempted a self-assessment of my potential gender biases in an academic research setting:
ecoevoevoeco.blogspot.com/2016/04/subt...
Today, I happened on a very nice summary of how to avoid such biases in letters of recommendation, which provides an comprehensive outline. Check it out
ecoevoevoeco.blogspot.com/2016/04/subt...
Today, I happened on a very nice summary of how to avoid such biases in letters of recommendation, which provides an comprehensive outline. Check it out
There's some good advice in here. We tend towards the negative in our viewing so we have to actively search for the positive.
I've been trying to curate my feeds for a while to include more positive content like Reasons to be Cheerful. Now I'll also try more inspiring content too.
I've been trying to curate my feeds for a while to include more positive content like Reasons to be Cheerful. Now I'll also try more inspiring content too.
Social media can push us to the dark side, with negative content. A new study finds watching inspiring videos for just 3 minutes a day is on par with meditation for boosting mood and reducing stress.
Got 3 minutes? This habit may help boost hope and reduce stress
Social media can push us to the dark side, with negative content. A new study finds watching inspiring videos for just 3 minutes a day is on par with meditation for boosting mood and reducing stress.
n.pr
October 28, 2025 at 7:46 AM
There's some good advice in here. We tend towards the negative in our viewing so we have to actively search for the positive.
I've been trying to curate my feeds for a while to include more positive content like Reasons to be Cheerful. Now I'll also try more inspiring content too.
I've been trying to curate my feeds for a while to include more positive content like Reasons to be Cheerful. Now I'll also try more inspiring content too.
Reposted by Rachel Dale
What we all need right now. I LOVE the comedy wildlife photography awards
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 – in pictures
From a red-throated loon touching down on water, to good and bad hair days, and an airborne squirrel, here is a selection of the finalists in this year’s Nikon Comedy Wildlife awards
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:52 AM
What we all need right now. I LOVE the comedy wildlife photography awards
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Rachel Dale
📢 Open PhD position at our Institute: Bioacoustics / cheetah vocal communication 🐆🎶
You’ll study the cheetah’s high-pitched “chirps” that sound surprisingly like birds 🐦— exploring their acoustic structure and function. 👉 Details and application: www.oeaw.ac.at/jobs?jh=34u4...
You’ll study the cheetah’s high-pitched “chirps” that sound surprisingly like birds 🐦— exploring their acoustic structure and function. 👉 Details and application: www.oeaw.ac.at/jobs?jh=34u4...
October 20, 2025 at 12:52 PM
📢 Open PhD position at our Institute: Bioacoustics / cheetah vocal communication 🐆🎶
You’ll study the cheetah’s high-pitched “chirps” that sound surprisingly like birds 🐦— exploring their acoustic structure and function. 👉 Details and application: www.oeaw.ac.at/jobs?jh=34u4...
You’ll study the cheetah’s high-pitched “chirps” that sound surprisingly like birds 🐦— exploring their acoustic structure and function. 👉 Details and application: www.oeaw.ac.at/jobs?jh=34u4...
Reposted by Rachel Dale
Researchers at Brown University found that AI chatbots routinely violate core mental health ethics standards, underscoring the need for legal standards and oversight as use of these tools increases. www.brown.edu/news/2025-10...
New study: AI chatbots systematically violate mental health ethics standards
Researchers at Brown University found that AI chatbots routinely violate core mental health ethics standards, underscoring the need for legal standards and oversight as use of these tools increases.
www.brown.edu
October 21, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Researchers at Brown University found that AI chatbots routinely violate core mental health ethics standards, underscoring the need for legal standards and oversight as use of these tools increases. www.brown.edu/news/2025-10...
It's not everyday you get to climb at work. Oh wait, now it is thanks to our new boulder wall!
Thanks @unikrems.bsky.social for this new research (and climbing) opportunity!
#PerkOfTheJob #ClimbingTherapy #MentalHealth
Thanks @unikrems.bsky.social for this new research (and climbing) opportunity!
#PerkOfTheJob #ClimbingTherapy #MentalHealth
September 30, 2025 at 6:50 AM
It's not everyday you get to climb at work. Oh wait, now it is thanks to our new boulder wall!
Thanks @unikrems.bsky.social for this new research (and climbing) opportunity!
#PerkOfTheJob #ClimbingTherapy #MentalHealth
Thanks @unikrems.bsky.social for this new research (and climbing) opportunity!
#PerkOfTheJob #ClimbingTherapy #MentalHealth
Not one of my usual topics, but it's great to see some good science news.
An exciting breakthrough to add some positivity to our feeds!
Yay for science 🧪
An exciting breakthrough to add some positivity to our feeds!
Yay for science 🧪
Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time
One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.
www.bbc.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Not one of my usual topics, but it's great to see some good science news.
An exciting breakthrough to add some positivity to our feeds!
Yay for science 🧪
An exciting breakthrough to add some positivity to our feeds!
Yay for science 🧪
Reposted by Rachel Dale
Highlights of this year’s Ig Nobel recipients include a nutrition prize for studying the preferred pizza toppings of rainbow lizards at a seaside resort in Togo
go.nature.com/3I4wd8E
go.nature.com/3I4wd8E
Tipsy bats and perfect pasta: Ig Nobels celebrate ‘improbable’ research
Nature - The annual awards are a celebration of weird but thought-provoking science.
go.nature.com
September 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Highlights of this year’s Ig Nobel recipients include a nutrition prize for studying the preferred pizza toppings of rainbow lizards at a seaside resort in Togo
go.nature.com/3I4wd8E
go.nature.com/3I4wd8E
"good advice should balance doing more with doing less... while well-meaning, it can unintentionally make mental health feel like an endless list of chores."
I think even mental health professionals have a bias for additive advice. This is an interesting concept that definitely needs more research
I think even mental health professionals have a bias for additive advice. This is an interesting concept that definitely needs more research
New research finds that people prefer to advise others to engage in more tasks to benefit their mental health, rather than dial their activities back to create breathing room: www.bps.org.uk/research-dig...
People neglect 'subtractive' mental health advice | BPS
New research finds that people prefer to advise others to engage in more tasks to benefit their mental health, rather than dial their activities back to create breathing room.
www.bps.org.uk
September 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
"good advice should balance doing more with doing less... while well-meaning, it can unintentionally make mental health feel like an endless list of chores."
I think even mental health professionals have a bias for additive advice. This is an interesting concept that definitely needs more research
I think even mental health professionals have a bias for additive advice. This is an interesting concept that definitely needs more research
Incredible shots as always for the #Wildlife photographer of the year.
The elephant in the rubbish tip is particularly shocking and the wolf photo is simply beautiful.
The elephant in the rubbish tip is particularly shocking and the wolf photo is simply beautiful.
Wildlife photographer of the year 2025 – in pictures
Picked from a record 60,636 entries, the first images from the Natural History Museum’s wildlife photographer of the year competition have been released. The photographs, which range from a lion facin...
www.theguardian.com
August 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Incredible shots as always for the #Wildlife photographer of the year.
The elephant in the rubbish tip is particularly shocking and the wolf photo is simply beautiful.
The elephant in the rubbish tip is particularly shocking and the wolf photo is simply beautiful.
Reposted by Rachel Dale
“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't. Habit is persistence in practice.”
― Octavia Butler
#AcWri #WritingSky #AcademicSky
― Octavia Butler
#AcWri #WritingSky #AcademicSky
August 25, 2025 at 2:25 PM
“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't. Habit is persistence in practice.”
― Octavia Butler
#AcWri #WritingSky #AcademicSky
― Octavia Butler
#AcWri #WritingSky #AcademicSky
📣 New paper!
When young adults took part in a digital detox to use their phones for <2h/day, their mental health and stress improved. Great! BUT...
their heart rate variability went up, indicating higher physiological stress.
What’s going on? 🧵 1/3
@ehps.bsky.social #psychology
When young adults took part in a digital detox to use their phones for <2h/day, their mental health and stress improved. Great! BUT...
their heart rate variability went up, indicating higher physiological stress.
What’s going on? 🧵 1/3
@ehps.bsky.social #psychology
The influence of smartphone reduction on heart rate variability: a secondary analysis from a randomised controlled trial
Despite the benefits smartphone technology offers, our phones are available to us almost all of the time and excessive smartphone use may be linked to problematic behaviours and mental illness symp...
www.tandfonline.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:41 AM
📣 New paper!
When young adults took part in a digital detox to use their phones for <2h/day, their mental health and stress improved. Great! BUT...
their heart rate variability went up, indicating higher physiological stress.
What’s going on? 🧵 1/3
@ehps.bsky.social #psychology
When young adults took part in a digital detox to use their phones for <2h/day, their mental health and stress improved. Great! BUT...
their heart rate variability went up, indicating higher physiological stress.
What’s going on? 🧵 1/3
@ehps.bsky.social #psychology
Reposted by Rachel Dale
1. "'Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy," Kennedy said."
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
RFK Jr. in interview with Scripps News: ‘Trusting the experts is not science’
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. sat down with Scripps News for a wide-ranging interview, discussing mRNA vaccine funding policy changes and a recent shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.scrippsnews.com
August 12, 2025 at 4:48 AM
1. "'Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy," Kennedy said."
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
It's world elephant day! 🐘
I so missing working with these goofy guys but at least I still get to talk about them on the podcast
I so missing working with these goofy guys but at least I still get to talk about them on the podcast
🐘 HAPPY WORLD ELEPHANT DAY! 🐘
If you're curious about these hugely intelligent gentle giants check out our ele ep:
open.spotify.com/episode/7kJT...
And our 'meet the hosts' ep:
open.spotify.com/episode/4piX...
Spotify or wherever you get your pods!
Photo: Rachel Dale
#elephant #SciComm
If you're curious about these hugely intelligent gentle giants check out our ele ep:
open.spotify.com/episode/7kJT...
And our 'meet the hosts' ep:
open.spotify.com/episode/4piX...
Spotify or wherever you get your pods!
Photo: Rachel Dale
#elephant #SciComm
August 12, 2025 at 8:27 AM
It's world elephant day! 🐘
I so missing working with these goofy guys but at least I still get to talk about them on the podcast
I so missing working with these goofy guys but at least I still get to talk about them on the podcast
Reposted by Rachel Dale
Social movements play an essential role pushing for action on climate and nature, and it’s now widely recognised that support from scientists can make them more effective
But not everyone can take to the streets or risk arrest
That’s ok – there’s lots we can do in other ways
🧵1/
But not everyone can take to the streets or risk arrest
That’s ok – there’s lots we can do in other ways
🧵1/
July 31, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Social movements play an essential role pushing for action on climate and nature, and it’s now widely recognised that support from scientists can make them more effective
But not everyone can take to the streets or risk arrest
That’s ok – there’s lots we can do in other ways
🧵1/
But not everyone can take to the streets or risk arrest
That’s ok – there’s lots we can do in other ways
🧵1/
This is so cute! I just registered 😀
I've had a middle school penpal through LPS for a couple years: it's a great way to share your excitement for science, broaden views of what a scientist looks like & what we do, and connect with a student & encourage them.
Registration is open! (PhD not required)
prescientist.org/volunteers/
Registration is open! (PhD not required)
prescientist.org/volunteers/
For STEM Professionals - Letters to a Pre-Scientist
Pen Pal Program Overview We encourage STEM Professionals of all kinds to get involved with Letters to a Pre-Scientist! STEM professionals send and receive letters throughout a school year from ...
prescientist.org
July 31, 2025 at 6:39 AM
This is so cute! I just registered 😀
Reposted by Rachel Dale
Psychologists & related fields: what is a big methods question that you believe remains somewhat unanswered & that you'd love to see adressed? There may be an opportunity for a large-scale meta-science project with many teams trying to figure out a question.
Any thoughts welcome! #psychscisky
Any thoughts welcome! #psychscisky
July 30, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Psychologists & related fields: what is a big methods question that you believe remains somewhat unanswered & that you'd love to see adressed? There may be an opportunity for a large-scale meta-science project with many teams trying to figure out a question.
Any thoughts welcome! #psychscisky
Any thoughts welcome! #psychscisky
Reposted by Rachel Dale
Walking 7,000 steps a day (compared to 2k) can be enough to boost your brainpower & help protect against a range of diseases, including cancer, dementia & heart disease.
A new Lancet study analysed previous research & data from 160k adults worldwide.
🧪🚶🏼♂️🚶🏾♀️🧠🫀🔬
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A new Lancet study analysed previous research & data from 160k adults worldwide.
🧪🚶🏼♂️🚶🏾♀️🧠🫀🔬
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Just 7,000 steps a day cuts risk of health issues - study
Everyone targets 10,000 steps - but a lower tally could reduce the risk of serious health issues like cancer, dementia and heart disease, a study suggests.
www.bbc.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Walking 7,000 steps a day (compared to 2k) can be enough to boost your brainpower & help protect against a range of diseases, including cancer, dementia & heart disease.
A new Lancet study analysed previous research & data from 160k adults worldwide.
🧪🚶🏼♂️🚶🏾♀️🧠🫀🔬
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A new Lancet study analysed previous research & data from 160k adults worldwide.
🧪🚶🏼♂️🚶🏾♀️🧠🫀🔬
www.bbc.com/news/article...