Dr Moira Nicolson
@moiranics.bsky.social
#SocialScientist and Public #Climate Comms and Engagement
Guest Lecturer @UCL Energy Institute
Ex @Ofgem | energy flex researcher
*Sharing research and views in a personal capacity*
Guest Lecturer @UCL Energy Institute
Ex @Ofgem | energy flex researcher
*Sharing research and views in a personal capacity*
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
Social media is a funhouse mirror.
I gave a talk yesterday at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine about how social media distorts our perceptions.
It's not a mirror, it’s a false polarization machine where the most extreme voices on any issue dominate the conversation.
I gave a talk yesterday at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine about how social media distorts our perceptions.
It's not a mirror, it’s a false polarization machine where the most extreme voices on any issue dominate the conversation.
November 14, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Social media is a funhouse mirror.
I gave a talk yesterday at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine about how social media distorts our perceptions.
It's not a mirror, it’s a false polarization machine where the most extreme voices on any issue dominate the conversation.
I gave a talk yesterday at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine about how social media distorts our perceptions.
It's not a mirror, it’s a false polarization machine where the most extreme voices on any issue dominate the conversation.
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
'Human nature' is the capacity to categorize others as part of self. Extending the boundaries of concern, people often help strangers in emergencies.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘Heroic actions are a natural tendency’: why bystander apathy is a myth
Modern research shows the public work together selflessly in an emergency, motivated by a strong impulse to help
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:31 PM
'Human nature' is the capacity to categorize others as part of self. Extending the boundaries of concern, people often help strangers in emergencies.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
We are recruiting a few different new roles @Moreincommon_ UK, if you're interested in any of them and think you'd enjoy our work do take a look. www.moreincommon.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
Current Opportunities
Check here for current job opportunities.
www.moreincommon.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 3:23 PM
We are recruiting a few different new roles @Moreincommon_ UK, if you're interested in any of them and think you'd enjoy our work do take a look. www.moreincommon.org.uk/about-us/jobs/
Controversial opinion but why is everyone so obsessed with AI evaluation? Surely it would be better to do our best to make sure we roll it out right the first time, rather than doing a bad job and finding out once it’s too late.
November 5, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Controversial opinion but why is everyone so obsessed with AI evaluation? Surely it would be better to do our best to make sure we roll it out right the first time, rather than doing a bad job and finding out once it’s too late.
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
Want to apply your skills to help tackle the #climate crisis?
Unsure where to start?
Check out workonclimate.org
"Our experts help you navigate your path toward contributing to regeneration — and offer a way for you to do the same for others."
Unsure where to start?
Check out workonclimate.org
"Our experts help you navigate your path toward contributing to regeneration — and offer a way for you to do the same for others."
Work on Climate | Mobilizing Professionals to Build a Regenerative World
Join a global community of professionals turning every field into a force for regeneration. Discover your power in the climate work movement.
workonclimate.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Want to apply your skills to help tackle the #climate crisis?
Unsure where to start?
Check out workonclimate.org
"Our experts help you navigate your path toward contributing to regeneration — and offer a way for you to do the same for others."
Unsure where to start?
Check out workonclimate.org
"Our experts help you navigate your path toward contributing to regeneration — and offer a way for you to do the same for others."
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
I've finally got around to curating a selection of films about the #climate crisis 🎥
There's lot of mediocre climate films out there, but for me these stand out head & shoulders above the rest 🎞️
They make excellent resources for classrooms, lecture halls, or community cinema's 🎬
Thread:🧵Plz RT
There's lot of mediocre climate films out there, but for me these stand out head & shoulders above the rest 🎞️
They make excellent resources for classrooms, lecture halls, or community cinema's 🎬
Thread:🧵Plz RT
November 1, 2025 at 10:17 AM
I've finally got around to curating a selection of films about the #climate crisis 🎥
There's lot of mediocre climate films out there, but for me these stand out head & shoulders above the rest 🎞️
They make excellent resources for classrooms, lecture halls, or community cinema's 🎬
Thread:🧵Plz RT
There's lot of mediocre climate films out there, but for me these stand out head & shoulders above the rest 🎞️
They make excellent resources for classrooms, lecture halls, or community cinema's 🎬
Thread:🧵Plz RT
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
Amazing record of where people meet their partners! It often feels that romantic relationships aren’t taken seriously as a legitimate subject of scientific enquiry even though it’s a major driver of wellbeing and life outcomes (eg who you live with affects how much exercise you do, diet etc).
Technology is radically restructuring so many elements of social life, from development and education to dating and politics.
Watch what happens to dating around 2007...
Watch what happens to dating around 2007...
October 31, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Amazing record of where people meet their partners! It often feels that romantic relationships aren’t taken seriously as a legitimate subject of scientific enquiry even though it’s a major driver of wellbeing and life outcomes (eg who you live with affects how much exercise you do, diet etc).
Amazing record of where people meet their partners! It often feels that romantic relationships aren’t taken seriously as a legitimate subject of scientific enquiry even though it’s a major driver of wellbeing and life outcomes (eg who you live with affects how much exercise you do, diet etc).
Technology is radically restructuring so many elements of social life, from development and education to dating and politics.
Watch what happens to dating around 2007...
Watch what happens to dating around 2007...
October 31, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Amazing record of where people meet their partners! It often feels that romantic relationships aren’t taken seriously as a legitimate subject of scientific enquiry even though it’s a major driver of wellbeing and life outcomes (eg who you live with affects how much exercise you do, diet etc).
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
Technology is radically restructuring so many elements of social life, from development and education to dating and politics.
Watch what happens to dating around 2007...
Watch what happens to dating around 2007...
October 30, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Technology is radically restructuring so many elements of social life, from development and education to dating and politics.
Watch what happens to dating around 2007...
Watch what happens to dating around 2007...
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
If you’re like many people, you live somewhere and may work somewhere, too
2 questions:
1 How might climate change affect these places?
2 Why might different data providers give you wildly different answers?
🧵: Bloomberg @bloomberg.com Green investigation (🎁🔗)
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
2 questions:
1 How might climate change affect these places?
2 Why might different data providers give you wildly different answers?
🧵: Bloomberg @bloomberg.com Green investigation (🎁🔗)
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
The Risky Business of Predicting Where Climate Disaster Will Hit
Climate tech companies can calculate the chances that a flood or wildfire will ravage your home. But what if their odds are all different?
www.bloomberg.com
August 12, 2024 at 1:31 PM
If you’re like many people, you live somewhere and may work somewhere, too
2 questions:
1 How might climate change affect these places?
2 Why might different data providers give you wildly different answers?
🧵: Bloomberg @bloomberg.com Green investigation (🎁🔗)
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
2 questions:
1 How might climate change affect these places?
2 Why might different data providers give you wildly different answers?
🧵: Bloomberg @bloomberg.com Green investigation (🎁🔗)
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
Unemployment remains the most common reason for being NEET, but a growing share also cite sickness or disability.
The proportion of NEETs inactive due to sickness or disability rose from 11 per cent in 2005 to 28 per cent in 2025 - almost one third of the total.
More➡️ buff.ly/kIei4lG
The proportion of NEETs inactive due to sickness or disability rose from 11 per cent in 2005 to 28 per cent in 2025 - almost one third of the total.
More➡️ buff.ly/kIei4lG
October 23, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Unemployment remains the most common reason for being NEET, but a growing share also cite sickness or disability.
The proportion of NEETs inactive due to sickness or disability rose from 11 per cent in 2005 to 28 per cent in 2025 - almost one third of the total.
More➡️ buff.ly/kIei4lG
The proportion of NEETs inactive due to sickness or disability rose from 11 per cent in 2005 to 28 per cent in 2025 - almost one third of the total.
More➡️ buff.ly/kIei4lG
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
1/2 Attending this very large anti-racism rally and march in Brighton today, I was reminded of this excellent article by Betsy Paluck on the inferences we might draw from public demonstrations or their absence...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
October 18, 2025 at 2:21 PM
1/2 Attending this very large anti-racism rally and march in Brighton today, I was reminded of this excellent article by Betsy Paluck on the inferences we might draw from public demonstrations or their absence...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
We have launched the Drawdown Explorer — the most comprehensive climate solutions platform ever created! It gives decision-makers the tools they need to act faster & more effectively than ever — & your support today can make this revolutionary tool even more powerful. https://drawdown.org/donate
Ways to Give
Your donation to Project Drawdown supports our core climate solutions work, allowing our team to be responsive to the rapidly changing climate landscape.
drawdown.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:12 PM
We have launched the Drawdown Explorer — the most comprehensive climate solutions platform ever created! It gives decision-makers the tools they need to act faster & more effectively than ever — & your support today can make this revolutionary tool even more powerful. https://drawdown.org/donate
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
Social media feeds today are optimized for engagement, often leading to misalignment between users' intentions and technology use.
In a new paper, we introduce Bonsai, a tool to create feeds based on stated preferences, rather than predicted engagement.
arxiv.org/abs/2509.10776
In a new paper, we introduce Bonsai, a tool to create feeds based on stated preferences, rather than predicted engagement.
arxiv.org/abs/2509.10776
September 16, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Social media feeds today are optimized for engagement, often leading to misalignment between users' intentions and technology use.
In a new paper, we introduce Bonsai, a tool to create feeds based on stated preferences, rather than predicted engagement.
arxiv.org/abs/2509.10776
In a new paper, we introduce Bonsai, a tool to create feeds based on stated preferences, rather than predicted engagement.
arxiv.org/abs/2509.10776
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
Before the professional first responders arrive, there are 'zero responders', including amongst the survivors themselves, who respond to each others' needs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Manchester synagogue: PM praises rabbi and security staff who blocked attacker
Two killed and four remain in hospital after a man, shot dead by police, carried out the attack.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Before the professional first responders arrive, there are 'zero responders', including amongst the survivors themselves, who respond to each others' needs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
People who have more complex social identities view political identity as a less reliable source of information about others. Therefore they rely less on group-based stereotypes when judging outgroup members.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103125000915
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103125000915
October 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
People who have more complex social identities view political identity as a less reliable source of information about others. Therefore they rely less on group-based stereotypes when judging outgroup members.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103125000915
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103125000915
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
In a new paper, we find that sycophantic #AI chatbots make people more extreme--operating like an echo chamber
Yet, people prefer sycophantic chatbots and see them as less biased
Only open-minded people prefer disagreeable chatbots: osf.io/preprints/ps...
Led by @steverathje.bsky.social
Yet, people prefer sycophantic chatbots and see them as less biased
Only open-minded people prefer disagreeable chatbots: osf.io/preprints/ps...
Led by @steverathje.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 3:55 PM
In a new paper, we find that sycophantic #AI chatbots make people more extreme--operating like an echo chamber
Yet, people prefer sycophantic chatbots and see them as less biased
Only open-minded people prefer disagreeable chatbots: osf.io/preprints/ps...
Led by @steverathje.bsky.social
Yet, people prefer sycophantic chatbots and see them as less biased
Only open-minded people prefer disagreeable chatbots: osf.io/preprints/ps...
Led by @steverathje.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
Yes! If we want people to listen to science, then don’t put it all behind a bloody paywall.
In general I think it's hard to combat scientific misinformation when some of the best research is locked behind an academic paywall, while lots of nonsense gets published free for everyone to read in predatory journals.
September 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Yes! If we want people to listen to science, then don’t put it all behind a bloody paywall.
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
'Groupthink' - a zombie idea in social and organizational psychology, from @bpsofficial.bsky.social @psychmag.bsky.social
(Yes there are drives to uncritical conformity in some groups, but that's because of particular group norms not some quality of being a group)
www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...
(Yes there are drives to uncritical conformity in some groups, but that's because of particular group norms not some quality of being a group)
www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...
Groupthink – a monument to truthiness? | BPS
Ramon J. Aldag re-examines a familiar concept.
www.bps.org.uk
September 28, 2025 at 6:41 PM
'Groupthink' - a zombie idea in social and organizational psychology, from @bpsofficial.bsky.social @psychmag.bsky.social
(Yes there are drives to uncritical conformity in some groups, but that's because of particular group norms not some quality of being a group)
www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...
(Yes there are drives to uncritical conformity in some groups, but that's because of particular group norms not some quality of being a group)
www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
Please spread this far and wide! I’m on the convening team of this exciting new IHR seminar series and we are looking forward to hearing about all the cutting-edge research being done by ECRs across the country!
📢 New Seminar Series!
We are thrilled to be working alongside @ihr.bsky.social on a brand new seminar series titled Migration and Mobility. We are coming together for a special edition of the seminar to showcase the work of PGRs and ECRs on migration and mobility history (1/3)
We are thrilled to be working alongside @ihr.bsky.social on a brand new seminar series titled Migration and Mobility. We are coming together for a special edition of the seminar to showcase the work of PGRs and ECRs on migration and mobility history (1/3)
September 24, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Please spread this far and wide! I’m on the convening team of this exciting new IHR seminar series and we are looking forward to hearing about all the cutting-edge research being done by ECRs across the country!
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
If cities cannot get their own university, how much effort should they put into getting a local branch campus? 🎓
@rjson.bsky.social explores in his latest blog👇
buff.ly/EpK0IPM
@rjson.bsky.social explores in his latest blog👇
buff.ly/EpK0IPM
Branching out: Are campuses an option for cities without universities? - Centre for Cities
Branch campuses can bring a small amount of the benefits that universities bring, but may not be an option for places with struggling economies.
buff.ly
September 23, 2025 at 8:33 AM
If cities cannot get their own university, how much effort should they put into getting a local branch campus? 🎓
@rjson.bsky.social explores in his latest blog👇
buff.ly/EpK0IPM
@rjson.bsky.social explores in his latest blog👇
buff.ly/EpK0IPM
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
“In this case, there’s no reason not to credit both scientists, who made original discoveries independently. But Foote got there first. Had she been given the credit she was due at the time-& the institutional support to match-there’s no telling how far her work would have taken her.”
Eunice Foote
Eunice Foote
September 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
“In this case, there’s no reason not to credit both scientists, who made original discoveries independently. But Foote got there first. Had she been given the credit she was due at the time-& the institutional support to match-there’s no telling how far her work would have taken her.”
Eunice Foote
Eunice Foote
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
😊 Delighted to announce I'll be a Lead Author for ch.8 of @ipcc.bsky.social's Seventh Assessment Report, alongside 663 experts from 111 countries, as part of Working Group III.
Analysis by @carbonbrief.org shows increasing diversity of IPCC authorship: tinyurl.com/462pvby9
#IPCC #ClimateReport
Analysis by @carbonbrief.org shows increasing diversity of IPCC authorship: tinyurl.com/462pvby9
#IPCC #ClimateReport
IPCC concludes selection of authors for its Seventh Assessment Report — IPCC
www.ipcc.ch
September 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
😊 Delighted to announce I'll be a Lead Author for ch.8 of @ipcc.bsky.social's Seventh Assessment Report, alongside 663 experts from 111 countries, as part of Working Group III.
Analysis by @carbonbrief.org shows increasing diversity of IPCC authorship: tinyurl.com/462pvby9
#IPCC #ClimateReport
Analysis by @carbonbrief.org shows increasing diversity of IPCC authorship: tinyurl.com/462pvby9
#IPCC #ClimateReport
Reposted by Dr Moira Nicolson
We've found somewhere now...
*Journal editors*: we're looking for a suitable outlet for our paper which provides an indepth analysis of what happened at three of the anti-immigrant riots in the UK last year. Would your journal consider this paper?
Please share?
www.qeios.com/read/17ASAP
Please share?
www.qeios.com/read/17ASAP
Understanding the 2024 Summer Riots in the UK: Three Case Studies
The wave of riots in England in summer 2024 were followed by swift policy responses before any detailed empirical investigation had been carried out. This paper presents case studies of the disorders ...
www.qeios.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:43 AM
We've found somewhere now...