Devin Banks
@phd-banks.bsky.social
Psychologist, preventionist, advocate. Working toward increased community engagement & health equity in substance use & mental health in STL.
Reposted by Devin Banks
I’m looking forward to being a zillion years old and still reminding people of what our universities did when challenged by baldly illegal hate-driven garbage dictums because I guarantee that the second trump is out of power they’ll expect everyone to forget and stop talking about it
Not only did Harvard pull explicit support for affinity graduations, they told staff that they could not assist in planning them on paid work time and students could not use university spaces for affinity graduations.
This is the cowardice of Harvard complying wfh white supremacists.
This is the cowardice of Harvard complying wfh white supremacists.
May 14, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I’m looking forward to being a zillion years old and still reminding people of what our universities did when challenged by baldly illegal hate-driven garbage dictums because I guarantee that the second trump is out of power they’ll expect everyone to forget and stop talking about it
Reposted by Devin Banks
At the end of this summer, the future of U.S. science and research will be decided.
From weather alerts to cancer breakthroughs, science shapes every part of our lives.
We need everyone in this fight.
The Summer Fight for Science starts now. Are you in?
The fight starts here: bit.ly/4ddiuqU
From weather alerts to cancer breakthroughs, science shapes every part of our lives.
We need everyone in this fight.
The Summer Fight for Science starts now. Are you in?
The fight starts here: bit.ly/4ddiuqU
May 14, 2025 at 7:07 PM
At the end of this summer, the future of U.S. science and research will be decided.
From weather alerts to cancer breakthroughs, science shapes every part of our lives.
We need everyone in this fight.
The Summer Fight for Science starts now. Are you in?
The fight starts here: bit.ly/4ddiuqU
From weather alerts to cancer breakthroughs, science shapes every part of our lives.
We need everyone in this fight.
The Summer Fight for Science starts now. Are you in?
The fight starts here: bit.ly/4ddiuqU
Reposted by Devin Banks
A thousand yeses to this from Cole Arthur Riley.
May 8, 2025 at 3:06 PM
A thousand yeses to this from Cole Arthur Riley.
These people really just say ANYTHING. 🥴
"On Earth Day, We Finally Have a President Who Follows Science"
-The White House
-The White House
a close up of a man 's face with a beard making a funny face .
ALT: a close up of a man 's face with a beard making a funny face .
media.tenor.com
April 23, 2025 at 9:59 PM
These people really just say ANYTHING. 🥴
In some good news today, I’m happy to share a newly published Methodology describing some of the most rewarding work of my career so far: working in partnership with a CAB with lived experience to design and execute a research project: harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
April 23, 2025 at 9:41 PM
In some good news today, I’m happy to share a newly published Methodology describing some of the most rewarding work of my career so far: working in partnership with a CAB with lived experience to design and execute a research project: harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Reposted by Devin Banks
A new study models the impact of the implosion of U.S.-funded disease treatment and prevention in the developing world — and suggests that Elon Musk and Marco Rubio will go down as among history’s greatest monsters if funding and effective administration are not restored.
Count the Dead by the Millions
From HIV and tuberculosis infections to millions of dead children, the deadly impact of Rubio, Musk and Trump’s agenda has been quantified.
www.rollingstone.com
April 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM
A new study models the impact of the implosion of U.S.-funded disease treatment and prevention in the developing world — and suggests that Elon Musk and Marco Rubio will go down as among history’s greatest monsters if funding and effective administration are not restored.
Reposted by Devin Banks
This survey is a vital resource for researchers and the public to track the prevalence and impact of drug use and mental health problems in the US. It's a VITAL database.
And it's just going to be gone. Devastating.
And it's just going to be gone. Devastating.
The entire National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) team at SAMHSA was terminated today.
Do not listen to the platitudes of this administration when they say they care about drug overdose, addiction, mental health, or suicide.
Do not listen to the platitudes of this administration when they say they care about drug overdose, addiction, mental health, or suicide.
April 1, 2025 at 1:51 PM
This survey is a vital resource for researchers and the public to track the prevalence and impact of drug use and mental health problems in the US. It's a VITAL database.
And it's just going to be gone. Devastating.
And it's just going to be gone. Devastating.
Reposted by Devin Banks
“We preface everything with an admission that our opponents are right and somehow we’re losing the messaging war. We don’t understand why this isn’t working.”
RFK Jr. is not wrong. We are failing to keep our communities healthy. This message resonates with many.
But I have serious concerns about his ability and expertise to lead such a sweeping overhaul of the HHS workforce. We need accountability, not just rhetoric.
But I have serious concerns about his ability and expertise to lead such a sweeping overhaul of the HHS workforce. We need accountability, not just rhetoric.
March 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
“We preface everything with an admission that our opponents are right and somehow we’re losing the messaging war. We don’t understand why this isn’t working.”
Reposted by Devin Banks
Columbia’s leaders’ capitulation makes it harder for every other scientist in the country to fight grant terminations.
Second meeting I've been in today where I've been on with someone who learned of a grant termination during the meeting. @altnih4science.bsky.social
March 21, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Columbia’s leaders’ capitulation makes it harder for every other scientist in the country to fight grant terminations.
Reposted by Devin Banks
My grants were terminated.
I have heard of so many LGBTQ+ grants terminated today. I am so sorry to everyone affected. This is devastating to our communities and to us as researchers. I have nothing more eloquent, comforting, or helpful to say. This is all just immeasurably horrible.
March 21, 2025 at 9:41 PM
My grants were terminated.
Reposted by Devin Banks
Ryan is 100 percent correct.
March 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Ryan is 100 percent correct.
Reposted by Devin Banks
@standupforscience.bsky.social , @cdelawalla.bsky.social , @samschuelstein.bsky.social , @mikelaritter.bsky.social , and all the grad students, ECRs, and everyone who organized the rallies today.
You are all amazing and have given us so much hope. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
You are all amazing and have given us so much hope. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
March 7, 2025 at 10:42 PM
@standupforscience.bsky.social , @cdelawalla.bsky.social , @samschuelstein.bsky.social , @mikelaritter.bsky.social , and all the grad students, ECRs, and everyone who organized the rallies today.
You are all amazing and have given us so much hope. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
You are all amazing and have given us so much hope. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
This is extremely bad for science across the board in myriad ways. But most of the discourse seems to ignore that if this is true, it is potentially career-ending for people like me who’ve dedicated their lives to inquiry that represents those oppressed & denied access to health by our society.
From an NIH source re. grant terminations
"These searches are pulling in things based on 'other support' sections and biosketches, so science may be held up just because someone mentions that they serve on a DEIA committee, or has a completely different grant that uses a 'problematic' word.
(cont)
"These searches are pulling in things based on 'other support' sections and biosketches, so science may be held up just because someone mentions that they serve on a DEIA committee, or has a completely different grant that uses a 'problematic' word.
(cont)
March 8, 2025 at 1:39 AM
This is extremely bad for science across the board in myriad ways. But most of the discourse seems to ignore that if this is true, it is potentially career-ending for people like me who’ve dedicated their lives to inquiry that represents those oppressed & denied access to health by our society.
Reposted by Devin Banks
NEW: The NIH has begun terminating grants for active projects studying gender identity, DEI, environmental justice, climate change, among other topics.
At least 16 termination letters have already been sent — and hundreds more are coming, people inside NIH tell me.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
At least 16 termination letters have already been sent — and hundreds more are coming, people inside NIH tell me.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: NIH to terminate hundreds of active research grants
Studies that touch on LGBT+ health, gender identity and DEI in the biomedical workforce could be terminated, according to documents obtained by Nature.
www.nature.com
March 6, 2025 at 2:17 AM
NEW: The NIH has begun terminating grants for active projects studying gender identity, DEI, environmental justice, climate change, among other topics.
At least 16 termination letters have already been sent — and hundreds more are coming, people inside NIH tell me.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
At least 16 termination letters have already been sent — and hundreds more are coming, people inside NIH tell me.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Devin Banks
Sorry to report to all the fuckfaces out there that I spent multiple hours today doing work that I am passionate about and find interesting, reading ideas, thinking about them, and even writing about them
February 12, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Sorry to report to all the fuckfaces out there that I spent multiple hours today doing work that I am passionate about and find interesting, reading ideas, thinking about them, and even writing about them
Reposted by Devin Banks
1/8. This week I had a few different conversations with scholars who, in the face of the attacks on science and institutions of learning in the U.S., are wondering what to do. One suggestion I have is: keep doing your work. It matters in and of itself. Why do I say that? A few reasons.
February 8, 2025 at 8:42 PM
1/8. This week I had a few different conversations with scholars who, in the face of the attacks on science and institutions of learning in the U.S., are wondering what to do. One suggestion I have is: keep doing your work. It matters in and of itself. Why do I say that? A few reasons.
Reposted by Devin Banks
Academics and researchers are receiving emails from their higher-ups, explaining that rules are changing and their institutions are carefully monitoring the situation.
Have any university higher-ups sent emails saying "We continue to be unwavering in our support for the rights of all human beings?"
Have any university higher-ups sent emails saying "We continue to be unwavering in our support for the rights of all human beings?"
February 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Academics and researchers are receiving emails from their higher-ups, explaining that rules are changing and their institutions are carefully monitoring the situation.
Have any university higher-ups sent emails saying "We continue to be unwavering in our support for the rights of all human beings?"
Have any university higher-ups sent emails saying "We continue to be unwavering in our support for the rights of all human beings?"
Reposted by Devin Banks
For Black History Month, key facts about the nation's Black population: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
In less than 25 years, the percentage of Black Americans with a college degree has nearly doubled. Black women have seen the fastest gains in educational attainment.
In less than 25 years, the percentage of Black Americans with a college degree has nearly doubled. Black women have seen the fastest gains in educational attainment.
February 1, 2025 at 4:54 PM
For Black History Month, key facts about the nation's Black population: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
In less than 25 years, the percentage of Black Americans with a college degree has nearly doubled. Black women have seen the fastest gains in educational attainment.
In less than 25 years, the percentage of Black Americans with a college degree has nearly doubled. Black women have seen the fastest gains in educational attainment.
Reposted by Devin Banks
If you are in danger unless you comply with a regime, you are in danger whether you comply or not
January 31, 2025 at 9:16 PM
If you are in danger unless you comply with a regime, you are in danger whether you comply or not
For scale, the NIH Diversity Supplement Program is older than me.
Of course, this will hurt and limit opportunity for junior scientists who are Black, Latinx, Native, and from low income backgrounds. But it will also hurt and limit science.
Of course, this will hurt and limit opportunity for junior scientists who are Black, Latinx, Native, and from low income backgrounds. But it will also hurt and limit science.
And the funding announcement for diversity supplements now has been updated to expire today. Supplements are so important to the careers of junior scientists. This is crushing for post docs and early career faculty
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
January 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
For scale, the NIH Diversity Supplement Program is older than me.
Of course, this will hurt and limit opportunity for junior scientists who are Black, Latinx, Native, and from low income backgrounds. But it will also hurt and limit science.
Of course, this will hurt and limit opportunity for junior scientists who are Black, Latinx, Native, and from low income backgrounds. But it will also hurt and limit science.
Reposted by Devin Banks
I cannot decide if this is my optimistic or my cynical take, but I have a feeling that incredibly large proportions of NIH funding will continue, with the DEI emphases stripped, and we are going to get to see how many of our institutions and scientists are windsocks.
January 23, 2025 at 2:46 PM
I cannot decide if this is my optimistic or my cynical take, but I have a feeling that incredibly large proportions of NIH funding will continue, with the DEI emphases stripped, and we are going to get to see how many of our institutions and scientists are windsocks.
Reposted by Devin Banks
When I talk to upper administration, they seemed to think that things would never go this far. I guess this puts the issue front and center early. I'm curious how much more bending of the knee we'll see in order to curry favor for things like NIH grants.
All NIH study sections canceled indefinitely. This will halt science and devastate research budgets in universities.
January 22, 2025 at 9:40 PM
When I talk to upper administration, they seemed to think that things would never go this far. I guess this puts the issue front and center early. I'm curious how much more bending of the knee we'll see in order to curry favor for things like NIH grants.
Just 3 months left to submit to our Special Issue! 🗣️
We’re open to approaches ranging from #CBPR to exploring initial collabs with community. Topics include #addictionsci, infectious disease, incarceration & any others where harm reduction may apply. Submit @ www.biomedcentral.com/collections/...
We’re open to approaches ranging from #CBPR to exploring initial collabs with community. Topics include #addictionsci, infectious disease, incarceration & any others where harm reduction may apply. Submit @ www.biomedcentral.com/collections/...
December 11, 2024 at 4:17 PM
Just 3 months left to submit to our Special Issue! 🗣️
We’re open to approaches ranging from #CBPR to exploring initial collabs with community. Topics include #addictionsci, infectious disease, incarceration & any others where harm reduction may apply. Submit @ www.biomedcentral.com/collections/...
We’re open to approaches ranging from #CBPR to exploring initial collabs with community. Topics include #addictionsci, infectious disease, incarceration & any others where harm reduction may apply. Submit @ www.biomedcentral.com/collections/...
Reposted by Devin Banks
The basic principle is that reviewers are tired, they're rushed, they're reading your and 10 other grants on top of their normal workload.
Anything you can do to make it easy for them will help.
Here's a list of my suggestions.
Anything you can do to make it easy for them will help.
Here's a list of my suggestions.
As a grant reviewer, what do you really wish people would do/not do?
Not big things, like find a significant question/innovative method/be consistent with aims
Little things, like bold each acronym the first time it’s used.
Add your pet peeves ⬇️
#HiddenCurriculum #Research
Not big things, like find a significant question/innovative method/be consistent with aims
Little things, like bold each acronym the first time it’s used.
Add your pet peeves ⬇️
#HiddenCurriculum #Research
November 23, 2024 at 2:57 PM
The basic principle is that reviewers are tired, they're rushed, they're reading your and 10 other grants on top of their normal workload.
Anything you can do to make it easy for them will help.
Here's a list of my suggestions.
Anything you can do to make it easy for them will help.
Here's a list of my suggestions.