Rebecca Sear
@rebeccasear.bsky.social
Director of the Centre for Culture and Evolution, Brunel University London @brunelcce.bsky.social. President of the European Human Behaviour and Evolution Association @ehbea.bsky.social
https://www.rebeccasear.org/
https://www.rebeccasear.org/
“Orbán learned before anyone else that controlling the universities that train a country’s elite is the best way to gain eventual control of its political system”
www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/can-ac...
www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/can-ac...
Can academic freedom survive in the new age of hard power?
While submitting to authority comes naturally to Asian universities, their Western counterparts have traditionally resisted coercion. But Donald Trump’s compact could change the game with the illusion...
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:54 PM
“Orbán learned before anyone else that controlling the universities that train a country’s elite is the best way to gain eventual control of its political system”
www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/can-ac...
www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/can-ac...
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
So there you have it, twin study estimates were greatly inflated, and molecular data sets the record straight. I walk through possible counter-arguments, but ultimately the uncomfortable truth is that genes contribute to traits much less than we always thought.
November 21, 2025 at 10:34 PM
So there you have it, twin study estimates were greatly inflated, and molecular data sets the record straight. I walk through possible counter-arguments, but ultimately the uncomfortable truth is that genes contribute to traits much less than we always thought.
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
I wrote a little bit about the "missing heritability" question and several recent studies that have brought it to a close. A short 🧵
The missing heritability question is now (mostly) answered
Not with a bang but with a whimper
theinfinitesimal.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I wrote a little bit about the "missing heritability" question and several recent studies that have brought it to a close. A short 🧵
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
If this means the decades of sociology using twins to estimate heritability is wrong, has someone written that up for non-genetics people to understand? Seems important
I wrote a little bit about the "missing heritability" question and several recent studies that have brought it to a close. A short 🧵
The missing heritability question is now (mostly) answered
Not with a bang but with a whimper
theinfinitesimal.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:48 PM
If this means the decades of sociology using twins to estimate heritability is wrong, has someone written that up for non-genetics people to understand? Seems important
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
This paper shows: support for lower taxes declines significantly when this comes into conflict with other fiscal policy objectives, e.g. social spending. Regressive reforms receive less support than progressive reforms. Left-leaning, high-income voters resist tax reductions more.
November 21, 2025 at 9:11 AM
This paper shows: support for lower taxes declines significantly when this comes into conflict with other fiscal policy objectives, e.g. social spending. Regressive reforms receive less support than progressive reforms. Left-leaning, high-income voters resist tax reductions more.
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
'The economic impact of international students in the UK surged from £31.3 billion in 2018/19 to £41.9 billion by 2021/22. On average, every parliamentary constituency in Britain benefits by £58 million.' 1/3
Which UK regional economies are most reliant on international students? - HEPI
Join HEPI for a webinar on Thursday 11 December 2025 from 10am to 11am to discuss how universities can strengthen the student voice in governance to mark the launch of our upcoming report, Rethinking ...
www.hepi.ac.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:35 AM
'The economic impact of international students in the UK surged from £31.3 billion in 2018/19 to £41.9 billion by 2021/22. On average, every parliamentary constituency in Britain benefits by £58 million.' 1/3
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
We are seeing multiple university course closures across a range of arts, humanities & social sciences. I'll be in the East Midlands at De Montfort University on Thurs 27 Nov talking about why these disciplines are essential to the future of the UK. All welcome
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shaping-a-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shaping-a-...
Shaping a Brighter Future
The first event in our Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture Series, delivered by Hetan Shah, Chief Executive, The British Academy
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
We are seeing multiple university course closures across a range of arts, humanities & social sciences. I'll be in the East Midlands at De Montfort University on Thurs 27 Nov talking about why these disciplines are essential to the future of the UK. All welcome
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shaping-a-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shaping-a-...
Policy should focus not on fertility targets but on how “societies can remain prosperous, equitable & sustainable under conditions of low fertility, population aging & population decline. That is a question better aligned with what we actually know—and with the uncertainties we must acknowledge”
The demographic future that we do not know about
The demographic future of the planet has rarely been as questioned as it is today. For much of the 20th century, the demographic transition theory provided a clear narrative: With modernization and de...
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Policy should focus not on fertility targets but on how “societies can remain prosperous, equitable & sustainable under conditions of low fertility, population aging & population decline. That is a question better aligned with what we actually know—and with the uncertainties we must acknowledge”
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
Odd coverage of the #covidinquiry by the Today Programme.
November 21, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Odd coverage of the #covidinquiry by the Today Programme.
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
#GreatAdaptations New data from a species that keeps teaching us more about how females hold their own in reproductive conflicts with males.
Not all sexual swellings signal fertility. Some signal strategy. In our new Current Biology paper, we show how gelada females “fake it” during male takeovers—and why it works.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
November 20, 2025 at 2:18 PM
#GreatAdaptations New data from a species that keeps teaching us more about how females hold their own in reproductive conflicts with males.
"We demonstrate how pronatal policies are not only ineffective, but are dangerous to the health and well-being of women and other populations and are in direct conflict with modern reproductive goals, reproductive justice, and decades of efforts towards achieving gender parity"
The Rise and Fall and Rise of Pronatalism: A Disingenuous Policy that Harms the Health of People and Society | Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics | Cambridge Core
The Rise and Fall and Rise of Pronatalism: A Disingenuous Policy that Harms the Health of People and Society - Volume 53 Issue 3
doi.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:40 AM
"We demonstrate how pronatal policies are not only ineffective, but are dangerous to the health and well-being of women and other populations and are in direct conflict with modern reproductive goals, reproductive justice, and decades of efforts towards achieving gender parity"
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
'The manosphere’s enthusiasm for evolution goes beyond appropriation and selective interpretation of existing research' New paper by LouisBachaud et al | Evolutionary Human Sciences | Cambridge Core - www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
A hundred and two just-so stories: exploring the lay evolutionary hypotheses of the manosphere | Evolutionary Human Sciences | Cambridge Core
A hundred and two just-so stories: exploring the lay evolutionary hypotheses of the manosphere - Volume 7
www.cambridge.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:19 AM
'The manosphere’s enthusiasm for evolution goes beyond appropriation and selective interpretation of existing research' New paper by LouisBachaud et al | Evolutionary Human Sciences | Cambridge Core - www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
Happy #WplusEBSWednesday, folks!
This week, we're spotlighting the Toulouse Summer School in Quantitative Social Sciences (May 26–June 19), hosted by @tse-fr.eu and @iast.fr .
Applications due Dec. 15!
Great opportunity for PhD students - check it out at the link :)
www.tse-fr.eu/toulouse-sum...
This week, we're spotlighting the Toulouse Summer School in Quantitative Social Sciences (May 26–June 19), hosted by @tse-fr.eu and @iast.fr .
Applications due Dec. 15!
Great opportunity for PhD students - check it out at the link :)
www.tse-fr.eu/toulouse-sum...
Toulouse Summer School in Quantitative Social Sciences Application
Application to the Toulouse Summer School in Quantitative Social Sciences taking place from May 25th to June 19th, 2026 in Toulouse, France Application deadline: December 15th, 2025 Applicants will be...
www.tse-fr.eu
November 19, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Happy #WplusEBSWednesday, folks!
This week, we're spotlighting the Toulouse Summer School in Quantitative Social Sciences (May 26–June 19), hosted by @tse-fr.eu and @iast.fr .
Applications due Dec. 15!
Great opportunity for PhD students - check it out at the link :)
www.tse-fr.eu/toulouse-sum...
This week, we're spotlighting the Toulouse Summer School in Quantitative Social Sciences (May 26–June 19), hosted by @tse-fr.eu and @iast.fr .
Applications due Dec. 15!
Great opportunity for PhD students - check it out at the link :)
www.tse-fr.eu/toulouse-sum...
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
'Many of the campaigners and organisers giving speeches at the march said they felt the recent rise of the far right had led to people feeling “more confident” in racially abusing women – and men – on the streets.'
West Midlands attacks have left Sikh women fearing for their safety | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 7:36 AM
'Many of the campaigners and organisers giving speeches at the march said they felt the recent rise of the far right had led to people feeling “more confident” in racially abusing women – and men – on the streets.'
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
1/ Concerns about low birth rates & below "replacement" fertility have been in the news a lot lately. But what does "replacement fertility" mean exactly?
(Throwback pic to that time I tried replacement fertility all in one go). jenndowd.substack.com/p/what-is-re... #demography #fertility
(Throwback pic to that time I tried replacement fertility all in one go). jenndowd.substack.com/p/what-is-re... #demography #fertility
November 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
1/ Concerns about low birth rates & below "replacement" fertility have been in the news a lot lately. But what does "replacement fertility" mean exactly?
(Throwback pic to that time I tried replacement fertility all in one go). jenndowd.substack.com/p/what-is-re... #demography #fertility
(Throwback pic to that time I tried replacement fertility all in one go). jenndowd.substack.com/p/what-is-re... #demography #fertility
“Insect-eating bird populations in France appear to be making a tentative recovery after a ban on bee-harming pesticides”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
France’s birds start to show signs of recovery after bee-harming pesticide ban
Analysis shows small hike in populations of insect-eating species after 2018 ruling, but full recovery may take decades
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:32 PM
“Insect-eating bird populations in France appear to be making a tentative recovery after a ban on bee-harming pesticides”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
Shuster et al (2025) on the gendering of plant reproduction processes: "The durability of gender stereotypes in describing plant reproduction reflects deeper tensions in the communication of information by the scientific community." 🧪
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Plant Sex: A Cultural Analysis of the Gendering of Plant Reproduction Processes | Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society: Vol 50, No 3
Abstract Scholarship from feminist science, knowledge, and technology (FSTS) studies consistently demonstrates how the production of knowledge about biological processes depends upon gender stereotype...
www.journals.uchicago.edu
November 18, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Shuster et al (2025) on the gendering of plant reproduction processes: "The durability of gender stereotypes in describing plant reproduction reflects deeper tensions in the communication of information by the scientific community." 🧪
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Guide for the perplexed:
One academic expressing an opinion about another academic’s work = not censorship
A university dictating what its staff can and cannot teach = censorship
One academic expressing an opinion about another academic’s work = not censorship
A university dictating what its staff can and cannot teach = censorship
'Courses that “advocate race or gender ideology, sexual orientation, or gender identity” now require presidential approval at Texas A&M system campuses, the system Board of Regents decided Thursday.'
Much will rest on interpretations of 'advocate' and 'ideology'. Or will it? 1/4
Much will rest on interpretations of 'advocate' and 'ideology'. Or will it? 1/4
Texas A&M Requires Approval for Courses That “Advocate” Certain Ideologies
Many faculty members decried the new restrictions on race- and gender-related courses as an assault on academic freedom. Meanwhile, the board also discussed a once-per-semester systemwide course revie...
www.insidehighered.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Guide for the perplexed:
One academic expressing an opinion about another academic’s work = not censorship
A university dictating what its staff can and cannot teach = censorship
One academic expressing an opinion about another academic’s work = not censorship
A university dictating what its staff can and cannot teach = censorship
Settlement and the intergenerational dispersion of kin as
a spatial process in the nineteenth century US
www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1...
a spatial process in the nineteenth century US
www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1...
www.tandfonline.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Settlement and the intergenerational dispersion of kin as
a spatial process in the nineteenth century US
www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1...
a spatial process in the nineteenth century US
www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1...
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
I talked a bit with Jason about Grokipedia and it is, without exaggeration, like if you trained an LLM solely on white supremacist blogs and had it try to write Wikipedia entries. Some of the most insane stuff I’ve seen on the internet
Hard to find a clearer distillation of the gen ai project.
White nationalist talking points and racial pseudoscience: welcome to Elon Musk’s Grokipedia
World’s richest person wanted to ‘purge’ propaganda from Wikipedia, so he created a compendium of racist disinformation
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I talked a bit with Jason about Grokipedia and it is, without exaggeration, like if you trained an LLM solely on white supremacist blogs and had it try to write Wikipedia entries. Some of the most insane stuff I’ve seen on the internet
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
The ‘polarisation narrative’ simplifies complex issues by constructing a spectrum where good should be found in the middle of diametrically opposed political positions
New preprint article by @juanroch.bsky.social, @daniel-balinhas.bsky.social and I
1/
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
New preprint article by @juanroch.bsky.social, @daniel-balinhas.bsky.social and I
1/
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
(PDF) A critique of the polarisation narrative: Expanding the limits of democracy, parties and political participation
PDF | To cite: Roch J, Balinhas, D and Mondon A (2025) 'A critique of the polarisation narrative: Expanding the limits of democracy, parties and... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on R...
www.researchgate.net
November 17, 2025 at 10:19 AM
The ‘polarisation narrative’ simplifies complex issues by constructing a spectrum where good should be found in the middle of diametrically opposed political positions
New preprint article by @juanroch.bsky.social, @daniel-balinhas.bsky.social and I
1/
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
New preprint article by @juanroch.bsky.social, @daniel-balinhas.bsky.social and I
1/
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
📣 New BBS preprint out now! 📣
"Models casting egalitarian societies as crucibles of equality perpetuate the factually uninformed notion that foragers are somehow more noble. Critiques portray egalitarianism as romantic fantasy. Neither characterization is wholly justified."
doi.org/10.1017/S014...
"Models casting egalitarian societies as crucibles of equality perpetuate the factually uninformed notion that foragers are somehow more noble. Critiques portray egalitarianism as romantic fantasy. Neither characterization is wholly justified."
doi.org/10.1017/S014...
Egalitarianism is not Equality: Moving from outcome to process in the study of human political organisation | Behavioral and Brain Sciences | Cambridge Core
Egalitarianism is not Equality: Moving from outcome to process in the study of human political organisation
doi.org
November 18, 2025 at 8:05 AM
📣 New BBS preprint out now! 📣
"Models casting egalitarian societies as crucibles of equality perpetuate the factually uninformed notion that foragers are somehow more noble. Critiques portray egalitarianism as romantic fantasy. Neither characterization is wholly justified."
doi.org/10.1017/S014...
"Models casting egalitarian societies as crucibles of equality perpetuate the factually uninformed notion that foragers are somehow more noble. Critiques portray egalitarianism as romantic fantasy. Neither characterization is wholly justified."
doi.org/10.1017/S014...
Reposted by Rebecca Sear
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...