Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
@samayanissanke.bsky.social
Astrophysicist, gravitational waves and multi-messenger astronomy, working mother, European + 🌍 @ ❤️, British + born in London UK, professor at the University of Potsdam, DESY & German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA); also @GRAPPAcentre at Univ. of Amsterdam.
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
One of my earliest moments of radicalization was in 2005 when Larry Summers said that women biologically have less aptitude for science than men. Following that, scores of equally unimpressive people wrote pieces trying to explain or justify his remarks, when they should have called for his removal.
November 12, 2025 at 5:13 PM
One of my earliest moments of radicalization was in 2005 when Larry Summers said that women biologically have less aptitude for science than men. Following that, scores of equally unimpressive people wrote pieces trying to explain or justify his remarks, when they should have called for his removal.
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
To be clear (it is the internet, after all) there are plenty of truly wonderful, non-sociopathic people in positions of influence within academia. I just think we are too forgiving of the bad people.
November 17, 2025 at 10:06 PM
To be clear (it is the internet, after all) there are plenty of truly wonderful, non-sociopathic people in positions of influence within academia. I just think we are too forgiving of the bad people.
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
Academia has a problem in elevating terrible people into positions of power. "Sure, this person is a narcissist and sociopath, but they get things done! That's a bargain I'm willing to make."
It is indeed hard to get things done in academia, so I understand the temptation. But it often ends badly.
It is indeed hard to get things done in academia, so I understand the temptation. But it often ends badly.
When former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers was pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman he described as a mentee, he turned to a longtime associate for guidance: Jeffrey E. Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
As Summers Sought Clandestine Relationship With Woman He Called a Mentee, Epstein Was His ‘Wing Man’ | News | The Harvard Crimson
When former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers was pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman he described as a mentee, he turned to a longtime associate for guidance: convicted sex offender…
www.thecrimson.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Academia has a problem in elevating terrible people into positions of power. "Sure, this person is a narcissist and sociopath, but they get things done! That's a bargain I'm willing to make."
It is indeed hard to get things done in academia, so I understand the temptation. But it often ends badly.
It is indeed hard to get things done in academia, so I understand the temptation. But it often ends badly.
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
Deadline almost here!
Postdoc job! I expect to have an opening at Johns Hopkins for a postdoctoral researcher working somewhere in the broad realms of physics, philosophy, and complexity. Apply at Academic Jobs Online:
academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30496
academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30496
Johns Hopkins University, Physics and Astronomy
Job #AJO30496, Postdoctoral Fellow in Foundations of Physics, Complexity, and Emergence, Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, US
academicjobsonline.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Deadline almost here!
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
NEW: Tim Davie resignation email to staff.
“You will ask why now? why this moment?”
“You will ask why now? why this moment?”
November 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
NEW: Tim Davie resignation email to staff.
“You will ask why now? why this moment?”
“You will ask why now? why this moment?”
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Thank you so much DESY for the wonderful welcome yesterday at DESY day. I learnt so much about the diversity of fantastic science being done at DESY, & many congratulations to all the award winners & nominees! Thanks also to Sara Russell for a great talk on Asteroid Bennu!
November 6, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Thank you so much DESY for the wonderful welcome yesterday at DESY day. I learnt so much about the diversity of fantastic science being done at DESY, & many congratulations to all the award winners & nominees! Thanks also to Sara Russell for a great talk on Asteroid Bennu!
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
Rama Duwaji, an accomplished artist and reluctant campaigner, has stepped onto center stage alongside her husband and New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Here's what to know about her.
Rama Duwaji, Mamdani’s Wife, Carves a Path of Her Own
Ms. Duwaji, an accomplished artist and reluctant campaigner, steps onto center stage alongside New York City’s new mayor.
nyti.ms
November 5, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Rama Duwaji, an accomplished artist and reluctant campaigner, has stepped onto center stage alongside her husband and New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Here's what to know about her.
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
Mamdani: "Yes, aunties."
November 5, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Mamdani: "Yes, aunties."
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
Inbox— next cover of the New Yorker: “Mayor Mamdani,” by Edel Rodriguez
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Inbox— next cover of the New Yorker: “Mayor Mamdani,” by Edel Rodriguez
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
At 92, the Tory grandee Michael Heseltine is making a comeback. He has harsh words for Nigel Farage and Reform, whose policies remind him of Oswald Mosley and Enoch Powell
Michael Heseltine: Reform is fascist. We must stop Nigel Farage
www.thetimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:46 PM
At 92, the Tory grandee Michael Heseltine is making a comeback. He has harsh words for Nigel Farage and Reform, whose policies remind him of Oswald Mosley and Enoch Powell
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
“Reform is fascist. We must stop Nigel Farage.”
Michael Heseltine is on a mission to stop Reform UK. Superb interview by @alicettimes.bsky.social, with ”share token”.
www.thetimes.com/article/9048...
Michael Heseltine is on a mission to stop Reform UK. Superb interview by @alicettimes.bsky.social, with ”share token”.
www.thetimes.com/article/9048...
Michael Heseltine: Reform is fascist. We must stop Nigel Farage
At 92, Tory grandee Michael Heseltine is making a comeback. He criticises Nigel Farage and Reform, whose policies remind him of Oswald Mosley and Enoch Powell
www.thetimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:31 PM
“Reform is fascist. We must stop Nigel Farage.”
Michael Heseltine is on a mission to stop Reform UK. Superb interview by @alicettimes.bsky.social, with ”share token”.
www.thetimes.com/article/9048...
Michael Heseltine is on a mission to stop Reform UK. Superb interview by @alicettimes.bsky.social, with ”share token”.
www.thetimes.com/article/9048...
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
The announcement of the ceasefire in #Gaza is a relief but it comes after more than two years and over 67,000 lost lives.
The ceasefire must be respected because it's the only way that will allow care to be provided at the scale people desperately need.
www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/ceasefire-in...
The ceasefire must be respected because it's the only way that will allow care to be provided at the scale people desperately need.
www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/ceasefire-in...
Ceasefire in Gaza: Humanitarian aid must flow immediately | Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF ...
The announcement of the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza brings a welcome moment of relief for exhausted, starved and grieving Palestinians and a great relief to the families of all hostages — but...
www.doctorswithoutborders.ca
October 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The announcement of the ceasefire in #Gaza is a relief but it comes after more than two years and over 67,000 lost lives.
The ceasefire must be respected because it's the only way that will allow care to be provided at the scale people desperately need.
www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/ceasefire-in...
The ceasefire must be respected because it's the only way that will allow care to be provided at the scale people desperately need.
www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/ceasefire-in...
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
Yay ... A long favourite of mine Omar Yaghi gets the chemistry #Nobelprize
October 8, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Yay ... A long favourite of mine Omar Yaghi gets the chemistry #Nobelprize
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
NEW: Extraordinary scenes in Amsterdam this afternoon (Sunday, Oct 5).
An estimated 250,000 bring the city to a standstill; people all wearing red to show solidarity with Palestine 🇵🇸
(🎥 Ahmed Zantac)
An estimated 250,000 bring the city to a standstill; people all wearing red to show solidarity with Palestine 🇵🇸
(🎥 Ahmed Zantac)
October 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
NEW: Extraordinary scenes in Amsterdam this afternoon (Sunday, Oct 5).
An estimated 250,000 bring the city to a standstill; people all wearing red to show solidarity with Palestine 🇵🇸
(🎥 Ahmed Zantac)
An estimated 250,000 bring the city to a standstill; people all wearing red to show solidarity with Palestine 🇵🇸
(🎥 Ahmed Zantac)
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
if there's a silver lining to the bari weiss stuff it's that being put in charge of cbs news in 2025 is kind of like being named the commander of a french horseback cavalry division in 1917
October 6, 2025 at 1:27 PM
if there's a silver lining to the bari weiss stuff it's that being put in charge of cbs news in 2025 is kind of like being named the commander of a french horseback cavalry division in 1917
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
Opinion | Was Bari Weiss a DEI hire for CBS?
October 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Opinion | Was Bari Weiss a DEI hire for CBS?
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
Bari Weiss and JD Vance are very similar figures with very similar skills.
October 3, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Bari Weiss and JD Vance are very similar figures with very similar skills.
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
Not to be a pedant but Bari Weiss was a junior editor who occasionally wrote opinion pieces in the opinion section, not a columnist.
October 6, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Not to be a pedant but Bari Weiss was a junior editor who occasionally wrote opinion pieces in the opinion section, not a columnist.
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
the Bari Weiss news is just so depressing
October 6, 2025 at 5:43 PM
the Bari Weiss news is just so depressing
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
On Yom Kippur many Jewish people in Britain have their phones off to mark the holy day.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
October 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
On Yom Kippur many Jewish people in Britain have their phones off to mark the holy day.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
Tommy Robinson posted a neo-Nazi blog that accused me and my fellow Jews Jack Straw and Barbara Roche of conspiring to flood the UK with immigrants.
Tommy Robinson invited to Israel by Amichai Chikli the Minister of Diaspora Affairs.
October 3, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Tommy Robinson posted a neo-Nazi blog that accused me and my fellow Jews Jack Straw and Barbara Roche of conspiring to flood the UK with immigrants.
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
Really depressing but not unsurprising to hear and see commentators across the networks scramble to weaponise the terrible events and loss of life in Manchester yesterday.
Maybe they could give it a day off and actually mourn the victims.
Maybe they could give it a day off and actually mourn the victims.
October 3, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Really depressing but not unsurprising to hear and see commentators across the networks scramble to weaponise the terrible events and loss of life in Manchester yesterday.
Maybe they could give it a day off and actually mourn the victims.
Maybe they could give it a day off and actually mourn the victims.
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
You can also join one of the three report launch events where the team will be sharing their actionable recommendations to improve support for all academic carers. Please come and say hello to me if you’re at the Edinburgh event! 9/end🧵
Register👉: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
Register👉: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
🚨We're going on tour!🚨
Join us for 1 of our "Report Launch" networking events: Edinburgh, Manchester, London, or the comfort of your own home!
We will present the 'Carers in STEMM' survey findings, host panel discussions w/ policy markers, EDI advocates & fellow parents/carers.
Spread the word!📣
Join us for 1 of our "Report Launch" networking events: Edinburgh, Manchester, London, or the comfort of your own home!
We will present the 'Carers in STEMM' survey findings, host panel discussions w/ policy markers, EDI advocates & fellow parents/carers.
Spread the word!📣
October 4, 2025 at 7:24 AM
You can also join one of the three report launch events where the team will be sharing their actionable recommendations to improve support for all academic carers. Please come and say hello to me if you’re at the Edinburgh event! 9/end🧵
Register👉: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
Register👉: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
Reposted by Samaya Nissanke (she/her)
So today I celebrate the work of @carersinstemm.bsky.social who are calling for systemic changes to funding, policy & culture to support carers in STEM. Funders & employers must listen if they recognise and value the importance of a diverse workforce.👩🔬🧪
Read their report 👉 carersinstemm.co.uk 8/9🧵
Read their report 👉 carersinstemm.co.uk 8/9🧵
October 4, 2025 at 7:24 AM
So today I celebrate the work of @carersinstemm.bsky.social who are calling for systemic changes to funding, policy & culture to support carers in STEM. Funders & employers must listen if they recognise and value the importance of a diverse workforce.👩🔬🧪
Read their report 👉 carersinstemm.co.uk 8/9🧵
Read their report 👉 carersinstemm.co.uk 8/9🧵