Thomas Gerdes
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Thomas Gerdes
@thomasgerdes.de
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Head of Library at Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity, Göttingen. Passionate about open science and supporting researchers. | #photography | thomasgerdes.de
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thomasgerdes.de
Einstein Lounge
Bar interior with dark mirrored wall displaying "THE EINSTEIN LOUNGE" in gold lettering with decorative white scroll borders. Multiple liquor bottles line the top shelf, with rows of wine glasses hanging upside down below. Upper left corner shows three framed citrus cross-sections frozen in ice blocks—lemon, lime, and orange.
November 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Which way to Londinium?: ‘Google Maps’ for Roman roads reveals vast extent of ancient network

#history

doi.org/10.1038/d415...
‘Google Maps’ for Roman roads reveals vast extent of ancient network
A high-resolution digital map nearly doubles the known length of the ancient road network.
doi.org
November 8, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
maxplanck.de
Today we celebrate the birthday of not one, but two amazing women in science! 🤗🎉Marie Skłodowska-Curie (1867), who discovered #radium & #polonium & pioneered #radioactivity, & Lise Meitner (1878), whose brilliance uncovered the physics behind #nuclearfission. Happy birthday, trailblazers! ✨
Black-and-white portrait of Maria Skłodowska-Curie, 1903. She is seated in a chair, wearing a dark dress with a light, patterned collar, resting her head on one hand and looking directly at the camera. public domain Lise Meitner around 1906 in Vienna. She is wearing a long dress and a hat, standing among large plants and looking to the side. public domain
November 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
britishlibrary.bsky.social
Could you co-supervise a PhD working with unexplored areas of our collection?

We’re seeking proposals from academics at HEI’s on four specially selected research themes: bit.ly/BritishLibra...
Manuscript page showing a detailed illumination from Cotton MS Nero DIV
November 7, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
jmwiarda.bsky.social
Ohne Reallabore läuft die KI an Hochschule ins Leere
Nicht Technik entscheidet über den Lernerfolg, sondern die Art, wie sie erforscht, erprobt und verantwortungsvoll eingeführt wird. Ein Gastbeitrag von Marcus Specht und Stefan Stürmer im Wiarda-Blog: www.jmwiarda.de/blog/2025/11...
November 6, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
jmwiarda.bsky.social
Gar nicht so gespalten
Das neue Wissenschaftsbarometer zeigt: Die Deutschen sehen Polarisierung, obwohl sie bei zentralen Konfliktfragen eher einig sind. Und sie setzen große Erwartungen in die Wissenschaft. Im Wiarda-Blog:
www.jmwiarda.de/blog/2025/11...
November 4, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
maxplanck.de
Heute um 13 Uhr wird das #Wissenschaftsbarometer 2025 vorstellt. Die Umfrage zeigt, wie Wissenschaft und Forschung in der Öffentlichkeit gesehen werden und welche Rolle Wissenschaftskommunikation gegen #Polarisierung spielen kann. Jetzt anmelden! eveeno.com/168018116 @w-i-d.de
November 4, 2025 at 8:19 AM
thomasgerdes.de
Ape & human — Leipzig, 30 October 2025.

#photography #orangutan #GreatApe #ZooLeipzig #Pongoland #monochrome #blackandwhite #Leipzig
Black and white photograph of a orangutan sitting against glass in a zoo enclosure. A boy is reflected in the glass barrier, creating a poignant juxtaposition between the ape and its observer. The concrete floor and textured walls of the enclosure are visible in the background.
November 2, 2025 at 9:25 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Sleeping gorilla.

#photography #gorilla #GreatApe #ZooLeipzig #Pongoland #monochrome #blackandwhite #Leipzig
A gorilla relaxes in a rope hammock suspended between wooden supports in a zoo enclosure. The black and white photograph captures the primate lying on its back, gazing upward in a moment of leisure. The textured concrete wall behind creates depth, while other gorillas rest in shadowy areas below. Thick braided ropes and weathered wood logs form the climbing structure.
November 1, 2025 at 11:36 AM
thomasgerdes.de
Why Academic Social Media’s Fragmentation Matters

#SocialMedia #SciComm

scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/10/29/g...
Guest Post — The Great Pullback: Why Academic Social Media’s Fragmentation Matters - The Scholarly Kitchen
Today's guest bloggers share insights into the fragmented, tiring, and uncertain digital landscape for academics, and evidence that a shift is underway — with implications for scholarly communication ...
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
obibjournal.bsky.social
Frisch veröffentlicht in #obibJournal: "MPG.Discovery. Ein Verbundprojekt zum Aufbau eines multiinstanzfähigen Resource Discovery Systems für die Max-Planck-Gesellschaft" von Elisabeth Engl, Susanne Hilbring, Alexander Krug, Cora Molloy, Sebastian Nix, Andreas Wenzel, doi.org/10.5282/o-bi...
MPG.Discovery: Ein Verbundprojekt zum Aufbau eines multiinstanzfähigen Resource Discovery Systems für die Max-Planck-Gesellschaft | o-bib. Das offene Bibliotheksjournal / Herausgeber VDB
doi.org
October 31, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
steffenmau.bsky.social
Am Sonntag (11:15) mit @ricardalang.bsky.social beim Literaturherbst in Göttingen. Restkarten vorhanden!

www.literaturherbst.com/programm/fes...
Der große Umbruch | Göttinger Literaturherbst
Der Göttinger Literaturherbst zählt zu den fünf größten Literaturfestivals im deutschsprachigen Raum. Seit über 30 Jahren ein Fest der Gegenwartsliteratur.
www.literaturherbst.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:17 PM
thomasgerdes.de
ChatGPT is blind to bad science

#AI #science

blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...
ChatGPT is blind to bad science - Impact of Social Sciences
A new study finds ChatGPT fails to take into account retraction notices across a wide range of research.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
thomasgerdes.de
#BookLog: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

#AmReading #booksky

www.goodreads.com/book/show/89...
Of Mice and Men
“I got you to look after me, and you got me to look aft…
www.goodreads.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:44 PM
thomasgerdes.de
What happened in our institute's library? Can you solve the mystery?

Photos: @mpimmg.bsky.social

#TagderBibliotheken #Library #MPG
Four people wearing white gloves stand around a table in a library with colourful book-lined shelves. They examine documents and objects, including a small floral arrangement. A modern floating staircase is visible on the left wall. Six people wearing white gloves gather around a table in a two-story library, examining documents and objects. A woman in a purple patterned cardigan studies papers while others hold various items including what appears to be a dark sculptural object. A globe sits on the table's left side. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the upper balcony. Four people wearing black bowler hats and white gloves huddle around a dark table examining objects, including a vintage wooden radio and a yellow illuminated globe. Bookshelves filled with colourful volumes line the wall behind them.
October 24, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
paintingsoflondon.bsky.social
'Piccadilly Circus' (from 'Looking Round London', c.1938) by Helen Carstairs
October 22, 2025 at 7:38 AM
thomasgerdes.de
Methods Hub: Exploring computational methods for your social science research?

#SocialScience #Methods

methodshub.gesis.org
October 20, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
mrsnarkypantalones.bsky.social
Trinity, Dublin, Ireland. Sept. 2022. #iphone #iphoto #photography #classicmono #monochrome #blackandwhite #eastcoastkin #dublin #trinity #library #travelphoto
October 17, 2025 at 11:22 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Street & lights — Munich, 16 October 2025.

#photography#StreetPhotography #monochrome #blackandwhite #Munich
A brightly lit tram travels along tracks at night in a high-contrast black and white photograph. The tram's illuminated windows create striking white rectangles against the dark surroundings. In the background, several tall residential tower blocks stand prominently lit against the night sky, while smaller buildings and streetlights dot the urban landscape. The composition creates a dramatic interplay between light and shadow, emphasizing the geometric lines of the tram, tracks, and architecture.
October 16, 2025 at 9:19 PM
thomasgerdes.de
The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg harbour with seagulls. — Hamburg, 12 October 2025.

#photography #StreetPhotography #ArchitecturalPhotography #monochrome #blackandwhite #Elbphilharmonie #Hamburg
Black and white photograph of a crowded waterfront promenade with seagulls flying overhead against a cloudy sky. The Elbphilharmonie's distinctive wave-like architecture dominates the right side of the frame, while a tall ship's mast is visible at the far right. Various modern and historic buildings line the harbour, with pedestrians filling the walkway below.
October 16, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
passedwonder.bsky.social
Ahh, modern #architecture. The #future staring at you with dozens of eyes.
#Walktober #psychogeography #photography #London
Series of suspended lit globes tended towards panes of glass on the opposite end with darkness beyond, and various metal and glass structures of a building around them. It is not clear which way is up or down.
October 16, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
paintingsoflondon.bsky.social
'Mornington Crescent' (1910) by Spencer Gore

(Private collection)
October 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
patrick-cramer.maxplanck.de
During my visit to the German Embassy in Brasília, I emphasized our commitment to deepen cooperation with Latin America, with Brazil as a key partner in science, innovation and climate research. I truly value the spirit of collaboration that drives this partnership.
Patrick Cramer speaking at the embassy. People at the embassy listening
October 15, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Thomas Gerdes
cilip.bsky.social
We're counting down to #GreenLibraries Week! Here's your chance to plan & promote your climate-facing, green activities to your community and have a great Green Libraries Week and half-term. Add your activities to our interactive map of 'greenspiration'!
www.cilip.org.uk/page/GreenLi...
Green Libraries Week map 2025 tite, image of the map with entries on the right side, small text below - Submit your entryto be featured this year and seedling graphic above it
October 16, 2025 at 9:45 AM
thomasgerdes.de
#Podcasdt: Jane Austen. The life of a Regency literary icon

#history

bbc.com/audio/play/m...
BBC Audio | You're Dead To Me | Jane Austen: the life of a Regency literary icon
Join Greg and his guests to learn about the life and works of literary legend Jane Austen.
bbc.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:25 AM