Dr. Heather Riddell

Students walk on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia

Poll: Public Confidence in Higher Ed Growing https://bit.ly/4pIhTDB

AI models are using material from retracted scientific papers Some companies are working to remedy the issue.

AI models are using material from retracted scientific papers
#academicSky

www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/23/1...

Adding the following to all course descriptions:

We are going to talk about all the shit in this course. All of it. There will be shit everywhere. If your delicate sensibilities can't handle the shit, don't sign up.

#academicsky

Thank you! I try. 😊 I’ll take any good news these days

Second week in a row I was able to give good news to my coauthors. 🎉

I love acceptances and r&rs. They keep the hope alive.

#academicsky

All tools do this.

Me+hammer+nail = Nail in wall
Hammer+nail = Static objects.

The same is true for AI. There is no "hybrid intelligence;" it is us using a tool, an that use makes things happen.

Additional complexity is complexity, not intelligence.

#PsychSciSky #AcademicSky #EduSky

The first week of class is a great reminder of why I got into academia. The energy and excitement from the students is contagious.

#academicsky

Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky Synopsis. Social media has become widely used by the scientific community for a variety of professional uses, including networking and public outreach. For

Hey everybody! @drjuliawester.bsky.social and I have a new paper!

We surveyed over 800 scientists, science communicators, and science educators who use social media.

Conclusion: Scientists no longer find Twitter useful or pleasant, and many have switched to Bluesky! 🧪🌎🦑

doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

Social psychologists will have a lot to say about AI in the coming years, especially bc ppl are *definitely* treating AI like it's another person, often highly knowledgeable or highly skilled. "Diffusion of responsibility" comes to mind on this one... #academicsky

Senate Appropriators Reject Trump’s Education Dept. Cuts The spending plan protects TRIO from Trump’s chopping block and boosts funding for the National Institutes of Health.

Senate Appropriators Reject Trump’s Deep Education Cuts

Senate Republicans are planning to protect the Pell Grant program, keeping the maximum grant award at $7,395 for the coming academic year, despite the Trump administration’s proposal to lower it. bit.ly/4fmIYHI

#HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky

I’m glad to see the big turnout.

Yes, a challenge for sure.

Tomorrow I take on the role as Faculty Senate President and the challenge of representing over 400 faculty.

It is increasingly important to fight for academic freedom and shared governance. I am lucky to have an amazing team that will help me do it.

#academicsky

The George Mason University Faculty Senate has passed a resolution expressing “confidence in Pres. Washington’s leadership” and urging our Board of Visitors to defend him and the University from political pressure. #academicsky #georgemason #resist

Good days are days where faculty who earned tenure, get tenure.

Today was one of those days. I am so happy for my colleague.

#academiclife

Here's my updated, Americanized version of "Demographics Don't Work"...

#MikeJohnson #Eminem #AcademicChatter

Comm Job Spreadsheet 2025-2026 - Grist A modern, open source spreadsheet that goes beyond the grid

For anyone on the Communication job market this year S. Rutherford McEwan has put together an excellent spreadsheet for 2025-2026 openings. Highly recommend checking it out (whether you're applying or hiring):

docs.getgrist.com/rHppfvPrMDQd...

#commsky #academicsky #communication

I watched the meeting and appears that NC, SC, GA, TX, TN are willing to give their university systems over to FL. Perhaps a new “accreditation cartel” where you pay to play.

AI agents are hitting a liability wall. Mixus has a plan to overcome it using human overseers on high-risk workflows Mixus's "colleague-in-the-loop" model blends automation with human judgment for safe deployment of AI agents.

Techbro grifters: Here's an innovative new approach to agentic genAI

Neo-luddites: Does it actually work or is it a mechanical Turk

Techbro grifters: Don't worry it actually works

The innovative approach: It's a mechanical Turk

Many of them are political plants. Look at DeSantis and Florida SUS. Half the members on most of the BOTs are Heritage Foundation members. This is the plan.

Open Letter on Academic Freedom at UVA Open Letter from Members of the Faculty of the University of Virginia In light of reporting that officials at the Department of Justice are pressuring University of Virginia President Jim Ryan to re...

More than 100 UVA faculty (and counting) have signed an open letter condemning political interference in the university. The forced installation of a new president under these circumstances will cast a shadow on teaching and research. Read here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

They started with Florida and will move state by state.

Yes please.

Woot woot! Another publication is out! That’s two for the year. Not bad for a little R2 associate prof.

#academicsky

“The only way to learn to write is to force yourself to produce a certain number of words on a regular basis.”
— William Zinsser

#WritingSky #AcademicSky

I’m working on issuing final conference decisions for my division and with a click of a button I know I’m ruining someone’s day. The student rejections are particularly hard.

95% were great, we just can’t accept that many.
#academicsky

Good question. But I do have other assessments to use. There are several other ranking questions and a spot for feedback to the planner and to the submitters.

As a conference planner, nothing frustrates me more than submissions that have a recommend accept, undecided, and recommend reject assessments from three different reviewers.

Why can’t at least two of you agree?!

#academicsky #NCA25

Definitely. Narrower and more specific is better with a lot of communication.