Karen McGregor

Enabling collaboration - University of Birmingham We champion interdisciplinary and collaborative research, and opportunities to learn from others to strengthen our research culture.

The Equity & Inclusivity in Research Funding Forum initated by the University of Oxford has a working group on Demand Management for funding, that has issues some guidelines on making this part of the funding process more inclusive. Docuements available here: www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/env...

Empower. Overcome. Reignite.
We support researchers to return after a career break — with training, funding & confidence.
Breaking down barriers to reignite research careers.
Find out more: daphnejackson.org

ChatGPT advises women to ask for lower salaries, study finds A new study has found that large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT consistently advise women to ask for lower salaries than men.

Study finds A.I. LLMs advise women to ask for lower salaries than men. When prompted w/ a user profile of same education, experience & job role, differing only by gender, ChatGPT advised the female applicant to request $280K salary; Male applicant=$400K.
thenextweb.com/news/chatgpt...

Graphic Split in two sides - "Binary language" on the left v. "Non-binary inclusive language" on the right. "He/she" to "He/she/they", "Open to both genders" to "Open to all genders", "Ladies and Gentlemen" to "Honoured Guests", "Dear Sir/Madam" to "To whom it may concern", "Mothers and fathers" to "Parents/Carers/Guardians", "Husband/Wife" to "Spouse", "Brother/Sister" to "Sibling", "Men and Women" to "People/Everyone".

Sometimes, we might use language that can make non-binary people feel excluded or unwelcome - even when we don't mean to.

Check out the image for some examples of really easy ways you can use language that includes everyone! 💛🤍💜🖤 #NonbinaryAwarenessWeek

By the way, because this is hybrid, it's also open to attendees from other countries. If the UK timezone is manageable for you, and you want to learn about science writing/journalism, feel free to sign up!

Ten simple rules for queer data collection and analysis by STEM researchers Queer people are still underrepresented both as STEM researchers and participants, partially due to a dearth of accurate data on this demographic. The lack of consideration for queer identities in dat...

Very proud of my latest article with @network-alba.bsky.social! I encourage all STEM researchers to check it out, we try to give practical tips whether you're working with human participants, animals, or just collecting diversity data for e.g. a conference. journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...

🚨 New WP! 📄 "Publish or Procreate: The Effect of Motherhood on Research Performance" (w/ @valentinatartari.bsky.social
👩‍🔬👨‍🔬 We investigate how parenthood affects scientific productivity and impact — and find that the impact is far from equal for mothers and fathers.

Text says: What if someone tells me to leave the toilets? There’s a lot of confusion about our rights at the moment. Read our Know Your Rights resource for accurate, up to date info. transactual.org.uk/know-your-rights. Illustration of a person with short hair.

Know your rights. A resource for trans people in the UK following the Supreme Court ruling on the Equality Act. It has been reviewed by a team of lawyers to help you (and us) feel confident in knowing your rights.

You'll find it at transactual.org.uk/know-your-ri...

#Trans #Nonbinary #TransRights

We did the math on AI’s energy footprint. Here’s the story you haven’t heard. The emissions from individual AI text, image, and video queries seem small—until you add up what the industry isn’t tracking and consider where it’s heading next.

LLMs and generative AI are fruit of the poisoned tree, and the plagiarism is one of the three main reasons why. The ecological impact is another (excellent work by @jamesmodonnell.bsky.social and @caseycrownhart.bsky.social for @technologyreview.com):

Would you like to write for New Scientist? We always work with freelancers, but occasionally I put out a call like this for new writers. I'm looking for 300-700 word news stories about new discoveries. Don't pitch us press releases or the big journals, we have those covered. Pay starts at 51p/word

*Representation matters* 🙃

On BBC Drivetime today talking about immigration policies and deeply harmful rhetoric announced by UK Gov; whether I look at it through an equalities lens, an economic lens or a labour market lens - these will be ineffective and damaging policies. The wrong political choices are being made.

Being a mom in the federal government wasn’t easy. Trump made it “impossible.” The Handbasket spoke to several moms about the series of painful choices they've had to make since January.

Important piece

The Supreme Court ripped up the Equality Act – what has it done to you? | Good Law Project Use the form to securely share your experience with us.

Trans and being told by your employer you can no longer use the toilets at work (especially if not out to all your colleagues)?

A cis woman who has been challenged when using the toilet?

Otherwise affected by the SC judgment?

Please share & fill out this form:

goodlawproject.org/about/trans-...

A recruitment flyer with the "Funded by NIHR" logo and University of East Anglia logo at the top. There is a headline in large bold black letters that reads "Disabled people are often excluded from clinical trials. Can you help us change this?" Underneath, in smaller navy text it reads "We need disabled people and their carers to help guide our research and give us feedback on the resources we create". "Disabled people and their carers" is highlighted in pink text. Underneath are two pink boxes; the first says "We're creating a course that gives researchers tools to improve the accessibility of their trials" and the second says "We will ask you to attend our online consultation meetings or give feedback via email". To the right is a large pink circle; in the centre in white text it reads "You will be paid £25 per hour for your time". In the bottom right, white text on a navy background reads "If you're interested or want more information email Rebecca: r.linnett@uea.ac.uk". To the left is the address for the website for the project, practicalsproject.wordpress.com

We're looking for disabled people (incl. people with mental health conditions & neurodivergent people) to be part of our advisory group for a project @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social aiming to improve clinical trial accessibility. Email me at r.linnett@uea.ac.uk if you'd like more info. Please share!

On Tuesday 27 May 1-2pm, I'm presenting a webinar on behalf of @ciliplgbtq.bsky.social, "How to be a good ally to trans*, non-binary and gender-conforming people"

I've spoken about this before but allies are more vital than ever now...

Register and share please!

www.cilip.org.uk/events/Event...

Everything you need to know about the trans Supreme Court case What it said, what it didn't, and what happens next.

Everything you need to know about the trans Supreme Court case: What it said, what it didn't, and what happens next iandunt.substack.com/p/everything...

The absence of trans people from the British media is part of the problem. I'd like to offer mentoring to trans people trying to get into journalism, free of charge. Most of my experience is obviously in political commentary, but I might be passably useful in news and other areas.

Sex Redefined: The Idea of 2 Sexes Is Overly Simplistic Biologists now think there is a larger spectrum than just binary female and male

This is useful, from Scientific American

Biology doesn’t give us a simple binary model of sex

Society, law and infrastructure needs to catch up so that everybody can have privacy, dignity and safety

www.scientificamerican.com/article/sex-...

This new Supreme Court ruling does not protect women. It protects a 'barbie doll' image of what women should be. Let me explain:

I was born female. I have female genitals. It says female on my Birth Certificate. I am one of the 'women' this ruling is meant to protect. 🧵

UK Supreme Court Rules That Trans Women Aren’t Women under the Equality Act 2010 The legal definition of a woman in the UK now excludes trans people: This is what it means for Trans+ rights in the country

My analysis of today's UK Supreme Court judgment.

The UK Supreme Court Rules That Trans Women Aren't Women Under the Equality Act 2010

www.wearequeeraf.com/uk-supreme-c...

This is such an important point. Re - sponsors if you know of someone deserving nominate them for awards, recommend them for speaking slots at meetings. It isn't that difficult to do and it could make a real difference in someone's career.

Briefing on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategies in STEM makes business case for growth New research published by the British Science Association on behalf of the APPG on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM explores the most effective approaches to progressing Equality, Diversity and Inclusi...

📢 Today we've published a new report on behalf of the @stemdandiappg.bsky.social which explores the most effective approaches to progressing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and improving representation in the #STEM workforce >>

www.britishscienceassociation.org/News/briefin...

Behold a Square [Image shows a single line in a traditional ‘keyhole’ (or perhaps angel) shape: flaring out from a round top.] A shape with four sides of equal length, with four right angles.

Your occasional reminder, for no reason whatsoever, that no matter how carefully you construct a definition in this chaotic, messy world of ours, there is always some way around it.

The planet Jupiter with its cloud bands seen in shades of pink, rusty red, blue, and purple. The Great Red Spot is a deep navy blue, surrounded by bands and swirls of pink, and light blue.

Hubble's ultraviolet view of Jupiter shows the planet in hues of pink and blue.

jupiter wishes you a very happy trans day of visibility 🏳️‍⚧️

Super useful guide for how to focus efforts (donation, time, keeping informed, etc.) to resist this administration

being an indie bookseller in the helltimes has felt both very stable and very stabilizing, and part of me wishes everyone could be on my side of the counter for a little while, because I think it would help some of you be a little less cynical and doomy right now. so here is my VERY anecdotal data:

Season 2 of the Academic Adventures podcast is here! To celebrate #IWD2025 we're delighted to welcome Prof Gillian Fleming from @mintventures.bsky.social for a great convo about supporting women-led businesses and female entrepreneurs.
Listen here www.convergechallenge.com/the-academic....

This International Women's Day, I'm thinking about how it wasn't required for NIH-sponsored trials to include women until 1993.