Not many unis have even started yet but this is where we are. In my view, students should have stayed at home with established friendship groups, with online blended lectures, then gone to campus in small groups for intensive (2-3-week) periods of practical/tutorial teaching.
I know that would not be financially viable for most universities, and it is not what was sold to students, but it would have been pedagogically sound and more Covid-secure.
In this way, you cut hall density to 10-20%. You have capacity to accommodate any students who need to self-isolate during or after their intensive training, before they return home.
This would all have to be combined with readily available on-campus testing. As it is, many unis have not been provided with testing of their own and students must use local city testing facilities - many of which are overwhelmed and accessible only on a drive-through basis.
All of this was predictable, some of it is the result of a sector struggling on its financial knees, and much of it is the result of govt not thinking through (or just not caring about) the issues.
As it is, some students are now getting a very poor experience, while the staff who have to look after them in halls, as well as academic staff in the universities, and members of the local communities they are embedded in, are all at hugely elevated risk.
[I should add that for Year 2 or 3 students, many of whom have transitioned to a more independent life, 'staying at home' could mean living in their house in the university town and sensibly following Covid guidelines]
[And another additional tweet in response to several comments - of course care leavers or those whose home situations are unsafe or unhappy should be accommodated on campus - with lower halls occupancy, that should be straightforward to do]
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Timely to highlight the life and work of Ben Barres.
Ben was a remarkable biologist who transformed our understanding of brain function. Born in 1954, he transitioned from female to male in the late 1990s.
In his research, Ben and his team gained an understanding of glial cells, and importantly showed that astrocytes could damage the brain - an important breakthrough in terms of understanding a variety of neurodegenerative disorders.
Ben wrote eloquently about the process of transitioning, reflecting: “I am not aware of a single adverse thing that happened to me as a result of my being transgender, but there was immediate relief of all emotional pain as a result of my transition.” thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-coming-out…
It's timely to highlight the life & work of computer scientist Lynn Conway.
In the late 1960s, she transitioned from male to female and was sacked by IBM as a result. For some years, she went underground and, for the rest of her career, worked as a woman - herstory unknown.
Under the legislation of the 1960s, Lynn was denied all access to the children she had previously had with her wife.
Lynn went abroad for her surgery, all alone. She had lost not only her career and professional reputation but also her family, relatives, friends, and colleagues.
In the late 1970s, working (in her words) in 'stealth mode' as a woman, Lynn developed very large scale integration (VLSI) of computer components, a key breakthrough in computer science, which enabled the modern computer and ultimately put smartphones in everyone's pocket.
On autism/ADHD & behaviour.
Over the weekend, I have read lots blaming autistic children for their behaviour, or suggesting poor parenting is to blame.
Autism & ADHD are *disabilities* that can impact on behaviour - to fail to understand this is simple disability discrimination.
When neurodivergent children are dysregulated, and in a bad environment, they can struggle to behave.
This is an inherent part of their disability.
You cannot 'make' them behave by shouting at them, in the same way you cannot make a blind person see by yelling in their face.
Schools cannot 'make' neurodivergent pupils behave by giving them a suspension - you wouldn't expect someone in a wheelchair to start walking because you sent them home for a week. Autism can be just as disabling.
The way to address it is to build an inclusive environment.
In 2018, trans rights were broadly accepted - even Theresa May proposed legislation to treat trans people with dignity. In 5 years, Stock, Bindel, Rowling, et al, have created a toxic environment where trans people are demonised and fear for their safety. That's their legacy.
This Pride, all I read, is hateful & degrading rhetoric against trans people. Although gender critical people have the right to believe what they want about sex, that does not give them carte blanche to abuse trans people or discriminate against them in the provision of services.
I urge people to meet real trans and non-binary people, talk to them, understand them as individuals. Phobias feed on 'othering' people - once you count someone as a friend, phobias melt away. We are all human - this Pride can we try and see others as human.
Bempton Cliffs - Seabird City. England's best onshore seabird colony. Didn't get lucky with puffins today, they are mostly egg-sitting in their burrows, but the gannets and razorbills were great. @Bempton_Cliffs
29 scientists write about 'merit' in science and use this figure to 'measure' it. First, I should emphasise we all want great science. Also, merit is not opposed to diversity as the authors suggest - noone wants bad science. The problem is those axes... journalofcontroversialideas.org/article/3/1/236
Who decides importance?
Is it scientists who go to conferences with buddies and set agendas?
Is it editors based on what gets cited?
Is it rich governments deciding national priorities?
Is it disadvantaged citizens in developing world?
All have different views and priorities.
When we get down to individual levels, and recognising scientists, should we consider resources used? Is it more meritorious to develop a new chemical reaction with a team of 60 and huge national funding, or a team of 2 and a little local support? Simple measures ignore context.