Benjamin Pope
@benjaminpope.bsky.social
Australian astronomer
he/him
Sydney/Gadi
he/him
Sydney/Gadi
Pinned
Benjamin Pope
@benjaminpope.bsky.social
· Oct 28
🚨 #DiscoveryProjects #DP26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Projects 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Projects 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...
/bot
Absolutely delighted to read this news after an anxious wait - Christian Schwab and I will be looking for a postdoc on extremely precise radial velocities at Macquarie soon!
Congratulations to everyone on what looks like an unusually large haul of projects for astronomy.
Congratulations to everyone on what looks like an unusually large haul of projects for astronomy.
Putting a general call out to my private sector colleagues - would anyone be interested in supporting an industry PhD?
I would love to bring in students to work on imaging/time series problems, especially in space/remote sensing bridging astronomy and other applications.
I would love to bring in students to work on imaging/time series problems, especially in space/remote sensing bridging astronomy and other applications.
CSIRO Industry PhD Program: Information for industry
Tackle your business challenge. Gain access to top research and development expertise while developing the next generation of researchers.
www.csiro.au
November 27, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Putting a general call out to my private sector colleagues - would anyone be interested in supporting an industry PhD?
I would love to bring in students to work on imaging/time series problems, especially in space/remote sensing bridging astronomy and other applications.
I would love to bring in students to work on imaging/time series problems, especially in space/remote sensing bridging astronomy and other applications.
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
you just can't have a meaningful conversation about the potential benefits of "AI" while this stuff is happening. it's like trying to talk about how useful an airplane might be during a hijacking
What the leaked AI executive order tells us about the Big Tech power grab
What the leaked AI executive order tells us about the Big Tech power grab
Should states write their own AI laws, or should David Sacks?
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
you just can't have a meaningful conversation about the potential benefits of "AI" while this stuff is happening. it's like trying to talk about how useful an airplane might be during a hijacking
unironically the UK consumer experiences I most wish we had in Australia are M&S train station sandwiches and Gregg's
it is very strange to me that Americans just cannot do packaged, relatively cheap sandwiches. they're fucking awful here. (handmade sandwiches are often great, but, like, the £2.75 Tesco's 'good but not great' sandwich is a missing piece)
It is a huge problem to me that sandwiches in the US are both delicious and stupidly expensive.
There are days I miss a prawn mayo or tuna sandwich meal deal from Boots or WH Smith.
There are days I miss a prawn mayo or tuna sandwich meal deal from Boots or WH Smith.
November 27, 2025 at 7:52 AM
unironically the UK consumer experiences I most wish we had in Australia are M&S train station sandwiches and Gregg's
On top of the lowest DECRA success rate… what are we doing
Australian #NHMRC Ideas grants are out. 8.1% success rate. Lowest since the scheme began. Congrats to the successful few, as it looks like less than 200 were funded. 🧪
November 26, 2025 at 8:20 PM
On top of the lowest DECRA success rate… what are we doing
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
If anyone wondering about academic funding in Aus, this is the stark reality at present. I have written countless letters to politicians like @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social, @davidpocock.bsky.social who like to say they are leading this conversation in Aus but it is really like shouting into the void.
Australian #NHMRC Ideas grants are out. 8.1% success rate. Lowest since the scheme began. Congrats to the successful few, as it looks like less than 200 were funded. 🧪
November 26, 2025 at 8:13 PM
If anyone wondering about academic funding in Aus, this is the stark reality at present. I have written countless letters to politicians like @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social, @davidpocock.bsky.social who like to say they are leading this conversation in Aus but it is really like shouting into the void.
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
Strategic cuts to the CSIRO include 'environment' and 'health and biosecurity' 🤓
November 25, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Strategic cuts to the CSIRO include 'environment' and 'health and biosecurity' 🤓
what on earth is going on in the UK
oh Americans may not understand this, but a 'magistrate' in the UK is a local volunteer with typically no legal background. But it's ok, they receive about 10 days of training. And now they can send you to jail for two years without a jury!
what the fuck
November 26, 2025 at 6:39 AM
what on earth is going on in the UK
one of those big Ws for American cuisine is that sweet pies are good. we have great savoury pies here but an apple pie in a roadside diner in the States is just one of the best desserts you can have
November 26, 2025 at 1:38 AM
one of those big Ws for American cuisine is that sweet pies are good. we have great savoury pies here but an apple pie in a roadside diner in the States is just one of the best desserts you can have
every so often I am reminded that kettles are rare in much of the US and experience the culture shock afresh
November 25, 2025 at 10:48 PM
every so often I am reminded that kettles are rare in much of the US and experience the culture shock afresh
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
It beggars belief that Labour are taxing universities’ most lucrative revenue streams at a time when three quarters of them are in the red
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
It beggars belief that Labour are taxing universities’ most lucrative revenue streams at a time when three quarters of them are in the red
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
And engaging in this kind of pedagogy is simply the entry-level version of when scholars do this, which I wrote about here. www.artforum.com/features/gen...
November 24, 2025 at 1:32 PM
And engaging in this kind of pedagogy is simply the entry-level version of when scholars do this, which I wrote about here. www.artforum.com/features/gen...
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
I will add the following: our students lack the research skills required to audit an LLM essay for errors. They don’t arrive on campus with these skills; we teach it to them over four long years. So throwing freshmen in the deep end and saying “swim your way to a shore of rectitude” is folly.
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I will add the following: our students lack the research skills required to audit an LLM essay for errors. They don’t arrive on campus with these skills; we teach it to them over four long years. So throwing freshmen in the deep end and saying “swim your way to a shore of rectitude” is folly.
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
Wow. Just wow. A decision in direct conflict with all the ideals of the Reith Lectures.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Wow. Just wow. A decision in direct conflict with all the ideals of the Reith Lectures.
Book in some tickets for January 29 in St Peters, where I'll be speaking about JWST at the inaugural Professors in Pubs talk!
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-telesc...
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-telesc...
The Telescope That Sees Time - Drinks & JWST!
Explore the universe over a beverage! Expert breaks down the James Webb Space Telescope in a fun, beginner-friendly brewery talk.
www.eventbrite.com.au
November 25, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Book in some tickets for January 29 in St Peters, where I'll be speaking about JWST at the inaugural Professors in Pubs talk!
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-telesc...
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-telesc...
am reminded for no particular reason of the @birmo.bsky.social plot thread about the navy whose officers have real training without use of AI being the only ones to survive a cyberattack
November 25, 2025 at 1:47 AM
am reminded for no particular reason of the @birmo.bsky.social plot thread about the navy whose officers have real training without use of AI being the only ones to survive a cyberattack
feeling pretty miserable about the new AI in assessment policies, which is basically that students can and should use AI without restriction. just giving up as a society now I guess
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 AM
feeling pretty miserable about the new AI in assessment policies, which is basically that students can and should use AI without restriction. just giving up as a society now I guess
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
We warned you that self-driving cars would just create self-driving traffic jams, and here they are.
The car industry has no solution to the shortage of space in cities. Public transit, cycling, and walking are all part of the answer, but cars are not.
The car industry has no solution to the shortage of space in cities. Public transit, cycling, and walking are all part of the answer, but cars are not.
Waymo privatized another public street:
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 AM
We warned you that self-driving cars would just create self-driving traffic jams, and here they are.
The car industry has no solution to the shortage of space in cities. Public transit, cycling, and walking are all part of the answer, but cars are not.
The car industry has no solution to the shortage of space in cities. Public transit, cycling, and walking are all part of the answer, but cars are not.
Remarkable how much of government policy is this, these days. A collective elite decision to implode society rather than be normal about race or gender
Just utter imbeciles pulling out every cable that holds together the modern world in a desperate hunt for immigrants
November 25, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Remarkable how much of government policy is this, these days. A collective elite decision to implode society rather than be normal about race or gender
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
Related: arXiv is currently hiring an Engineering Director to guide these funds:
blog.arxiv.org/2025/11/24/w...
blog.arxiv.org/2025/11/24/w...
We’re hiring! Engineering Director – arXiv blog
blog.arxiv.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Related: arXiv is currently hiring an Engineering Director to guide these funds:
blog.arxiv.org/2025/11/24/w...
blog.arxiv.org/2025/11/24/w...
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
Join arXiv! Want to make an impact on open science? Come help lead the team working on arxiv.org, one of the most integral websites for open scholarly communications and scientific discovery.
blog.arxiv.org/2025/11/24/w...
#arXiv
blog.arxiv.org/2025/11/24/w...
#arXiv
arXiv.org e-Print archive
arxiv.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Join arXiv! Want to make an impact on open science? Come help lead the team working on arxiv.org, one of the most integral websites for open scholarly communications and scientific discovery.
blog.arxiv.org/2025/11/24/w...
#arXiv
blog.arxiv.org/2025/11/24/w...
#arXiv
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
DECRA success rate is the lowest in 14 years, since 2012 (1st year the scheme ran).
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
🚨 #DECRA #DE26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
November 25, 2025 at 12:34 AM
DECRA success rate is the lowest in 14 years, since 2012 (1st year the scheme ran).
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
🚨 #DECRA #DE26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
November 25, 2025 at 12:04 AM
🚨 #DECRA #DE26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
It's frustrating that we are getting technologies that really will transform our lives, and we should be thinking carefully about what that means, but the possibility of thoughtful discussion is being squelched by a stream of soul-crushing visions and wild hyperbole coming from Silicon Valley.
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
November 24, 2025 at 2:47 PM
It's frustrating that we are getting technologies that really will transform our lives, and we should be thinking carefully about what that means, but the possibility of thoughtful discussion is being squelched by a stream of soul-crushing visions and wild hyperbole coming from Silicon Valley.
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
We are hiring a new Assistant Professor in Astrophysics at Trinity College Dublin!! ☘
Job ad here: aas.org/jobregister/...
Deadline: Jan 02 2026
Please share widely! 🪐🔭
Job ad here: aas.org/jobregister/...
Deadline: Jan 02 2026
Please share widely! 🪐🔭
Assistant Professor in Astrophysics | American Astronomical Society
The School of Physics at Trinity College Dublin invites applications for a position at the level of Assistant Professor in the field of observational or theoretical astrophysics. We seek motivated ind...
aas.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
We are hiring a new Assistant Professor in Astrophysics at Trinity College Dublin!! ☘
Job ad here: aas.org/jobregister/...
Deadline: Jan 02 2026
Please share widely! 🪐🔭
Job ad here: aas.org/jobregister/...
Deadline: Jan 02 2026
Please share widely! 🪐🔭
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
Good Q. Or why, in Australia, in we let them be governed in such an insane way when they are (almost all / any you'd care about) creatures of statute law and survive on public funding and policy decisions.
i really struggle to understand why centre left parties do not like universities, do not like the soft power we wield (imagine getting to educate the children of your geopolitical rivals!!!! IMAGINE!!!). i dont believe that albo, starmer, etc are this stupid, it's got to be hatred. but y.
November 24, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Good Q. Or why, in Australia, in we let them be governed in such an insane way when they are (almost all / any you'd care about) creatures of statute law and survive on public funding and policy decisions.