Benjamin Pope
@benjaminpope.bsky.social
Australian astronomer
he/him
Sydney/Gadi
he/him
Sydney/Gadi
Pinned
🚨 #DiscoveryProjects #DP26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Projects 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...
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❗️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.
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.
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
My theory, tested through exposure to Australian higher education administration, is that they are hopelessly captured by the consultants, and that higher education consultants are particularly shallow and uninteresting.
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 11:49 AM
My theory, tested through exposure to Australian higher education administration, is that they are hopelessly captured by the consultants, and that higher education consultants are particularly shallow and uninteresting.
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
So they don't feel like the sort of places containing lots of people sympathetic to their own worldview, the sort of places wherein people who form their base of support congregate or work, are actually politically legitimate or economically productive places. And evidence can't interfere with this.
November 24, 2025 at 11:38 AM
So they don't feel like the sort of places containing lots of people sympathetic to their own worldview, the sort of places wherein people who form their base of support congregate or work, are actually politically legitimate or economically productive places. And evidence can't interfere with this.
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
I think that in some deep way the centre left actually agree with the right's characterisation of them, that's behind all the angsting about Professional Middle Classes contrasted with authentic true working people which always amounts to two right wing cariactures they just agree with.
November 24, 2025 at 11:38 AM
I think that in some deep way the centre left actually agree with the right's characterisation of them, that's behind all the angsting about Professional Middle Classes contrasted with authentic true working people which always amounts to two right wing cariactures they just agree with.
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
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 11:36 AM
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.
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
mini thread on why it is that the centre left now hates universities for some godforsaken reason
Yeah, I think they all hate universities, though perhaps for different reasons. From a neoliberal centrism perspective, "further/tertiary" education may be good but only insofar as it makes better professionals. They'll look at universities and see people having fun and studying like art history &
November 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM
mini thread on why it is that the centre left now hates universities for some godforsaken reason
Reposted by Benjamin Pope
Anyone who can look at the current underfunded state of UK universities and think there's half a billion quid you can take out of the sector without doing catastrophic damage is just not fit for office.
November 24, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Anyone who can look at the current underfunded state of UK universities and think there's half a billion quid you can take out of the sector without doing catastrophic damage is just not fit for office.