Niamh Dowdall
@dowdalln.bsky.social
(she/her) | libraries & publishing & open research | Irish women's writing/art/history/culture | dress and clothing in literature | labhair Gaeilge liom! | Views all mine!
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
See original skeet, the entire country is experiencing a mass psychosis event
In the span of a hour, they stealth edited the article from trans woman to "biological male who identifies as a woman." The BBC isn't fit for purpose.
It looks like that BBC page has been updated in the last few minutes, so that's no longer the last sentence. I think part of it has been moved to this paragraph in the middle of the article, and the age is no longer mentioned:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 25, 2025 at 2:02 PM
See original skeet, the entire country is experiencing a mass psychosis event
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
We want to make open research feel achievable for everyone. Follow ENGAGED and share to spread the word. #publicengagement #openresearch
November 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
We want to make open research feel achievable for everyone. Follow ENGAGED and share to spread the word. #publicengagement #openresearch
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
#OnThisDay 24th of November 1982, Nan Joyce became the first Traveller to stand in an Irish election.
Joyce was co-chairperson of the Committee for the Rights of Travellers, which had been formed earlier that year.
www.leftarchive.ie/article/5703/
#IrishTravellers #IrishElections
Joyce was co-chairperson of the Committee for the Rights of Travellers, which had been formed earlier that year.
www.leftarchive.ie/article/5703/
#IrishTravellers #IrishElections
Traveller Activism in the 1980s: The Committee for the Rights of Travellers and Mincéir Misli
From Aonrud. The Committee for the Rights of Travellers was formed in 1982 in response to anti-Traveller protests in Dublin with the aim of exposing mistreatment of Travellers by the state and anti-Tr...
www.leftarchive.ie
November 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
#OnThisDay 24th of November 1982, Nan Joyce became the first Traveller to stand in an Irish election.
Joyce was co-chairperson of the Committee for the Rights of Travellers, which had been formed earlier that year.
www.leftarchive.ie/article/5703/
#IrishTravellers #IrishElections
Joyce was co-chairperson of the Committee for the Rights of Travellers, which had been formed earlier that year.
www.leftarchive.ie/article/5703/
#IrishTravellers #IrishElections
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
This interview originally appeared on the Division of Arts
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
Thirty years since the best reaction to losing a referendum was spoken! In 1995 one of No Divorce Campaign leaders Úna Bean Mhic Mhathúna,on leaving the RDS as the 15th amendment to allow divorce was passed,shouted to celebrating pro divorce campaigners,’Go way ye wife swappin' sodomites’!#speirgorm
November 24, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Thirty years since the best reaction to losing a referendum was spoken! In 1995 one of No Divorce Campaign leaders Úna Bean Mhic Mhathúna,on leaving the RDS as the 15th amendment to allow divorce was passed,shouted to celebrating pro divorce campaigners,’Go way ye wife swappin' sodomites’!#speirgorm
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
For screen readers to recognize headings, heading text can't just be body text or normal text that's been made to look bigger and bolder. It must be formatted as a heading. In Microsoft Word and Google Docs, this can be done in the styles box. In HTML, use the tags h1 through h6.
November 22, 2025 at 10:49 PM
For screen readers to recognize headings, heading text can't just be body text or normal text that's been made to look bigger and bolder. It must be formatted as a heading. In Microsoft Word and Google Docs, this can be done in the styles box. In HTML, use the tags h1 through h6.
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
Ireland is getting its first cross-border college with a partnership between Queen's University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).
The partnership will establish DkIT as a university college of Queen's University Belfast jrnl.ie/6878670
The partnership will establish DkIT as a university college of Queen's University Belfast jrnl.ie/6878670
Ireland is getting its first all-island university
Dundalk Institute of Technology will be establishes as a university college of Queen’s University Belfast.
jrnl.ie
November 19, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Ireland is getting its first cross-border college with a partnership between Queen's University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).
The partnership will establish DkIT as a university college of Queen's University Belfast jrnl.ie/6878670
The partnership will establish DkIT as a university college of Queen's University Belfast jrnl.ie/6878670
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
A good piece. It is very sad that there is not more public interest in the British Library. But then, I suppose, most people have never been inside a reading room and don't really understand how research infrastructure works.
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:53 AM
A good piece. It is very sad that there is not more public interest in the British Library. But then, I suppose, most people have never been inside a reading room and don't really understand how research infrastructure works.
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
tuairisc.ie/tugann-an-gh...
“The Irish language has been diminished. It is something symbolic. And if you look at the history of women, it’s the exact same” - An tUachtarán Connolly. Cén ról atá ag an nGaeilge sa chur in éadan an fhoréigin inscne?
Alt liom féin 7 @seanmacristeaird.bsky.social.
“The Irish language has been diminished. It is something symbolic. And if you look at the history of women, it’s the exact same” - An tUachtarán Connolly. Cén ról atá ag an nGaeilge sa chur in éadan an fhoréigin inscne?
Alt liom féin 7 @seanmacristeaird.bsky.social.
Tugann an Ghaeilge súil eile dúinn ar cheisteanna a bhaineann leis an bhforéigean inscne
Má tá straitéis chuimsitheach agus iltaobhach de dhíth chun dul i ngleic leis an bhforéigean inscne, bíodh an Ghaeilge mar chuid den phlé sin
tuairisc.ie
November 18, 2025 at 8:45 AM
tuairisc.ie/tugann-an-gh...
“The Irish language has been diminished. It is something symbolic. And if you look at the history of women, it’s the exact same” - An tUachtarán Connolly. Cén ról atá ag an nGaeilge sa chur in éadan an fhoréigin inscne?
Alt liom féin 7 @seanmacristeaird.bsky.social.
“The Irish language has been diminished. It is something symbolic. And if you look at the history of women, it’s the exact same” - An tUachtarán Connolly. Cén ról atá ag an nGaeilge sa chur in éadan an fhoréigin inscne?
Alt liom féin 7 @seanmacristeaird.bsky.social.
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
November 17, 2025 at 10:11 PM
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
Lookit...I'm just sayin...just doesn't feel like a coincidence is all.
#COYBIG #Ireland #Leftie #Speirgorm #VoteLeft
#COYBIG #Ireland #Leftie #Speirgorm #VoteLeft
November 13, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Lookit...I'm just sayin...just doesn't feel like a coincidence is all.
#COYBIG #Ireland #Leftie #Speirgorm #VoteLeft
#COYBIG #Ireland #Leftie #Speirgorm #VoteLeft
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
There's something very on brand for Dublin about this. Building something as a temporary stopgap, putting 'temporary' ("pro tempore") in the name, doing nothing more for 200 years, and then eventually going "OK lads let's just stick with this one cos we're clearly never going to build the other one"
Pro-Cathedral designated Dublin's Catholic cathedral
Pope Leo XIV has designated St Mary's Pro Cathedral in Dublin as the city's official Catholic Cathedral, becoming the first in the capital for 500 years.
www.rte.ie
November 14, 2025 at 3:41 PM
There's something very on brand for Dublin about this. Building something as a temporary stopgap, putting 'temporary' ("pro tempore") in the name, doing nothing more for 200 years, and then eventually going "OK lads let's just stick with this one cos we're clearly never going to build the other one"
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
Your Body Is A Battleground by Barbara Kruger (1989)
publicdelivery.org/barbara-krug...
publicdelivery.org/barbara-krug...
March 30, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Your Body Is A Battleground by Barbara Kruger (1989)
publicdelivery.org/barbara-krug...
publicdelivery.org/barbara-krug...
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
1/ cOAlition S announces its 2026–2030 strategy, guided by a refreshed, shared vision: a scholarly communication system that enables rapid, open, transparent & equitable sharing of trustworthy scientific knowledge.
www.coalition-s.org/coalition-s-...
#OpenScience #ScholarlyComm #Plan_S #OpenAccess
www.coalition-s.org/coalition-s-...
#OpenScience #ScholarlyComm #Plan_S #OpenAccess
November 12, 2025 at 10:40 AM
1/ cOAlition S announces its 2026–2030 strategy, guided by a refreshed, shared vision: a scholarly communication system that enables rapid, open, transparent & equitable sharing of trustworthy scientific knowledge.
www.coalition-s.org/coalition-s-...
#OpenScience #ScholarlyComm #Plan_S #OpenAccess
www.coalition-s.org/coalition-s-...
#OpenScience #ScholarlyComm #Plan_S #OpenAccess
““Universal Design” must be the standard, not the exception: government portals that are simple to navigate, apps built with input from older users, a guaranteed network of government-funded digital hubs in libraries and local centres, and sustained, targeted funding for digital literacy.”
"Essential services are now digital by default, leaving many older people feeling locked out of their own lives."
As more of our lives move online by default, digital ageism has quietly become one of the last unchallenged prejudices, writes Fiona Daly.
jrnl.ie/6864189
As more of our lives move online by default, digital ageism has quietly become one of the last unchallenged prejudices, writes Fiona Daly.
jrnl.ie/6864189
Opinion: We’ve grown far too comfortable excluding older people from the digital world
As more of our lives move online by default, digital ageism has quietly become one of the last unchallenged prejudices, writes Fiona Daly.
jrnl.ie
November 11, 2025 at 8:24 AM
““Universal Design” must be the standard, not the exception: government portals that are simple to navigate, apps built with input from older users, a guaranteed network of government-funded digital hubs in libraries and local centres, and sustained, targeted funding for digital literacy.”
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
Get in the habit of bringing up accessibility at meetings, in stand-ups, and in demos. Bring up things you've done to address accessibility. Likewise, don't be afraid to ask, "Have we tested this on a keyboard?" or "What's the experience like on a screen reader?"
November 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Get in the habit of bringing up accessibility at meetings, in stand-ups, and in demos. Bring up things you've done to address accessibility. Likewise, don't be afraid to ask, "Have we tested this on a keyboard?" or "What's the experience like on a screen reader?"
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
Erica Stone: Academic research is publicly funded — why isn't it publicly available? | TED Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/erica_stone_academic_research_is_publicly_funded_why_isn_t_it_publicly_available_nov_2025
Academic research is publicly funded — why isn't it publicly available?
In the US, your taxes fund academic research at public universities. Why then do you need to pay expensive, for-profit journals for the results of that research? Erica Stone advocates for a new, open-access relationship between the public and scholars, making the case that academics should publish in more accessible media to help the public be well-educated and well-informed. [Directed by Jeff Le Bars, JetPropulsion.space, music by Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio].
www.ted.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Erica Stone: Academic research is publicly funded — why isn't it publicly available? | TED Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/erica_stone_academic_research_is_publicly_funded_why_isn_t_it_publicly_available_nov_2025
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
📣New research
Q: What do neurodivergent people think about words like "neurodiversity".
A: it's complicated; they use it, but it has limitations and could stigmatise.
Full paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
(1 of 2)
Q: What do neurodivergent people think about words like "neurodiversity".
A: it's complicated; they use it, but it has limitations and could stigmatise.
Full paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
(1 of 2)
‘A Lovely Safe Umbrella to Describe Yourself With’ or ‘Meaningless’: An Online Survey of UK-Based Neurodivergent Adults’ Views of Neurodiversity-Related Terminology - Aimee Grant, Jennifer Leigh, Moni...
Background: Neurodivergence refers to people with ways of behaving and thinking that diverge from the norm. Examples include Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperacti...
journals.sagepub.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
📣New research
Q: What do neurodivergent people think about words like "neurodiversity".
A: it's complicated; they use it, but it has limitations and could stigmatise.
Full paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
(1 of 2)
Q: What do neurodivergent people think about words like "neurodiversity".
A: it's complicated; they use it, but it has limitations and could stigmatise.
Full paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
(1 of 2)
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
79% of homes sold in Dublin this year were bought by landlords, 75% by large landlords. About 1 in 5 TDs are landlords.
This is disgusting dog whistling. The problem has never been people seeking asylum. The problem is people seeking to endlessly profit from folks just looking for a home.
This is disgusting dog whistling. The problem has never been people seeking asylum. The problem is people seeking to endlessly profit from folks just looking for a home.
🗣️ "The one thing that there is a problem with is housing right across the state, and the more that come to seek asylum, the more pressure it puts on that system.” - Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley
#TonightVMTV
#TonightVMTV
November 5, 2025 at 8:28 AM
79% of homes sold in Dublin this year were bought by landlords, 75% by large landlords. About 1 in 5 TDs are landlords.
This is disgusting dog whistling. The problem has never been people seeking asylum. The problem is people seeking to endlessly profit from folks just looking for a home.
This is disgusting dog whistling. The problem has never been people seeking asylum. The problem is people seeking to endlessly profit from folks just looking for a home.
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
Immigrants are not responsible for decades of failed housing policy.
Hope this helps x
Hope this helps x
🗣️ "The one thing that there is a problem with is housing right across the state, and the more that come to seek asylum, the more pressure it puts on that system.” - Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley
#TonightVMTV
#TonightVMTV
November 4, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Immigrants are not responsible for decades of failed housing policy.
Hope this helps x
Hope this helps x
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
Taylor and Francis initiative publishes 32 open access books - Research Information https://www.researchinformation.info/news/taylor-and-francis-initiative-publishes-32-open-access-books/
Taylor and Francis initiative publishes 32 open access books - Research Information
Pledge to Open supports the publication of books that are both free to read and free to publish for their authors
www.researchinformation.info
November 4, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Taylor and Francis initiative publishes 32 open access books - Research Information https://www.researchinformation.info/news/taylor-and-francis-initiative-publishes-32-open-access-books/
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
OpenAI pirated large numbers of books and used them to train models.
OpenAI then deleted the dataset with the pirated books, and employees sent each other messages about doing so.
A lawsuit could now force the company to pay $150,000 per book, adding up to billions in damages.
OpenAI then deleted the dataset with the pirated books, and employees sent each other messages about doing so.
A lawsuit could now force the company to pay $150,000 per book, adding up to billions in damages.
November 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
OpenAI pirated large numbers of books and used them to train models.
OpenAI then deleted the dataset with the pirated books, and employees sent each other messages about doing so.
A lawsuit could now force the company to pay $150,000 per book, adding up to billions in damages.
OpenAI then deleted the dataset with the pirated books, and employees sent each other messages about doing so.
A lawsuit could now force the company to pay $150,000 per book, adding up to billions in damages.
Reposted by Niamh Dowdall
Never forget: your government didn't give a shit about 7 years of escalating arson attacks on IPAS centres & street assaults on immigrants & LGBT people & that they & the media described the arsonists & shitters on ballot papers as having "reasonable concerns." www.thetimes.com/article/0887...
November 2, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Never forget: your government didn't give a shit about 7 years of escalating arson attacks on IPAS centres & street assaults on immigrants & LGBT people & that they & the media described the arsonists & shitters on ballot papers as having "reasonable concerns." www.thetimes.com/article/0887...