John Whitfield
@johnwhitfield.bsky.social
(Science) journalist and author.
Opinion editor, Research Professional News.
Books: Lost Animals; People Will Talk ; In the Beat of a Heart.
www.johnwhitfield.co.uk
Opinion editor, Research Professional News.
Books: Lost Animals; People Will Talk ; In the Beat of a Heart.
www.johnwhitfield.co.uk
Reposted by John Whitfield
This is King Ferdinand VI of Spain
Besides ruling one of the largest empires on Earth or attempting a full genocide on Spanish gipsy people, he hunted. A lot. And recorded the killings
OA PAPER Building historical biodiversity databases from royal hunts
Thread below
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Besides ruling one of the largest empires on Earth or attempting a full genocide on Spanish gipsy people, he hunted. A lot. And recorded the killings
OA PAPER Building historical biodiversity databases from royal hunts
Thread below
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
February 13, 2026 at 11:33 AM
This is King Ferdinand VI of Spain
Besides ruling one of the largest empires on Earth or attempting a full genocide on Spanish gipsy people, he hunted. A lot. And recorded the killings
OA PAPER Building historical biodiversity databases from royal hunts
Thread below
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Besides ruling one of the largest empires on Earth or attempting a full genocide on Spanish gipsy people, he hunted. A lot. And recorded the killings
OA PAPER Building historical biodiversity databases from royal hunts
Thread below
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Insect photos!
www.royensoc.co.uk/photography-...
www.royensoc.co.uk/photography-...
Photography Competition 2025 - Royal Entomological Society
The Royal Entomological Society runs annual insect photography competitions for non-professionals. Have a look at the winning entries for 2025 below. Click to enlarge each image. Over 18 Winners Highl...
www.royensoc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Insect photos!
www.royensoc.co.uk/photography-...
www.royensoc.co.uk/photography-...
Reposted by John Whitfield
This is a fascinating and utterly heartbreaking read. #ornithology #ukbirding
www.birdguides.com/articles/sle...
www.birdguides.com/articles/sle...
Slender-billed Curlew: shorebird lost forever
Three decades on from the last documented sighting, Slender-billed Curlew was declared extinct a year ago. Arnoud van den Berg reflects on his experiences with this iconic bird at its final known wint...
www.birdguides.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:16 AM
This is a fascinating and utterly heartbreaking read. #ornithology #ukbirding
www.birdguides.com/articles/sle...
www.birdguides.com/articles/sle...
Reposted by John Whitfield
Feel like I'm going mad.
February 6, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Feel like I'm going mad.
Reposted by John Whitfield
British Library staff accept pay offer, ending industrial dispute.
We have followed this story from the very beginning, right through to what appears to be its conclusion.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
We have followed this story from the very beginning, right through to what appears to be its conclusion.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
British Library staff accept pay offer, ending industrial dispute - Research Professional News
Union members vote for 4 per cent pay increase following waves of strike action
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:53 PM
British Library staff accept pay offer, ending industrial dispute.
We have followed this story from the very beginning, right through to what appears to be its conclusion.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
We have followed this story from the very beginning, right through to what appears to be its conclusion.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Reposted by John Whitfield
As a spreadsheet and data geek, this is a lovely story. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Experience: I am the Excel world champion
I have been called the LeBron James of spreadsheets, but I try not to take myself too seriously
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:44 PM
As a spreadsheet and data geek, this is a lovely story. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Reposted by John Whitfield
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. ⬇️
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
February 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. ⬇️
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
Reposted by John Whitfield
Beautiful copies of In Search of Now, just arrived from @canongate.co.uk! Very excited to finally see it out in the world
February 6, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Beautiful copies of In Search of Now, just arrived from @canongate.co.uk! Very excited to finally see it out in the world
Reposted by John Whitfield
I’m so honored to receive the "Impact on Public Opinion" award from Research!America @researchamerica.bsky.social
Information feels especially muddy right now, lots of noise from on high. I try to provide a little clarity, grounded in science.
ICYMI 🧵
www.researchamerica.org/advocacy-awa...
Information feels especially muddy right now, lots of noise from on high. I try to provide a little clarity, grounded in science.
ICYMI 🧵
www.researchamerica.org/advocacy-awa...
Advocacy Awards - Research!America
Advocacy Awards The 2026 Advocacy Awards will take place on March 10, 2026, at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. REGISTER Established in 1996, the Advocacy Awards are an annual, […]
www.researchamerica.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:53 PM
I’m so honored to receive the "Impact on Public Opinion" award from Research!America @researchamerica.bsky.social
Information feels especially muddy right now, lots of noise from on high. I try to provide a little clarity, grounded in science.
ICYMI 🧵
www.researchamerica.org/advocacy-awa...
Information feels especially muddy right now, lots of noise from on high. I try to provide a little clarity, grounded in science.
ICYMI 🧵
www.researchamerica.org/advocacy-awa...
Reposted by John Whitfield
Free-to-read opinion: The European Research Area act should "focus on 2-3 areas where [it] can make a substantive difference" rather than include "a smorgasbord of relatively superficial changes", writes @palmowski.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
The ERA Act should focus on the features that free knowledge - Research Professional News
Legislation can enshrine the movement of researchers, but the Commission mustn’t overreach, says Jan Palmowksi
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Free-to-read opinion: The European Research Area act should "focus on 2-3 areas where [it] can make a substantive difference" rather than include "a smorgasbord of relatively superficial changes", writes @palmowski.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Reposted by John Whitfield
Funny how hard these guys are for Return To Office, but when it’s time for the mass firings we have to be absolutely sure there are no possible gatherings
New: Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray and HR Chief Wayne Connell tell employees to stay home for a zoom webinar ahead of “significant actions across the company.” Widely expected layoffs are scheduled to begin today.
February 4, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Funny how hard these guys are for Return To Office, but when it’s time for the mass firings we have to be absolutely sure there are no possible gatherings
Reposted by John Whitfield
‘The court has closed off the possibility of states withdrawing from the Paris Agreement framework without exposing themselves to being found to be committing internationally wrongful acts.’
@tomrhickman.bsky.social on the ICJ opinion on climate justice, from the blog.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/fe...
@tomrhickman.bsky.social on the ICJ opinion on climate justice, from the blog.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/fe...
Tom Hickman | Climate Justice
In 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to ask the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to...
www.lrb.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 12:50 PM
‘The court has closed off the possibility of states withdrawing from the Paris Agreement framework without exposing themselves to being found to be committing internationally wrongful acts.’
@tomrhickman.bsky.social on the ICJ opinion on climate justice, from the blog.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/fe...
@tomrhickman.bsky.social on the ICJ opinion on climate justice, from the blog.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/fe...
Reposted by John Whitfield
Some thoughts on the select committee appearance by the boss of UKRI, Ian Chapman yesterday. It’s a long watch but can be seen here: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Thread 🧵
Thread 🧵
Parliamentlive.tv
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
parliamentlive.tv
February 4, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Some thoughts on the select committee appearance by the boss of UKRI, Ian Chapman yesterday. It’s a long watch but can be seen here: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Thread 🧵
Thread 🧵
Reposted by John Whitfield
Some thoughts about xAI and SpaceX
🧵n≅20
The newspaper's first take is here
www.economist.com/business/202...
🧵n≅20
The newspaper's first take is here
www.economist.com/business/202...
Elon Musk’s mega-merger makes little business sense
The AI economy’s dealmaking keeps getting wilder
www.economist.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Some thoughts about xAI and SpaceX
🧵n≅20
The newspaper's first take is here
www.economist.com/business/202...
🧵n≅20
The newspaper's first take is here
www.economist.com/business/202...
Reposted by John Whitfield
"The fall of Hindawi should not be understood solely as an extraordinary event, but as a signal of how ordinary pressures—scale, incentives, automation, and uneven accountability—can converge into systemic risk when left unexamined. Integrity breakdowns of this magnitude do not emerge overnight..."
What the Collapse of Hindawi Reveals About Systemic Risk in Scholarly Communication
The story of Hindawi is not one of exceptional failure, but of broad exposure to integrity risk. What should we do about it?
katinamagazine.org
January 30, 2026 at 2:13 PM
"The fall of Hindawi should not be understood solely as an extraordinary event, but as a signal of how ordinary pressures—scale, incentives, automation, and uneven accountability—can converge into systemic risk when left unexamined. Integrity breakdowns of this magnitude do not emerge overnight..."
Reposted by John Whitfield
Mysterious emails, incessant demands and a fake lawyer — read our editor’s note about a serious threat we’re facing
www.the-londoner.co.uk/the-londoner...
www.the-londoner.co.uk/the-londoner...
January 30, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Mysterious emails, incessant demands and a fake lawyer — read our editor’s note about a serious threat we’re facing
www.the-londoner.co.uk/the-londoner...
www.the-londoner.co.uk/the-londoner...
Reposted by John Whitfield
Warnings about realistic but inaccurate #AI wildlife images & videos aren't slowing their spread which also provoke fear, panic & hostility, beside clicks: news.mongabay.com/2026/01/wild...
Almost worse, gen AI is also invading the value of camera trapping images, as many fakes are now surfacing:
Almost worse, gen AI is also invading the value of camera trapping images, as many fakes are now surfacing:
January 30, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Warnings about realistic but inaccurate #AI wildlife images & videos aren't slowing their spread which also provoke fear, panic & hostility, beside clicks: news.mongabay.com/2026/01/wild...
Almost worse, gen AI is also invading the value of camera trapping images, as many fakes are now surfacing:
Almost worse, gen AI is also invading the value of camera trapping images, as many fakes are now surfacing:
Reposted by John Whitfield
Ban on ads for carbon intensive products, including meat! This is progressive
🎉Win against fossil fuels 🎉
The Dutch capital of Amsterdam has become the world's first capital city to ban fossil fuel ads, set to come into force on 1st May. 1/2
The Dutch capital of Amsterdam has become the world's first capital city to ban fossil fuel ads, set to come into force on 1st May. 1/2
January 30, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Ban on ads for carbon intensive products, including meat! This is progressive
Reposted by John Whitfield
New book on rewilding!
A curated collection of 27 articles published in British Wildlife over the last 5 yrs
So, accessible & nicely produced for a broad readership
And I’m one of the authors. Cheap at the price (£16.99)!
www.britishwildlife.com/wilding/
A curated collection of 27 articles published in British Wildlife over the last 5 yrs
So, accessible & nicely produced for a broad readership
And I’m one of the authors. Cheap at the price (£16.99)!
www.britishwildlife.com/wilding/
wilding - British Wildlife
Wilding for Conservation: An Exploration of Rewilding in Britain The complete collection of articles from British WIldlife‘s acclaimed Wilding for Conservation series – an unflinching appraisal of the...
www.britishwildlife.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:21 PM
New book on rewilding!
A curated collection of 27 articles published in British Wildlife over the last 5 yrs
So, accessible & nicely produced for a broad readership
And I’m one of the authors. Cheap at the price (£16.99)!
www.britishwildlife.com/wilding/
A curated collection of 27 articles published in British Wildlife over the last 5 yrs
So, accessible & nicely produced for a broad readership
And I’m one of the authors. Cheap at the price (£16.99)!
www.britishwildlife.com/wilding/
Reposted by John Whitfield
Hope is not a policy, nor is “innovation” a magic trick. As our podcast of the week argues, the idea that climate salvation will come through breakthrough technologies is a myth that serves as an alibi for inaction.
With @davidedgerton.bsky.social on @the-breakdown.bsky.social
buff.ly/Z0I6utI
With @davidedgerton.bsky.social on @the-breakdown.bsky.social
buff.ly/Z0I6utI
January 29, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Hope is not a policy, nor is “innovation” a magic trick. As our podcast of the week argues, the idea that climate salvation will come through breakthrough technologies is a myth that serves as an alibi for inaction.
With @davidedgerton.bsky.social on @the-breakdown.bsky.social
buff.ly/Z0I6utI
With @davidedgerton.bsky.social on @the-breakdown.bsky.social
buff.ly/Z0I6utI
Reposted by John Whitfield
On the importance of preprints, regardless of whether you are Team Sponge or Team Jelly:
'King says that she wishes she had posted the study as a preprint so that the errors could have been caught sooner.'
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
'King says that she wishes she had posted the study as a preprint so that the errors could have been caught sooner.'
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What were the first animals? The fierce sponge–jelly battle that just won’t end
For almost two decades, scientists have debated whether sponges or comb jellies are the first animal lineage. Now some are calling for a more harmonious approach.
www.nature.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:38 PM
On the importance of preprints, regardless of whether you are Team Sponge or Team Jelly:
'King says that she wishes she had posted the study as a preprint so that the errors could have been caught sooner.'
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
'King says that she wishes she had posted the study as a preprint so that the errors could have been caught sooner.'
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
This seemed funny until I noticed the parallels with my royalties statements.
Just one ticket has been sold for "Melania," at the first 3.10pm screening on Friday at its flagship Islington branch in London, while two have been booked for 6pm, according to Tim Richards, the chief executive of cinema operator Vue.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Melania documentary struggles in UK cinemas as Vue admits sales are ‘soft’
Only one ticket sold for premiere of film about US first lady at Vue’s flagship London branch as insiders question launch strategy
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:49 PM
This seemed funny until I noticed the parallels with my royalties statements.
Reposted by John Whitfield
Reposted by John Whitfield
The Baltic Klipper lost 16 containers near Isle of Wight in December. Two other vessels shed cargo near the island in January.
Chips, tins of milk, bananas and plastic are washing up on the south coast of England.
Spilled material poses "serious threat to marine life".
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Chips, tins of milk, bananas and plastic are washing up on the south coast of England.
Spilled material poses "serious threat to marine life".
www.bbc.com/news/article...
What's being done about chips, bananas and onions washing up?
Volunteers are cleaning up debris from overboard containers and authorities are investigating.
www.bbc.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:40 AM
The Baltic Klipper lost 16 containers near Isle of Wight in December. Two other vessels shed cargo near the island in January.
Chips, tins of milk, bananas and plastic are washing up on the south coast of England.
Spilled material poses "serious threat to marine life".
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Chips, tins of milk, bananas and plastic are washing up on the south coast of England.
Spilled material poses "serious threat to marine life".
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by John Whitfield
First UK universities to drop new Elsevier deals emerge.
Kent and Essex publicly announce cancellations with publisher, with several more institutions yet to confirm.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-o...
Kent and Essex publicly announce cancellations with publisher, with several more institutions yet to confirm.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-o...
First UK universities to drop new Elsevier deals emerge - Research Professional News
Kent and Essex publicly announce cancellations with publisher, with several more institutions yet to confirm
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:50 PM
First UK universities to drop new Elsevier deals emerge.
Kent and Essex publicly announce cancellations with publisher, with several more institutions yet to confirm.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-o...
Kent and Essex publicly announce cancellations with publisher, with several more institutions yet to confirm.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-o...