Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · 8d

YES YES YES to all of this.

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · 8d

Along with Tristan, we worked with Dr Aleks Deejay, our colleague at the @acsg.bsky.social, and had the support of @usstudiescentre.bsky.social at @sydney.edu.au, UNSW Canberra, and Space Industry Association Australia. www.ussc.edu.au/looking-up-f...

Looking up from Down Under in 2025: Re-investigating Australian attitudes to national space activities

A new national survey uncovers what Australians really think about space, from its everyday impact to the country’s direction in the sector.

www.ussc.edu.au

1 2

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · 8d

We published our newest report on Australian public opinion of space from @acsg.bsky.social on Friday, and somehow, in the middle of #IAC2025, @tristanmoss.bsky.social and I found some time to write about it for @theconversation.com. I’ll also link the full report below.

Australians want to spend more on space – but we don’t really know where we’re going

Every single day, space technology impacts our lives. But a new report reveals gaps between what Australians think and what they know about space.

theconversation.com

1 2 6

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · 29d

Political violence is never the answer.

1

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Aug 29

Please share with any educator you know and tell them to bring a friend along!

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Aug 29

Alongside my colleagues, Olivia Shen, Director of Strategic Technologies, and Associate Professor David Smith, we'll share insights on how AI, space exploration and US politics are shaping society — and how these themes can inspire critical thinking and engagement in the classroom.

1 1

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Aug 29

It's taking place on 6 September on the @sydney.edu.au campus. The day includes a morning tea and networking lunch and we'll send you home with classroom materials and a gift from the Centre.

1

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Aug 29

Secondary teachers and educators, @usstudiescentre.bsky.social is hosting a free, half-day, NESA-accredited workshop for professional development which explores the intersections of AI, technology, policy, and the social sciences. Learn more and register here: www.ussc.edu.au/teaching-the....

Teaching the future: AI, policy and the social sciences

Secondary school teachers are invited to join us at the University of Sydney for a half-day NESA-accredited professional development workshop exploring the intersections of AI, technology, policy and ...

www.ussc.edu.au

1

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Aug 26

I just had the most unprofessional experience contacting @jeromelaxale.com’s office. The person who answered, when asked what his name was, literally answered “Jesus Christ.” This was before I even had a chance to say why I was calling. I have little faith my concern will be taken seriously.

1

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Jul 25

How anyone can see these children starving and not have their souls break is beyond me. As James Baldwin said, all the children, everywhere, are ours. We are failing our children.

NPR @npr.org · Jul 25

Hunger and disease continue to stalk Palestinians in Gaza, and aid organizations are warning that children are at greatest risk of starvation. A U.N. worker has described people as "walking corpses."

Gaza's children are starving, the U.N. and relief organizations warn

Hunger and disease continue to stalk Palestinians in Gaza, and aid organizations are warning that children are at greatest risk of starvation. A U.N. worker has described people as "walking corpses."

n.pr

1 1 3

Reposted by Kat Robison, PhD

Bonnie Honig @bonniehonig.bsky.social · Jul 25

“The account of the command counters Musk’s narrative of how he has handled Starlink service in Ukraine amid the war. As recently as March, in a post on X, his social media site, Musk wrote: “We would never do such a thing.”
Musk and Nicolls didn’t respond to requests from Reuters for comment.”

Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · Jul 25

Musk ordered shutdown of Starlink satellite service as Ukraine retook territory from Russia
www.reuters.com/investigatio...

Musk ordered shutdown of Starlink satellite service as Ukraine retook territory from Russia

A previously unreported order by Elon Musk to cut satellite communications over a portion of Ukraine disrupted a counteroffensive by Kyiv in the autumn of 2022. Reuters investigated the billionaire's order and its implications for countries increasingly reliant on his Starlink internet service.

www.reuters.com

2 6

Reposted by Kat Robison, PhD

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Nov 6

Sometimes, when watching politics, I like to remind myself that I live in a universe where we know what the stars look like from Jupiter:

Black and white picture of the stars from Jupiter, looking out over a ring. Photo from NASA Juno.

2 15

Reposted by Kat Robison, PhD

United States Studies Centre @usstudiescentre.bsky.social · Jun 16

As Trump faces legal pushback over deploying the National Guard, what does US Code §12406 actually allow — and how far can presidential power stretch?

@sydney.edu.au/USSC’s @katrobison.bsky.social joins SBS World News Weekly to unpack it.

Listen:

Israel bombs Iran and Trump takes on LA

Israel says it is defending its very existence with massive, pre-emptive strikes on Iran; Senior Israeli ministers are sanctioned by Australia; and Donald Trump calls in the national guard, setting up...

www.sbs.com.au

1 1

Reposted by Kat Robison, PhD

United States Studies Centre @usstudiescentre.bsky.social · May 20

Gilmour Space’s upcoming launch of an Australian-made rocket marks a major milestone.

But as USSC's @katrobison.bsky.social argues, real space capability requires more than ambition — it demands national strategy, investment, and sovereign focus.

Read:

Australia’s homegrown rocket needs more money and family wealth

www.ussc.edu.au

1 1

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · May 19

Thank you!

1

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · May 19

Every Australian relies on space; the government can’t afford to ignore its impact on economic and national security. I write about why in my latest for the Financial Review:

Australia’s homegrown rocket needs more money and family wealth

If we want more Australian-built rockets, space technology, and sovereign capability, we need more than funding rounds and family wealth.

www.afr.com

1 1 2

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · May 10

This is worth a read.

Photo of text: In the Feuchtwanger household, Hitler was spoken of as a "ridiculous figure" because of this failed coup, Feuchtwanger remembers.
"People believed that Hitler was a temporary phenomenon," he says. In particular, his uncle Lion wavered between feeling alarmed and remaining calm. In his satirical novel Success, which he published in 1930, Lion portrays Hitler as a hysterical man named Kutzner who tries to seduce the people with nationalist ideas but ultimately fails. "Although he regarded Hitler as very dangerous, he saw him as someone to be made fun of. Hitler was supposed to continue as a ridiculous figure and then he would somehow disappear from the scene," Feuchtwanger says.

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · May 3

Aside from all comments on the photo they chose, this election was not “close” at all. It was a decisive win for Labor (and the leader of the opposition even lost his own seat). ABC News’ David Speers called it a “Labor landslide.”

NBC News @nbcnews.com · May 3

Australia’s incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has won a second term in a close general election, local broadcasters project.

The result is an upset for the conservative opposition, undermined at the ballot box by its association with Donald Trump.

Australia's prime minister wins second term, local broadcasters project

It was an upset for the conservative party, whose campaign promises, including on immigration and government efficiency, were widely seen as emulating Donald Trump.

nbcnews.to

1

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · May 3

Canada and now Australia bucking the anti-incumbency trend. #auspol

2

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · May 3

I’m just wondering who thought this was a good slogan:

Whitening toothpaste ad that says: Sydneysiders, make the WHITE choice today!

1 1

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Apr 18

(Also, let my brain be this sharp at his age!)

1

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Apr 18

It’s worth your time to read the full opinion from Chief Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III (a conservative octogenarian appointed by Reagan) in the Abrego Garcia case: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us....

storage.courtlistener.com

1 2 3

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Apr 2

Notably, Crawford’s campaign focused more on Musk and his influence rather than Trump. Musk is deeply unpopular.

Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · Apr 2

Wisconsin supreme court race: liberal Susan Crawford beats Musk-backed candidate

Liberal judge says victory is against ‘unprecedented attack on our democracy’ after defeating Brad Schimel in the most expensive judicial election in US history Susan Crawford won the race for a seat on the Wisconsin supreme court on Tuesday, a major win for Democrats who had framed the race as a referendum on Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s popularity. Crawford, a liberal judge from Dane county, defeated Brad Schimel, a former Republican attorney general and conservative judge from Waukesha county, after Musk and groups associated with the tech billionaire spent millions to boost his candidacy in what became the most expensive judicial contest in American history. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Apr 2

Booker breaking Thurmond’s record is perfect (and that he spoke coherently about actual issues the entire time is just as impressive).

NPR @npr.org · Apr 2

The New Jersey Democrat spent more than 25 hours criticizing the Trump administration's policies on immigration, education, the economy and more since 7 p.m. ET Monday. He ended his marathon speech shortly after 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Cory Booker breaks a 68-year-old Senate record with a 25-hour speech

The New Jersey Democrat spent more than 25 hours criticizing the Trump administration's policies on immigration, education, the economy and more since 7 p.m. ET Monday. He ended his marathon speech sh...

www.npr.org

1 4

Kat Robison, PhD @katrobison.bsky.social · Mar 21

The United States is a leader in scientific research and that research pays massive dividends to its economy and reaps incredible benefits to its people. What happens if the best and the brightest no longer want to stay in, come to, or trust the United States?