Shane McCracken
@shane.mccracken.org.uk
Project Director - http://imascienti.st Creating equality of opportunity in STEM & careers enrichment for school students. Wearer of orange jacket at conferences.
This is the special request a teacher made today for their upcoming chat. It's the first time we've seen #sciencecapital mentioned by a teacher as the primary purpose of the chats.
And it's for a girls school in London with nearly 50% FSM provision. A top priority for us.
And it's for a girls school in London with nearly 50% FSM provision. A top priority for us.
November 19, 2025 at 1:47 PM
This is the special request a teacher made today for their upcoming chat. It's the first time we've seen #sciencecapital mentioned by a teacher as the primary purpose of the chats.
And it's for a girls school in London with nearly 50% FSM provision. A top priority for us.
And it's for a girls school in London with nearly 50% FSM provision. A top priority for us.
Reposted by Shane McCracken
Just to preserve the joke for after the downtime: downforeveryoneorjustme looks like this.
November 18, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Just to preserve the joke for after the downtime: downforeveryoneorjustme looks like this.
Reposted by Shane McCracken
Plans to leave refugees in a state of perpetual uncertainty about where and if they can rebuild their lives are not just performative cruelty, they are counterproductive to integration and the economy. It doesn’t have to be like this - 1/2
November 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Plans to leave refugees in a state of perpetual uncertainty about where and if they can rebuild their lives are not just performative cruelty, they are counterproductive to integration and the economy. It doesn’t have to be like this - 1/2
Lovely to catch up with @timdavies.org.uk earlier.
Seems he's reconnected with a few old folk recently too.
And a Friday evening trip to Stroud for a CivicTech meet up sounds like a good idea.
Seems he's reconnected with a few old folk recently too.
And a Friday evening trip to Stroud for a CivicTech meet up sounds like a good idea.
November 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Lovely to catch up with @timdavies.org.uk earlier.
Seems he's reconnected with a few old folk recently too.
And a Friday evening trip to Stroud for a CivicTech meet up sounds like a good idea.
Seems he's reconnected with a few old folk recently too.
And a Friday evening trip to Stroud for a CivicTech meet up sounds like a good idea.
Has anyone seen my 'Company Stamp'?
I need it for a new supplier form and I seem to misplaced ours in the 19th century.
I need it for a new supplier form and I seem to misplaced ours in the 19th century.
November 12, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Has anyone seen my 'Company Stamp'?
I need it for a new supplier form and I seem to misplaced ours in the 19th century.
I need it for a new supplier form and I seem to misplaced ours in the 19th century.
This really is a cracking interview.
Absolutely delightful interview with Joe Marler, this: www.thetimes.com/article/7778...
November 11, 2025 at 7:01 PM
This really is a cracking interview.
Reposted by Shane McCracken
Imagine spotting flaws in a rollercoaster or power station before disaster strikes—without laying a finger on them.
Physicist Rachel Edwards will tell us all about non-destructive testing, where engineers use sound to uncover hidden dangers like cracks and corrosion.
Physicist Rachel Edwards will tell us all about non-destructive testing, where engineers use sound to uncover hidden dangers like cracks and corrosion.
Seeing sound
Join Rachel Edwards for a look at the new ways scientists and engineers are going beyond traditional ultrasound.
www.rigb.org
November 9, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Imagine spotting flaws in a rollercoaster or power station before disaster strikes—without laying a finger on them.
Physicist Rachel Edwards will tell us all about non-destructive testing, where engineers use sound to uncover hidden dangers like cracks and corrosion.
Physicist Rachel Edwards will tell us all about non-destructive testing, where engineers use sound to uncover hidden dangers like cracks and corrosion.
Very pleased to be back at #fallingwalls - looking forward to some excellent Engage pitches.
November 6, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Very pleased to be back at #fallingwalls - looking forward to some excellent Engage pitches.
Superb excoriating post from @chrisdillow.bsky.social here: open.substack.com/pub/chrisdil...
There are few writers who are as calmly clear about the impact of economic policy.
There are few writers who are as calmly clear about the impact of economic policy.
Increasing economic growth: some modest proposals
Commodify, enshittify, skillify.
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Superb excoriating post from @chrisdillow.bsky.social here: open.substack.com/pub/chrisdil...
There are few writers who are as calmly clear about the impact of economic policy.
There are few writers who are as calmly clear about the impact of economic policy.
Enjoyed reading this view of school engagement as a 'game'.
Really want to trial the use of @imascientist.org.uk with a PRU as a long term tool for improving engagement.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Really want to trial the use of @imascientist.org.uk with a PRU as a long term tool for improving engagement.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Playing the game? Young people ‘at risk’ of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) and their investment in education
This paper explores how young people identified as ‘at risk’ of not being integrated into education, employment or training orientate themselves towards the education system in England during their...
www.tandfonline.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Enjoyed reading this view of school engagement as a 'game'.
Really want to trial the use of @imascientist.org.uk with a PRU as a long term tool for improving engagement.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Really want to trial the use of @imascientist.org.uk with a PRU as a long term tool for improving engagement.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I've just been reminded about an event we ran in October 2010 called Beyond Blogging at @wellcometrust.bsky.social
The list of speakers is quite wonderful.
@jackthurston.bsky.social @jenitennison.com @paulclarke.com @richardpope.org @smithsam.bsky.social @lesteph.com Evan Harris, Jonathan Raper
The list of speakers is quite wonderful.
@jackthurston.bsky.social @jenitennison.com @paulclarke.com @richardpope.org @smithsam.bsky.social @lesteph.com Evan Harris, Jonathan Raper
October 30, 2025 at 10:14 AM
I've just been reminded about an event we ran in October 2010 called Beyond Blogging at @wellcometrust.bsky.social
The list of speakers is quite wonderful.
@jackthurston.bsky.social @jenitennison.com @paulclarke.com @richardpope.org @smithsam.bsky.social @lesteph.com Evan Harris, Jonathan Raper
The list of speakers is quite wonderful.
@jackthurston.bsky.social @jenitennison.com @paulclarke.com @richardpope.org @smithsam.bsky.social @lesteph.com Evan Harris, Jonathan Raper
Research in a newsletter today. Can't think why more Primary School Leaders are worried than Secondary.
More seriously after 15 years of stability or rising numbers, the projected falls in numbers are going to be difficult.
More seriously after 15 years of stability or rising numbers, the projected falls in numbers are going to be difficult.
October 22, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Research in a newsletter today. Can't think why more Primary School Leaders are worried than Secondary.
More seriously after 15 years of stability or rising numbers, the projected falls in numbers are going to be difficult.
More seriously after 15 years of stability or rising numbers, the projected falls in numbers are going to be difficult.
Reposted by Shane McCracken
Decades after the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters, can politicians please not second-guess expert safety assessments for football stadiums.
Thank you.
An Aston Villa fan.
Thank you.
An Aston Villa fan.
October 17, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Decades after the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters, can politicians please not second-guess expert safety assessments for football stadiums.
Thank you.
An Aston Villa fan.
Thank you.
An Aston Villa fan.
Reposted by Shane McCracken
Students questions encourage scientists to think about their answers, often in a way they haven't considered before.
This is a lovely question which asked Abi to think about why she went into her current role.
Scientists, find out more: imascientist.org.uk/signup/c/
This is a lovely question which asked Abi to think about why she went into her current role.
Scientists, find out more: imascientist.org.uk/signup/c/
October 10, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Students questions encourage scientists to think about their answers, often in a way they haven't considered before.
This is a lovely question which asked Abi to think about why she went into her current role.
Scientists, find out more: imascientist.org.uk/signup/c/
This is a lovely question which asked Abi to think about why she went into her current role.
Scientists, find out more: imascientist.org.uk/signup/c/
Reposted by Shane McCracken
If the Norwegians had a sense of humour, they'd give Obama a second peace prize today.
October 10, 2025 at 7:16 AM
If the Norwegians had a sense of humour, they'd give Obama a second peace prize today.
Reposted by Shane McCracken
Reposted by Shane McCracken
JFC the man has not one ounce of shame in him.
He went to private school and Cambridge. He owns three homes and rents a fourth!
He went to private school and Cambridge. He owns three homes and rents a fourth!
October 7, 2025 at 1:09 PM
JFC the man has not one ounce of shame in him.
He went to private school and Cambridge. He owns three homes and rents a fourth!
He went to private school and Cambridge. He owns three homes and rents a fourth!
Robert Kitson is in suitably coruscating form in this week's Breakdown: www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/s...
I almost feel sorry for the "suitably bearded head of growth" and serial booze marketeer at the Prem.
I almost feel sorry for the "suitably bearded head of growth" and serial booze marketeer at the Prem.
The Breakdown | No place for ‘old school’ rugby values as PREM rebrand aims to turn heads
English top flight’s push to attract a younger audience is accelerating and relegation may soon be a thing of the past
www.theguardian.com
September 23, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Robert Kitson is in suitably coruscating form in this week's Breakdown: www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/s...
I almost feel sorry for the "suitably bearded head of growth" and serial booze marketeer at the Prem.
I almost feel sorry for the "suitably bearded head of growth" and serial booze marketeer at the Prem.
Reposted by Shane McCracken
Did an event at The Grove, Watford, last night and spotted this interesting piece of art. From afar it looks like Mrs Thatcher; look more closely and the red bits are @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social
September 19, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Did an event at The Grove, Watford, last night and spotted this interesting piece of art. From afar it looks like Mrs Thatcher; look more closely and the red bits are @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social
Everywhere you turn in Bath this you find a Jane Austen cosplayer.
I love it.
But what are they doing other than dressing up?
Are they attending readings? Balls at the Assembly Rooms?
I love it.
But what are they doing other than dressing up?
Are they attending readings? Balls at the Assembly Rooms?
September 19, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Everywhere you turn in Bath this you find a Jane Austen cosplayer.
I love it.
But what are they doing other than dressing up?
Are they attending readings? Balls at the Assembly Rooms?
I love it.
But what are they doing other than dressing up?
Are they attending readings? Balls at the Assembly Rooms?
Reposted by Shane McCracken
TREK BATH IS THE BEST BIKE SHOP IN THE WORLD. Claire recognised my bike on the way in to work and said “that’s not meant to be there” and TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP!! They called me and refused any sort of finders fee. I do not deserve people like this.
September 19, 2025 at 8:18 AM
TREK BATH IS THE BEST BIKE SHOP IN THE WORLD. Claire recognised my bike on the way in to work and said “that’s not meant to be there” and TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP!! They called me and refused any sort of finders fee. I do not deserve people like this.
Reposted by Shane McCracken
Dutch comedian Arjen Lubach has a nice bit about Disney cancelling Kimmel.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vRX...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vRX...
Jimmy Kimmel’s show has been cancelled | The New Disney | LUBACH
YouTube video by LUBACH
www.youtube.com
September 19, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Dutch comedian Arjen Lubach has a nice bit about Disney cancelling Kimmel.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vRX...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vRX...
Reposted by Shane McCracken
I loved doing this booky Q&A with
@booksireland.bsky.social !
My faves and influences, from Patrick DeWitt to Douglas Adams to W.G. Sebald.
booksirelandmagazine.com/q-and-a-with...
Thanks @ruthmckee.bsky.social
@booksireland.bsky.social !
My faves and influences, from Patrick DeWitt to Douglas Adams to W.G. Sebald.
booksirelandmagazine.com/q-and-a-with...
Thanks @ruthmckee.bsky.social
Q&A with Sylvia Leatham - Books Ireland
Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything probably changed my life. Our Q&A with Sylvia Leatham.
booksirelandmagazine.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:49 PM
I loved doing this booky Q&A with
@booksireland.bsky.social !
My faves and influences, from Patrick DeWitt to Douglas Adams to W.G. Sebald.
booksirelandmagazine.com/q-and-a-with...
Thanks @ruthmckee.bsky.social
@booksireland.bsky.social !
My faves and influences, from Patrick DeWitt to Douglas Adams to W.G. Sebald.
booksirelandmagazine.com/q-and-a-with...
Thanks @ruthmckee.bsky.social
Reposted by Shane McCracken
Like most scicommers ‘of a certain age,’ I crossed paths - if not swords - with Kenward on a few occasions. He was a character, and he got stuff done. Both of which I find admirable. The sector owes him more than many today will know.
Sorry to learn that science journalist Michael Kenward has died (I knew him through the Association of British Science Writers and the psci-com mailing list) www.absw.org.uk/articles/the...
The world of science journalism is poorer without Mike Kenward
"Mike changed my life. Twice." By Peter Wrobel, director of Science Business Publishing and freelance science writer.
www.absw.org.uk
September 16, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Like most scicommers ‘of a certain age,’ I crossed paths - if not swords - with Kenward on a few occasions. He was a character, and he got stuff done. Both of which I find admirable. The sector owes him more than many today will know.