Mike Fowler
@theorecol.bsky.social
Theoretical & Quantitative Ecologist. Dad. Whisky lover. Football coach. Relearning the drums. Not necessarily in that order.
See also @[email protected]
He/him
See also @[email protected]
He/him
Pinned
Mike Fowler
@theorecol.bsky.social
· Oct 21
Welcome
responsediversitynetwork.github.io
Welcome new followers (thanks to the ecology starter-pack!). I'll take this opportunity to publicise the Response Diversity Network: we seek to understand why species respond in diverse ways to environmental drivers, & the consequences. Join us!
responsediversitynetwork.github.io/RDN-website/
responsediversitynetwork.github.io/RDN-website/
Wonder if I'll get into trouble for sharing this?
January 22, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Wonder if I'll get into trouble for sharing this?
Reposted by Mike Fowler
New paper is out 🔓!
We reconstructed the 145-myr diversity of sharks & rays using deep learning, unveiling hidden patterns:
- modern diversity levels by the Cretaceous 📈
- small decline in the K/Pg 🤏
- a peak in the Eocene 🌄
- a long-term decline towards the present �
www.cell.com/current-biol...
We reconstructed the 145-myr diversity of sharks & rays using deep learning, unveiling hidden patterns:
- modern diversity levels by the Cretaceous 📈
- small decline in the K/Pg 🤏
- a peak in the Eocene 🌄
- a long-term decline towards the present �
www.cell.com/current-biol...
January 22, 2026 at 4:18 PM
New paper is out 🔓!
We reconstructed the 145-myr diversity of sharks & rays using deep learning, unveiling hidden patterns:
- modern diversity levels by the Cretaceous 📈
- small decline in the K/Pg 🤏
- a peak in the Eocene 🌄
- a long-term decline towards the present �
www.cell.com/current-biol...
We reconstructed the 145-myr diversity of sharks & rays using deep learning, unveiling hidden patterns:
- modern diversity levels by the Cretaceous 📈
- small decline in the K/Pg 🤏
- a peak in the Eocene 🌄
- a long-term decline towards the present �
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Reposted by Mike Fowler
Biological invasions aren’t just ecological, they’re social too. 🌱🤝
If you missed it, last year we published this paper in BioScience, showing how social–ecological networks can transform how we understand invasion pathways, impacts & management decisions. Open access!
doi.org/10.1093/bios...
If you missed it, last year we published this paper in BioScience, showing how social–ecological networks can transform how we understand invasion pathways, impacts & management decisions. Open access!
doi.org/10.1093/bios...
A Systems Perspective: How Social–Ecological Networks Can Improve Our Understanding and Management of Biological Invasions
Abstract. Reversing biodiversity loss and the sustainability crisis requires approaches that explicitly consider human–nature interdependencies. Social–eco
doi.org
January 22, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Biological invasions aren’t just ecological, they’re social too. 🌱🤝
If you missed it, last year we published this paper in BioScience, showing how social–ecological networks can transform how we understand invasion pathways, impacts & management decisions. Open access!
doi.org/10.1093/bios...
If you missed it, last year we published this paper in BioScience, showing how social–ecological networks can transform how we understand invasion pathways, impacts & management decisions. Open access!
doi.org/10.1093/bios...
Grant* submitted on deadline day, now straight back into marking before that deadline hits (also today). Living the academic dream!
*Of which <45% will actually be spent on doing science. Those towers don't guild themselves in ivory for nothing!
*Of which <45% will actually be spent on doing science. Those towers don't guild themselves in ivory for nothing!
a man is carrying a yellow mop on a beach .
ALT: a man is carrying a yellow mop on a beach .
media.tenor.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Grant* submitted on deadline day, now straight back into marking before that deadline hits (also today). Living the academic dream!
*Of which <45% will actually be spent on doing science. Those towers don't guild themselves in ivory for nothing!
*Of which <45% will actually be spent on doing science. Those towers don't guild themselves in ivory for nothing!
Reposted by Mike Fowler
Last night I met a guy who said everyone in his office uses ChatGPT "because you just type in two lines and it generates a whole email for you!"
And I *very correctly* replied that "no one wants that 'whole email' they just want the two lines - and they all hate you"
And I *very correctly* replied that "no one wants that 'whole email' they just want the two lines - and they all hate you"
January 17, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Last night I met a guy who said everyone in his office uses ChatGPT "because you just type in two lines and it generates a whole email for you!"
And I *very correctly* replied that "no one wants that 'whole email' they just want the two lines - and they all hate you"
And I *very correctly* replied that "no one wants that 'whole email' they just want the two lines - and they all hate you"
Live video feed of me grant writing.
youtube.com/shorts/VlmVl...
youtube.com/shorts/VlmVl...
Why do I do this? 🤔 #memes #guitar #lol #music
YouTube video by Aaron Paulsen
youtube.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Live video feed of me grant writing.
youtube.com/shorts/VlmVl...
youtube.com/shorts/VlmVl...
Reposted by Mike Fowler
Take a close look at this picture.
What an interesting coin or artifact, you probably think 🤔. Such interesting detail, intricately carved or molded 🧐 ... HAHA sucker, you're looking at a SPIDER'S BUTT.
Let's meet Cyclocosmia ricketti, the Chinese hourglass spider.
CW: spiders & their butts
What an interesting coin or artifact, you probably think 🤔. Such interesting detail, intricately carved or molded 🧐 ... HAHA sucker, you're looking at a SPIDER'S BUTT.
Let's meet Cyclocosmia ricketti, the Chinese hourglass spider.
CW: spiders & their butts
January 15, 2026 at 1:33 AM
Take a close look at this picture.
What an interesting coin or artifact, you probably think 🤔. Such interesting detail, intricately carved or molded 🧐 ... HAHA sucker, you're looking at a SPIDER'S BUTT.
Let's meet Cyclocosmia ricketti, the Chinese hourglass spider.
CW: spiders & their butts
What an interesting coin or artifact, you probably think 🤔. Such interesting detail, intricately carved or molded 🧐 ... HAHA sucker, you're looking at a SPIDER'S BUTT.
Let's meet Cyclocosmia ricketti, the Chinese hourglass spider.
CW: spiders & their butts
Reposted by Mike Fowler
Excellent and empoweringe educacioun will nevir be "efficient" yn the waye that a businesse doth stryve to be "efficient." It ys the heighte of knavery to use one standarde to measure everye human activitye. Businesses are ther to make profits. Educacioun ys ther to make the future.
January 15, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Excellent and empoweringe educacioun will nevir be "efficient" yn the waye that a businesse doth stryve to be "efficient." It ys the heighte of knavery to use one standarde to measure everye human activitye. Businesses are ther to make profits. Educacioun ys ther to make the future.
Listening to an album (while marking) that's over a quarter of a century old, but my brain still considers to be a new one...
open.spotify.com/album/2MJc2N...
open.spotify.com/album/2MJc2N...
Two Against Nature
open.spotify.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Listening to an album (while marking) that's over a quarter of a century old, but my brain still considers to be a new one...
open.spotify.com/album/2MJc2N...
open.spotify.com/album/2MJc2N...
Reposted by Mike Fowler
We are now accepting grant applications to fund ecological research and outreach worldwide.
⏰Apply before 10 March 2026!
Find out what grants you can apply to 👇
https://f.mtr.cool/cucxadvxjq
🧪🌍
⏰Apply before 10 March 2026!
Find out what grants you can apply to 👇
https://f.mtr.cool/cucxadvxjq
🧪🌍
January 14, 2026 at 12:03 PM
We are now accepting grant applications to fund ecological research and outreach worldwide.
⏰Apply before 10 March 2026!
Find out what grants you can apply to 👇
https://f.mtr.cool/cucxadvxjq
🧪🌍
⏰Apply before 10 March 2026!
Find out what grants you can apply to 👇
https://f.mtr.cool/cucxadvxjq
🧪🌍
When everyone in the class chooses exactly the same (correct) statistical approach to address Q2, and exactly the same (incorrect) approach for Q1, you just know the class Whatsapp group has been working overtime for that (independent) assignment.
a man with glasses is screaming and saying collusion !
ALT: a man with glasses is screaming and saying collusion !
media.tenor.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:33 AM
When everyone in the class chooses exactly the same (correct) statistical approach to address Q2, and exactly the same (incorrect) approach for Q1, you just know the class Whatsapp group has been working overtime for that (independent) assignment.
Reposted by Mike Fowler
the very, very old etymology of two computery terms...
January 9, 2026 at 12:10 PM
the very, very old etymology of two computery terms...
Happy new office coffee maker, to all those who celebrate!
Feel free to drop in for a cup (but bring biscuits).
Feel free to drop in for a cup (but bring biscuits).
January 7, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Happy new office coffee maker, to all those who celebrate!
Feel free to drop in for a cup (but bring biscuits).
Feel free to drop in for a cup (but bring biscuits).
Reposted by Mike Fowler
I’m excited to share with you the first @rececochange.bsky.social newsletter, highlighting recent research on biodiversity change, policy-relevant insights and news from across the REC community 💚🌍
Read it here 👉 mailchi.mp/97ed6942f5b8...
Read it here 👉 mailchi.mp/97ed6942f5b8...
REC Newsletter 1/2026
mailchi.mp
January 7, 2026 at 10:54 AM
I’m excited to share with you the first @rececochange.bsky.social newsletter, highlighting recent research on biodiversity change, policy-relevant insights and news from across the REC community 💚🌍
Read it here 👉 mailchi.mp/97ed6942f5b8...
Read it here 👉 mailchi.mp/97ed6942f5b8...
Geocentrism strikes again!
"Time travel is real and possible, but everyone who tried it ended up dead in deep space" is not the least plausible thing I've seen today.
4am thought. Time travel never has any spatial lock. So if you could go back, there’s no way you’d appear in the intended place, i.e. you might appear buried, or under the sea or in the air, or more likely in space because the earth is not in the same place as right now.
January 5, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Geocentrism strikes again!
Reposted by Mike Fowler
If you can do so, riding a bike daily is a really good middle finger to the oil barons ruining the world.
January 4, 2026 at 4:05 PM
If you can do so, riding a bike daily is a really good middle finger to the oil barons ruining the world.
Well it's a marvelous night for a moondance 🎵🎶
January 4, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Well it's a marvelous night for a moondance 🎵🎶
Reposted by Mike Fowler
After reviewing nearly 200 applications from prospective grad students and postdocs over the past few months for a couple different 🧪⚒️ postings, here are some tips, at least as they apply to North American positions. I hope they help future applicants. Share with your networks. 🧵
January 4, 2026 at 2:17 PM
After reviewing nearly 200 applications from prospective grad students and postdocs over the past few months for a couple different 🧪⚒️ postings, here are some tips, at least as they apply to North American positions. I hope they help future applicants. Share with your networks. 🧵
Reposted by Mike Fowler
It's official - my new book is officially published today! If you mentor science students who write - grad or undergrad - you're the reason we wrote this. Mentoring/teaching writing is hard; but we can make it easier!
It’s publication day! “Teaching and Mentoring Writers in the Sciences”
Ok, we’re seriously excited – not for tonight’s fireworks, but because after several years of work, our new book is officially published today! That’s right – Teaching and Mentoring Writers i…
scientistseessquirrel.wordpress.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:18 PM
It's official - my new book is officially published today! If you mentor science students who write - grad or undergrad - you're the reason we wrote this. Mentoring/teaching writing is hard; but we can make it easier!
Reposted by Mike Fowler
Lol my alma mater just established a "college of AI" and the letter I sent was like "please 'remain competitive' by fixing your shit, everyone hates this, it's like a college of subprime mortgages."
December 19, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Lol my alma mater just established a "college of AI" and the letter I sent was like "please 'remain competitive' by fixing your shit, everyone hates this, it's like a college of subprime mortgages."
Reposted by Mike Fowler
Excited to launch the new improved Reproducible Code guide from @britishecologicalsociety.org @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social FREE online here! www.britishecologicalsociety.org//wp-content/... Amazing work by some very talented ECRs. We hope it’s useful!
December 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Excited to launch the new improved Reproducible Code guide from @britishecologicalsociety.org @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social FREE online here! www.britishecologicalsociety.org//wp-content/... Amazing work by some very talented ECRs. We hope it’s useful!
Reposted by Mike Fowler
Here's an opportunity to lead research at Kilpisjärvi Biological Station (northern Finland, but close to the border with Norway and Sweden). An amazing place and job. Please forward to Arctic-focused folk.
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
Professor or Assistant Professor / Associate Professor in Arctic Ecosystem Ecology
Professor or Assistant Professor / Associate Professor in Arctic Ecosystem Ecology
jobs.helsinki.fi
December 12, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Here's an opportunity to lead research at Kilpisjärvi Biological Station (northern Finland, but close to the border with Norway and Sweden). An amazing place and job. Please forward to Arctic-focused folk.
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
Reposted by Mike Fowler
At the BES, we believe cost should not be a barrier to publishing.
Below, we have outlined how you can use resources like funding, waivers and agreements – including our own BES waivers – that cover the cost of publishing.
Find out more👇
buff.ly/irQPJaP
Below, we have outlined how you can use resources like funding, waivers and agreements – including our own BES waivers – that cover the cost of publishing.
Find out more👇
buff.ly/irQPJaP
December 10, 2025 at 12:02 PM
At the BES, we believe cost should not be a barrier to publishing.
Below, we have outlined how you can use resources like funding, waivers and agreements – including our own BES waivers – that cover the cost of publishing.
Find out more👇
buff.ly/irQPJaP
Below, we have outlined how you can use resources like funding, waivers and agreements – including our own BES waivers – that cover the cost of publishing.
Find out more👇
buff.ly/irQPJaP
I dunno, I feel like if they were being truly conservative, they'd be going back to Times Old Roman (or even further back...)
Obviously very far from the worst thing they're doing, but definitely seems they're trying to be terrible in every possible way...
December 10, 2025 at 12:01 PM
I dunno, I feel like if they were being truly conservative, they'd be going back to Times Old Roman (or even further back...)