Thomas Halliday
@tjdhalliday.bsky.social
Author of OTHERLANDS (Foyle's Book of the Year 2022), currently writing a second. Palaeontologist, sometime TV quizzer, international croquet player, lapsed choral singer.
Reposted by Thomas Halliday
🚨 Hot off the press: Our look into of the palaeontological database landscape and its sustainability into the future.
Palaeo databases are invaluable and continue to transform our research field - but they are vulnerable... (1/6) 🧪 ⛏️
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Palaeo databases are invaluable and continue to transform our research field - but they are vulnerable... (1/6) 🧪 ⛏️
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The billion-dollar case for sustaining palaeontology’s digital databases - Nature Ecology & Evolution
The authors survey community palaeontological databases, documenting their contributions to science as well as their vulnerabilities, and provide recommendations for the future of open science databas...
www.nature.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:10 PM
🚨 Hot off the press: Our look into of the palaeontological database landscape and its sustainability into the future.
Palaeo databases are invaluable and continue to transform our research field - but they are vulnerable... (1/6) 🧪 ⛏️
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Palaeo databases are invaluable and continue to transform our research field - but they are vulnerable... (1/6) 🧪 ⛏️
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The palaeontology cluster sits between historians and archaeologists, children's authors, open science advocates, and biologists, which makes sense.
But zoom in, and our *nearest* neighbours are "Queer Taylor Swift fans".
Which also frankly makes a lot of sense.
But zoom in, and our *nearest* neighbours are "Queer Taylor Swift fans".
Which also frankly makes a lot of sense.
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Bluesky Map
Interactive map of 3.4 million Bluesky users, visualised by their follower pattern.
bluesky-map.theo.io
February 9, 2026 at 11:55 AM
The palaeontology cluster sits between historians and archaeologists, children's authors, open science advocates, and biologists, which makes sense.
But zoom in, and our *nearest* neighbours are "Queer Taylor Swift fans".
Which also frankly makes a lot of sense.
But zoom in, and our *nearest* neighbours are "Queer Taylor Swift fans".
Which also frankly makes a lot of sense.
We've got a mystery rodent visiting our attic and making lots of noise, and the best bit about this is that the pest control is putting in a camera trap to figure out if it's a rat or a squirrel, and I'll get a notification on my phone!
Looking forward to some nighttime footage of the sneaky beast.
Looking forward to some nighttime footage of the sneaky beast.
February 3, 2026 at 2:39 PM
We've got a mystery rodent visiting our attic and making lots of noise, and the best bit about this is that the pest control is putting in a camera trap to figure out if it's a rat or a squirrel, and I'll get a notification on my phone!
Looking forward to some nighttime footage of the sneaky beast.
Looking forward to some nighttime footage of the sneaky beast.
Reposted by Thomas Halliday
(1) Long 🧵 Time.
Today we learned that paleontologist Jack Horner (the same guy who helped give us "Jurassic Park") is in the Epstein Files. As a paleontologist, I feel compelled to say something because this touches my field and I want to make my stance clear on this...
Today we learned that paleontologist Jack Horner (the same guy who helped give us "Jurassic Park") is in the Epstein Files. As a paleontologist, I feel compelled to say something because this touches my field and I want to make my stance clear on this...
February 1, 2026 at 9:13 PM
(1) Long 🧵 Time.
Today we learned that paleontologist Jack Horner (the same guy who helped give us "Jurassic Park") is in the Epstein Files. As a paleontologist, I feel compelled to say something because this touches my field and I want to make my stance clear on this...
Today we learned that paleontologist Jack Horner (the same guy who helped give us "Jurassic Park") is in the Epstein Files. As a paleontologist, I feel compelled to say something because this touches my field and I want to make my stance clear on this...
Imbolc. The snowdrops return to the garden. With a dark and rainy day, folklore says that the Cailleach can't go out to collect firewood, and winter comes to an end.
February 1, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Imbolc. The snowdrops return to the garden. With a dark and rainy day, folklore says that the Cailleach can't go out to collect firewood, and winter comes to an end.
Jack Horner also apparently went fossil hunting in North Dakota with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Robert F Kennedy Jr some time before the ranch visits.
February 1, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Jack Horner also apparently went fossil hunting in North Dakota with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Robert F Kennedy Jr some time before the ranch visits.
Today, on the walk to school, we saw a tiny goldcrest confidently bouncing about in a bare tree. Never having seen one before, the boys were utterly engrossed. We ended up very nearly being late, but the time to stop and admire it until it flew away was so worth it.
January 29, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Today, on the walk to school, we saw a tiny goldcrest confidently bouncing about in a bare tree. Never having seen one before, the boys were utterly engrossed. We ended up very nearly being late, but the time to stop and admire it until it flew away was so worth it.
On this day in 1793, the Russian Empire under Catherine II continued its annexation of Poland-Lithuania in a series of partitions; they wouldn't be independent until 1918.
As it's also Burns Night in two days, here's what the bard thought of those trying to seize land and install new governments...
As it's also Burns Night in two days, here's what the bard thought of those trying to seize land and install new governments...
January 23, 2026 at 11:57 AM
On this day in 1793, the Russian Empire under Catherine II continued its annexation of Poland-Lithuania in a series of partitions; they wouldn't be independent until 1918.
As it's also Burns Night in two days, here's what the bard thought of those trying to seize land and install new governments...
As it's also Burns Night in two days, here's what the bard thought of those trying to seize land and install new governments...
BIG news in Scottish palaeobiology, with evidence from Aberdeenshire's Rhynie Chert that Prototaxites has weird anatomical features that make it look like it's not actually a fungus but some previously unknown, entirely extinct *other* type of eukaryote.
So so cool.
So so cool.
Our paper on the mysterious Devonian organism Prototaxites has now finally been published! See the paper here (www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...) and our explainer thread below!
Prototaxites reconstruction by Matt Humpage
Prototaxites reconstruction by Matt Humpage
January 21, 2026 at 11:15 PM
BIG news in Scottish palaeobiology, with evidence from Aberdeenshire's Rhynie Chert that Prototaxites has weird anatomical features that make it look like it's not actually a fungus but some previously unknown, entirely extinct *other* type of eukaryote.
So so cool.
So so cool.
Reposted by Thomas Halliday
How to get into nature.
January 20, 2026 at 1:04 PM
How to get into nature.
Reposted by Thomas Halliday
just so it's clear: this is the exact core function of genAI
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Bob and I were among the hundreds of researchers that were supposed to conduct the 6th U.S. National Climate Assessment. Now it looks like they're gonna produce it with a few people and Grok? Communities need rigorous and accurate information about climate change. This will put communities at risk.
January 1, 2026 at 7:11 AM
just so it's clear: this is the exact core function of genAI
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
There's only a few days of it left, but the Wyllyotts Theatre panto (Cinderella) in Potters Bar is so so good. Outrageous dames, really good songs, and Morgan Phillips as Buttons is one of the best in the Clown role I've ever seen.
December 30, 2025 at 3:42 PM
There's only a few days of it left, but the Wyllyotts Theatre panto (Cinderella) in Potters Bar is so so good. Outrageous dames, really good songs, and Morgan Phillips as Buttons is one of the best in the Clown role I've ever seen.
Well, #PrehistoricPlanet might have speculated that a Thylacoleo in a tree is dangerous, but ours is always very cheery.
December 2, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Well, #PrehistoricPlanet might have speculated that a Thylacoleo in a tree is dangerous, but ours is always very cheery.
🎉 Children's Book of the Year! 🎉
Gavin and I will be signing copies at Foyles, Charing Cross Road, tonight! And there's mulled wine and mince pies for free, and lots of other exciting authors too.
www.foyles.co.uk/highlights/f...
Gavin and I will be signing copies at Foyles, Charing Cross Road, tonight! And there's mulled wine and mince pies for free, and lots of other exciting authors too.
www.foyles.co.uk/highlights/f...
www.foyles.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:24 AM
🎉 Children's Book of the Year! 🎉
Gavin and I will be signing copies at Foyles, Charing Cross Road, tonight! And there's mulled wine and mince pies for free, and lots of other exciting authors too.
www.foyles.co.uk/highlights/f...
Gavin and I will be signing copies at Foyles, Charing Cross Road, tonight! And there's mulled wine and mince pies for free, and lots of other exciting authors too.
www.foyles.co.uk/highlights/f...
Reposted by Thomas Halliday
Over 1 million views (currently over 1.1 million) for the #PrehistoricPlanetIceAge images I've shared at Instagram. Debuts on #AppleTV Nov 26th, a stunning and definitive vision created by #BBCStudios, you're going to love it. Am attending screening events, can't wait.
November 16, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Over 1 million views (currently over 1.1 million) for the #PrehistoricPlanetIceAge images I've shared at Instagram. Debuts on #AppleTV Nov 26th, a stunning and definitive vision created by #BBCStudios, you're going to love it. Am attending screening events, can't wait.
Reposted by Thomas Halliday
Challenging weather & transport conditions for our evening authors’ event, but wonderful to hear Tom Holland in conversation with @elsa-panciroli.bsky.social @endofthepier.bsky.social & @tjdhalliday.bsky.social #2025SVP
November 14, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Challenging weather & transport conditions for our evening authors’ event, but wonderful to hear Tom Holland in conversation with @elsa-panciroli.bsky.social @endofthepier.bsky.social & @tjdhalliday.bsky.social #2025SVP
Lovely review of the illustrated Otherlands from LoveReading4Kids (an online bookshop which donates some of the revenue to school libraries).
"A star of stars", "an absolute gem"
www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9780241...
"A star of stars", "an absolute gem"
www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9780241...
Otherlands by Thomas Halliday
Otherlands (ISBN: 9780241611203) Travel back through time and discover strange and incredible lands with this absolutely stunning gift of a book. A star of stars.
www.lovereading4kids.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Lovely review of the illustrated Otherlands from LoveReading4Kids (an online bookshop which donates some of the revenue to school libraries).
"A star of stars", "an absolute gem"
www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9780241...
"A star of stars", "an absolute gem"
www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9780241...
Fungus spotting in Gobion's Wood this half term, where we found about 25 species (of apparently about 550!)
November 3, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Fungus spotting in Gobion's Wood this half term, where we found about 25 species (of apparently about 550!)
Otherlands Illustrated has been shortlisted for 2025 Children's Book of the Year!!
Come to the Christmas Evening at Foyles on Charing Cross Road on the 27th of November to find out if it's won! Event is FREE and there will be lots of authors signing books.
www.foyles.co.uk/highlights/f...
Come to the Christmas Evening at Foyles on Charing Cross Road on the 27th of November to find out if it's won! Event is FREE and there will be lots of authors signing books.
www.foyles.co.uk/highlights/f...
www.foyles.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Otherlands Illustrated has been shortlisted for 2025 Children's Book of the Year!!
Come to the Christmas Evening at Foyles on Charing Cross Road on the 27th of November to find out if it's won! Event is FREE and there will be lots of authors signing books.
www.foyles.co.uk/highlights/f...
Come to the Christmas Evening at Foyles on Charing Cross Road on the 27th of November to find out if it's won! Event is FREE and there will be lots of authors signing books.
www.foyles.co.uk/highlights/f...
Ever get the feeling you're being watched?
Publication day for the Illustrated Otherlands - get your own copy at all bookshops, or get your local library to order one and borrow it!
Publication day for the Illustrated Otherlands - get your own copy at all bookshops, or get your local library to order one and borrow it!
September 25, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Ever get the feeling you're being watched?
Publication day for the Illustrated Otherlands - get your own copy at all bookshops, or get your local library to order one and borrow it!
Publication day for the Illustrated Otherlands - get your own copy at all bookshops, or get your local library to order one and borrow it!
Would you look at that? Only three days to go until the UK release. And if you don't have a local bookshop you can use, why not support a small independent by ordering your books at this link?
uk.bookshop.org/p/books/othe...
uk.bookshop.org/p/books/othe...
Otherlands: An illustrated journey through Earth’s lost worlds
An illustrated journey through Earth’s lost worlds
uk.bookshop.org
September 22, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Would you look at that? Only three days to go until the UK release. And if you don't have a local bookshop you can use, why not support a small independent by ordering your books at this link?
uk.bookshop.org/p/books/othe...
uk.bookshop.org/p/books/othe...
Reposted by Thomas Halliday
Please share!! 🙏🏼
Want to see where the science of geology began? Then help us build the Deep Time Trail!
Want to see where the science of geology began? Then help us build the Deep Time Trail!
Help make the Deep Time Trail a reality - donate now!
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/siccar-point
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/siccar-point
September 22, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Please share!! 🙏🏼
Want to see where the science of geology began? Then help us build the Deep Time Trail!
Want to see where the science of geology began? Then help us build the Deep Time Trail!
One week to go until this beauty is out in the world!
Pre-order now or go to your nearest bookshop, where if they don't have it, they'll order one in.
www.penguin.co.uk/books/453616...
Pre-order now or go to your nearest bookshop, where if they don't have it, they'll order one in.
www.penguin.co.uk/books/453616...
Otherlands
Step onto volcanic plains and watch thundering herds of dinosaurs crash through thick forests.
Dive into a sea of glass reefs, emerging from the water to see monkeys fighting for survival on an acci...
www.penguin.co.uk
September 18, 2025 at 9:29 AM
One week to go until this beauty is out in the world!
Pre-order now or go to your nearest bookshop, where if they don't have it, they'll order one in.
www.penguin.co.uk/books/453616...
Pre-order now or go to your nearest bookshop, where if they don't have it, they'll order one in.
www.penguin.co.uk/books/453616...
I've spent the last couple of days in Reykjavik at the Umhverfisthing (Environmental Assembly). Lots of visions of climatic and Environmental hope, great engagement with the community. From the architecture to the food to the people, Iceland has quickly become one of my favourite countries.
September 17, 2025 at 9:43 AM
I've spent the last couple of days in Reykjavik at the Umhverfisthing (Environmental Assembly). Lots of visions of climatic and Environmental hope, great engagement with the community. From the architecture to the food to the people, Iceland has quickly become one of my favourite countries.