Dr Zoë Ayres
@zjayres.bsky.social
Trying to leave things better than I find them
Analytical Scientist 👩🔬 #AcademicMentalHealth advocate 🌱 Founder VoicesofAcademia.com 💬 Author of "Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD" 📘 ADHDer 💚 Proud mum 👶 she/her. Views mine.
Analytical Scientist 👩🔬 #AcademicMentalHealth advocate 🌱 Founder VoicesofAcademia.com 💬 Author of "Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD" 📘 ADHDer 💚 Proud mum 👶 she/her. Views mine.
This hits hard this morning. I have ADHD. I was diagnosed via Right to Choose.
I am currently being denied access to meds because the NHS are refusing to, despite me following due process as they are prioritising younger people due to lack of funds.
Wouldn't deny me heart meds though would they?
I am currently being denied access to meds because the NHS are refusing to, despite me following due process as they are prioritising younger people due to lack of funds.
Wouldn't deny me heart meds though would they?
Use of private providers, poor training and inadequate regulation mean obtaining care has become a ‘wild west.’ NHS ADHD spending over budget by £164m as unregulated clinics boom from @theguardian.com
#ADHD #RightToChoose
#ADHD #RightToChoose
‘He tried so hard to get help’: the tragic results of NHS right-to-choose for ADHD patients
Use of private providers, poor training and inadequate regulation mean obtaining care has become a ‘wild west’
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:48 AM
This hits hard this morning. I have ADHD. I was diagnosed via Right to Choose.
I am currently being denied access to meds because the NHS are refusing to, despite me following due process as they are prioritising younger people due to lack of funds.
Wouldn't deny me heart meds though would they?
I am currently being denied access to meds because the NHS are refusing to, despite me following due process as they are prioritising younger people due to lack of funds.
Wouldn't deny me heart meds though would they?
For what it's worth I think all of the following can all be true at the same time:
-Detection of microplastics via analytical techniques can be really challenging due to detection limits
-Some scientific papers out there are poor and lack rigour
-Microplastics are bad for human health
-Detection of microplastics via analytical techniques can be really challenging due to detection limits
-Some scientific papers out there are poor and lack rigour
-Microplastics are bad for human health
‘A bombshell’: doubt cast on discoveries of #microplastics throughout human body, from brain to blood, arteries to testes
Exclusive: Some scientists say many detections are most likely error, with one high-profile study called a ‘joke’
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Exclusive: Some scientists say many detections are most likely error, with one high-profile study called a ‘joke’
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘A bombshell’: doubt cast on discovery of microplastics throughout human body
Exclusive: Some scientists say many detections are most likely error, with one high-profile study called a ‘joke’
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:33 AM
For what it's worth I think all of the following can all be true at the same time:
-Detection of microplastics via analytical techniques can be really challenging due to detection limits
-Some scientific papers out there are poor and lack rigour
-Microplastics are bad for human health
-Detection of microplastics via analytical techniques can be really challenging due to detection limits
-Some scientific papers out there are poor and lack rigour
-Microplastics are bad for human health
The first Voices of Academia blog of 2026
A journey from researcher to research enabler: A story of acceptance and shifting identity by Sarah Masefield
"...I’m not a researcher now. I was outmanoeuvred by the system."
voicesofacademia.com/2026/01/09/a...
A journey from researcher to research enabler: A story of acceptance and shifting identity by Sarah Masefield
"...I’m not a researcher now. I was outmanoeuvred by the system."
voicesofacademia.com/2026/01/09/a...
A journey from researcher to research enabler: A story of acceptance and shifting identity by Sarah Masefield
I am a researcher. For 12 years I had health-related research roles, and before that I was a healthcare professional – an occupational therapist. Making a difference through one-to-one clinical pra…
voicesofacademia.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:59 AM
The first Voices of Academia blog of 2026
A journey from researcher to research enabler: A story of acceptance and shifting identity by Sarah Masefield
"...I’m not a researcher now. I was outmanoeuvred by the system."
voicesofacademia.com/2026/01/09/a...
A journey from researcher to research enabler: A story of acceptance and shifting identity by Sarah Masefield
"...I’m not a researcher now. I was outmanoeuvred by the system."
voicesofacademia.com/2026/01/09/a...
Toddler having major surgery followed by chickenpox the following day was not on my bingo card. Thankfully recovering slowly and out of hospital now but what a wild few days.
December 21, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Toddler having major surgery followed by chickenpox the following day was not on my bingo card. Thankfully recovering slowly and out of hospital now but what a wild few days.
My daughter's hip operation was successful yesterday. So so grateful 🙏
December 18, 2025 at 6:07 AM
My daughter's hip operation was successful yesterday. So so grateful 🙏
Reposted by Dr Zoë Ayres
Leaders at @ukri.org should be seriously looking at the lottery first idea. 68% lower economic costs, increase in diversity of award holders and well received.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Lottery before peer review is associated with increased female representation and reduced estimated economic cost in a German funding line - Nature Communications
The authors show evidence from a German funding line that a lottery-first approach followed by peer review is accompanied by increased female representation both at the submission stage and among fund...
www.nature.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Leaders at @ukri.org should be seriously looking at the lottery first idea. 68% lower economic costs, increase in diversity of award holders and well received.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Been going for a half an hour walk each day for the last few weeks, which is a big change for me, and I'm horrified to report it's actually helping loads
December 4, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Been going for a half an hour walk each day for the last few weeks, which is a big change for me, and I'm horrified to report it's actually helping loads
Reposted by Dr Zoë Ayres
Streeting to next launch inquiry into “over-diagnosis” of left-handedness.
“Never used to be like this,” he insists.
“Never used to be like this,” he insists.
December 4, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Streeting to next launch inquiry into “over-diagnosis” of left-handedness.
“Never used to be like this,” he insists.
“Never used to be like this,” he insists.
My hot take: if your assessments fall down the moment you make disability accommodations, your assessment is shit. Do better.
December 3, 2025 at 6:38 PM
My hot take: if your assessments fall down the moment you make disability accommodations, your assessment is shit. Do better.
Reposted by Dr Zoë Ayres
The brilliant Academic Mental Health posters by @zjayres.bsky.social are very popular with our users! They can also access her book, Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD, in the library and online. Find the posters and book via www.zjayres.com #mentalhealthmonday #academicwellbeing #chematcam
November 24, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The brilliant Academic Mental Health posters by @zjayres.bsky.social are very popular with our users! They can also access her book, Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD, in the library and online. Find the posters and book via www.zjayres.com #mentalhealthmonday #academicwellbeing #chematcam
Reposted by Dr Zoë Ayres
Some people mistake making connections & networking with subservience & authority-pleasing. Wrong. You can be an effective influencer on real life outcomes even with saying non-conforming stuff. This is how we make meaningful change. Don’t believe that agreement is always the route to getting heard.
November 22, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Some people mistake making connections & networking with subservience & authority-pleasing. Wrong. You can be an effective influencer on real life outcomes even with saying non-conforming stuff. This is how we make meaningful change. Don’t believe that agreement is always the route to getting heard.
Got an unsolicited "love you mama" tonight from the kiddo for the first time this evening
Followed swiftly by "cuddle mummy's eyes" *attempts to hug only my eyes*
Toddler chaos at its best
Followed swiftly by "cuddle mummy's eyes" *attempts to hug only my eyes*
Toddler chaos at its best
November 17, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Got an unsolicited "love you mama" tonight from the kiddo for the first time this evening
Followed swiftly by "cuddle mummy's eyes" *attempts to hug only my eyes*
Toddler chaos at its best
Followed swiftly by "cuddle mummy's eyes" *attempts to hug only my eyes*
Toddler chaos at its best
Needed this today (chicken noodle soup)
November 17, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Needed this today (chicken noodle soup)
Sometimes think about the Prof who said I should "f*ck off and die", described me as "not very bright" in a group meeting, because of my mental health work (despite having not met me). And that the university did nothing despite there being a recording.
It's rather motivating to keep speaking up.
It's rather motivating to keep speaking up.
November 16, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Sometimes think about the Prof who said I should "f*ck off and die", described me as "not very bright" in a group meeting, because of my mental health work (despite having not met me). And that the university did nothing despite there being a recording.
It's rather motivating to keep speaking up.
It's rather motivating to keep speaking up.
Reposted by Dr Zoë Ayres
Oh no I just heard we lost Alice. This is terribly sad. She was an incredible, talented, powerful voice of the disability community. She stood strong for herself and for all of us. She will be missed immensely.
‘Death remains my intimate shadow partner. It has been with me since birth, always hovering close by. I understand one day we will finally waltz together into the ether. I hope when that time comes, I die with the satisfaction of a life well-lived, unapologetic, joyful, & full of love.’
—Alice Wong
—Alice Wong
November 15, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Oh no I just heard we lost Alice. This is terribly sad. She was an incredible, talented, powerful voice of the disability community. She stood strong for herself and for all of us. She will be missed immensely.
Just reached the "a new notebook will fix all my problems" for the 13th time this year
November 15, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Just reached the "a new notebook will fix all my problems" for the 13th time this year
Saw something (can't remember the source, sorry) about how leadership is not about being liked or fully understood in the moment but operating on doing what's right for the long term, even when some people don't get the direction. And that resonated a lot. Takes a lot to be strong in your conviction
November 13, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Saw something (can't remember the source, sorry) about how leadership is not about being liked or fully understood in the moment but operating on doing what's right for the long term, even when some people don't get the direction. And that resonated a lot. Takes a lot to be strong in your conviction
Little ones surgery was scheduled for tomorrow, cue her projectile vomiting today (yay toddler life), despite us isolating for a week, and now it's rescheduled for the week before Christmas. I guess I'm learning to be resilient as we go, because gosh this is a rollercoaster of shit proportions.
November 11, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Little ones surgery was scheduled for tomorrow, cue her projectile vomiting today (yay toddler life), despite us isolating for a week, and now it's rescheduled for the week before Christmas. I guess I'm learning to be resilient as we go, because gosh this is a rollercoaster of shit proportions.
Reposted by Dr Zoë Ayres
📣 New NBER Working Paper out today 📣
"The Consequences of Faculty Sexual Misconduct"
Sarah Cohodes & Katherine Leu
"The Consequences of Faculty Sexual Misconduct"
Sarah Cohodes & Katherine Leu
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 PM
📣 New NBER Working Paper out today 📣
"The Consequences of Faculty Sexual Misconduct"
Sarah Cohodes & Katherine Leu
"The Consequences of Faculty Sexual Misconduct"
Sarah Cohodes & Katherine Leu
Puzzlewood looking magical today
November 8, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Puzzlewood looking magical today
Daughter has started saying "little" and "biggie" to describe things and "biggie spoon" cracks me up every time. Sounds like a 90s rapper.
November 6, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Daughter has started saying "little" and "biggie" to describe things and "biggie spoon" cracks me up every time. Sounds like a 90s rapper.
Always imagined I might garden with a future child at some point in my life. Something truly spectacular to suddenly realise you are living an actual dream.
November 2, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Always imagined I might garden with a future child at some point in my life. Something truly spectacular to suddenly realise you are living an actual dream.
We are looking for bloggers for Voices of Academia for 2026. If you'd like to make a difference by sharing your mental ill-health experience whilst being in academia, please find out more and submit a pitch here: voicesofacademia.com/contact-2/
October 31, 2025 at 4:10 PM
We are looking for bloggers for Voices of Academia for 2026. If you'd like to make a difference by sharing your mental ill-health experience whilst being in academia, please find out more and submit a pitch here: voicesofacademia.com/contact-2/
Every time I see a job advert saying they are seeking a "highly motivated" individual I let out a tiny scream.
October 30, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Every time I see a job advert saying they are seeking a "highly motivated" individual I let out a tiny scream.