Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ashley A. Dineen @aadineen.bsky.social · 2d

The @paleosoc.bsky.social Collections Committee is gathering responses from anyone who works in a paleontological/geological collection in the US about the current state of funding. It can be submitted in as little as 5 minutes (but the more detail the better)! Link here: forms.gle/6C5E5GS4MZ58....

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Ashley A. Dineen @aadineen.bsky.social · Jul 8

In a shocking turn of events, I recently found out that I was awarded my first NSF research grant as a PI!

And while I'm ecstatic, it is definitely a conflicting feeling to celebrate right now when so many others have seen their funding pulled for no reason at all.

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Ashley A. Dineen @aadineen.bsky.social · May 29

Day 1 and 2 of #SPNHC2025!

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Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen

Dr. David Miller 🏳️‍🌈 @davidimiller.bsky.social · May 13

🧪 The NSF grant terminations hit women, racial & ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities the hardest.

E.g.:

--Female PIs were 58% of canceled grants (but 34% of all active grants)

--Black PIs were 17% of canceled grants (but 4% as base rate)

A closer look shows this is structural... 🧵

Trump officials take steps toward a radically different NSF

Efforts to shrink staff, budget, and focus have alarmed members of Congress

www.science.org

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Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen

Margaret Fraiser @margaretfraiser.bsky.social · May 9

NSF’s entire Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EDU/EES), which “aims to provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to actively participate and excel in STEM disciplines” and some of it congressionally mandated, was just notified they will be RIFed. www.nsf.gov/edu/ees/about

About EES

The NSF Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES) aims to provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds, especially those historically underrepresented in science and engineering.

www.nsf.gov

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Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen

Margaret Fraiser @margaretfraiser.bsky.social · May 3

“Save the US NSF” Take Action Toolkit www.savensf.com

Home | Savensf

www.savensf.com

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Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen

University of California Museum of Paleontology @ucmpberkeley.bsky.social · May 2

It's the last day of classes! Congratulations to all those graduating and good luck on your exams. Go Bears! 🐻🐻🐻🦖🐻🐻🐻

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Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen

University of California Museum of Paleontology @ucmpberkeley.bsky.social · Apr 30

Apply for Senior Museum Scientist in Paleobotany at the UCMP. Learn more:
ucmp.berkeley.edu/2025/04/appl...

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Ashley A. Dineen @aadineen.bsky.social · Apr 17

NSF halts grant awards while staff do second review | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

NSF halts grant awards while staff do second review

Action comes after DOGE team arrives at science agency

www.science.org

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Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen

Dr. Davey F. Wright ⛏️🦕🧬 @daveyfwright.bsky.social · Apr 2

“It’s a wonderful time to be alive,” said the tri-lobed creature, its protruding feelers and antennules twitching spasmodically with anticipation. “To be born during this, the Cambrian Explosion—why, I couldn’t imagine a better period, really.”

Evolution Going Great, Reports Trilobite

Slowly inching his segmented exoskeleton across the sea floor, a local marine arthropod, class Trilobita, reported that Earth’s natural evolution was "progressing quite nicely."

theonion.com

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Ashley A. Dineen @aadineen.bsky.social · Apr 2

Very proud of my home state 😊

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Ashley A. Dineen @aadineen.bsky.social · Apr 2

On Wisconsin!

The New York Times @nytimes.com · Apr 2

Breaking News: Susan Crawford, a liberal judge, won a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court seat despite $25 million in spending by Elon Musk on her opponent. nyti.ms/4jbwPWD

Susan Crawford, wearing a blue jacket and jeans, walking outside a polling station. A headline reads: "Susan Crawford’s Win Keeps Liberal Majority On Wisconsin Supreme Court." Photo by Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times.

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UPTE-CWA Local 9119 @uptecwa.bsky.social · Apr 1

UC continues to stand in the way of meaningful negotiations to address the staffing crisis hurting patients, research, and students, opting instead for illegal divide-and-conquer tactics and unfair labor practices. Enough.

UC workers set for 1-day strike over contract

For the third time in about four months, University of California health care and other workers plan to walk off the job Tuesday.

www.nbcbayarea.com

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Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen

UPTE-CWA Local 9119 @uptecwa.bsky.social · Mar 25

"UC leadership needs to ask itself if they want to side with the billionaires trying to dismantle public healthcare, research, and education, or the frontline workers who are fighting to protect our services and the people who depend on them."

University of California employee labor group authorizes third strike in last six months

ISLA VISTA, Calif. – On Friday, University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) -a union representing about 20,000 technical and research workers

keyt.com

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Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen

Science Magazine @science.org · Mar 21

IMLS, the primary source of federal support for U.S. libraries and museums, is one of seven independent agencies that President Donald Trump wants to dismantle because he believes what they do is “unnecessary.” scim.ag/4iryNlY

Trump order could wipe out federal support for U.S. science museums

Institute of Museum and Library Services now run by Department of Labor as part of proposed dismantling

scim.ag

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Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen

Los Angeles Times @latimes.com · Mar 19

As the Trump administration threatens to pull federal funds from universities, including those for medical and scientific research, the University of California has announced a hiring freeze and additional cuts.

University of California orders hiring freeze, cuts in response to Trump threats

As the Trump administration threatens to pull federal funds from universities, including those for medical and scientific research, the University of California has announced a hiring freeze and additional cuts.

www.latimes.com

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Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen

University of California Museum of Paleontology @ucmpberkeley.bsky.social · Mar 18

A recent Executive Order would gut the only federal agency dedicated to America’s museums. The Institute of Museum & Library Services makes up only 0.0046% of the federal budget. Take action now: www.congressweb.com/aam/95/

General Public: Urge Congress to Save IMLS

On March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing further cuts to the government agency that efficiently provides CRITICAL funding to museums and libraries in all 50 states.The Institut...

www.congressweb.com

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Reposted by Ashley A. Dineen

Claudia Koerner @claudiakoerner.bsky.social · Mar 3

can't believe it's 2025 and i'm stressed about tariffs and measles, like am i a character in an american girl book

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Ashley A. Dineen @aadineen.bsky.social · Feb 28

Day 3 of our strike against UC's refusal to negotiate a fair contract #UPTE #UC #UCBerkeley #UnionStrong

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UPTE-CWA Local 9119 @uptecwa.bsky.social · Feb 28

“UC has tremendous resources — $20 billion in reserves. They should be supporting research as we face federal attacks."

UC, your time is better spent protecting public healthcare, research & education—not undermining workers' rights & bargaining in bad faith.

www.mercurynews.com/2025/02/27/u...

UC health and research workers in two unions stage statewide strike

University of California health, laboratory, mental health and IT workers are demanding better pay and more resources.

www.mercurynews.com

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Ashley A. Dineen @aadineen.bsky.social · Feb 27

Day 2 of our strike against UC's refusal to negotiate a fair contract #upte #UC #AFSCME #UCBerkeley #UnionStrong

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Toby Higbie @thigbie.bsky.social · Feb 26

Absolutely massive march of strikers in Westwood at UCLA @afscme3299.bsky.social @uptecwa.bsky.social. Biggest protest I’ve seen in some years. Quite a show of solidarity!

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Ashley A. Dineen @aadineen.bsky.social · Feb 27

Ashley A. Dineen @aadineen.bsky.social · Feb 26

It's a lovely morning to strike 😎 #upte #UC #strike #asfcme

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Ashley A. Dineen @aadineen.bsky.social · Feb 26

Boooooooo 👎