Alex Freeman
@alexandrafreeman.bsky.social
Crossbencher in the House of Lords and creator of Octopus.ac. Previously Exec Director of the Winton Centre, University of Cambridge; science filmmaker, BBC
Reposted by Alex Freeman
We've got our 2025 statistics now, and it's clear just how well-read publications on Octopus are - it's a fast-growing platform.
(Bots removed from the data)
Lots of new features in 2025 - such as being able to find UK government research priorities and link your work to them.
More features soon!
(Bots removed from the data)
Lots of new features in 2025 - such as being able to find UK government research priorities and link your work to them.
More features soon!
January 7, 2026 at 1:08 PM
We've got our 2025 statistics now, and it's clear just how well-read publications on Octopus are - it's a fast-growing platform.
(Bots removed from the data)
Lots of new features in 2025 - such as being able to find UK government research priorities and link your work to them.
More features soon!
(Bots removed from the data)
Lots of new features in 2025 - such as being able to find UK government research priorities and link your work to them.
More features soon!
Reposted by Alex Freeman
New preprint from COS and @ip4os.eu: a summary of a small circle meetup on open science held at the Metascience Conference in London (1 July 2025). It captures key themes of the discussion—open science priorities, policy developments, and what's on the horizon.
Read more: osf.io/preprints/me...
Read more: osf.io/preprints/me...
OSF
osf.io
December 23, 2025 at 3:50 PM
New preprint from COS and @ip4os.eu: a summary of a small circle meetup on open science held at the Metascience Conference in London (1 July 2025). It captures key themes of the discussion—open science priorities, policy developments, and what's on the horizon.
Read more: osf.io/preprints/me...
Read more: osf.io/preprints/me...
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Join our Replicability Project: Health Behavior!
We have 55 replication studies underway, our target is 65-70.
We are only recruiting for secondary data replications--i.e., using existing data to test the original question.
Here's a list of studies we think could be feasible.
If interested...
We have 55 replication studies underway, our target is 65-70.
We are only recruiting for secondary data replications--i.e., using existing data to test the original question.
Here's a list of studies we think could be feasible.
If interested...
Replications Sourcing Sheet
docs.google.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Join our Replicability Project: Health Behavior!
We have 55 replication studies underway, our target is 65-70.
We are only recruiting for secondary data replications--i.e., using existing data to test the original question.
Here's a list of studies we think could be feasible.
If interested...
We have 55 replication studies underway, our target is 65-70.
We are only recruiting for secondary data replications--i.e., using existing data to test the original question.
Here's a list of studies we think could be feasible.
If interested...
Reposted by Alex Freeman
If you’re a cryptographer and you got one of these, send me an email.
December 18, 2025 at 1:49 AM
If you’re a cryptographer and you got one of these, send me an email.
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Research needs cross-disciplinary working. A nice mention of Octopus.ac in:
worksinprogress.co/issue/why-sc...
This is also why Octopus now automatically pulls in all the UK government’s Areas of Research Interest as Problems, and alerts government depts when researchers link ideas to them…
worksinprogress.co/issue/why-sc...
This is also why Octopus now automatically pulls in all the UK government’s Areas of Research Interest as Problems, and alerts government depts when researchers link ideas to them…
Why science needs outsiders - Works in Progress Magazine
Science has forgotten that the greatest breakthroughs often come from outsiders who are able to take a fresh perspective.
worksinprogress.co
December 17, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Research needs cross-disciplinary working. A nice mention of Octopus.ac in:
worksinprogress.co/issue/why-sc...
This is also why Octopus now automatically pulls in all the UK government’s Areas of Research Interest as Problems, and alerts government depts when researchers link ideas to them…
worksinprogress.co/issue/why-sc...
This is also why Octopus now automatically pulls in all the UK government’s Areas of Research Interest as Problems, and alerts government depts when researchers link ideas to them…
Reposted by Alex Freeman
I write a newspaper column about Scottish history, historians and heritage.
I’m keen to feature more Early Career Researchers. Their work might not otherwise be publicised to a wide audience. Do you know anyone who might like to be in the column?
I’m keen to feature more Early Career Researchers. Their work might not otherwise be publicised to a wide audience. Do you know anyone who might like to be in the column?
December 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I write a newspaper column about Scottish history, historians and heritage.
I’m keen to feature more Early Career Researchers. Their work might not otherwise be publicised to a wide audience. Do you know anyone who might like to be in the column?
I’m keen to feature more Early Career Researchers. Their work might not otherwise be publicised to a wide audience. Do you know anyone who might like to be in the column?
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Since AI slop is again all over Scientific Reports, a thread on the economics of grey-zone publishing.
Why does slop keep getting published? What does it mean for science? How can we stop this?
Background readings:
Understand the strain: tinyurl.com/2b6wxx5r
Stop the drain: tinyurl.com/3jfscscy
Why does slop keep getting published? What does it mean for science? How can we stop this?
Background readings:
Understand the strain: tinyurl.com/2b6wxx5r
Stop the drain: tinyurl.com/3jfscscy
November 30, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Since AI slop is again all over Scientific Reports, a thread on the economics of grey-zone publishing.
Why does slop keep getting published? What does it mean for science? How can we stop this?
Background readings:
Understand the strain: tinyurl.com/2b6wxx5r
Stop the drain: tinyurl.com/3jfscscy
Why does slop keep getting published? What does it mean for science? How can we stop this?
Background readings:
Understand the strain: tinyurl.com/2b6wxx5r
Stop the drain: tinyurl.com/3jfscscy
Reposted by Alex Freeman
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
Very excited to be taking up the position of Principal at the wonderful @hertfordcollege.bsky.social in Oxford next March.
It’s a forward-thinking and friendly college, and a place where we can really focus on supporting the best research and the best learning environment. Which includes a cat!
It’s a forward-thinking and friendly college, and a place where we can really focus on supporting the best research and the best learning environment. Which includes a cat!
November 13, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Very excited to be taking up the position of Principal at the wonderful @hertfordcollege.bsky.social in Oxford next March.
It’s a forward-thinking and friendly college, and a place where we can really focus on supporting the best research and the best learning environment. Which includes a cat!
It’s a forward-thinking and friendly college, and a place where we can really focus on supporting the best research and the best learning environment. Which includes a cat!
Reposted by Alex Freeman
🚨 5 years on from when the COVID-19 pandemic confined many to their homes, how has remote working changed the UK workplace, and what is its future?
We are publishing our report tomorrow at 00.05 #WFH
We are publishing our report tomorrow at 00.05 #WFH
November 12, 2025 at 10:36 AM
🚨 5 years on from when the COVID-19 pandemic confined many to their homes, how has remote working changed the UK workplace, and what is its future?
We are publishing our report tomorrow at 00.05 #WFH
We are publishing our report tomorrow at 00.05 #WFH
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Applications open: New Generation Thinkers 2026
AHRC is partnering with BBC Radio 4 to offer five early-career researchers the opportunity to work with programme makers, appear on air, and gain first-hand experience of how ideas make it to broadcast.
Apply by Jan 2026
AHRC is partnering with BBC Radio 4 to offer five early-career researchers the opportunity to work with programme makers, appear on air, and gain first-hand experience of how ideas make it to broadcast.
Apply by Jan 2026
AHRC and BBC New Generation Thinkers 2026
This scheme offers five early career researchers the opportunity to work with programme makers at BBC Radio 4. They will appear on a number of episodes and shadow the production process to understand ...
www.ukri.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Applications open: New Generation Thinkers 2026
AHRC is partnering with BBC Radio 4 to offer five early-career researchers the opportunity to work with programme makers, appear on air, and gain first-hand experience of how ideas make it to broadcast.
Apply by Jan 2026
AHRC is partnering with BBC Radio 4 to offer five early-career researchers the opportunity to work with programme makers, appear on air, and gain first-hand experience of how ideas make it to broadcast.
Apply by Jan 2026
I experimented with directing AI to make a little trailer for my friend Tim Owen’s new historical novel.
For those who like historically accurate tales of monks and mysteries in C12th England, the book’s an ideal Christmas treat!
Available here:
tdowen.co.uk
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ZU...
For those who like historically accurate tales of monks and mysteries in C12th England, the book’s an ideal Christmas treat!
Available here:
tdowen.co.uk
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ZU...
Gilles of Bec and The Cage Full of Birds: a novel by T D Owen
YouTube video by T D Owen
m.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I experimented with directing AI to make a little trailer for my friend Tim Owen’s new historical novel.
For those who like historically accurate tales of monks and mysteries in C12th England, the book’s an ideal Christmas treat!
Available here:
tdowen.co.uk
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ZU...
For those who like historically accurate tales of monks and mysteries in C12th England, the book’s an ideal Christmas treat!
Available here:
tdowen.co.uk
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ZU...
Thank you to @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social and all the others who are supporting bird-safe design as part of planning. @rspb.bsky.social and @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social are pushing for it too.
Thirty million birds killed in the UK every year through strikes — with many more injured and unseen.
A country that calls itself a nation of bird lovers must do better than this.
#ProtectNature #BirdSafety
A country that calls itself a nation of bird lovers must do better than this.
#ProtectNature #BirdSafety
October 31, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Thank you to @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social and all the others who are supporting bird-safe design as part of planning. @rspb.bsky.social and @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social are pushing for it too.
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Thirty million birds killed in the UK every year through strikes — with many more injured and unseen.
A country that calls itself a nation of bird lovers must do better than this.
#ProtectNature #BirdSafety
A country that calls itself a nation of bird lovers must do better than this.
#ProtectNature #BirdSafety
October 31, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Thirty million birds killed in the UK every year through strikes — with many more injured and unseen.
A country that calls itself a nation of bird lovers must do better than this.
#ProtectNature #BirdSafety
A country that calls itself a nation of bird lovers must do better than this.
#ProtectNature #BirdSafety
Reposted by Alex Freeman
This really is a shame.
In times like these we really should be commissioning more engaging, informative evidence-based shows, not fewer.
In times like these we really should be commissioning more engaging, informative evidence-based shows, not fewer.
For 61 years the #BBCWorldService has been broadcasting the latest in science via its weekly Science in Action programme. That dies in the next half hour, with this final edition, reflecting on the fall in trust in expertise driven by malign interests over recent years.
October 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
This really is a shame.
In times like these we really should be commissioning more engaging, informative evidence-based shows, not fewer.
In times like these we really should be commissioning more engaging, informative evidence-based shows, not fewer.
I shall be speaking today on amendment 246.
You know that sickening thump when a bird flies into a window? It’s thought around 30m a year die that way in the UK.
Bird safe glass and tweaks to design can reduce that by over 90%.
Bird safe building design is mandatory in many places - but not UK!
You know that sickening thump when a bird flies into a window? It’s thought around 30m a year die that way in the UK.
Bird safe glass and tweaks to design can reduce that by over 90%.
Bird safe building design is mandatory in many places - but not UK!
We urge all Peers to back:
148: To avoid environmental damage first & foremost
114: To add a duty to consider climate & nature in decisions
130: To limit EDPs to where they're effective
140, 245 & 246: To embed Swift bricks, bird-safe glass & hedgehog highways into new homes
148: To avoid environmental damage first & foremost
114: To add a duty to consider climate & nature in decisions
130: To limit EDPs to where they're effective
140, 245 & 246: To embed Swift bricks, bird-safe glass & hedgehog highways into new homes
October 29, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I shall be speaking today on amendment 246.
You know that sickening thump when a bird flies into a window? It’s thought around 30m a year die that way in the UK.
Bird safe glass and tweaks to design can reduce that by over 90%.
Bird safe building design is mandatory in many places - but not UK!
You know that sickening thump when a bird flies into a window? It’s thought around 30m a year die that way in the UK.
Bird safe glass and tweaks to design can reduce that by over 90%.
Bird safe building design is mandatory in many places - but not UK!
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Science projects are designed & funded on the scale of years, so what happens if you need to finish prematurely? @mhagenauer.bsky.social &co discuss solutions for quickly documenting partially finished projects & publishing ‘as you go’ in an uncertain environment @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4ovd1jH
October 22, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Science projects are designed & funded on the scale of years, so what happens if you need to finish prematurely? @mhagenauer.bsky.social &co discuss solutions for quickly documenting partially finished projects & publishing ‘as you go’ in an uncertain environment @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4ovd1jH
Reposted by Alex Freeman
🧠🥼🧬🧪🔬
Last year at @sfn.org I ran a workshop on "Opening the File Drawer" with Ben Kolber, Stacey Winham, Paul Sternberg, & Alex Freeman (@alexandrafreeman.bsky.social).
We've shared the resources that we compiled for that workshop in this new paper. ❤️
@comm4rigor.bsky.social @ummni.bsky.social
Last year at @sfn.org I ran a workshop on "Opening the File Drawer" with Ben Kolber, Stacey Winham, Paul Sternberg, & Alex Freeman (@alexandrafreeman.bsky.social).
We've shared the resources that we compiled for that workshop in this new paper. ❤️
@comm4rigor.bsky.social @ummni.bsky.social
Science projects are designed & funded on the scale of years, so what happens if you need to finish prematurely? @mhagenauer.bsky.social &co discuss solutions for quickly documenting partially finished projects & publishing ‘as you go’ in an uncertain environment @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4ovd1jH
October 22, 2025 at 7:50 PM
🧠🥼🧬🧪🔬
Last year at @sfn.org I ran a workshop on "Opening the File Drawer" with Ben Kolber, Stacey Winham, Paul Sternberg, & Alex Freeman (@alexandrafreeman.bsky.social).
We've shared the resources that we compiled for that workshop in this new paper. ❤️
@comm4rigor.bsky.social @ummni.bsky.social
Last year at @sfn.org I ran a workshop on "Opening the File Drawer" with Ben Kolber, Stacey Winham, Paul Sternberg, & Alex Freeman (@alexandrafreeman.bsky.social).
We've shared the resources that we compiled for that workshop in this new paper. ❤️
@comm4rigor.bsky.social @ummni.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Hi! We need lice for our diversity and adaptation project. Specifically, we need lice from zebras, camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, guanacos) & aardvarks. If you or someone you know might have lice, I'm happy to discuss our inclusive collaboration plans!
sites.google.com/nhm.org/anop...
sites.google.com/nhm.org/anop...
Mammals & Lice
We are interested in understanding what drives host-parasite relationships. We are using the Anoplura (sucking lice) parasite and mammalian host system to generate a comprehensive sucking louse phylog...
sites.google.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Hi! We need lice for our diversity and adaptation project. Specifically, we need lice from zebras, camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, guanacos) & aardvarks. If you or someone you know might have lice, I'm happy to discuss our inclusive collaboration plans!
sites.google.com/nhm.org/anop...
sites.google.com/nhm.org/anop...
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Did you miss the ASAPbio September 2025 Community Call: Experiments in publishing with PubPub & Octopus, where we heard from @alexandrafreeman.bsky.social and @gabestein.com?
Don't worry, we've got you covered! Watch the recording📽️ on YouTube and read a brief summary 📄on our blog.👇
Don't worry, we've got you covered! Watch the recording📽️ on YouTube and read a brief summary 📄on our blog.👇
ASAPbio September 2025 Community Call: Experiments In Publishing With PubPub & Octopus – ASAPbio
During the September Community Call, we heard from Alex Freeman from Octopus and Gabe Stein from PubPub.
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Did you miss the ASAPbio September 2025 Community Call: Experiments in publishing with PubPub & Octopus, where we heard from @alexandrafreeman.bsky.social and @gabestein.com?
Don't worry, we've got you covered! Watch the recording📽️ on YouTube and read a brief summary 📄on our blog.👇
Don't worry, we've got you covered! Watch the recording📽️ on YouTube and read a brief summary 📄on our blog.👇
Reposted by Alex Freeman
In general I think it's hard to combat scientific misinformation when some of the best research is locked behind an academic paywall, while lots of nonsense gets published free for everyone to read in predatory journals.
September 28, 2025 at 5:25 PM
In general I think it's hard to combat scientific misinformation when some of the best research is locked behind an academic paywall, while lots of nonsense gets published free for everyone to read in predatory journals.
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Join us on September 18 for a panel discussion on various experiments within science publishing!
We will hear about their publishing experiments from @meganhoch.bsky.social from @arcadiascience.com, @gabestein.com from PubPub, and @alexandrafreeman.bsky.social from Octopus.
buff.ly/pfwTgVE
We will hear about their publishing experiments from @meganhoch.bsky.social from @arcadiascience.com, @gabestein.com from PubPub, and @alexandrafreeman.bsky.social from Octopus.
buff.ly/pfwTgVE
August 8, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Join us on September 18 for a panel discussion on various experiments within science publishing!
We will hear about their publishing experiments from @meganhoch.bsky.social from @arcadiascience.com, @gabestein.com from PubPub, and @alexandrafreeman.bsky.social from Octopus.
buff.ly/pfwTgVE
We will hear about their publishing experiments from @meganhoch.bsky.social from @arcadiascience.com, @gabestein.com from PubPub, and @alexandrafreeman.bsky.social from Octopus.
buff.ly/pfwTgVE
Reposted by Alex Freeman
🆕 Following recent press speculation that the UK may soon agree to pay more for drugs used within the #NHS as part of a trade deal with the USA, we asked experts @markgdayan.bsky.social and @sallygainsbury.bsky.social to explain the situation. 💊
Trump, medicines and the NHS
Following recent press speculation that the UK may soon agree to pay more for drugs used within the NHS as part of a trade deal with the USA, we spoke to Mark Dayan and Sally Gainsbury to discuss the ...
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
July 1, 2025 at 8:55 AM
🆕 Following recent press speculation that the UK may soon agree to pay more for drugs used within the #NHS as part of a trade deal with the USA, we asked experts @markgdayan.bsky.social and @sallygainsbury.bsky.social to explain the situation. 💊