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Ayanna Kim Thomas

@ayannakim.bsky.social

8.7K followers 610 following 120 posts

Tufts Professor and Dean. Considers memory reconstruction as a universal principle of cognition. One of the founders of The Spark Society - dedicated to supporting diverse voices in Cognitive Science.

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Ayanna Kim Thomas @ayannakim.bsky.social · Nov 16

Hi new folk! Brief intro. I'm a Professor and Dean at Tufts University. My research focus is on memory & metacognition in real-world settings. I like building cross disciplinary collaborations & am dedicated to creating space for diverse perspectives.

I also like horror movies...alot.

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Joe Fielder @joefielder.bsky.social · 5d

Potato "hiding" when bathtub water starts flowing is pretty damn cute.

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Keith Maddox @maddblackprof.bsky.social · Aug 29

I was honored by the @psychscience.bsky.social DEI Committee's invitation to help curate this collection of outstanding articles addressing a range of issues related to anti-Black racism. I also couldn't have asked for a more thoughtful and thorough partner in @johnjost.bsky.social. Please share!

Association for Psychological Science @psychscience.bsky.social · Aug 14

This virtual special collection, The Psychological Science of Anti-Black Racism, an Ongoing Social Problem, highlights a selection of articles published in APS journals over the past decade that explore the enduring problem of anti-Black racism in the U.S.

journals.sagepub.com/page/aps/cro...

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

journals.sagepub.com

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Joe Fielder @joefielder.bsky.social · Aug 17

Some dogs get a cone. Others get an inflatable donut -- with sprinkles.

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Joe Fielder @joefielder.bsky.social · Jul 27

Potato climbs up the stairs one at a time in a way that is never not cute.

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Keith Maddox @maddblackprof.bsky.social · Jul 14

The June 2025 special issue of Social Cognition -- Tutorials on Novel Methods and Analyses in Social Cognition, Part 1 -- was guest edited by Jimmy Calanchini, Juliane Degner, and Colin Smith, with support from Bertram Gawronski.

The introduction is linked here: doi.org/10.1521/soco....

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Ayanna Kim Thomas @ayannakim.bsky.social · Jul 14

@irahyman.bsky.social come on...look at the image. It's great.

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Ayanna Kim Thomas @ayannakim.bsky.social · Jul 14

I love Bluesky

spooky tim dewey @tjdfotographist.bsky.social · Jul 14

The dinner scene from TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, with Leatherface asking, “Is It Time to Stop Snubbing Your Right-Wing Family?”

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Joe Fielder @joefielder.bsky.social · Jul 8

I met my amazing wife @ayannakim.bsky.social sixteen years ago today.

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Ayanna Kim Thomas @ayannakim.bsky.social · Jun 30

Happy to report that the @sparksociety.bsky.social NSF grant has been reinstated!

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Joe Fielder @joefielder.bsky.social · May 15

Potato keeps trying to convince me to feed him dinner early... in a really cute way.

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Joe Fielder @joefielder.bsky.social · May 20

Took Potato to the beach this morning. Think he liked it.

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Science Magazine @science.org · May 16

More than half of the 1500 research grants that NSF has terminated in the past month under orders from President Donald Trump’s administration aimed to bring groups historically underrepresented in science into the mainstream. scim.ag/4jYhB8e

NSF’s grant cuts fall heaviest on scientists from underrepresented groups

Projects to broaden participation were cut disproportionately—and were often led by Black scientists, women, and those with disabilities

scim.ag

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The Spark Society @sparksociety.bsky.social · May 7

Hi folks! The Spark Society and Women in Cognitive Sciences-Canada are excited to share insights about careers outside of the academy. June 5th 12 - 1:30pm

Karen Campbell 🇨🇦 @karampbell.bsky.social · May 7

Interested in what you can do with your Cognitive #PsychSciSky PhD besides #AcademicSky? Wondering how to make the transition?

Come to our joint virtual panel hosted by @sparksociety.bsky.social & @wicsc-trainee.bsky.social on June 5th, 2025, 12-1:30 PM EDT.

FREE to register: shorturl.at/5vWjR

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Ayanna Kim Thomas @ayannakim.bsky.social · May 2

Just submitted the final report for the terminated @sparksociety.bsky.social grant. You know, the grant that funded mentorship programs for historically excluded Cognitive Science researchers. I reaching my limit. On everything.💢💢

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Ayanna Kim Thomas @ayannakim.bsky.social · Apr 22

Join the Spark Society!

The Spark Society @sparksociety.bsky.social · Apr 22

The Spark Society appreciates your support. Thank you all for your donations. In addition to donations, I encourage those who study animal or human cognition to become a member of the Spark Society. If you support diverse voices and building inclusive spaces in Cognitive Psy/Sci, you belong!

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Ayanna Kim Thomas @ayannakim.bsky.social · Apr 21

Hi friends, the Spark Society's NSF funding has been terminated. We are dedicated to continuing our work and hope we can rely on you for support.

The Spark Society @sparksociety.bsky.social · Apr 21

If you want to help support our mission, you can donate here buy.stripe.com/3cs03h1be38D...

Stripe Checkout

buy.stripe.com

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Ayanna Kim Thomas @ayannakim.bsky.social · Apr 20

A really good boy.

Joe Fielder @joefielder.bsky.social · Apr 19

Took Potato out to the New England seashore for the first time and he earned the much coveted "Goodest of Dogs" rating.

Ayanna Kim Thomas @ayannakim.bsky.social · Apr 17

It's Potato appreciate month.

Joe Fielder @joefielder.bsky.social · Apr 16

We're really appreciative of having such a sweet, silly dog enter our lives this year.

It's also been kind of a novel surprise that Potato's actually a good dog, too.

Our last dogs - who we loved greatly and miss terribly - were so bad they were once reasonably described as "literally goblins."

English Bulldog boy. Jumped up on his own.

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Elizabeth Page-Gould: Black Lives Matter @page-gould.bsky.social · Mar 21

Dr. Sam R. Sommers was one of those truly good people who also happened to be a total powerhouse. It is with deep sadness that I share the news of his death. Everyone who had Sam in their lives was lucky, and I am grateful for every moment he shared with me. ❤️💖💫 now.tufts.edu/2025/03/20/r...

Remembering Psychology Professor Sam Sommers

Sam Sommers, longtime professor at Tufts, studied the psychological causes and consequences of racism

now.tufts.edu

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Dr. Aaron Thierry @thierryaaron.bsky.social · Feb 5

"The American Association of University Professors, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education &other groups argue in a lawsuit filed Mon that the orders exceed executive legal authority, violate both the 1st & 5th Amendments, &threaten academic freedom &access to HE for all"