Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 23h

“We live in capitalism. Its power seems inescapable. So did the divine right of kings. Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings. Resistance and change often begin in art, and very often in our art, the art of words.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin

1

Reposted by Nic Bennett (they/them)

AKA NickleDave @nicholdav.bsky.social · 1d

Very proud to be part of the MD @standupforscience.bsky.social group where I am learning about these events from @ianlmorgan.bsky.social and @ecotrombonegal.bsky.social

Like @nicbennett.bsky.social says, resistance starts at the local level

AKA NickleDave @nicholdav.bsky.social · 1d

V encouraging to hear @alsobrooks.senate.gov @brookelierman.bsky.social & Bmore Councilwoman Porter speak out against RFK's budget cuts at this town hall, & stand w/scientists from @nihfellowsunited.bsky.social @hopkinspro-uaw.bsky.social @uaw.org 2070

www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/press-releas...

Senator Alsobrooks Attends Town Hall Focused on RFK Jr.’s Dangerous Funding Cuts - Senator Angela Alsobrooks

September 22, 2025 BALTIMORE, MD – Saturday, September 20, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) attended a Town Hall alongside Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, NI...

www.alsobrooks.senate.gov

7 20

Reposted by Nic Bennett (they/them)

Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social · 1d

📣ACTION HOUR TOMORROW!!!📣

Feeling overwhelmed by the political attacks on science, education, and civil rights? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to face it alone. Join us tmrw @ 8 PM ET to connect with others, make sense of what’s happening, & move into action.

RSVP ➡️ zoom.us/meeting/regi...

A crowd gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial monument in Washington, DC, holding protest signs that read, "Stop This Madness." Bold text with an invitation to "Action Hour" for scientists and allies.

1 42 94

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 4d

anything that grounds you is necessary for your resistance work--what fortifies you?

2

Reposted by Nic Bennett (they/them)

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 4d

important for us in the US to note: even a solidly right wing government can't ignore this.

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 4d

Over 2 million people across Italy have rallied in more than 100 cities for a one-day general strike.

2 million rally in Italy for Gaza as general strike halts key services

Over 2 million people across Italy have rallied in more than 100 cities for a one-day general strike.

bit.ly

60 1.2K 4.5K

Reposted by Nic Bennett (they/them)

Bethany Brookshire @beebrookshire.bsky.social · 5d

Do you ever think it's kind of weird that one man's idea for a prize has come to define scientific genius?

I mean it IS weird.

Like if we solve climate change it won't win a Nobel. Unless it's like, Peace. www.sciencenews.org/article/nobe...

Nobel Prizes honor great discoveries — but leave much of science unseen

The Nobel Prize might be the most famous science prize but it celebrates just a narrow slice of science and very few scientists.

www.sciencenews.org

1 1 17

Reposted by Nic Bennett (they/them)

Mark Thornton @markthornton.bsky.social · 5d

We're a month further into the job market - how are things looking? The good news is that the market does seem to have been delayed: ~150 new listings have appeared since my last post. The bad news is that the total is still substantially lower than what it was during the covid dip.

2 20 47

Reposted by Nic Bennett (they/them)

Liz Neeley @lizneeley.bsky.social · 6d

Some problems have simple solutions. This new “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” is one. The answer is simply saying no.

Simple does not mean easy. But Brown, Dartmouth, MIT, Vanderbilt, Univ of AZ, UPenn, USC, UT Austin & UVA must understand what they’ll lose if they sign on.

2 190 490

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 6d

complying in advance is one of the most effective levers that authoritarians are using against academics

www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...

Exclusive | White House Asks Colleges to Sign Sweeping Agreement to Get Funding Advantage

An initial round of nine schools, including Dartmouth, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, are being asked to sign a wide-ranging “compact.”

www.wsj.com

1

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 6d

@cornellasap.bsky.social presents 314 Action- How does a scientist run for public office?

Shaughnessy Naughton is a trained scientist who ran for the U.S. House in 2014. She'll share how scientists can influence public policy.

In-person and online: cglink.me/2ee/r2290923

314 Action - How does a scientist run for public office? - Cornell Advancing Science and Policy Club

Curious about what it takes to run for public office as a scientist? Shaughnessy Naughton is a trained scientist who ran for the U.S. House in 2014. Since then, she has been on a mission to bring t...

cglink.me

3 4

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 6d

📚 TEACH IN 📚

Health Justice Commons is hosting a disability justice teach-in series in memory and mourning of Patty Berne, arts disability activist extraordinaire.

Register here: www.healthjusticecommons.org/fall-politic...

Fall Political Ed Series 2025 — HJC

www.healthjusticecommons.org

1

Reposted by Nic Bennett (they/them)

Jay 🦋 @jay.bsky.team · 6d

“It actually doesn’t take much to be considered a difficult woman. That’s why there are so many of us.”
― Jane Goodall

💙 RIP to a real one. My childhood hero

Jane Goodall with monarch butterfly scarf

480 6.9K 33K

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 6d

I must constantly ask myself if I am doing something to be seen as a "good activist" or if doing it helps build a movement to win a better world. An ego-litmus test of sorts.

1 2

Reposted by Nic Bennett (they/them)

Science Vs @sciencevs.bsky.social · 7d

This moment from our latest episode with science writer @edyong209.bsky.social is 🔥

We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪

Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇

open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...

8 340 650

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 6d

"the COVID-19 pandemic should have shown us that we’re supposed to rise to the occasion by meeting needs, not fall in line behind fascist incursions" @prismreports.org

prismreports.org/2025/09/16/c...

Another way out: Building resistance when passivity is the norm

The COVID-19 pandemic should have shown us that we’re supposed to be meeting needs, not falling in line behind fascist incursions

prismreports.org

2

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 7d

pre-orders are open for @jbethiejean.bsky.social's memoir and love song to southern antiracist organizers

Beth's organizing and writing has helped me come home to meaningful pride in my southern resistance and roots. I can't wait to read this alongside all y'all.

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Beth Howard @jbethiejean.bsky.social · 16d

Song For a Hard-Hit People: A Memoir of Antiracist Solidarity From a Coal Miner’s Daughter will be released on April 21st 2026 from @haymarketbooks.org. In the midst of hateful divisive rhetoric, violent repression, and grifters writing elegies, let this one be a song. ❤️‍🔥 Pre-orders are open!

1

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 7d

We’re taught to treat relationships as transactions—but that’s how racial capitalism divides us. Organizing means moving at the speed of trust, building solidarity across race & class so we can transform each other and the world. 🌱

4

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 8d

@andrea-isabel.bsky.social & @moefeliu.bsky.social created the "Reflexivity Workbook: A Tool for Inclusive Science Communication." Grateful they took their experiences/expertise on inclusive #scicomm and wrote it out in a beautifully-illustrated workbook 📓

Download it: www.reflexivityworkbook.org

Reflexivity Workbook | Enhance Science Communication

Download tools for equitable, inclusive science communication. Ideal for both new and experienced science communicators focused on public engagement.

www.reflexivityworkbook.org

Reposted by Nic Bennett (they/them)

Max Kozlov @maxkozlov.bsky.social · 8d

Several scientists have received letters from the NIH director disinviting them from their positions on advisory councils that make final decisions on grant funding, I'm told.

In July, I reported that NIH staff were told to select members aligned with Trump administration priorities.

3 75 90

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 9d

We wrote you a step-by-step guide to sign up to speak out against RFK Jr. at your local #NoKings Rally on 10/18.

📣 If you sign up to speak, email me if you'd like free speech coaching to prep you for your talk at nic [ at] standupforscience.net

#StandUpForScience #ImpeachTheQuack #ImpeachRFK

1 2 4

Reposted by Nic Bennett (they/them)

American Sociological Association @asanews.bsky.social · 22d

Take action for international students! Proposed DHS rule eliminating Duration of Status is detrimental for international students. Submit public comment (naming Docket No. ICEB-2025-0001) before 11:59 pm EDT, Sept. 29: https://bit.ly/3KoPB0w. Context: https://bit.ly/42nbq6Y.

6 9

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 9d

Same things that help #scicomm be inclusive/effective are the same scientists need to meet this moment. As our relationships move from being transactional (e.g. hoping to persuade) to transformational (e.g. being open to being changed ourselves), we become trustworthy partners in solidarity.

3 13

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 10d

✨I have friends everywhere✨

3

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 12d

if you are in Lansing, come join us today! statenews.com/article/2025...

Play festival raises climate change awareness through theatre - The State News

The biannual play festival Climate Change Theatre Action (CCTA) celebrates its 10th year of performances worldwide with a two-day festival themed "The Time Is Now." The festival will run from 1 to 4 p...

statenews.com

1

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 12d

I'm attending Working Families Power's event, “Stand Up For Healthcare Phone Banks” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/workingfamil...

Stand Up For Healthcare Phone Banks · Working Families Party

Join us to tell Senators to stand strong and protect healthcare! Right now, lawmakers have another chance to stop devastating Medicaid cuts and keep healthcare costs from skyrocketing. Join Working Fa...

www.mobilize.us

2