Jeff Alexander
@techiewonk.bsky.social
Director, Innovation Policy @rti.bsky.social (the Research Triangle Institute). Unapologetic wonk at the intersection of #sciencepolicy, #innovation, and strategy. Ask me about R&D evaluation, innovation metrics, horizon scanning, & cocktails.
The staffing shortage can be intentional as well. One way to strangle science is to cut decision-making capacity.
February 13, 2026 at 11:07 PM
The staffing shortage can be intentional as well. One way to strangle science is to cut decision-making capacity.
The $ figures are adjusted for inflation. BUT the type and structure of industry-funded science is very different from the federally-supported science. We need to understand what this means for the future of our research system.
February 13, 2026 at 1:36 AM
The $ figures are adjusted for inflation. BUT the type and structure of industry-funded science is very different from the federally-supported science. We need to understand what this means for the future of our research system.
Thanks to @sarahrovito.bsky.social you can subscribe to a feed of Bluesky posts from the meeting: bsky.app/profile/did:...
February 13, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Thanks to @sarahrovito.bsky.social you can subscribe to a feed of Bluesky posts from the meeting: bsky.app/profile/did:...
Former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Someone invited him to speak at a graduation & supposedly he said he never wanted to set foot in my high school ever again.
February 12, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Someone invited him to speak at a graduation & supposedly he said he never wanted to set foot in my high school ever again.
Ok seriously, WTF? The Fact Book is one of the most useful government reports published.
February 4, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Ok seriously, WTF? The Fact Book is one of the most useful government reports published.
Thank you for the link and for letting me know that First Monday still exists! I remember reading the first issue
February 3, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Thank you for the link and for letting me know that First Monday still exists! I remember reading the first issue
Ugh. Saw Manitou at a D&D convention as a middle schooler in Oakland. Messed up my sleep for weeks
January 12, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Ugh. Saw Manitou at a D&D convention as a middle schooler in Oakland. Messed up my sleep for weeks
To paraphrase William Gibson, fascism is already here—it’s just not evenly distributed.
January 10, 2026 at 3:45 AM
To paraphrase William Gibson, fascism is already here—it’s just not evenly distributed.
Glad I was paying attention in my undergrad Intro to Int’l Relations class. Really coming in handy in ways I never imagined when I was 18.
January 9, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Glad I was paying attention in my undergrad Intro to Int’l Relations class. Really coming in handy in ways I never imagined when I was 18.
Considering the fate of the Raiders, the Golden State Warriors, and the A’s, Oakland’s primary export appears to be professional sports teams
January 8, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Considering the fate of the Raiders, the Golden State Warriors, and the A’s, Oakland’s primary export appears to be professional sports teams
This is one of the big costs of malfeasance. Things that would not be done by politicians acting in (relative) good faith now have to be legislated and regulated, which will consume time and resources that could be devoted to constructive policymaking.
December 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM
This is one of the big costs of malfeasance. Things that would not be done by politicians acting in (relative) good faith now have to be legislated and regulated, which will consume time and resources that could be devoted to constructive policymaking.
Note that the “World’s Top 2% of Scientists” list has no connection to Stanford University or any other institution.
December 23, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Note that the “World’s Top 2% of Scientists” list has no connection to Stanford University or any other institution.
Keep in mind that CRS is a research branch in the Library of Congress and has no investigative or oversight powers (unlike GAO). This report at most indicates that some member of Congress asked for information about NIH awards.
December 23, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Keep in mind that CRS is a research branch in the Library of Congress and has no investigative or oversight powers (unlike GAO). This report at most indicates that some member of Congress asked for information about NIH awards.
I’m torn about this kind of thing. The Science of Science working group has been in planning for a while—pre-dating the current administration. While I don’t at all assume the current leaders act in good faith, we need people in the group who can bear witness to what is discussed.
December 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I’m torn about this kind of thing. The Science of Science working group has been in planning for a while—pre-dating the current administration. While I don’t at all assume the current leaders act in good faith, we need people in the group who can bear witness to what is discussed.
It states that those are current US assets, but does not advocate for investing in them—or even for retaining them. The strategy focuses on military dominance and realpolitik as the operational assets (in Trumpworld).
December 5, 2025 at 1:04 PM
It states that those are current US assets, but does not advocate for investing in them—or even for retaining them. The strategy focuses on military dominance and realpolitik as the operational assets (in Trumpworld).
In many cases when I’ve asked a “stupid” question, people later tell me that they were wondering the same thing.
December 5, 2025 at 12:37 AM
In many cases when I’ve asked a “stupid” question, people later tell me that they were wondering the same thing.
This was in Brazil last week.
November 27, 2025 at 10:51 PM
This was in Brazil last week.
And they subpoenaed the Epstein estate because a lawyer for the victims went on Lawrence O’Donnell’s show and said that doing so would enable them to get around DOJ’s intransigence. Masterful move.
November 14, 2025 at 4:32 PM
And they subpoenaed the Epstein estate because a lawyer for the victims went on Lawrence O’Donnell’s show and said that doing so would enable them to get around DOJ’s intransigence. Masterful move.