Steven

Was lucky enough to get to the ICSSI conference last week in Copenhagen. So as is traditional - here's my favourite Metro shot. I got to introduce three other conference attendees to the idea that you can sit at the front looking forward! #NeverToOldToPretendToDriveATrain.

As a parent I remember with trepidation the announcement of next year’s class as the kids are shuffled between classes to balance classes and widen friendship groups etc Is there a good way to do this? Maths to the rescue:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057%2Fjors.2014.73

#backtoschool #classallocation

@coatless@mastodon.social Just used your https://github.com/coatless-mac/macrtools to fix my toolchain for running Stan models after upgrading to Sequoia broke it.

It's letting us do work like this, to improve diversity in research:

https://www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/publications/improving-inclusivity-in-grant-funding-initial-gender-analysis/

HUGE THANKS for all the time and effort you put into it.

Hot off the press - our report on gender disparities in grant seeking at the University of Cambridge (who applies for and who gets research grant funding).

https://www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/publications/improving-inclusivity-in-grant-funding-initial-gender-analysis/

The story:
1) The structural disparities are big (not so surprising)
2) The patterns of disparity at particular grades in particular disciplines go both ways (more surprising)

#ResearchPolicy
#ResearchGrants
#GenderDifferences
#Bayesian

If you like graphs, you'll probably like it!

#RandomCambridgeWindowPicture

Can generative AI write grant applications?

Should generative AI help write grant applications?

We asked researchers themselves.

Sam Gilbert and I ran a workshop with Villum Experiment researchers to get their views.

Shortest summary is: treat it as an inexperienced research assistant, a tightly controlled editor, or a idea storming partner.

Read the full report here:

https://villumfonden.dk/en/news/new-report-invites-foundations-and-academia-reflect-use-ai

#RandomCambridgeInSpringPictue

The Times Higher has an article on the value of QR (aka University block funding) this week - Becky Ioppolo and I are quoted talking about the study we did a few years ago.

https://www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/research/research-projects/value-qr-project/

We need QR to provide space for the 'mad' ideas that lead to breakthroughs, among much else.

There is strong accountability for QR through the REF.

More here:
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/does-uk-really-need-dual-support-system-research

#ResearchPolicy
#QRfunding
#ResearchFunding

Interested in improving academic research?
Enjoy combining qualitative & quantitative methods?
Join a small multidisciplinary team working on research culture

One week to go!

We want Research Assoc & Assists to join us

https://www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/research/research-projects/research-culture/

https://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/50157/ - Closing 16 Mar

Please boost: my network is small!

#researchculture
#researchjobs
#randomcambridgepicture

(we do feel awkward offering fixed term contracts for research culture work, sometimes you can’t fix it all at once…)

Interested in improving academic research?
Enjoy combining qualitative & quantitative methods?
Want to join a small multidisciplinary team working on research culture?

We want Research Assoc & Assist to join us:

https://www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/research/research-projects/research-culture/

https://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/50157/ - Closing date 16 Mar

My network is small, boosts appreciated

#researchculture
#researchjobs
#randomflowerpicture

(we do feel awkward offering fixed term contracts to work on research culture, sometimes you can’t fix it all at once…)

This is the best nuanced take I've seen on the DeepSeek developments - and it’s a pretty good intro to current developments in LLMs as well.

https://stratechery.com/2025/deepseek-faq/

#DeepSeek
#LLMs
#ConsideredDiscussion

Fancy a new year change?

Senior/Research Information Analyst

An opportunity to join the Research Information Office - my previous team - at #UniveristyOfCambridge. Lots of fascinating challenges in research information administration and management. Take a look:

https://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/48877/

'Are you interested in analysing data to help shape conversations, polices, and procedures? Do you like to work with people to understand their problems and think up solutions?’

Closes 14 Feb

Looking for New Year's resolutions? How about writing, composing or singing in an opera?

Age 11 - 18, come and create a new opera with the #CambridgeYouthOpera.

Completely free to take part and a great opportunity to experience story telling with music.

A ghost opera based on objects in the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Join here: https://cambridgeyouthopera.com/new-opera-2025/

Please boost towards people in/near Cambridge. Much appreciated.

#Opera
#ArtsForYouth
#Composing
#CambridgeUK

In case it saves someone else a morning of fruitless troubleshooting: looks like Apple have disabled hearing aid usage in the UK for iOS 18.2 (it worked for me in 18.1).

https://www.apple.com/uk/airpods-pro/feature-availability/

Somewhat bemused and frustrated. Bizarrely the main article (ie not the UK specific one, includes UK in the list 🤷 )

#AirpodsPro
#HearingAids
@siracusa@mastodon.social