iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Duncan Yellowlees

Robin Hayward 🌳 🏳️‍⚧️ @canopyrobin.com · 25/09/2026

We're publishing new guidance to support trans people who do fieldwork (any work outside the office)! Now we need your help to get them seen so please share! inclusivefieldwork.leeds.ac.uk/trans/

a cartoon of three fieldworkers. One has a small trans flag. The logos of the university of leeds, research england, and canopy robin are shown, as well as the URL: InclusiveFieldwork (dot) Leeds (dot) AC (dot) UK (slash) trans

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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 08/09/2026

All else aside there is nothing I want or need genAI to do for me. I like reading. I like doing research. I like playing around in spreadsheets. I like interviewing people. I like writing. I like doing these things for myself because I take pleasure in the doing and they make me a better thinker.

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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 08/09/2026

People have been telling stories for a very long time; through oral traditions, song, writing, art, film, and so much more. The mechanisms of delivery have changed—the printing press, for example, was a huge step forward—but you seem to have forgotten that real humans are always behind the story.

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Chise @sailorrooscout.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

How Vaccines Work 🧬🧫🧪🔬💉🥽

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Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Plenty to reflect about re: the Arday affair, but I'm going to repeat this one thing. The playbook the right used here is effective even though it's not especially sophisticated, as it relies on the audience to do the dirty work. I've been calling it "Trojan horse propaganda", let's go with that. 1/

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elia ayoub @ayoub.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

The British press is by and large one of the most revolting institutions I’ve ever encountered. They hounded him to death for hate and clicks. He had two kids. F-ing monsters

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Went on a walk today. Saw a good train. Thought you lot would appreciate.

A rusty old steam train from a low angle. There are trees and wild flowers around it.

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WeRateDogs @weratedogs.com · 01/06/2026

This is Bodie. His presence indicates the beginning of Pride Month. May his whimsy and steadfastness bring joy and confidence to all. 14/10 the parade starts right behind him 🌈🐾 (IG: hellobodie)

a golden retriever puppy on a bright pink rope leash prances through some tall grass. he’s wearing a brightly patterned bandana around his neck and is carrying a miniature six-stripe pride flag in his mouth. his front right paw is raised mid-stride, like he’s ready to hop into a pride parade at any second.

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

It all started to go wrong when the arrogant humans tamed packman...

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Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Every summer I repost this article on how to spot drowning. Please read it and pass on. In the last few years I’ve had SIX messages from people who saved a kid’s life after clicking on the link from my feed. slate.com/technology/2...

slate.com

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

I can hope, but I was wrong about Trump and brexit...

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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Don't get caught up in the noise or the Reform spin. Sure, they win 1,800, 1,900+ more councillors. But wait for everything to be in and a national projection. They go backwards on their 30% share last year, they're fading like the polls say.

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

UK folks, go and vote. If you don't vote you lose your right to complain about 'the way things are' This is a favorite pastime so go vote or you'll end up just sounding whiny.

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Reposted by Duncan Yellowlees

BIG - STEM Communicators Network, UK @big-stem-network.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Hey, just @samsighs.bsky.social checking in! The BIG Event 2026 is still open for bookings and we'd love to see you there! Time to grab a ticket? www.big.uk.com/BIGEvent2026

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

“I just let the data speak for itself” Risky! Different audiences will take away different meanings from the same data. The audience hasn’t got the time to consider all the nuances - cut to the chase and tell them the meaning they should take away. #Academia #PHDChat #Research #Presentations

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Mostly a quiet week for us what with the Easter break - but we did manage an in person team meeting!

Matt and Duncan in the sun in front of Edinburgh Castle

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Treat your presentation content as modular. Every time you have a new talk, you can move some building blocks of content over. Old blocks are rearranged, and maybe new ones are swapped in. When you repeat blocks, you learn them, so you're have a head start in being prepared next time! #Research

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Reposted by Duncan Yellowlees

Shiv Ramdas Mens Rice Activist @nameshiv.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Ok I'm bored and want to procrastinate work so let's do a thread instead. Wanna hear a story? Alright then, story it is. So gather around, children, because now we're going to talk about the most important science book you've probably never heard of. Ready? Off we go, then.

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Microphones Do I really need a microphone? Yes! You might think you have a booming voice, but It's not about you & folks at the back may be struggling with the echo, or the hum of the air con, or using a hearing aid & induction loop. If its provided, use the mic. #Academia #PHDChat #Presentations

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Communication is like a game of catch. You need someone to throw the ball and someone willing and able to catch it - it's a two-way thing. You can throw all you like, but if the audience isn't engaged and ready to catch the ball, then you're just playing by yourself* *and this isn't the place

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Setting up a conflict structure is great whenever you need to compare two things, call people to action, or persuade. It highlights the differences between the two situations, or outcomes. The audience invests in how will this resolve, will one side win?

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Reposted by Duncan Yellowlees

Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 05/04/2026

We are so, so small. #Artemis

Looking through one of the four windows of the Orion spacecraft, a tiny crescent Earth is illuminated against the blackness of space and grows smaller as the crew journeys closer to the Moon. Part of the window edge is visible; the rest is darkness. [Alt-text slightly revised from ESA/NASA version]

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Data tips... Do slow down; complex info needs to be taken slowly. Do spend time setting the context of the data before showing the graph. Do connect the data to the MEANING - this is crucial; data on its own tells me nothing of value.

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Tech Advice Always remember to carry your talk on a memory stick, in case the tech options in the room are limited. Sometimes the cables are broken, or there is no wifi, or your laptop dies etc - have a back up. #Academia #PHDChat #Research #Presentations

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Don’t apologise! This is something I see a lot folk apologise for how bad they are at public speaking, or for how boring their content is going to be. or make some apology adjacent comment like “Time for the dull bit” or “I won’t go on too long”

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Reposted by Duncan Yellowlees

Robin Hayward 🌳 🏳️‍⚧️ @canopyrobin.com · 31/03/2026

It's #TransDayOfVisibility! Feels weird to post about it this year considering how visible I've had to become to drive my fundraising. Being visible is a mixture of joy and absolute terror but, more than anything else, it's necessary for me right now 🏳️‍⚧️

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Top presentation tip To engage well humans need a bit of variety. We just cannon focus on something that stays the same for a long time. For long presentations break them up with activities, polls, videos or anything that lets the audience focus on something else.

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

*Storytelling* Storytelling is powerful. Its our oldest form of communication. Arguably, there have been stories as long as there have been humans. If you package your research comms as storytelling, you get a more engaged audience that wants to listen and will remember your key message #PHDChat

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Little reminder that a lightning talk of 3 or 5 mins is not the same as your 20 min talk you did last month. Don't think of it as cutting down a longer set, think of it as its own thing build it from the ground up around the 1 point you want to make. #PHD #AcademicTalks #Conferences

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

“But that’s the way talks have always been done!” – academia has a huge status quo bias, change is slow. Embrace your rebellious side and go do your talks differently! Audiences get bored, so novelty is a big asset. And by doing it YOUR WAY, it’ll be more honest, authentic, and genuine. #PHDChat

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

*Am I allowed?* - is a phrase we hear a lot from researchers. We often assume we need permission. Permission to be interesting, to be different, to be ourselves. But know this: only you can give yourself permission, many of the things that feel like 'rules' aren't. #Academia #PHDChat

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Reposted by Duncan Yellowlees

✨John Carpenter’s BOObies✨ @ourflagmeansbeth.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Supporting the new Harry Potter series means putting money in JK Rowling’s pockets which she then uses to harm trans people. There is no ethical consumption of her shitty writing.

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Storytelling is not always effective Remember, the goal is to get your audience to listen to what you're saying and understand it. If storytelling isn't going to help with that, abandon ship!

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Here are some bad bits of commonly given presentation advice to avoid - make eye contact - Just tell stories - Start with a Joke - Be yourself - Use your slides as handouts - More visuals! - Memorize everything - Dress more formally than your audience #Presentation #Academic

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Lots of people thing presentation is 1 thing. I’ll do this one workshop which will cover it all. Its not. There are SO MANY tools you can use and need to use to do it well; Storytelling Body language & deliver Preparation techniques Slide design Interactivity Q&A Structure

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Presenting to small audiences If there’s 6 people or less, then you have a very intimate setting. Full on PPT to 5 or 6 people gets a bit awkward. So instead, make it a conversation or discussion. Don't be afraid to throw out your plan if the context changes. #Academia #PHDChat

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Want to engage industry in your research? Maybe for collaboration or commercialization. Go to industry events, network, talk to people, or better yet get speaking slots at those events! You can show off your work to 200 potential partners in depth, just by doing 1 presentation.

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Don't start with 'sorry' - or anything that sounds like one “Time for the dull bit” “I won’t go on too long” "I haven't really prepared anything" . Instead, try these opening techniques. 1/5

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

You can use stories in presentations to... - share lessons - make people care - illustrate examples - hook emotions But you should always use them for a reason. Don't just bang on about that one time in Amsterdam.

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Reposted by Duncan Yellowlees

Robin Hayward 🌳 🏳️‍⚧️ @canopyrobin.com · 15/03/2026

I should probably repost this more often. Ways to actually be an ally:

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

An academic career grants A LOT of knowledge about your thing. Remember most people you talk to won't know the same things you know.

A straight line labled 'what you see'

a complex scribble labled 'what they see'

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

3 Reasons your slides are bad... We see bad slides all the time this is why - You plan your talk in ppt - so write bullets - You use slides as handouts -so add text - You put too many idea on each slide - break it up - you want to show all the data - so do lots of graphs

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Delivering research impact requires skilled people to do it. - Hire the right people to your team - Buy in external expertise - Train your people in the skills This is true for Engagement, Commercialisation, Community work, Industry collabs etc Its about more than just the research.

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Giving a talk? Don't let the tech take you by surprise. Figure out beforehand: what kind of mic is it, should I bring my own clicker, can I just plug in my laptop, what is my backup plan? Be prepared - it helps with the nerves and gives you confidence. #Academia #PHDChat #Research #Presentations

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Generally speaking*, avoid standing behind things. Desks, computers, lecterns, we want to connect with audiences and having a literal barrier between you and them hampers that connection. *There are exeptions to every 'rule' #PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

This is deeply joyous and so much better than the bots Ai...

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

The biggest things which make academic communication boring are: 1. The curse of knowledge, everyone assumes people know stuff 2. Cognitive overload - too much info, too fast 3. Its soooo bloody dull all the time, show some emotion! 4. All the same. No variety = boredom. #PHD

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

This story was one of the best things to happen on the Internet iykyk

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Reposted by Duncan Yellowlees

BeijingPalmer @beijingpalmer.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

the one who loved horses, the one who was a great goalkeeper, the one who kept a diary every day, the one who held her sister's hand when they walked to school, the one who read Harry Potter in English, the one who collected old coins, the one who drew rainbows for her grandmother ...

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