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Holly Witteman

@hwitteman.bsky.social
793 followers 363 following 189 posts

Professor & Canada Research Chair in Human-Centred Digital Health at Université Laval in Québec City 🇨🇦, PhD human factors engineering, #T1D since 1983, 💙 DIY looping #WeAreNotWaiting, En/Fr

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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Love the concept, would also love to have fewer experiences of sitting in an FRQS or CRC review discussion where reviewer 2 is critiquing the (very collaborative!) candidate for having insufficient evidence of leadership.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I think the best options will have to combine some concepts. 1 grant per cycle or 2 grants per PI require that a grant is a grant is a grant. I do wonder about modular budgets or limits on annual $ per PI, even though different types of research have different budgets.
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Jim Woodgett @jwoodgett.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
We're in turbulent times in health research with unprecedented advances coupled with funding challenges. CIHR is at the cross-roads of this and is looking for a special advisor to the President (2 days a week, secondment). Be part of the solution. cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54823.html
cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Special Advisor to the President - CIHR
Canada has exceptional health research talent and a strong record of scientific discovery. The challenge—and the opportunity—is to ensure more discoveries lead to better health, stronger health systems, new therapies and technologies, and a globally competitive life sciences sector.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Looking at the composition of the committee, it’s like they took everyone’s pet issues, mixed them up in a bowl, and dumped them into a report. Result: quotas are ok for francophones but not for other identities. 🤔 (For the record, I’m very pro increasing fairness for French-language apps.)
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It’s so weird and incoherent. How are the agencies supposed to follow all the recommendations at the same time? For example, recommendations 15 and 20 are fundamentally opposed to each other:
Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada ban the use of demographic quotas and proportionality targets by federal funding programs administered by the granting agencies—the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.Recommendation 20

That the granting agencies—the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research—create incentives for inclusive research teams and establish dedicated funding sources and incentives for projects that demonstrate fair and equitable hiring practices, whose management teams are diverse and feature collaborations with historically excluded communities.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Why don’t these people analyze the waste in CERCs, Impact+, Canada 150, or whatever other, most recent scheme was developed by people who don’t understand that well-funded bread & butter operating funds programs are what drive competitive research?
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
What gets me about this is that the CRC targets exist because of a Human Rights Commission complaint in 2003 whose ruling in 2006 said, basically, ‘Hey guys, federal employment programs need to comply with federal employment laws.’ All they did was try to make it so that everyone gets a fair chance.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A delay in needing to start taking action?
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Le Devoir @ledevoir.com · 14/09/2026
Les scientifiques établis au Canada peinent plus que jamais à obtenir le financement nécessaire à leurs projets.
ledevoir.com
Cri du cœur des chercheurs en sciences biomédicales
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
If nothing else, it’s about including in your out of office message that you will literally have no way to check your email so it’s just going to have to wait until you get back.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
“But no, Jillian is really just using her vacation time to be out in nature, just walking for the sake of walking, I guess?” 😂❤️ This makes me think of the guy who wasn’t notified of his Nobel because he was on a backcountry hiking trip. Honestly, life goals. (Minus the Nobel.)
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Yeah, the fact that their key points use unadjusted means per group is … weird. That’s something you would do in a situation calling for adjusted models if you simply wanted your results to fit your narrative.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
It looks to me like they may have tried to account for confounders? I don’t see specifics about their analyses, though, so it’s difficult to know if they did this well or not. It’s a strangely-written paper.
Screenshot of paragraph at the bottom of page 28 of the paper describing an adjusted model run.Screenshot of paragraph at the top of page 26 of the paper stating that the authors ran a series of Ordinary Least Squares models.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Good letter. Using h-index without accounting for known confounders is just flat-out bad science.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
If you have Instagram, this comic did a send-up of those guys in the context of cycling. It was so on point. www.instagram.com/reel/DaWWxcd...
instagram.com
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
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Greg Egan @gregegansf.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
While the Fields Medal celebrates the under-40s, the mathematician Joan Birman has, at the age of 99, solved a major open problem in representations of the Braid groups, a topic she has worked on for more than 60 years.
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Jessica Ellis @baddestmamajama.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Oh did a female academic with an extensive history of study and practice in a particular area of literature make a reasoned critique of a male filmmaker’s movie? I’m sure this will be handled with maximum normality.
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Emily Atkin @emorwee.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
This. This is the correct, science-backed, responsible framing. Wish more news outlets did it like the CBC.
cbc.ca
'Just stop burning fossil fuels.' Scientists stress that our smoky skies only have one true fix | CBC News
Smoky skies in Toronto have led to new scrutiny of government efforts to fight fires and manage forests. But scientists say the realistic way to tackle the smoke is fighting climate change itself.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Great piece. Shuttles run from free parking lots, which likely helps, too. There’s one near us that was full throughout FEQ. For people with regular bikes, it can be nice to ride along the river, lock up & climb the Cap Blanc stairs. There’s an entrance at the top. It’s what we do for Plains shows.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
I grew up elsewhere (Saskatchewan) but my in-laws live in northern Ontario. I’ve been there often over the past 25 years. It was not like this even just 10 years ago. This is absolutely *not* normal.
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Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽 @needhibhalla.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
"Right now, in some underfunded lab, a scientist is chasing a question that sounds pointless...a century of experience says that funding people to do this work is a good bet. If we stop making that bet, we will pay for it in cures no one will know to miss."
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Andrew Pruszynski @andpru.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
I encourage everyone to show up and make your voice heard at upcoming town halls and via any other channels: cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/45096.html • Bilingual session: Thursday, May 28 at 1:00 p.m. ET • English session: Wednesday, June 24 at 1:30 p.m. ET • French session: Thursday, June 25 at 1:30 p.m. ET
cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Webinars - CIHR
CIHR holds several webinars that allow us to share information, exchange ideas and discuss issues of importance with our stakeholders.
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Sinclair Cancer Research Institute @sinclaircri.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Cancer research lost a star this week with the passing of Dr Juliet Daniel @mcmasteruniversity.bsky.social Juliet was a proud @queensalumni.bsky.social that studied hard to treat cancers like TNBC. Send your tributes to her family and continue her legacy www.circleoflifecbc.com/obituaries/D...
circleoflifecbc.com
Obituary information for Dr. Juliet Michelle Daniel
View Dr. Juliet Michelle Daniel's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
3. If it’s probably more of the same, are there ways to address the problems within their community? And so on. Agree that this is a good issue to consider. I’ve had this happen, too.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
In some cases, it might also be interesting to try for a project in which prior research is discussed with members of the community. Questions like: 1. Are the prior findings relevant to them? 2. Do they believe they & you would find something similar or something different?
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Kristin Connor @kconnor.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Gutted to learn of the passing of Dr Kirsty Duncan. She was a tireless fighter for the people she served, not only her local community in Toronto but others, especially the science & research & athletics communities too. She championed equity, diversity, inclusion and made change happen. 🤍🙏🏻
richmond-news.com
Former Liberal cabinet minister Kirsty Duncan dies at 59
OTTAWA — Former Liberal cabinet minister Kirsty Duncan has died at the age of 59 following a years-long battle with cancer. Born on Oct.
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Dr. Stephanie @punkrockscience.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Today’s xkcd made me cry. In a good way. xkcd.com/3172/
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Matthew Dow Smith @matthewdowsmith.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
One of the cruelest tricks society played on creative people was planting the idea that being proud of your work is somehow unseemly and egotistical. You made a thing! You like it! You SHOULD be proud of it. Brag all you want!
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
I have gone back to phoning references for a quick chat. I’ve also been asked to provide references by phone/videoconference. It is so much more efficient than letters.
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Université Laval @ulaval.ca · 13/11/2025
CommunauDT1: un espace d'échange pour mieux vivre avec le #diabète de type 1 Holly Witteman
nouvelles.ulaval.ca
CommunauDT1: un espace d'échange pour mieux vivre avec le diabète de type 1
La professeure Holly Witteman a lancé une communauté de soutien par les pairs liée à un projet de recherche pour mieux comprendre l'effet de ces échanges sur le bien-être des personnes touchées par cette maladie
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Michael Hendricks 🇨🇦 @michaelhendricks.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Attn: Canadian researchers/ If you are looking for text/arguments to mix-n-match in a letter to your MP, the committee, Ministers, etc.. here is some. docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com
MP letter
[ I am your constituent and a professor at … .] It recently came to my attention that a motion has been passed in the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Research requesting disaggregated...
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Sure. That’s the advice I gave and that’s what they did initially. But it’s relevant to note that CVs are functions of many things beyond individual quality/effort (networks, proximity to prestige, etc.) & those things are distributed unevenly. A CV-based system needs a robust way to address that.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Canada tried that, more or less. Female PIs’ success rates fell compared to those of male PIs. (Other groups may have experienced similar effects, but there were no data at that time about other PI identity characteristics.) www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
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Julie Kiefer @julieckiefer.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
How to Communicate Medical Numbers-a @jama.com Insight from @angiefagerlin.bsky.social @athorpe8.bsky.social @uuhsresearch.bsky.social, @bzikmund.bsky.social @umich.edu Read and listen to the podcast for useful tips and tools that could improve patient health+lives. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
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CAUT/ACPPU @caut.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
In Canada, proposed cuts of 15% across the federal government would have a dramatic effect on already globally decimated research & science. Join Canada's research & science community and tell PM Mark Carney to preserve the funding promised in 2024. Send a letter: win.newmode.net/canadianasso...
Illustration of a magnifying glass below text that reads "Freedom to research." Unlock Education campaign logo and "Education2025.ca" URL below the magnifying glass.
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Melissa Barber @mbarber.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
This is a nice study showing that out-of-pocket costs for diabetes technologies are associated with worse HbA1c levels. I wish there were more granular data on actual costs and affordability instead of just bucketing 'reimbursed' vs 'not reimbursed.' jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
Global Inequities in Diabetes Technology and Insulin Access and Glycemic Outcomes
This cross-sectional study estimates the association of accessibility and reimbursement for diabetes technologies and insulin with glycemic control among children with type 1 diabetes using data from ...
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Are you living in Canada with #type1diabetes (yourself or a loved one)? You are not alone … find your #T1D community at communiT1D.ca! Vivez-vous au Canada avec un #diabètedetype1 (vous-même ou un(e) proche)? Vous n'êtes pas seul(e) ... trouvez votre communauté du #DT1 au communauDT1.ca!
Are you living with T1D*?
Are you parenting a child with T1D?
Do you have a family member, partner, or friend with T1D?

*or LADA/MODY/type 3c diabetes

You are not alone … find your type 1 diabetes community!

Join CommuniT1D.ca, a free Canadian program of monthly online meetings.
talk to others with shared experience
share your story
share what you know
get & give support
learn
improve your wellbeing
make new friends
find diabuddies (buddies with diabetes)
get connected
build community

The program will match you with a small group of others (about 4-6 people total) according to your interests and what matters to you.

JOIN US HERE! (link to communit1d.ca)

A drawing of six people with arms around each other, several sensors visible on their arms

CommuniT1D.ca is funded by Breakthrough T1D Canada (formerly known as JDRF Canada) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The program was designed and is run by people living with T1D or LADA, parents of children with T1D, scientists, doctors, and other experts. Research ethics approval: CIUSSS-CER-S 2024-2887
Vivez-vous avec un DT1* ?
Êtes-vous parent d'un enfant atteint d'un DT1 ?
Avez-vous un membre de votre famille, un.e conjoint.e ou un.e ami.e atteint.e de DT1 ?
*ou d'un diabète LADA/MODY/type 3c
Vous n'êtes pas seul(e) ... trouvez votre communauté du diabète de type 1!
Rejoignez CommunauDT1.ca, un programme canadien gratuit de réunions virtuelles mensuelles en ligne. Cela vous permettra de : 
parler à d'autres personnes qui partagent la même expérience
partager votre histoire
partager ce que vous savez
obtenir et offrir du soutien
apprendre
améliorer votre bien-être
se faire de nouveaux amis
trouver des diabètami.es (ami.es diabétiques)
se connecter avec les autres
créer une communauté
Le programme vous mettra en contact avec un petit groupe d'autres personnes (environ 4 à 6 personnes au total) en fonction de vos intérêts et de ce qui compte pour vous.

REJOIGNEZ-NOUS ICI ! (lien au communaudt1.ca)

Dessin de 6 personnes, les bras entourés, avec quelques capteurs visibles 

CommunauDT1.ca est financé par la Percée T1D Canada (anciennement FRDJ Canada) et les Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada. Le programme a été conçu et est géré par des personnes atteintes de DT1 ou de LADA, des parents d'enfants atteints de DT1, des scientifiques, des médecins et d'autres experts. Approbation éthique de la recherche : CIUSSS-CER-S 2024-2887
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Kristin Connor @kconnor.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Women are disproportionately affected by #irondeficiency & #anaemia We undertook a comprehensive review of 🔑 role of iron in women's health across the lifespan ✅ factors affecting iron bioavailability, ID/IDA 🚫 limitations of interventions 🙋🏽‍♀️need 4 better diagnosis & acceptable treatments 4 women
sciencedirect.com
Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in women of reproductive age: Sex- and gender-based risk factors and inequities
Iron deficiency (ID) is a serious public health problem that affects 20–25 % of the population and 52 % of pregnant people worldwide. Biologically fem…
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Yep. Quebec content helps dampen it but it’s such a dominant force.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
So sorry to hear this. 💔 Wishing you and your family warmth, love, and meaningful time together in the days, weeks, and months to come.
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Aidan Wright @aidangcw.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Pro tip, folks: if you make a figure for a publication, don’t just hand the copyright over to the publisher. Post it on OSF first and then give yourself permission to use it in the first publication and then all future publications. That way, no permissions issues.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Italy is closest to this. But even their system is not up and running at full capacity yet. No country is doing it systematically across the board yet. FYI Canada is exploring options: canscreent1d.ca
canscreent1d.ca
Home - CanScreen T1D Research Consortium
The Canadian Population Screening for Risk of Type 1 Diabetes (CanScreen T1D) research consortium aims to launch a pilot screening program for children in Canada. The consortium studies the accessibil...
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Janel Comeau 🍁 @verybadllama.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Google and Meta search both report that Cape Breton Island has its own time zone 12 minutes ahead of mainland Nova Scotia time because they are both drawing that information from a Beaverton article I wrote in 2024
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Dr. Casey Fiesler @cfiesler.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Tip for PhD applicants reaching out to prospective advisors: Don’t use an LLM to write these emails. It’s not a great first impression to express your admiration for a recent paper the faculty member published if that paper does not exist.
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Tom Flood @tomflood.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Happy World Bicycle Day.
Large digital screen on a city street with Bicycles deliver the freedom that auto ads promise in white type on black
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Downside of working in diabetes research as a person with diabetes, a running list: 1. I now have to attend conferences whose taglines might as well be, “67 reasons your life sucks & 12 ways you could die soon.” 2. I cannot seem to bring myself to refuse requests to review from diabetes charities.
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Holly Witteman @hwitteman.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
The program provides summary data. It’s often delayed by a cycle or so, but they do update semi-regularly.
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