Reposted by James ThomasInstitute for Research Software @softwaresaved.bsky.social · 01/09/2026⬡ Today, we become the Institute for Research Software. For 15 years, we've worked as the Software Sustainability Institute to make research software more sustainable and properly recognised. 13325
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 13/08/2025Bristol Data Stories Episode 3: Understanding human interaction through geographic data science with Lenka Hasova In this episode, Lenka discusses human interaction in space and talks about her career journey, which began with a degree in cartography. Listen now: tinyurl.com/4yam4xce 051
James Thomas @jatonline.uk · 12/08/2025@buttondown.com Assume you get notified about 500 errors, but should I report any other way? 120
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 30/07/2025📢 Last chance to apply to be part of the Ask-JGI cohort! Deadline for Ask-JGI applications is tomorrow at 23:59. This is a great paid opportunity for @bristoluni.bsky.social PhD students to gain experiences that will be useful for future research or careers. Details to apply in the post below 👇 012
Reposted by James ThomasEmily Riederer @emilyriederer.bsky.social · 27/07/2025Technical writing is hard bcs "writing is thinking" but we often should tell our story not in the order we worked. Solution? I wrote a quick post on how @quarto.org 's embed shortcodes can reframe technical writing as reproducible evidence curation www.emilyriederer.com/post/quarto-... 🧵 (1/n)emilyriederer.comHow Quarto embed fixes data science storytelling | Emily RiedererLiterate programming excels at capturing our stream of conscience. Our stream of conscience does not excel at explaining the impact of our work. Notebooks enable some of data scientists’ worst tendenc... 411223
Reposted by James ThomasUniversity of Bristol @bristoluni.bsky.social · 17/07/2025🚀 The UK’s most powerful AI supercomputer, Isambard-AI, is now live in Bristol. Officially launched at the NCC today by Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology Peter Kyle, it can complete 80 years of human work in one second. A new era for research begins🔬 ➡️ brnw.ch/21wUdXk 0116
Reposted by James ThomasFrank Wiles @fwiles.bsky.social · 29/06/2025Wrote about some of my favorite tools and shell hacks I use daily to streamline my workflow. Life is too short folks, take a few minutes each week to sand down some of the rough edges of your work. frankwiles.com/posts/my-cl... 033
Reposted by James ThomasThe Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · 14/06/2025Looking back in time could inspire the aircraft innovations of the future.tcnv.linkHow pterosaurs can inspire aircraft designLooking back in time could inspire the aircraft innovations of the future. 22010
Reposted by James ThomasLiz Martin-Silverstone @gimpasaura.bsky.social · 14/06/2025Check out this article @davehone.bsky.social, Mike Habib and I wrote based on our ideas about pterosaurs as models for aircraft. Heavy lifting done by Dave Hone and very little by me while I’m on mat leave, but still appreciate being involved! 03311
Reposted by James ThomasFrank Wiles @fwiles.bsky.social · 10/06/2025Like Django ORM managers I think management commands are one of the more overlooked features of Django. Partly because the boilerplate is a pain. Well django-click and django-typer remove all of that and let you get right to the meat of what you need. www.revsys.com/tidbits/bet...revsys.comBetter Django management commands with django-click and django-typerWriting Django management commands can involve a ton of boilerplate code. But Revsys uses two libraries that cut our management command code in half while making it more readable and powerful: django-click and django-typer. 021
Reposted by James ThomasAccessibility Awareness @a11yawareness.bsky.social · 07/06/2025Everyone who works on a website has a role to ensure the site and its content are accessible. This resource from Vox Media breaks down some accessibility tasks by job role, including content creators, designers, developers, project managers, and testers. accessibility.voxmedia.comaccessibility.voxmedia.comVox Product Accessibility GuidelinesAs journalists, advertisers, producers, and creators, content is at our core at Vox Media. We want to ensure that everyone—regardless of ability, situation, or context—can access it. 05023
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 04/06/2025Bristol Data Stories Episode 2: Professor Jean Golding OBE's life in Science In this special edition, we talk to Professor Jean Golding OBE, Emeritus Professor at the @bristoluni.bsky.social, and founder of the ‘Children of the 90s' study (ALSPAC). Listen now: tinyurl.com/mr38kpne 053
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 05/06/2025Thank you to everyone who came along to our AI for Good: Celebration of the University of Bristol's National AI Award event last night! If you came along, we hope you enjoyed our keynote and panel. We want to thank our keynote speaker, panel members, exhibitors, and everyone involved. 042
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 02/06/2025Day 1 of #BristolDataWeek2025 is officially over! Today we had our Introduction to Python training session, Essentials of Working with Sensitive Research Data workshop, and the @gw4alliance.bsky.social AI and Data Science: AI, Climate and Health event. Thank you to all of our speakers! 044
Reposted by James ThomasFrank Wiles @fwiles.bsky.social · 31/05/2025Our site upgradedjango.com got some love last week. It now shows you which versions of Python are supported by Django version! #python #django 042
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 27/05/2025Join our celebration event to honour @bristoluni.bsky.social recent win as AI University of the Year with a keynote talk from @sanakb.bsky.social 🗓️ 17:00 - 20:00, 4 June, Victoria Rooms Open to all interested in data science and AI. Get your free ticket now: tinyurl.com/2s3tv6jy 044
Reposted by James ThomasSaloni @scientificdiscovery.dev · 23/05/2025This is a nice practical guide to data visualization by @nrennie.bsky.social @royalstatsoc.bsky.social! royal-statistical-society.github.io/datavisguide/ 04512
Reposted by James ThomasHuw Day @huwwday.bsky.social · 26/05/2025I've been leading the development of a 3 hour, An Intro to AI in Python course (bristol-training.github.io/intro-to-ai/..., with help from some of the JGI Research Advocates, see the contributors page first!) for Bristol Data Week! I've done lots of thinking on how to teach AI...bristol-training.github.iocontributors – Introduction to AI 131
Reposted by James ThomasGitHub @github.com · 26/05/2025Great docs = Great developer experience ✅ Want to write clearer, more effective docs? We've put together tips on structure and tone—with plenty of real-world examples for reference. 📝 Check out the developer's guide. ⬇️github.blogDocumentation done right: A developer’s guideLearn why and how you should write docs for your project with the Diátaxis framework. 3726
Reposted by James ThomasDuckDB @duckdb.org · 21/05/2025DuckDB v1.3.0 “Ossivalis” is out and it packs a ton of new features, fixes and optimizations. See the announcement blog post: duckdb.org/2025/05/21/a... 06017
Reposted by James ThomasMartin Fleischmann @martinfleischmann.net · 26/03/2025After last year's success, we have opened a registration to 2025 instalment of **Spatial Data Science in Python** as a standalone course open to anyone. It is perfect for anyone looking to dive spatial data analysis using Python, regardless of prior experience. 🔗 martinfleischmann.net/sds/micro/martinfleischmann.netA course on Spatial Data Science – Spatial Data Science in Python 0154
Reposted by James ThomasRalph Spandl @spandl.ca · 21/05/2025Always a pleasure to listen to @jburnmurdoch.ft.com that just gave another fantastic presentation about how to tell better data stories. Watch again here on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRRO...youtube.comDesigning for impact with John Burn-MurdochYouTube video by Flourish 151
Reposted by James ThomasHsuan-Pei Huang @pikapei.bsky.social · 13/05/2025Switching from conda/mamba to pixi. Like it! 011
Reposted by James ThomasJames Thomas @jatonline.uk · 12/05/2025🎞️ Can others reproduce your conda results? Using 'pixi' in a Python data analysis project... you can now watch my recent talk on how keeping track of package versions is hard, can go wrong if your developers use multiple platforms, and how @prefix.dev's pixi helps! ▶️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws92...youtube.comCan others reproduce your conda results? Using 'pixi' in a Python data analysis projectYouTube video by Jean Golding Institute 174
James Thomas @jatonline.uk · 12/05/2025🎞️ Can others reproduce your conda results? Using 'pixi' in a Python data analysis project... you can now watch my recent talk on how keeping track of package versions is hard, can go wrong if your developers use multiple platforms, and how @prefix.dev's pixi helps! ▶️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws92...youtube.comCan others reproduce your conda results? Using 'pixi' in a Python data analysis projectYouTube video by Jean Golding Institute 174
Reposted by James ThomasJames Thomas @jatonline.uk · 04/05/2025Last week I gave a lunch and learn talk on "Can others reproduce your conda results? Using 'pixi' in a Python data analysis project" showing how keeping track of package version using conda is hard and can go wrong if your developer use multiple platforms, and how pixi helps. 121
James Thomas @jatonline.uk · 04/05/2025Last week I gave a lunch and learn talk on "Can others reproduce your conda results? Using 'pixi' in a Python data analysis project" showing how keeping track of package version using conda is hard and can go wrong if your developer use multiple platforms, and how pixi helps. 121
Reposted by James ThomasMarcus Noble @averagemarcus.bsky.social · 30/04/2025New blog post: ✨ My tips on giving technical talks ✨ marcusnoble.co.uk/2025-04-30-my-tip…marcusnoble.co.ukMy tips on giving technical talksI've been giving talks at meetups and conferences for a few years now. I started off after the encouragement of my friends giving their own talk and looking so cool doing it! It's taken a while but I ... 155
Reposted by James ThomasMartin Fleischmann @martinfleischmann.net · 28/04/2025Ever needed to simplify street networks? I did. And it is a pain. So we wrote an algorithm that does that for us. And can do for you, as it is available as a Python package called `neatnet`. Here's a short blog about it - martinfleischmann.net/simplificati... and package - uscuni.org/neatnet 48219
Reposted by James ThomasFrank Wiles @fwiles.bsky.social · 27/04/2025/usr/bin/just do it! Quick demo and details on why you should replace that Makefile or folder of scripts with just task runner. youtu.be/fDDDvC4VSvEyoutube.com/usr/bin/just do it - Demoing the just task runnerLearn how the just command runner is useful day to day for your software development and devops projects. Replace existing Makefiles or folders full of scri... 194
Reposted by James ThomasDr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 27/04/2025The biggest thing that I wish people knew before starting their 1st tech job (probably most jobs) is that asking someone more experienced for the “answer” is what you should do as soon as you get stuck. It’s drilled into students that this is “cheating”, so this is a big change for new hires. 3123
Reposted by James ThomasAdam Johnson @adamj.eu · 24/04/2025🎨 django-upgrade now has a swish logo! 📖 And its documentation has moved to ReadThe Docs! 👉 Check it out at django-upgrade.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ #Django 261
Reposted by James ThomasSociety of RSE @society-rse.org · 22/04/2025It’s looking like we’ve got enough updates for an April newsletter… but we’d love to add a few more bits before it hits inboxes! If you have events, news or announcements that you would like us to include, then please submit them here ⏳ by end of Friday 25th April ⏳: society-rse.org/calling-for-...society-rse.orgCall for Newsletter Submissions - Society of Research Software EngineeringOur regular newsletter announces new Society initiatives, and gathers RSE news, events, blogs, papers and anything interesting and relevant together in one place. We are keen to feature content from… 032
James Thomas @jatonline.uk · 22/04/2025👀 TIL about the Wagtail and Django release timeline: github.com/orgs/wagtail... Essential reading, alongside the Django and Wagtail release schedules: www.djangoproject.com/download/#su... github.com/wagtail/wagt... Thanks for this @wagtail.org! 000
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 18/04/2025We are hosting the SCRIBE Hackathon, a collaborative event aimed at developing the Strategic Rapid Integrated Biothreat Evaluation data tool. 🗓️ Kick-off workshop: 17 June, 9:30am–4pm 🗓️ Half-day review workshop: 1 July, 2–4pm Info: jgibristol.github.io/scribe-hacka... Register: tinyurl.com/39e2vrmajgibristol.github.ioSCRIBE HackathonThe SCRIBE Hackathon is a biothreat datathon to explore access, nature, and integration of data relating to biothreats in complex environments. Working with expert partners from across life sciences, ... 033
Reposted by James ThomasDuckDB @duckdb.org · 17/04/2025New blog post by Pedro Holanda, Gabor Szarnyas and Gerardo Vitagliano: DuckDB's CSV Reader and the Pollock Robustness Benchmark – Into the CSV Abyss duckdb.org/2025/04/16/d... 0164
James Thomas @jatonline.uk · 09/04/2025Congrats to the OpenGHG team and Rachel Tunnicliffe on this award! 📢 “using open research practices, Rachel & the wider team were able to bridge the gap between public engagement & citizen science, enabling the generation of a high-quality, open access, database for greenhouse gas science…" 122
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 08/04/2025We are running a series of Lunch and Learns where you can come along and listen to a short seminar/lesson on best practices in research software engineering and data science. More information is below 👇 We also have a Lunch and Learn YouTube playlist: lnkd.in/eN5n6npC 021
James Thomas @jatonline.uk · 08/04/2025🎞️ Have you heard about uv and been thinking about using it to manage Python dependencies in your data science project? In this @jgibristol.bsky.social lunch & learn, I give some motivations for doing so and show the technique that I current use (tl;dr `uv init --lib`) www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ_-...youtube.comCan others reproduce your results? Using 'uv' in a Python data analysis projectYouTube video by Jean Golding Institute 132
Reposted by James ThomasInstitute for Research Software @softwaresaved.bsky.social · 07/04/2025🟥 We are pleased to announce that the Research Software Maintenance Fund is now accepting expressions of interest. The deadline for submissions is Fri 30 May, 16:00 BST. Find out more and apply at www.software.ac.uk/news/call-ex... 089
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 03/04/2025There were some fantastic @bristoluni.bsky.social demonstration stands at #AIUK. With stalls from @ai4cihub.bsky.social, INFORMED-AI Hub, PrO-AI CDT, Bristol Centre for Supercomputing and School of Computer Science 🖥️ You can read more in our latest blog post: tinyurl.com/8zw6tthz 043
Reposted by James ThomasProf. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 02/04/2025I've been working a fair bit on people's understanding of air pollution lately. So I'm delighted to have just found this explainer from @ourworldindata.org, which is an excellent primer. TL;DR stop burning stuff and having cows ourworldindata.org/air-pollutio...ourworldindata.orgAir pollution kills millions every year — where does it come from?A breakdown of the sources of many air pollutants that damage our health and ecosystems. 12913
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 17/03/2025The Turing Liasion team organised a book launch for the new AI and Literature Routledge Handbook at @ssgreatbritain.bsky.social with talks from co-editors Genevieve Liveley and Will Slocombe, and book contributors Kate Devlin and Victoria Punch. Read the blog post here: tinyurl.com/ck9kkhsp 061
Reposted by James ThomasRobin Linacre @robinlinacre.bsky.social · 16/03/2025New blog: Why DuckDB is my first choice for data processing: www.robinlinacre.com/recommend_du...robinlinacre.comWhy DuckDB is my first choice for data processingWhy DuckDB has become my go-to tool for data processing, offering simplicity, speed, and powerful features. 04311
James Thomas @jatonline.uk · 14/03/2025Thoroughly enjoyed the @ebibristol.bsky.social Public Lecture 2025. Eye-opening to see how digitisation of healthcare means people need to "create a digital facsimile" of themselves and it is really that that is treated. Advantages for some, disadvantages for others. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZm8...youtube.comEBI Public Lecture 2025 - Professor Trish Greenhalgh (talk and slides only)YouTube video by Elizabeth Blackwell Institute 130
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 14/03/2025Highlights from our latest newsletter: 👩💻 Data Science for Climate and Health Round-up 📱 AI: Friend or Foe? In Conversation with Dame Wendy Hall DBE 📄 @gw4alliance.bsky.social Alliance Open Research Week 2025 - Registration is now open! Read more here: tinyurl.com/mr4ayvbr 032
Reposted by James ThomasJustin Duke @jmduke.com · 12/03/2025New post: Smoke test your Django admin site.jmduke.comSmoke test your Django admin site 031
Reposted by James ThomasJean Golding Institute @jgibristol.bsky.social · 12/03/2025What a fantastic start to a series of Health Data Research Network workshops! 👏 Thank you to all the speakers for their insightful talks. The next workshop will be in April so follow us to find out more. If you are interested in taking part in these workshops, please get in contact 011
James Thomas @jatonline.uk · 12/03/2025My colleague Pau Erola has organised a great workshop to share knowledge on securely using health data in research. Part of the Health Data Research Network #HDRN: hdrnet.github.io supported by @jgibristol.bsky.social & Research England Enhancing Research Culture funding via @bristoluni.bsky.social 130
Reposted by James ThomasUK Data Service @ukdataservice.bsky.social · 11/03/2025Join the UK Synthetic Data Community Group for a Synthetic Data Researcher Workshop on 9 April. For more information and to register, use the following link: www.syntheticdata.uk/workshops 053