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Jon Petters

@jonpetters.bsky.social
351 followers 68 following 141 posts

I advocate for and improve research data management where I am (which is Virginia Tech). And I run in big circles a lot.

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Reposted by Jon Petters
Jon Phillips @jowiph.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
One of the most underappreciated unforeseen consequences of the smartphone/streaming/social media era is the elimination of boredom as a key driver of creativity. Without boredom, there just isn't enough impetus for most people do go out and learn and do things.
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Super useful framing of all the problems with these 'tools' and how they are foisted upon us I suppose nitroglycerin could also be a tool... Might well use this (with due credit) in next semester's data mgmt course
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Kelly Hereid @kellyhereid.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
AI can be a powerful and useful tool, but the point of science, math, arts, and humanities is to drive greater human creativity and understanding, not just to spit out an answer. Important letter from the world of mathematics.
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Kristin Briney @kbriney.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Many people know how much I love consistent and descriptive file naming (So Much). Yet, I think we need to recognize that it's not the best strategy for data sharing. Shorter and clearer names are better. My reasoning explained: dataabinitio.com?p=1281 #dataSharing #OpenData #fileNamingConventions
dataabinitio.com
File Naming for File Sharing » Data Ab Initio
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Matt Gabriele @profgabriele.com · 02/09/2026
I am very skeptical. I mean with this error rate it makes most of this useless!
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
We have a new opening for the position of Data Management and Curation Consultant here in Virginia Tech University Libraries! This position will report to me, we'll begin reviewing applications after September 16th jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/data-ma... Please share!
jobs.apply.vt.edu
Data Management and Curation Consultant - Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
Job Description The Data Management and Curation Consultant provides expert guidance to researchers and students on data management activities across the research enterprise at Virginia Tech. This p...
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Dr. Athena Masson @weathergoddess.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
21 years ago today #HurricaneKatrina was approaching the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi. This was the strongly worded forecast from NWS New Orleans a day before Katrina came ashore. #wx #wxhistory
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Library of Congress @librarycongress.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The Library is devastated to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton, a music legend and titan of children's literacy. Her Imagination Library program has earned multiple Library Literacy Awards and, in 2018, she visited us to donate its 100 millionth book to our collection and host a story time. 🦋❤️
Dolly Parton reads to children in the Library’s Great Hall in 2018. Photo by Shawn Miller.
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
We have a new opening for the position of Data Management and Curation Consultant here in Virginia Tech University Libraries! This position will report to me, we'll begin reviewing applications after September 16th jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/data-ma... Please share!
jobs.apply.vt.edu
Data Management and Curation Consultant - Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
Job Description The Data Management and Curation Consultant provides expert guidance to researchers and students on data management activities across the research enterprise at Virginia Tech. This p...
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Colin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
year 1: there's still grant funding, but we may need to change how we talk about our work, or what we work on year 2: the government has disappeared one billion dollars of science funding. it is unclear why they did that or where that sits within concepts like "the rule of law"
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Henry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Hook and squeeze: how Democratic fundraising strategies are increasingly dependent on a relatively small number of elderly donors data4democracy.substack.com/p/hook-and-s...
data4democracy.substack.com
Hook and Squeeze
How Democratic consultants, committees, and party leaders built a fundraising spam pipeline that funnels money from a captive pool of elderly donors into their own operations.
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
"...you might want to first check with your institution for their recommendations. Many universities and other research facilities own or support specific infrastructure for hosting papers, preprints, datasets, and other materials. Using your institution's repository may be the best option. "
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Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ @padresj.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Pro Tip: If you don't have at least two copies, in two different locations, one of which is on storage that you own, data doesn't exist. www.tomshardware.com/software/clo...
tomshardware.com
PBS broadcaster loses access to 50TB of data comprising 70 years of TV history after contracted cloud storage vendor goes defunct — public TV channel sues Iron Mountain data center, which hosts archiv...
This wouldn't have been an issue if the organization bought a $1,000 NAS and populated it with a few hard drives.
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Celeste Labedz @celestelabedz.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
I wouldn't call myself a cartoonist, but I had the vision and just needed it to be on paper to the best of my ability.
A hand drawn eight panel cartoon. First two panels are a colander sitting frowning on a shelf. Then the colander is frowning straining pasta, then three more panels of frowning sitting on a shelf. Then a big panel where it's projecting a bunch of crescent eclipse shapes and smiling with speech bubbles around saying "Wow! Look! Amazing! Beautiful!" And then one final panel where it's sitting on a shelf smiling.
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Shannon K. Supple @mazarine.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Librarians, archivists, scholars, publishers, USians: The US House of Representatives passed a bill (HR 6028) which would move the Copyright Office from the Library of Congress/legislative branch to the executive branch. Contact your senators to vote against! www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
Background The house passed a bill, HR 6028, which would, if passed in the Senate, remove copyright from LC (Library of Congress) and the legislative branch. This would not only be catastrophic for LC but all libraries. It would open the door for Al companies to absorb all works, especially unpublished works that the public doesn't have access to. What Can We Do About It? Call your representatives now. If you're not sure what to say, below is a script you may use. Script My name is [insert name] and I live in [insert location]. I am deeply concerned about the potentially devastating effects of HR 6028, the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act, on the Library of Congress and copyright protections for the American people. I would like to hear the senator's response to three questions: How will H.R. 6028 impact the collections of the Library of Congress, which currently depend on deposit from the Copyright Office? How will H.R. 6028 impact copyright protections for the American people? What is the justification for placing a traditionally legislative body under the power of the executive branch?
Full text of HR 6028 can be found here — linked in post
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Tanya D. || Writer || Narrative Designer @cypheroftyr.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Daaaamn. “AI is the asbestos we're shovelling into the walls of our technological society. Our descendants will spend generations digging it out again, and the longer the bubble goes on without popping, the longer it will take to repair the damage." www.thenerve.news/p/cory-docto...
thenerve.news
Cory Doctorow: The people who tell you ‘AI is changing everything’ are lying
It has become impossible to tell managers mesmerised by artificial intelligence that the tools are not, in fact, helpful. So employees just play along with the fiction to keep their jobs, writes our t...
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
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Stephen Francoeur @stephenfrancoeur.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Dr. Jill Lepore on the ‘Artificial State’ Today, I’m talking with Harvard professor and New Yorker staff writer Dr. Jill Lepore about her new book, The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State, which comes… ift.tt/hgcSGEr
theverge.com
Dr. Jill Lepore on the ‘Artificial State’
They went and built the Torment Nexus.
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Matthew Murray 🦇 @midnitelibrary.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
The "sequel"(?) to "You Are Reviewer 2" is now available to download for free. "So You've Been Told to Publish Your Data" is a solo d6-based "game" to "learn" about Research Data Management and Data Publishing. midnitelibrary.itch.io/publish-your... 📚
A bunch of copies of So You've Been Told to Publish Your Data
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 13/07/2026
There is still time to submit your comment and tell the government that you don't want US research to be completely destroyed by politicians meddling in individual grants. You can submit your comments here: www.regulations.gov/commenton/OM...
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Society for Scholarly Publishing @scholarlypub.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Guest Post — Legitimate but Not Loved: What Academic Librarians Think About AI - The Scholarly Kitchen
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org
Guest Post — Legitimate but Not Loved: What Academic Librarians Think About AI - The Scholarly Kitchen
While it’s true that AI may be viewed as "legitimate," it’s far from universally loved. Understanding that distinction tells us something important about how the technology may ultimately be adopted — and governed — within academia.
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Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 23/06/2026
We have a new entry in the climate dictionary under “irony”
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Neil Lewis, Jr. @neillewisjr.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
"Program managers would normally rush to inform potential and current grantees about such dramatic changes. But the memo tells program managers to keep their mouths shut. 'This information is highly confidential...Please do not communicate anything to PIs.'” www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
Exclusive: NSF slashes research programs to support new tech initiative, insiders say
Unexpected shift in funds has meant sharp drop in grants this fiscal year
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Science Magazine @science.org · 22/06/2026
Exclusive: The National Science Foundation is trimming this year’s budgets for hundreds of its traditional basic science programs by roughly 20% to 30%, even though its overall budget is down just 3%. scim.ag/4xY2KCm
science.org
Exclusive: NSF slashes research programs to support new tech initiative, insiders say
Unexpected shift in funds has meant sharp drop in grants this fiscal year
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Just did a reference check for one of our past wage students...something I quite enjoy the opportunity to do! However, I was clearly talking to an automated system to do so...It was as hollow an experience as you might expect
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Abigail Goben @hedgielib.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Good morning and I am hiring! I'm looking for a colleague to join me in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. 📚 uic.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
uic.csod.com
Institutional Research Analyst
Position SummaryThe Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research is seeking a research data management professional to support the university's growing ...
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Jess Calarco @jessicacalarco.com · 08/06/2026
NEW from me in @pnas.org on the risks of data sharing with qualitative research: "Today, confidentiality risks are amplified by social media, surveillance, and AI tools, which make ample data about people publicly available, thus making deidentification less effective" www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: "With qualitative research, the risks of data sharing can outweigh the rewards." June 5, 2026.
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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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EQV Analytics @eqvanalytics.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
"Greetings, disgusting meat sacks of the class of 2026! You worked hard to earn your degrees and are now entering the job market, where I am doing my best to see that you are replaced by AI. Yes, you personally, Emily. I hate you. Please stop booing! I have a lot of speech to go!"
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Abigail Goben @hedgielib.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
It's NIH grant season and I'm talking to a number of researchers with questions about the new DMSP form. Let us briefly marinate in the nonsense. (1/)
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shauna @goldengateblond.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
their stunned reaction proves how utterly disconnected from reality they are. they’re talking about something that’s literally destroying the job market and they’re surprised by the boos! turns out “hey kids wanna walk into this buzz saw” isn’t terribly persuasive messaging
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Abigail Goben @hedgielib.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
The senior faculty at my place today had a really good starting conversation about concerns/expectations as we mentor colleagues re: GenAI (and other algorithmic tools -- but that's the big one) Here's the starter thoughts I had last week about all this: hedgehoglibrarian.com/2026/05/04/w...
hedgehoglibrarian.com
What Guidance Do We Give Junior Colleagues & Peers on use of AI?
In my sphere there have started being a number of new conversations about use of GenAI in the use of scholarship and how that will impact assessment for promotion and tenure. We’re having the…
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AGU Science Policy @aguscipolicy.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
@agu.org's Days of Action are driving change 🏛️🧪 Read how AGU’s Emille Beller advocated on the Hill alongside scientists for policies that strengthen, protect, and grow the scientific workforce.⬇️ eos.org/editors-vox/...
eos.org
The Impact of Advocacy: American Geophysical Union’s Days of Action - Eos
AGU’s Days of Action participants, representing 24 states and Washington D.C., joined together to advocate for bills growing, protecting, and strengthening the scientific workforce and ecosystem.
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Scheduled as of half an hour ago, yes
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Data Rescue Project #DataRescue @datarescueproject.org · 07/05/2026
Thanks to @theguardian.com for highlighting the people involved in the effort to save and demonstrate the importance of federal public data. ❤️🛟 www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
‘Things were going dark left and right’: the race to save US government datasets before they’re deleted
Group has banded together to rescue data as Trump administration has removed or altered data on climate change, reproductive health, LGBTQ people and more
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
VT uses Canvas...
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Probably fine
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AGU (American Geophysical Union) @agu.org · 27/04/2026
🌍 This #EarthDay, AGU scientists gathered on Capitol Hill to advocate for science workforce policies that drive progress. Their voices help shape stronger communities, innovation, and our planet’s future. Get involved: spklr.io/63324EKgSG @aguscipolicy.bsky.social
Congressional Visits Day at Capitol Hill.Congressional Visits Day at Capitol Hill.Congressional Visits Day at Capitol Hill.Congressional Visits Day at Capitol Hill.
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 23/04/2026
When Einstein developed general relativity the closest thing to a practical application that could even be imagined at the time was a slightly more precise description of where to look for the planet Mercury in the sky, and yet now we’d all be literally lost without it. Anyway: fund basic research.
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
That's me in the back left. Our VA legislative staffers were very friendly and conversational folks!
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Kelly Hereid @kellyhereid.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Summer research experience is a critical pathway to train the next generation of scientists. I participated in a relative of the REU program (Keck geo consortium) which was super important training to make me competitive and prepared for grad school. Eating the seed corn.
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Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
"Publishers can support this by enabling stronger linking between articles, data, methods, and reviews, and by investing in tools and formats that facilitate synthesis across disciplines" As one running a data repository, I agree publishers can do a lot more in linking to other research objects!
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WeRateDogs @weratedogs.com · 13/04/2026
This is Sadie. She was finally reunited with her human, astronaut Christina Koch, after her mom’s voyage around the moon took her the furthest any human has ever been from their dog. She can't wait to hear all about the universe. 14/10 (IG: astro_christina)
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Scott McGrath @smcgrath.phd · 09/04/2026
The Trump administration, via the Office of Personnel Management, has proposed an unprecedented requirement for health insurers to hand over detailed, identifiable medical records for more than 8 million federal workers, retirees, and their families. #MedSky
arstechnica.com
Trump admin makes sweeping request for medical records of federal workers
The unprecedented proposal would give the Trump admin access to doctors' notes.
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Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 09/04/2026
Our PhD student Kennedy Orwa, who studies applications of AI to health care, was hastily deported today to Kenya along with his 13-year-old son without opportunity to speak to legal counsel. King 5 reports that he held a valid visa that was rescinded without explanation.
king5.com
UW graduate student deported through SEA as protesters demand answers
A union representing University of Washington graduate student workers says Kennedy Orwa’s student visa was rescinded without explanation.
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Pam Herd @pamherd.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
We do now know the NSF is proceeding with dissolving the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division. Congress might reverse it, but it is now already underway. YOU CAN NO LONGER SUBMIT FUNDING PROPOSALS TO SBE. Program officers are being moved to different parts of the agency. Call your Congress member
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Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
🧵 Democracy feels like it's in a rough state at the moment across the globe, and we hear various explanations, like polarisation, extremism, disinformation, and loss of trust. But what if those explanations are mainly symptoms and we've been trying to treat them rather than the underlying causes?
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