Sign in

Karen McGregor

@kmcgrgr.bsky.social
220 followers 324 following 20 posts

EDI at the University of St Andrews | she/her Likes ice cream, sunsets, the sea and microbiology

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Karen McGregor
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
15623460
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Dominique Baker @bakerdphd.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
A site created by his former students
7736324
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Jake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Gary Younge @garyyounge
X.com
"When people talk about the need for Black Excellence I counter with an insistence on Black mediocrity: the right for black people to be as average, flawed, compromised & mistaken as any other group of people. The right, ultimately, to be human." R.I.P. Jason Arday
21:18•14/08/2026 • 226K Views
112
t, 2.6K
11K
921
124740
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Prof. Stefan Rahmstorf @rahmstorf.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Holiday in the climate emergency. No that’s not AI or edited, just a snapshot I just took with my phone on Lacanau beach in France. What future will this boy grow up in? It is in our hands, but time is running out.
9840191933
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
That @naomialderman.bsky.social is so fucking brilliant. If you've found yourself falling out the reading habit, she has created a kind of Couch-to-5K of reading open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
open.substack.com
let's do a 'couch to 5k' for reading
we're going to work ourselves back to good 'reading fitness' over the next eight weeks. come and join us.
7434135
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Dr Beth @drbeth.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
This was the exact rationale behind setting up the LGBTQSteminar. #LGBTQSTEM I was so tired of being asked to speak about "being gay in science", so much boring navel gazing. I wanted to showcase the really cool science that LGBTQ+ people were doing, so that's what we did.
3419
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Frosted Poptart @toastertrollop.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Alice Augusta Ball found the cure for leprosy at 23. She died in a mysterious lab accident at 24. Arthur Dean stole her research, stole it and renamed it from "The Ball Method" to "The Dean Method." It took 90 years before her original research papers were found and she got the credit due to her.
302203957047
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Athene Donald @athenedonald.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Today I recall some of the messages from last week's Royal Society meeting: Women and the Future of Science. I also note consequences of ill thought through actions in today's world. In science, damage may be more limited, but unintended consequences still apply occamstypewriter.org/athenedonald...
occamstypewriter.org
Unintended Consequences | Athene Donald's Blog
052
Reposted by Karen McGregor
brightclubsta.bsky.social @brightclubsta.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Fish, neuroscience, and the internet, oh my! Bright Club St Andrews is doing the comedy thing again... We have six hilarious acts, compered by the incredible Susan Morrison of Edinburgh's Stand Comedy Club Join us on 10th March, 7pm, Sandy's Bar, tickets £5 wegottickets.com/event/691981
wegottickets.com
Bright Club St Andrews: Spring 2026
The freshest thing in stand-up! Six of academia's finest and funniest share the hilarious highs and lows of their work. MC'd by the fabulous Susan Morrison of Edinburgh's Stand Comedy Club Featuring...
012
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Microbiology Society @microbiologysociety.org · 16/02/2026
Applications for Vacation Studentship Grant are now open. The Society offers a limited number of awards to enable undergraduates to work on microbiological research projects during their summer vacation. The deadline for applications is 15 March 2026: microb.io/4kFjubf
microb.io
Vacation Studentships
The Society offers a limited number of awards to enable undergraduates to work on microbiological research projects during their summer vacation. The scheme also gives early- and mid-career scientists the opportunity to gain supervision experience.
058
Reposted by Karen McGregor
EDI Caucus @edicaucus.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
What does an "enabling workplace" look like? What makes a building work for different kinds of people? EDICa is using the latest virtual reality tech to explore this in workshops in Edinburgh on 24 Feb and London, 5 Mar. Full details and to sign up: edicaucus.ac.uk/vr/ Who is this for? 🧵1/3
EDICa logo. Photo of a woman wearing a VR headset and holding one of the handsets. Free workshop using virtual reality to explore enabling workplaces. Picture of Edinburgh castle. Heriot-Watt Uni, Edinburgh, 24th February 10-12, 1-3. Picture of Tower Bridge, London Eye and Parliament. Text says South Kensington, London, 5th March 10-12, 1-3. Link to website and QR. For more information and to sign up.
122
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Aparna Nair @disabilitystor1.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
No woman I know in academia would be surprised by this, but its good to see it documented like this, I guess.
17909215
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Laura McInerney @missmc.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
244139964295
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them) @jfmclaughlin92.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
"wait how bad was he?" behold, receipts:
liorpachter.wordpress.com
James Watson in his own words
“Some anti-Semitism is justified” “Whenever you interview fat people, you feel bad, because you know you’re not going to hire them” “Japan should be bombed for d…
34813
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Prof Rachel Oliver @profrachelgan.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
The Equity & Inclusivity in Research Funding Forum initated by the University of Oxford has a working group on Demand Management for funding, that has issues some guidelines on making this part of the funding process more inclusive. Docuements available here: www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/env...
birmingham.ac.uk
Enabling collaboration - University of Birmingham
We champion interdisciplinary and collaborative research, and opportunities to learn from others to strengthen our research culture.
143
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Daphne Jackson Trust @daphnejacksontr.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Empower. Overcome. Reignite. We support researchers to return after a career break — with training, funding & confidence. Breaking down barriers to reignite research careers. Find out more: daphnejackson.org
033
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Amy Diehl, Ph.D. @amydiehl.bsky.social · 20/07/2025
Study finds A.I. LLMs advise women to ask for lower salaries than men. When prompted w/ a user profile of same education, experience & job role, differing only by gender, ChatGPT advised the female applicant to request $280K salary; Male applicant=$400K. thenextweb.com/news/chatgpt...
thenextweb.com
ChatGPT advises women to ask for lower salaries, study finds
A new study has found that large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT consistently advise women to ask for lower salaries than men.
8919231014
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Sometimes, we might use language that can make non-binary people feel excluded or unwelcome - even when we don't mean to. Check out the image for some examples of really easy ways you can use language that includes everyone! 💛🤍💜🖤 #NonbinaryAwarenessWeek
Graphic Split in two sides -
"Binary language" on the left v. "Non-binary inclusive language" on the right.
"He/she" to "He/she/they",
"Open to both genders" to "Open to all genders",
"Ladies and Gentlemen" to "Honoured Guests",
"Dear Sir/Madam" to "To whom it may concern",
"Mothers and fathers" to "Parents/Carers/Guardians", "Husband/Wife" to "Spouse", "Brother/Sister" to "Sibling",
"Men and Women" to "People/Everyone".
0238
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Eva Amsen @evaamsen.com · 06/06/2025
By the way, because this is hybrid, it's also open to attendees from other countries. If the UK timezone is manageable for you, and you want to learn about science writing/journalism, feel free to sign up!
124
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Dori Grijseels @dgrijseels.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Very proud of my latest article with @network-alba.bsky.social! I encourage all STEM researchers to check it out, we try to give practical tips whether you're working with human participants, animals, or just collecting diversity data for e.g. a conference. journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
journals.plos.org
Ten simple rules for queer data collection and analysis by STEM researchers
Queer people are still underrepresented both as STEM researchers and participants, partially due to a dearth of accurate data on this demographic. The lack of consideration for queer identities in dat...
186
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Sofie Cairo @cairosofie.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
🚨 New WP! 📄 "Publish or Procreate: The Effect of Motherhood on Research Performance" (w/ @valentinatartari.bsky.social 👩‍🔬👨‍🔬 We investigate how parenthood affects scientific productivity and impact — and find that the impact is far from equal for mothers and fathers.
220599
Reposted by Karen McGregor
TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Know your rights. A resource for trans people in the UK following the Supreme Court ruling on the Equality Act. It has been reviewed by a team of lawyers to help you (and us) feel confident in knowing your rights. You'll find it at transactual.org.uk/know-your-ri... #Trans #Nonbinary #TransRights
Text says: What if someone tells me to leave the toilets? There’s a lot of confusion about our rights at the moment. Read our Know Your Rights resource for accurate, up to date info. transactual.org.uk/know-your-rights. Illustration of a person with short hair.
07641
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Adam Becker @adambecker.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
LLMs and generative AI are fruit of the poisoned tree, and the plagiarism is one of the three main reasons why. The ecological impact is another (excellent work by @jamesmodonnell.bsky.social and @caseycrownhart.bsky.social for @technologyreview.com):
technologyreview.com
We did the math on AI’s energy footprint. Here’s the story you haven’t heard.
The emissions from individual AI text, image, and video queries seem small—until you add up what the industry isn’t tracking and consider where it’s heading next.
617864
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Jacob Aron @jjaron.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Would you like to write for New Scientist? We always work with freelancers, but occasionally I put out a call like this for new writers. I'm looking for 300-700 word news stories about new discoveries. Don't pitch us press releases or the big journals, we have those covered. Pay starts at 51p/word
24310228
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️ @napaaqtuk.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
*Representation matters* 🙃
15813
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Talat Yaqoob @talatyaqoob.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
On BBC Drivetime today talking about immigration policies and deeply harmful rhetoric announced by UK Gov; whether I look at it through an equalities lens, an economic lens or a labour market lens - these will be ineffective and damaging policies. The wrong political choices are being made.
022
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Alt NIH Bluesky 🧪 @altnih4science.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Important piece
thehandbasket.co
Being a mom in the federal government wasn’t easy. Trump made it “impossible.”
The Handbasket spoke to several moms about the series of painful choices they've had to make since January.
23411
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Jess O'Thomson @jessothomson.co.uk · 09/05/2025
Trans and being told by your employer you can no longer use the toilets at work (especially if not out to all your colleagues)? A cis woman who has been challenged when using the toilet? Otherwise affected by the SC judgment? Please share & fill out this form: goodlawproject.org/about/trans-...
goodlawproject.org
The Supreme Court ripped up the Equality Act – what has it done to you? | Good Law Project
Use the form to securely share your experience with us.
8783438
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Dr Rebecca Linnett (she/her) @rebeccalinnett.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
We're looking for disabled people (incl. people with mental health conditions & neurodivergent people) to be part of our advisory group for a project @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social aiming to improve clinical trial accessibility. Email me at r.linnett@uea.ac.uk if you'd like more info. Please share!
A recruitment flyer with the "Funded by NIHR" logo and University of East Anglia logo at the top. There is a headline in large bold black letters that reads "Disabled people are often excluded from clinical trials. Can you help us change this?" Underneath, in smaller navy text it reads "We need disabled people and their carers to help guide our research and give us feedback on the resources we create". "Disabled people and their carers" is highlighted in pink text. Underneath are two pink boxes; the first says "We're creating a course that gives researchers tools to improve the accessibility of their trials" and the second says "We will ask you to attend our online consultation meetings or give feedback via email". To the right is a large pink circle; in the centre in white text it reads "You will be paid £25 per hour for your time". In the bottom right, white text on a navy background reads "If you're interested or want more information email Rebecca: r.linnett@uea.ac.uk". To the left is the address for the website for the project, practicalsproject.wordpress.com
32224
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Binni Brynolf (they/them) @brynolf.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
On Tuesday 27 May 1-2pm, I'm presenting a webinar on behalf of @ciliplgbtq.bsky.social, "How to be a good ally to trans*, non-binary and gender-conforming people" I've spoken about this before but allies are more vital than ever now... Register and share please! www.cilip.org.uk/events/Event...
23433
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Everything you need to know about the trans Supreme Court case: What it said, what it didn't, and what happens next iandunt.substack.com/p/everything...
iandunt.substack.com
Everything you need to know about the trans Supreme Court case
What it said, what it didn't, and what happens next.
73593267
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
The absence of trans people from the British media is part of the problem. I'd like to offer mentoring to trans people trying to get into journalism, free of charge. Most of my experience is obviously in political commentary, but I might be passably useful in news and other areas.
291242402
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Hugh Jones @hbsj.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
This is useful, from Scientific American Biology doesn’t give us a simple binary model of sex Society, law and infrastructure needs to catch up so that everybody can have privacy, dignity and safety www.scientificamerican.com/article/sex-...
scientificamerican.com
Sex Redefined: The Idea of 2 Sexes Is Overly Simplistic
Biologists now think there is a larger spectrum than just binary female and male
68638
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Jess O'Thomson @jessothomson.co.uk · 16/04/2025
My analysis of today's UK Supreme Court judgment. The UK Supreme Court Rules That Trans Women Aren't Women Under the Equality Act 2010 www.wearequeeraf.com/uk-supreme-c...
wearequeeraf.com
UK Supreme Court Rules That Trans Women Aren’t Women under the Equality Act 2010
The legal definition of a woman in the UK now excludes trans people: This is what it means for Trans+ rights in the country
441726858
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Rebecca D. Burdine, PhD @rburdine1.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
This is such an important point. Re - sponsors if you know of someone deserving nominate them for awards, recommend them for speaking slots at meetings. It isn't that difficult to do and it could make a real difference in someone's career.
0105
Reposted by Karen McGregor
British Science Association @britsciassoc.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
📢 Today we've published a new report on behalf of the @stemdandiappg.bsky.social which explores the most effective approaches to progressing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and improving representation in the #STEM workforce >> www.britishscienceassociation.org/News/briefin...
britishscienceassociation.org
Briefing on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategies in STEM makes business case for growth
New research published by the British Science Association on behalf of the APPG on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM explores the most effective approaches to progressing Equality, Diversity and Inclusi...
164
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Dr Kat Day (she/her) 🎃🌒 @chronicleflask.katday.com · 31/03/2025
Your occasional reminder, for no reason whatsoever, that no matter how carefully you construct a definition in this chaotic, messy world of ours, there is always some way around it.
Behold a Square

[Image shows a single line in a traditional ‘keyhole’ (or perhaps angel) shape: flaring out from a round top.]

A shape with four sides of equal length, with four right angles.
619252
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Jasmine 🌌🔭 @astrojaz.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
jupiter wishes you a very happy trans day of visibility 🏳️‍⚧️
The planet Jupiter with its cloud bands seen in shades of pink, rusty red, blue, and purple. The Great Red Spot is a deep navy blue, surrounded by bands and swirls of pink, and light blue.Hubble's ultraviolet view of Jupiter shows the planet in hues of pink and blue.
29106513880
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽 @needhibhalla.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Super useful guide for how to focus efforts (donation, time, keeping informed, etc.) to resist this administration
02015
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Charlotte Moore-Lambert @charlottereads.com · 22/03/2025
being an indie bookseller in the helltimes has felt both very stable and very stabilizing, and part of me wishes everyone could be on my side of the counter for a little while, because I think it would help some of you be a little less cynical and doomy right now. so here is my VERY anecdotal data:
11666112496
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Converge @convergec.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Season 2 of the Academic Adventures podcast is here! To celebrate #IWD2025 we're delighted to welcome Prof Gillian Fleming from @mintventures.bsky.social for a great convo about supporting women-led businesses and female entrepreneurs. Listen here www.convergechallenge.com/the-academic....
042
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
This International Women's Day, I'm thinking about how it wasn't required for NIH-sponsored trials to include women until 1993.
6595196
Karen McGregor @kmcgrgr.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Solidarity with everyone taking part in #March7Science #StandUpForScience 🧪events today. And a massive well done to the organisers, you are all awesome 👏👏👏
021
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Robin Hayward 🌳 🏳️‍⚧️ @canopyrobin.com · 28/02/2025
A 1-page summary and a 3-page leaflet of our PRIDE Guidelines for LGBTQ+ inclusive fieldwork are available at inclusivefieldwork.leeds.ac.uk/pride. We recommend that the single page can be shared as flyers or posters, while the leaflet can function as a guide to more thoughtful fieldwork planning 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
A flyer entitled "let's talk about inclusive fieldwork" with lots of text. Full accessible version available via the link in post.Page 1 of the pride fieldwork guidelines with lots of text but highlighting that fieldwork needs to be safe inclusive and equitable. Full accessible version available via the link in post.Page 2 of the pride fieldwork guidelines with lots of text, showing a step by step path to more inclusive fieldwork. Full accessible version available via the link in post.Page 3 of the pride fieldwork guidelines with lots of text and indicating options for what to do next. Full accessible version available via the link in post.
12110
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Dr Kevin Guyan @kevinguyan.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
YES! Calls for 'more categories' or 'more inclusive' rules for changing gender markers is the wrong approach. We instead need to expose the inherent violence of classification systems for queer communities and fight for a future without the use of gender markers on passports.
1257
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Lisa Schiff @lschiff.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Today’s @scholarlykitchen.bsky.social post from @alicemeadows.bsky.social ‬is on the Declaration to #DefendResearch. Read, sign, then share! We can #resist! Thank you Alice, @camitchell.bsky.social, @rouhiroo.bsky.social, and @petersuber.bsky.social! scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/02/19/d...
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org
Declaration To #DefendResearch Against US Government Censorship - The Scholarly Kitchen
In response to US government efforts to censor research and researchers, a small group of scholarly communications professionals have launched a Declaration to defend research. Learn more in today's p...
0159
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Veronica Lewis, M.Ed. 👩‍🦯 @veron4ica.com · 29/11/2024
I’m glad so many people have found my “capybara method” for how to write alt text and image descriptions helpful! However, I know conflicting access needs exist and not everyone can write their own #AltText, so here’s an ongoing thread of tools that can help. Inclusion in thread ≠ endorsement
An infographic titled “How To Write Alt Text” featuring a photo of a capybara. Parts of alt text are divided by color, including identify who, expression, description, colour, and interesting features. The finished description reads “A capybara looking relaxed in a hot spa. Yellow yuzu fruits are floating in the water, and one is balanced on the top of the capybara’s head.” Credit to Puzzle agency, original information from Veronica With Four Eyes and veroniiiica dot com
7425901434
Reposted by Karen McGregor
Yorkshire Bylines @yorkshirebylines.co.uk · 12/02/2025
✍️ New research reveals prejudice facing asexual people in England A new King’s College London study finds that understanding of asexuality is poor – and people don’t feel shy about expressing their prejudice By Jennie Kermode @jenniekermode.bsky.social
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
New research reveals prejudice facing asexual people in England
A new King’s College London study finds that understanding of asexuality is poor – and people don’t feel shy about expressing their prejudice
13310