iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 19/09/2026

Last night, we drove off the zombie dragonborn pirate captain and his crew with relative ease, but were nearly defeated by the ultimate final boss of #DnD: a locked door!

Six D&D minis on a table. Three are on a raft, the other three are in the water, fighting an octopus.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 17/09/2026

Almost recovered from an amazing week in Sheffield, attending the inaugural International Research Software Conference, celebrating 10 years of the RSE Conference, representing @society-rse.org and @softwaresaved.bsky.social, and talking about Mental Health & The ConveRSE Project. #IRSC26 #RSECon26

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 07/09/2026

We're in Sheffield this week for the first International Research Software Conference.

A water bottle on the shape of Feathers McGraw, sitting on a desk in a lecture theatre

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 16/07/2026

We're in Manchester this week for a meeting of @softwaresaved.bsky.social Fellows. Looking forward to catching up and some exciting collaborations.

A Feathers McGraw water bottle on a table at a conference.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 16/07/2026

Remember to stay hydrated in this hot weather! #Dog #BassetHound

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 10/07/2026

Earlier this week, Feathers and I were in Sheffield for the N8CIR RSE Meetup, sharing some conclusions and insights on #MentalHealth from the ConveRSE project. converse.mdsimpson.co.uk

A Feathers McGraw water bottle on a table at a conference, along with some ConveRSE stickers and leaflets

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 23/06/2026

Everyone talks about how bad stepping on Lego is, but I think I've found a more dangerous hobby!

A trio of 4-sided dice (d4s) from different dice sets. They're metal or acrylic triangular pyramids and very pointy!

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 09/06/2026

Enjoying my rewatch of Enterprise. I just have one note: was it really necessary for them to be in their underwear in that scene? Which episode? Well, urm... all of them!?

Poster for Star Trek: Enterprise, featuring the ship and the crew

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 02/06/2026

A lot of people have been describing Mando/Grogu as "fun but..." Are things not allowed to just be fun any more? I'd come at it from the other angle. It's a mess of terrible CGI, pacing issues and a complete lack of stakes or impact on the wider story... BUT it's fun!"

An image of Mando with Grogu on his shoulder, illuminated by red and green neon light.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 07/05/2026

Last week, I was at the @softwaresaved.bsky.social Collaborations Workshop at the ICC in Belfast. I was delighted to be involved in so many interesting conversations and projects, but I was also there to give a lightning talk with updates on the ConveRSE project. #CollabW26

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 28/04/2026

This week, we're in Belfast for the @softwaresaved.bsky.social #CollabW26. Looking forward to lots of interesting conversations with new and familiar faces.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 16/04/2026

So, I'm working my way through my Easter eggs and I just got to the Cadbury one and... WHAT IN THE SHRINKFLATION AND ENSHITTIFIATION HELL IS THIS!? One Twirl? And not even a normal packet, but ONE. SINGULAR. 🤬ing Twirl?

A photo of a single Cadbury Twirl in a wrapper - not a double one, a SINGLE Twirl!

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 30/03/2026

Brightening up your timeline with one of my favourite pictures from this time of year. 🌸

A photo of some pink cherry blossom, backlight by the sun

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 23/03/2026

This week, we're in Manchester for the N8 CIR's Digital Research Infrastructure Retreat. It's my first time, so I'm not sure what to expect, but I'm looking forward to some interesting discussions over the next few days! 🤓

A Feathers McGraw water bottle on a table at a conference, with other tables and lots of people in the background.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 12/03/2026

Spotted a rainbow on our way up to meet the other @society-rse.org trustees in Edinburgh, where we'll be collaborating on key challenges and making plans for the future.

A photo of a Feathers McGraw water bottle in front of a train window. In the background are grey skies, Scottish fields and a rainbow.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 06/03/2026

Shadowheart has clearly never tried to arrange a regular DnD game with adult friends! #BaldursGate3 #DungeonsAndDragons

A screenshot of Shadowheart from Baldur's Gate 3 saying "After all, we've faced down bigger threats than wrangling together a few social calendars".

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 24/02/2026

Feathers and I are experiencing sunshine for what feels like the first time this year! We're also in Oxfordshire to talk about mental health with RSEs and their colleagues at UKAEA.

A water bottle in the shape of Feathers McGraw from Wallace and Gromit, next to a laptop with a slide on it that says "Let's Talk About Mental Health"

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 11/02/2026

This week, Feathers and I have been on a long and exhausting journey... upstairs, to join some visiting colleagues for a workshop on Greening Digital Research and the DIRECT Framework.

A water bottle in the shape of Feathers McGraw from Wallace and Gromit, next to a laptop and a digital notebook on a desk in a meeting room.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 05/02/2026

This week, Feathers and I are at a meeting for RSE Leaders & Aspiring Leaders in Leeds, hosted by the N8CIR

A water bottle in the shape of Feathers McGraw from the Wallace and Gromit films sitting on a table in a meeting

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 19/01/2026

Feathers is on the road again! This time we're attending a DisCouRSE focus group on Team Culture and Leadership in the dRTP space.

A water bottle with Feathers McGraw from the Wallace and Gromit films sitting on a train

A water bottle with Feathers McGraw from the Wallace and Gromit films sitting on a table in a meeting room with people in the background

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 23/12/2025

The fact that these morons haven't realised yet that arresting her is only amplifying her message! 🤦🏻‍♂️

A scene from Futurama. Leela is saying "Second, everything else that's horribly wrong with what you're doing".

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 23/12/2025

I do so love getting packages from The Discworld Emporium (@discworldemporium.bsky.social). (Spoiler alert, some of you may be getting Hogswatch presents from the #Discworld Emporium!)

A package covered in Discworld stamps. One says "Ankh-Morpork Post Office" another says "Happy Hogswatch" and it has a stamp with a picture of Lord Vetinari.

A certificate saying that my package has been inspected by the Ankh-Morpork Guild of Thieves.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 14/12/2025

In this year's production of A Christmas Carol, the role of Scrooge will be played by... #Dog #BassetHound

A basset hound looking grumpily out of the window with a Christmas tree in the background

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 13/11/2025

I think I might be cursed! I'm still going to carry on with my review of the game for my Year of Gaming challenge, but by the time it comes out, you won't be able to buy it! 😂

A screenshot of Mike's Steam activity. On November 6th, he played Battlestar Galactica Deadlock for the first time. On November 7th, the developers announced that the game will no longer be sold from November 15th!

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 11/11/2025

CinemaSins getting a bit too real in their Thunderbolts video!

Subtitles from the video "Everything Wrong with Thunderbolts" by CimenaSins. The subtitles read "No! The point of work is to earn money to pay the bills that billionaires refuse to pay on our behalf until we die unhappy and in debt!"

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 08/10/2025

Thank you to everyone who came to my talk at #RSECon25, and all the others over the last few months. It's been amazing to hear all the kind words and to see all the support for better #MentalHealth in our community. Let's keep the conversation going: mdsimpson42.github.io/converse/joi...

Mike Simpson looking nervous during a talk at the 2025 UK RSE Conference. He's standing at the front of the room next to a lecturn, wearing a black SSI t-shirt and green Mental Health First Aider lanyard.

Photo by Squire & Squire Photography.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 09/09/2025

Got to meet nerd royalty at #RSECon25: the hilarious Matt Parker (@standupmaths.bsky.social). 🤓

A photo of me standing next to Matt Parker.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 04/09/2025

Come and say hi if you see me at #RSECon25 next week, and stop by the @softwaresaved.bsky.social stand to pick up the brand-new, version 2.0 "Let's Talk About Mental Health" leaflets and stickers. mdsimpson42.github.io/converse/

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 29/08/2025

In September, I'll be back on the road, bringing my talk to #RSECon25, #RSAA25 and @theturing.bsky.social. I'll discuss what I've been up to so far, the ConveRSE website and future plans for my @softwaresaved.bsky.social Fellowship.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 26/08/2025

Anyone else playing Apocalypse Bingo? 😬

A photo of a massive locust in a person's hand. Headline reads: "First Egyptian Locust found in Cornwall garden this year".

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 14/08/2025

Inventor of the real-life Torment Nexus from the book "Don't Create the Torment Nexus" is surprised that it is being used for torment.

A screenshot of a headline about OpenAI CEO Sam Altmann saying "some folk are using AI in self-destructive ways"

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 21/06/2025

USB fan + power bank = portable cooling! 😎

A photo of a USB-powered fan, sitting on a table, plugged into to a small portable power bank. The fan has a magnetic, silver Star Trek comm badge attached to the centre of the casing.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 03/06/2025

One of the many, many highlights from @softwaresaved.bsky.social #CollabW25 was getting to meet my fellow Fellows and hearing about all the fascinating and varied work that everyone is doing. Still feeling amazed and honoured to be among them!

The 2025 SSI Fellows posing for a group photo. About 25 people standing or sitting in three rows.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 02/06/2025

This week, I'm heading to Lancaster, Durham and (virtually, unfortunately!) The Netherlands to deliver my @softwaresaved.bsky.social Fellowship #MentalHealth talk. Wish me luck!

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 27/05/2025

Well, I'm off, it's just me and the dog in the house... and, of course, it's raining! Oh well, time to get away from the screens for a bit and start a new #Lego set. 🤓

A partially assembled Lego Millennium Falcon (not the expensive one, unfortunately) next to the instruction manual.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 16/05/2025

Heading home after another amazing CW. It was great to catch up with faces old and new. Thank you to those who talked to me about mental health, I'm feeling inspired and excited to move forward. Thank you to Kyro and everyone at @softwaresaved.bsky.social for pulling it off once again! #CollabW25

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 13/05/2025

Delighted to announce 'ConveRSE' - the new online hub for #MentalHealth information, resources and support for people in the research software community - at @softwaresaved.bsky.social #CollabW25. More details and opportunities to contribute to follow in the coming weeks.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 12/05/2025

Racing through the beautiful Scottish countryside in glorious sunshine on my way to @softwaresaved.bsky.social #CollabW25. Excited for another few days of ideas and conversations, and giving my lightning talk, of course!

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 10/05/2025

Who's the worst guard dog in the whole damn world? #BassetHound #Dog

A photo of a basset hound taken from the living room window. His head is on the back of an armchair but he is fast asleep.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 08/05/2025

Last week, I qualified as a Mental Health First Aider to help me prepare for talking about #MentalHealth as part of my @SoftwareSaved.bsky.social Fellowship. I'll be at CW25 next week and I will have news of some other upcoming talks soon.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 01/05/2025

This is kinda my whole problem with them. The best response they can come up with for "why should I vote for you?" is "because we're not those guys!" 🙄

A Labour Party pamphlet with some graphs and text but the whole message is "Don't risk letting Reform win here"

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 16/04/2025

Figured some of you might need some emergency Marv this morning! #Dog #BassetHound

A basset hound lying on his back on the floor, looking seductively up at the camera.

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 12/04/2025

Oh, so it's our fault that there's no hand rails and the seats are small and uncomfortable, is it? 🙄

A photo of an advert on the new Tyne and Wear metro train which says "With 23,000 responses to our design consultation, your new metro was shaped by you."

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 10/04/2025

Another post I forgot to share! 🤦‍♂️ I appeared on an episode of @code4thought.bsky.social to talk about project management in GitHub. In this post, I provide some context and link to some related talks and resources. mdsimpson.co.uk/2025/03/byte...

The Code for thought Webpage, describing the episode 'ByteSized RSE: Project Management with GitHub'. Text reads: "English Edition: How can repository services like GitHub or GitLab help you manage your project. Listen to my conversation with three guests, Gemma Turon (Ersilia), Ben Clifford (Parsl) and Mike Simpson (Uni Newcastle) how they use GitHub PM tools effectively in their work."

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Mike Simpson @mdsimpson.co.uk · 03/04/2025

I realise I forgot to promote this. I wrote a blog post that gives a bit more context to my SSI fellowship (and links to my other blog post). #MentalHealth #RSEng mdsimpson.co.uk/2025/03/my-s...

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