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Natalie Hempel

@nataliehempel.bsky.social
373 followers 150 following 15 posts

Neuroethologist, research on animal senses, colour vision, insect learning, pollination, navigation, bees. Assoc Prof Exeter Uni, Mother, she/her/hers

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Reposted by Natalie Hempel
Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Sign our petition if you haven’t already (39k have!) www.change.org/p/stop-redun...
change.org
Sign the Petition
Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter
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Reposted by Natalie Hempel
Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Our branch membership has increased by over 20%. Our members are more engaged than ever before, and exec and the membership understand each other better too. We have worked hard with our comms to keep it positive and professional, and we’ve had massive public support from across the pol spectrum.
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Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
My 3rd thread on the dispute at Exeter Uni. What are we fighting for? Is it just to save jobs? No. We need a workplace that is run by the expert professionals that make up the staff body. This 🧵 explains the governance reform proposals we have put to Council, Senate and the Uni Exec #DefendExeterUni
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Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
It also became clear that Uni exec were leaning on the advice of a consultancy firm that has been shaping HE policy in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK: Nous (or Nousferatu, as they’re now known). The fact VCs and others are delegating policy to consultants, despite £400k salaries, is disgusting
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Reposted by Natalie Hempel
Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A thread on the dispute at Exeter Uni. #ucu #defendexeteruni @ucu.org.uk On 15 June HR called Exeter UCU into a confidential meeting and informed us they would be putting over 500 colleagues at risk of redundancy and expected to loose around 200 staff. The number of c.150 you’ll have seen is FTE.
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Anna Alexandrova @annaalexandrova.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Losing Exeter philosophers of science would be devastating to our field and to the international standing of U.K. universities. Please help us publicise this letter and put pressure to the Exeter execs. Their work as teachers and researchers is irreplaceable #philsci #HigherEd
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Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
The government has effectively outsourced HE policy to consultants, including Nous, KPMG and others. At Exeter it’s Nous www.theferret.scot/consultancy-...
theferret.scot
‘Nousferatu’: the notorious consultancy advising Edinburgh uni amid 'huge' cuts
Scotland’s largest university has turned to Nous Group at the same time as it is making savings that could lead to nearly 2,000 job losses. Staff say they were misled about the extent of its work.
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Iain Soutar @isoutar.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Can we do without the humanities, arts and social sciences in this day and age?
spectator.com
We sacrifice the humanities at our peril
Another month, another of our great universities making brutal cuts. At Exeter (motto: lucem sequimur, ‘we follow the light’) over 500 members of staff have been notified their jobs are at risk in a p...
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Drew Schreiner @schreinerdrew.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Looks like a very useful neuroscience funding searcher from the good folks @thetransmitter.bsky.social
thetransmitter.org
Neuroscience Grants Funding Finder
Discover grants, fellowships and funding opportunities for neuroscience research at all career stages.
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Christian Drerup @handle.invalid · 23/07/2026
Ever wondered what mosquito pupae do when they get flushed out of their aquatic habitat? The answer surprised us - and might surprise you too. 🦟 📍Room 500 | 🕓 4:45 pm | #ISBE2026 @isbe2026.bsky.social
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Björn Brembs @brembs.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 17/07/2026
"If we still believe that science is a vocation grounded in argument, curiosity and care, we can’t delegate judgement to machines" www.timeshighereducation.com/opinio… #ai #peerreview #academia
timeshighereducation.com
AI is not a peer, so it can’t do peer review
If we still believe that science is a vocation grounded in argument, curiosity and care, we can’t delegate judgement to machines, says Akhil Bhardwaj
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Natalie Hempel @nataliehempel.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The proposed job cuts at the University of Exeter are unnecessary and sudden, and target the Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour. We are grateful to all colleagues from the UK and around the world for your efforts and support. Thank you for standing with us!
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Bibiana Rojas @biobiiana.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
See you in Vienna next year! 🦋🐒🦜🪲🦒🐸🐿️🦎🐠🐋🐌🕷️
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Bibiana Rojas @biobiiana.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
My years at CRAB as a PhD student impacted hugely, and in the most ➕ ways, the researcher I came to be. Even if I changed unis half way through, I’ll be forever grateful to the CRAB community for their support and encouragement. I hope the university realises how important they’re for our field!
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Bibiana Rojas @biobiiana.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Have you ever thought of all what animals can do when predation is not a big issue? In this review 👉 doi.org/10.1016/bs.a... @maribelrm.bsky.social @juancarvajalcastro.bsky.social and I show how aposematism can be viewed as an “umbrella trait” influencing multiple aspects of its bearers' lives🔴🟡⚫
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PEC Exeter @pec-exeter.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
So much support from the animal behaviour research community, and many others, who have signed this letter. Thank you. Your care, concern and kind words at this time provides such encouragement.
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Darren Croft @darrencroft.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
The proposed job cuts at the University of Exeter threaten our amazing Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour (CRAB). The support from the community over the last few weeks has been overwhelming. I really can't express how much it means to all of us. Thank you, everyone, for standing with us.
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Adam Rutherford @adamrutherford.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
I've signed and sent a letter - from authors, broadcasters, journalists, artists, scholars and performers - to express our deep concern at @exeter.ac.uk’s troubling plans to make mass redundancies within the Humanities Dept @uniofexeterhass.bsky.social. I would love it if you read and shared widely.
Dear Vice Chancellor, Provost, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Humanities,
Arts and Social Sciences and Chair of Council (cc Director of Human Resources and Chief Financial
Officer)
We write, as authors, broadcasters, journalists, artists, publishers, academics and performers in the public
sphere, to express our deep concern at the University of Exeter’s plans to make redundancies within the
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS). The cuts come at a point when Exeter is not in
deficit, and they are not distributed equally across the university. With 114 of the proposed 153 FTE
academic redundancies falling within HASS, the University is dismantling areas of established excellence
and international renown in a Russell Group University whose reputation is known to be outstanding in the
Humanities. Several of the disciplines subject to the proposed cuts, including Classics and Ancient History,
English and Creative Writing, History, and Theology and Religion are among the UK’s strongest according
to league tables, the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF),
and other recognised indicators, including QS World Rankings.
The extent of the proposed cuts is both shocking and misguided. Exeter is seeking to make up to 20
academics redundant in English and Creative Writing, out of a headcount of 62. In Languages and Visual
Culture upwards of 17 colleagues will be made redundant, decimating subjects including Art History and
Visual Culture, French, German, Italian, Hispanic Studies, Russian and Chinese. 5 posts will go or have
gone in Classics and Ancient History (2 academics have already left), out of a staff body of 20. In Theology
and Religion up to 5 academics will be made redundant out of a group of 13. In History over 17 colleagues
will be made redundant, out of a staff body of 53. In the Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies staff are
facing a headcount reduction of almost a third (6FTE out …
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Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Answer to sub head: yes. Industrial strength with save HE, but more broadly, we need everyone to get stuck in. We can’t leave this sector to managers and wonks. They just don’t know how to consult and lead.
newstatesman.com
How to kill a university's reputation
After Exeter’s announcement that it will cut 150 academic jobs, is there any hope for higher education?
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Iain Soutar @isoutar.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Is 29,900 signatures a lot? It does sound like a lot.
change.org
Sign the Petition
Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter
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Reposted by Natalie Hempel
Exeter UCU @exeterucu.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Nearly half of the academic staff in the Environment and Sustainability Institute at the Penryn Campus are now at risk of redundancy. Putting your world-leading staff at risk is not sustainable! 🌍🔥[1/4]
Photo of dried out land, with overlay text reading "THIS IS NOT SUSTAINBALE" and the headline: "University in talks to cut about 150 staff".
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Helen Hanson 🗃️🎞️🎥🎬📚 @helenexeter.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Excellent educators and researchers at the University of Exeter are at risk of redundancy. c.150 job roles will be cut across Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences, Climate Science and more. Please share & sign the petition here: www.change.org/p/stop-redun... @exeterucu.bsky.social #DefendExeterUni
change.org
Sign the Petition
Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter
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Robert Gumpert @ragumpert.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Interview ‘I’m not a quitter!’ Rubén Blades, the salsa supremo who acted with Jack Nicholson, inspired Bad Bunny – and served as Panama’s tourism minister www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
theguardian.com
‘I’m not a quitter!’ Rubén Blades, the salsa supremo who acted with Jack Nicholson, inspired Bad Bunny – and served as Panama’s tourism minister
As he prepares to play the UK, the 25-Grammy-winning musician (and Harvard law graduate) looks back on his astonishing journey from the barrios of Panama City to global stardom
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Stephen Montgomery @ebablab.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
@crab-exeter.bsky.social are a fantastic group of researchers, and a real beacon of excellence for Exeter. What a huge and deeply sad act of self sabotage this would be. Please consider signing their open letter👇🏻
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Lauren Brent @ljnbrent.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Update from the Univ of Exeter redundancy front... disappointing reading from top to bottom
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Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
A letter in The Times in defence of the humanities at Exeter. Exeter has a degree of social capital that other institutions do not, but also the scandal here is we’re not in deficit and have loadsa cash. So if this debate can compel a rethink on of the funding model for HE, I’ll be delighted
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Iain Soutar @isoutar.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
This open letter has attracted 200 signatures already. If you haven't already, please do consider taking 2 mins to sign to help support our research and teaching.
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Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
PSA, BISA and UACES joint letter in support of my own discipline at Exeter, currently facing decimation.
bisa.ac.uk
Letter of support: Proposed changes at the University of Exeter
Letter to the University of Exeter from PSA, BISA and UACES concerning proposed PIR redundancies.
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Stu West @stuwest.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
The University of Exeter have announced a programme of academic staff cuts, including all of www.exeter.ac.uk/research/gro... Sign the open letter of support at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... @crab-exeter.bsky.social
exeter.ac.uk
Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour (CRAB) | Research Groups | University of Exeter
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Iain Soutar @isoutar.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Is 20k a lot? It sounds like a lot.
bbc.co.uk
Nearly 20K sign petition to stop University of Exeter job cuts
The university says the measures which would hit Devon and Cornwall posts were currently proposals.
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Exeter UCU @exeterucu.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
We just had a meeting with over 700 (!!) of our members and OVERWHELMINGLY voted in favour of a motion to calling for a strike ballot! 🩷 We're doing this together. We are the University! #DefendExeterUni.
EXETER UCU VOTES IN FAVOUR OF MOTION CALLING FOR STRIKE BALLOT
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Greg Jenner (Historian) @gregjenner.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
The crisis in UK higher education is worsening week by week — Exeter University is one of the best in the UK, with superb lecturers (and several You’re Dead To Me guests), but it’s planning massive job cuts in History, Archaeology, Classics — see the petition below to lend your voice in support
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Exeter UCU @exeterucu.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Hey Bluesky crowd! You also should be signing our petition opposing the announced redundancies at the University of Exeter. 📢 We're 17k and growing! Redundancies ARE NOT necessary and we must #DefendExeterUni 🩷 c.org/RFqMvrKb6z
c.org
Sign the Petition
Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter
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Liesbeth Corens @onslies.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
This petition needs as many signatories as the Exeter one. Please sign and share — don’t let Hertfordshire managers get away with this just because a Russell Group one took the spotlight. #UKHE
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Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
We just ran a branch meeting to pass a strike motion that attracted 707 members!!! I meant whaaaat?! And we passed the six amendments, and the motion itself in half an hour! WTF! And we had time for a discussion to close!!!! Boss chairing by yours truly and Michael Flexer. @exeterucu.bsky.social
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Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Read this and weep, @uniexecec.bsky.social
theguardian.com
‘Please think again’: fury over Exeter University plan to scrap dozens of humanities posts
Rowan Williams and Mark Kermode join campaign against proposed cuts for arts and social sciences
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Iain Soutar @isoutar.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
I don't usually share stuff from LinkedIn here, but this is important. If you have 30 seconds today, please jump on to Karen's post and feel free to like and share... www.linkedin.com/posts/iainso...
linkedin.com
#defendexeteruni #defendexeterunicornwall | Iain Soutar
This post is, as they say, 'doing numbers'. If you haven't already, please comment, like, and share far and wide! And also, #DefendExeterUni #DefendExeterUniCornwall, obvs.
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Something deeply troubling & shocking is happening at Exeter University*, where a mass cull of staff is planned, even though it's in surplus. No good justifications given. @jamesgdyke.info provides the details: www.technosphere.earth/the-bonfire-... *Disclosure: I have a Visiting Fellowship here. +🧵
technosphere.earth
The bonfire of the humanities
150 academic posts at the University of Exeter are to be cut, most in the humanities but also in social sciences, engineering and environmental sciences
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Abilu Tangwa. @abilutangwa.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
What they taught in school: GDP up = good. What they left out: The atmosphere has a limit Soil can die Water runs out 8 billion people need a living planet, not just a growing economy
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Sophie Mowles @sophiemowles.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Haven't seen any Emperors yet, but I did kneel to pay my respects to a Pasha. Two-tailed Pasha (𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘹𝘦𝘴 𝘫𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘶𝘴) photographed in Gard, France. #butterfly #butterflies #entomology #Lepidoptera
A Two-tailed Pasha butterfly on a white gravel path.
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Cassandra Lowe @cassandralowe.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
As someone who was told their role is “at risk” this week, what is not captured is how abrupt the announcement was made. Within minutes of an all staff meeting announcing redundancies those impacted were contacted. bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
University of Exeter in talks to cut about 150 members of staff
The university says it is consulting with colleagues over "limited and specific potential changes".
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Lauren Brent @ljnbrent.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
The University of Exeter is not in budget deficit. Yet are proposing to cut 150 academic jobs. This include my job. Please sign and share the petition, write our Vice Chancellor, to your MP, and get the word out about the act of self harm this university is about to commit. c.org/yKcx6Zr29H
c.org
This campaign needs you now
Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter
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Katherine McDonald @katherinemcdon.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Ok, look, what's been particularly infuriating about the redundancies at Exeter (and Nottingham and Newcastle and and and) is this weird idea that it only affects those individuals and institutions. It harms us all because we are so closely interconnected.
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Ben Phillips @benphillips1989.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
A statement from Exeter UCU branch @ucu.org.uk - please share far and wide.
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Natalie Hempel @nataliehempel.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
500 academics are threatened with compulsory redundancy at the University of Exeter, most in Humanities, and also in the Sciences arbitrarily targeting diverse research groups. The university is in a strong financial position. Support us, sign this petition c.org/yKcx6Zr29H
c.org
This campaign needs you now
Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter
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Francesca Stavrakopoulou @proffrancesca.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I’d love it if you’d sign this. It might not prevent me and my colleagues losing our jobs, but it will draw attention to the ideological vandalism being perpetrated by the wealthy execs running our university. Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter - sign the petition below! c.org/NpvY4sR9gH
c.org
Sign the Petition
Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter
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Dr Laura Sangha @lsangha.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I'm taking some time out from social media after full details of how the redundancies in Humanities and the Social Sciences at the University of Exeter will happen were shared this morning and I need some time. Be excellent to each other folks.
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Stanley Heinze @stanley-heinze.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
After 5 years of developing, a new preprint from the lab - introducing our workflow for comparative insect connectomics, aimed at democratizing connectomics. @erc.europa.eu @lundvision.bsky.social @biologylu.bsky.social Read it here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
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Animal Behaviour Collective @abcmicrogrants.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Let’s celebrate women and girls in science on this International Day of Women and Girls in Science! UNESCO reports that women represent only 35% of STEM graduates, about 1/3 of researchers worldwide, and just 1/10 STEM leaders.
ABC celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science
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Adriana Darielle Mejía Briscoe @adrianabriscoe.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
Reading: Discovery of rapamycin was an unexpected benefit of studying Easter Island’s Indigenous people theconversation.com/a-billion-do...
theconversation.com
A billion-dollar drug was found in Easter Island soil – what scientists and companies owe the Indigenous people they studied
Cancer. Diabetes. Aging itself. Rapamycin’s potential to treat an array of diseases has been a source of scientific fascination. But many aren’t aware of its origins – and its complicated legacy.
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