iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Delighted to be part of this week’s Webinar Week at @pharostutors.bsky.social! Tomorrow I’ll be talking Negative Space and how it can help you, including some additions on open-ended #NegativeSpace. Booking via the link in the post below… #FamilyHistory #Genealogy

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

"There's more to STEM than being in a lab..." Fab to see this promo short for #BSW26 Yes, there's awesome lab work going on in #science, but SO much more besides. Taking science of all kinds out into the world & engaging with its relevance to people's lives is a tremendous experience too.

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Thanks Teresa - delighted to hear that you found my Confirmation Bias article useful! Best of luck with the onward research. I have some exciting projects TBA soon on the #ResearchMethods front, so do watch this space :)

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Thanks, Julie - will be great to have you with us tonight! All set here and there'll be a combo of quiz questions and mid-session discussion alongside the talk and Q&A, so bring your best #DNA chat 😊 #GeneticGenealogy

Six Hats for Genetic Genealogy, a talk by Dr. Sophie Kay of Khronicle. A DNA helix and several images of hats are arranged around the title slide

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

A waiting game ahead for us all. I'm unsure at present of the date set for the next hearing - don't know whether that's in the Times' reporting (which I don't have a sub to).

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Agreed. I was stunned when I heard - it smacks of corporate entitlement & greed in the highest. And worrying too: were Ancestry to succeed with this case, what implications does it have for the many other #archives out there who might then be subject to the same treatment? #history #genealogy

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

I and many others in the #research world will watch this case very closely. It'd set a dangerous precedent if any archive in this kind of situation were legally forced to permit records access by a commercial co., when those records are *already* available to the public on a pay-per-view model...

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Great piece from @chrismpaton.bsky.social on Ancestry taking the NRS to court because they don't wish to have their records on the Ancestry platform. I'm backing the NRS all the way on this #genealogy #archives #FamilyHistory #history scottishgenes.blogspot.com/2025/09/ance...

scottishgenes.blogspot.com

Ancestry and the NRS - when the corporate genealogy world turns ugly

From Scotland, a daily news blog about genealogy, family history and personal heritage.

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Almost home after our #DNA session in Liverpool yesterday. Thanks to the wonderful audience for their many & varied discussion points - both during and after! HUGE thanks to the organisers & volunteers for #bsf25 who've made the magic happen this past week. I'd love to join you again next year!

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Thanks for this Megan :) And *really* good to hear that the legal system did give way for your #adoptee client in the end - I don't doubt it was a hard-won result. I hope this makes his onward path that little bit smoother from here, tho I know it's a long & complex journey.

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Thanks, Meryl! In my case it was actually physical recovery I was referring to, tho agree that we ALL need to give proper time to the emotional care as well 👍 Think we need to see a photo of this new purchase too...

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Sounds like it might have been one of your talks Jane was thinking of, Joe! I've mentioned Gephi in passing in a few of mine this year, but it was 2024 when I last delivered a full Gephi workshop (returning in 2026 😉). Bring on the big screens, eh?!

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Important footnote - no pun intended 😉 - I've always found my Ruby Shoos (I own multiple pairs!) to have amazing arch support - super comfortable 👍

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Ah, but thankfully science doesn't stop for the rain! Onwards and upwards 💪 #bsf25

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Thanks! And really comfortable too 😁 #WinWin

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

This is fab to hear - thank you! We're going to be bringing #history and #science together in this one - and seeing how each feeds into the other when it comes to parent- and g'parent-tracing cases. It's wonderful when two disciplines really can come together in rich, productive ways 🙂

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

...and keep doing you. When we take a narrow view of who gets to "be" a scientist, then a lot of people select themselves out of this world silently. Some of the best colleagues I've had over the years were also the most unconventional 😁

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

There's room for us ALL in #science, folks - whether you're into heels or flats, brights or neutrals. This is why I love the community-focused approach at events like #bsf25. Yes, there's fab science going on in academia and industry, but it's also about how we as a culture "see" scientists too...

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Some years ago I spent a lot of time working access initiatives for young ppl interested in #science. Some young women would come up to me afterwards to tell me they 'hadn't known they could dress like that AND be a scientist'. Helping ppl see a broader view of who's allowed in the room is VITAL

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Thanks! Yep, I'm co-presenting one of the #bsf25 Presidential sessions, alongside Chamion Caballero and Arlene Nelson. I think there should be some terrific debate and qus in the room today and I can't wait to see everyone!

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

And behind my jocular comment, there's also a serious message: make sure you do YOU - there should be room for everyone in #science Over the years I've had a LOT of ppl tell me not to wear the flamboyant shoes as "no-one will take you seriously". I have always resolutely ignored this 'advice' 😉

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

7am start today to head up country for my #DNA session at #bsf25. Hopefully into Liverpool for midday! May I also remind you that Awesome #Science demands the very best shoes. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise 😉

woman's foot wearing a chunky, high-heeled shoe in a bright turquoise colour

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Glad you're enjoying it! A glorious combo of archaeology, history and genealogy to keep you happy there😀

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Gephi is a wonder for all sorts of network analysis and network display questions! It's one of the reasons I'm finally going to buy a separate (large) screen when I replace my laptop in the coming weeks 😄

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Ha, yes - and thankfully the rain mostly held off whilst we were in Norton Disney, until the closing minutes of Day 3 😁

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Thanks, Julie! Had been waiting 'til all 3 eps went live before posting about this one - it was a TERRIFIC @timeteam.bsky.social weekend to be part of 😊 (though admittedly not my first - for that you have to go back to Modbury in June '23!)

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

I may have to ease myself back into the art of social media conversation...it feels so long that I worry I'll have forgotten how 🫠 But if the company's good, the #research is good, and there's good craic, I'm in 🥳

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Congrats on publication - fantastic news! And glad your monthly blog goal is bearing fruit too - it's a habit I really need to get back into. Perhaps you and the other #WritersOfBluesky will have to hold me accountable 'til I get back to resuming regular posts 😀

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Great to hear you've been working on similar cases across the other side of the pond - I hope it unfolds well. TMM's "Brown Babies" group is terrific & I continue to learn so much by working with them. It's a truly global community & we've plans for public outputs in future: watch this space!

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Well, folks - my first day back on social media in a while. Combo of a wildly busy year & an emergency medical incident in May (of the ambulance to hospital kind). Recovery is important. Consider this thread your virtual 'water cooler': tell me your news. Surprise me. What did I miss?

Illustration of people standing around a water cooler. Image c/o Getty Images, licensed via Unsplash+

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Thanks, Tony - busy but exciting times ahead! :)

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

And just in case any of you might be wondering, my new role with The Mixed Museum will be running alongside my other pro commitments. Which means I'm still very much 'at the chalkface' with client research, talks, writing and genealogical endeavours...so keep the conversation coming on that front 😁

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Thanks, Claire! TMM are utterly wonderful to work with, so it'll be great to see how our project unfolds from here. PLENTY of exciting things in the pipeline 🧬😊

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

A couple of things about our #bsf25 session, #DNA and Identity... 👉 We've had a venue change from the original listing and are now on at the fab Bluecoat on School Lane 👉 Advance tickets have SOLD OUT but some walk-ins will be permitted on the day, subject to capacity 👉 Expect LOTS of audience Q&A!

Find us at venues across Liverpool - British Science Festival, Liverpool, 10 - 14 Sep 2025

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

In Liverpool on 13 Sept? The Mixed Museum & I are delivering one of the Presidential sessions for the British #Science Festival #bsf25 We're talking about the power, positives & pitfalls of DNA testing - and how to navigate them: britishscienceassociation-tickets.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

British Science Festival, Liverpool 10 - 14 September 2025. All events are free - book now!

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Exciting news to share here - I've been appointed as the inaugural Scientist in Residence at The Mixed Museum! My work will centre around the use of #DNA testing to unite #science and #history, in particular through parent & grandparent tracing #scicomm mixedmuseum.org.uk/news/the-mix...

mixedmuseum.org.uk

The Mixed Museum Launches Scientist in Residence Programme

F Scientist in Residence programme with Dr Sophie Kay, building on DNA and identity work with Britain’s ‘brown babies’.

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Why thank you! Was great to have you in the audience - and glad to hear you enjoyed the #census nuggets on offer… :)

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Congratulations, Sylvia - terrific news! 🥂

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

This sounds terrific, Dave - will look forward to reading the finished thing in due course, as I know it'll undoubtedly be a gem! Good luck with the rest of the writing 😊

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Ahhh, thanks Phil 🙂 Planning for this one to be both fun and practical - whilst hopefully progressing people's #FamilyHistory #research too!

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

As always, it's been a busy time here on the research front, but today's article is about new horizons - along with the announcement that I've stepped down from the Certificate programmes in #DNA and #GeneticGenealogy at IHGS. #FamilyHistory More below: parchmentrustler.com/genetics/cha...

parchmentrustler.com

Change is the Only Constant

In a return to blogging for many months, Dr. Sophie Kay explores new directions in genetic and traditional genealogy at The Parchment Rustler and beyond, and provides an update on her DNA education…

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

...and still make tasty puddings in it, I hope? (Mmmh, Sussex pond pudding comes to mind for starters...)

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Dr. Sophie Kay @scientistsoph.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Tonight we're delving into search strategies: wildcarding, how Soundex really works, and how to deal with negative searches... There'll be plenty of (optional) hands-on exercises to get you progressing your own #FamilyHistory #research as we go!

Research Skills Studio - week 1: search superpowers, by Dr. Sophie Kay. Graphic shows a magnifying glass floating in the air

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