iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 10/08/2026

Getting ready for Wednesday. 40 year refractor still doing the job despite sad neglect.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 04/08/2026

Close. So close. But not close enough.

Rain Radar showing heavy thunderstorms over Bristol, but sadly not over Bath.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 04/08/2026

@tonytoners.bsky.social We're currently doing a little bit of overdue data clear out and came across this gem. Are we OK to delete? Or is the research too important?

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 19/06/2026

This appeared in my Basecamp notifications this morning. Boy o boy, @mark-carney.bsky.social is going to be annoyed. Or maybe he'll support the @imascientist.org.uk pilot we're planning for the autumn / fall?

Basecamp notification: Assigned you: Canada

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 10/06/2026

Woo hoo. Waldegrave School has their first chat in imacomputerscientist.uk today. And it was also the 1,000th that we've run so far this academic year. Well done team @imascientist.org.uk

Graphic Shouting "Happy 1000th Chat!" with the five "I'm a..." programme project logos

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 06/06/2026

Do @moreincommonuk.bsky.social use swear word filters on their word clouds? I can't see the four letter word I normally associate with that

Word clouds describing Nigel Farage. Dangerous, Good, Racist stand out in Sept 2025. Racist is overwhelmingly dominant in May 2026.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 02/06/2026

I'm not saying it *is* a real issue for them but:

Screenshot from .gov.uk for Companies House Guidance and Regulation. There are two items: Verify your identity for CH & Verifying your identity for CH

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 18/05/2026

Nice to see that Career Advancement is on the increase and recently.

Line graph titled “Motivations for engagement” showing four motivations across 2006, 2015, and 2025. Enjoyment rises from 59% in 2006 to 63% in 2015 and 70% in 2025, remaining the highest motivation throughout. Informing the public increases from 51% to 56% to 60%. Societal relevance rises from 44% to 50% to 58%. Career advancement remains much lower, increasing from 6% to 7% to 18% by 2025.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 23/02/2026

We get notifications of booked chats in our Basecamp campfire. It helps us all see the rhythm of the organisation. Lots of bookings make a good day. What also makes a good day is seeing when the booking comes from a college that has been with us since Day One in June 2008.

Screenshot of a notification of a chat booking for Riverside College. It includes the detail that they are of the 2007/2008 cohort.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 11/02/2026

Had a lovely experience in the train home last night. Tony, a Swindon Community poet was writing a ‘Polaroid Poem’ describing what and who was around. It was the start of a wide-ranging conversation about film, politics and the fallacy of rose tinted glasses.

An A4 card with a handwritten poem on it

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 22/01/2026

St Paul and the Broken Bones were on fire tonight.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 28/11/2025

Has anyone here bought one of them Wildlife cameras with nightvision, Bluetooth download, solar power? Any recommendations on brand?

IR image of a tiger, but this one isn't in my garden.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 19/11/2025

This is the special request a teacher made today for their upcoming chat. It's the first time we've seen #sciencecapital mentioned by a teacher as the primary purpose of the chats. And it's for a girls school in London with nearly 50% FSM provision. A top priority for us.

Quote image cos algorithm with words: want to keep it open to anything they could think of to increase their science capital

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 06/11/2025

Very pleased to be back at #fallingwalls - looking forward to some excellent Engage pitches.

Berlin. Empty street. Falling Walls Science House across street. Blue Skies!

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 30/10/2025

Ah, excellent. I found some photos too. Even managed to find one (out of focus) of someone enjoying themselves. The fellow in the first one is the reason for the reminiscence. I noticed Jonathan Raper has just signed up for our new I'm a Geographer project.

Alok Jha and Jack Thurston. Alok is gesticulating.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 22/10/2025

Research in a newsletter today. Can't think why more Primary School Leaders are worried than Secondary. More seriously after 15 years of stability or rising numbers, the projected falls in numbers are going to be difficult.

An infographic showing concern about falling pupil numbers among school leaders. On the left, two circular graphics show statistics: "82% of senior primary school leaders are concerned" and "65% of senior secondary school leaders are concerned." In the background, a classroom scene with children and a teacher. On the right, text encourages readers to explore a “Research Bite” summarizing recent findings, quotes from leaders, and reflective questions to support school strategy and action planning.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 19/09/2025

Everywhere you turn in Bath this you find a Jane Austen cosplayer. I love it. But what are they doing other than dressing up? Are they attending readings? Balls at the Assembly Rooms?

Woman dressed in regency era clothing. Lilac dress bonnet. Sat outside The Raven.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 29/08/2025

If the WaPo can describe him correctly, why can't the British media. "a far-right British gadfly"

Screenshot of a news article excerpt describing Nigel Farage as a "far-right British gadfly" leading Reform UK, an "insurgent faction" that has recently surged in opinion polls.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 27/08/2025

Looks like it went well.

$A message from the Peterhead Academy Astronomy Elective teacher thanking the scientists for their time 🙌. The class is excited to revisit the Q\&A and use the ideas to shape their next elective topic! 🌠$

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 27/08/2025

And we're off again for another year of scintillating, surprising and superb chats. Teachers, get your students involved: imascientist.org.uk/signup/t/ Scientists, Mathematicians, Engineers, get yourself involved: imascientist.org.uk/signup/c/

A lively screenshot from an online “Meet the Scientists” chat with Peterhead Academy’s Astronomy Elective 🌌. Students and scientists are checking in, greeting each other, and talking about the weather before diving into space science discussions. ✨

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 17/07/2025

Looking forward to a nice day trip to London to attend the @big-stem-network.bsky.social event at @ri-science.bsky.social

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 10/07/2025

I love the way I can add it to my basket. I just need to proceed to checkout...

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 30/06/2025

We're hiring. We're looking for someone to take the lynchpin role on @imascientist.org.uk Based in our Central Bath office (with a/c today). More info: mangorol.la/2025/06/job-...

📢 Job Opportunity: Project Support

✅ Location: Beautiful Central Bath
✅ Hours: Full-time or Part-time
✅ Salary: £25,000 per year
✅ Start Date: September 2025
🗓️ Application Deadline: Friday 11th July

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 29/05/2025

One of the advantages of NOT working from home is that the mgt of your offices celebrate the important. This has just been delivered. Happy National Biscuit Day.

A pack of dark chocolate hob nob biscuits. Unopened. But not for long.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 23/05/2025

Just waiting on Northfield and Southfield schools...

Two new school chat booking requests just landed from Eastfield Primary Academy and Westfield Primary School—things are getting busy on I’m a Scientist!

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 10/05/2025

Glorious evening by Strangford Lough

Garden with sight of sea in the background.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 20/04/2025

But if you just read the search results... Misinformation relies on people not reading beyond the headline or the search results. It is so effective.

Screenshot of Google search results for “Jack Parsons,” featuring his Wikipedia entry describing him as an American rocket engineer, chemist, and Thelemite occultist. The “People also ask” section includes questions about his discoveries, death, connection to Aleister Crowley, and possible relation to Jim Parsons. Below are two article links: one from Supercluster titled “The occult history behind nasa’s jet propulsion lab” and another from Science History Institute titled “The Sex-Cult ‘Antichrist’ Who Rocketed Us to Space.”

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 07/04/2025

I can’t open the paper nowadays without some article or other by a good mate. Nice one @peteetchells.bsky.social

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 26/03/2025

It’s a beautiful spring evening.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 18/03/2025

"Orcas wearing salmon hats" wasn't on my bingo card of phrases to expect today. Another little surprise from @imascientist.org.uk

Alt-text: A screenshot of a social media conversation. The first message from user "true520khan" asks marine expert "DrBecks," "What's the most surprising behavior you've observed in marine animals?" DrBecks replies in a highlighted message, "Orcas wearing salmon hats!"

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 17/03/2025

Is Bundee in the running to replace Michael D Higgins?

Picture from the Irish Times showing Bundee Aki hugging Maire

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 04/03/2025

Has Ballymena Professor @scurry.bsky.social been promoted to the London Times?

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 19/02/2025

Attended launch of @festivaloftomorrow.bsky.social last night at STEAM. Gaia very impressive as was the choice of drinks. G&Ts and Prosecco. Both in alcoholic and non-alco options. Great to have the same choice. Looking forward to @imascientist.org.uk Live on Saturday w @funsizesuze.bsky.social

A breathtaking illuminated Earth installation, suspended in a dimly lit exhibition space. The glowing globe showcases detailed satellite imagery of our planet, surrounded by a deep blue ambiance. Visitors stand in awe, dwarfed by its scale.

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 08/02/2025

This might be my plane. That can’t be a coincidental reg number?

EasyJet plane showing the registration G-EZUS

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 06/02/2025

The sundial giving an accurate time. As long as you know what time the sun is setting. Have a lovely Thursday evening.

A sundial with the setting sun showing through

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Shane McCracken @shane.mccracken.org.uk · 04/12/2024

We've had a few thousand jokes posted on scientist profiles over the year on @imascientist.org.uk so it is nice to see a new one from time to time. This one is from Larissa Melo Chicoski: bridget.imascientist.org.uk/profile/larissamelochicoski

A joke displayed in a pink speech bubble reads:
**"Tell us a joke.
Why did antibiotic-resistant bacteria take on a superhero cape? Because she is invincible!"**

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