Sign in

Shaun Macdonald

@shaunmacdonald.bsky.social
623 followers 404 following 283 posts

⌨️HCI Post-Doc Researcher 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 PhD from @uofglasgow.bsky.social 🤖Animal Computer Interaction, Zoomorphic Robots, Affective Haptics, Usable Security 🎮Competitive Gamer, Art Enjoyer, Hope-low Leftist ♂️He/Him 🔗shaun-macdonald-hci.owlstown.net

PostsRepliesMedia
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
It’s an exciting three-way extinction event as humanity flails in (1) the throws of normalised facism, while (2) AI destroys the half the economy and digital infrastructure, all during  (3) the final decade when emergency measures were required to maintain a livable climate.
110
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
Rank Bajin @inremote.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
saw ppl yesterday talkin about how we need to make people afraid of consequences again. today one of our clients just walks in and, unprompted, tells us he's a fascist and wants to grenade the migrant boats. they have been allowed to become so comfortable
011
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Challenged myself this season in @pokemonchampions.bsky.social to use the exact 6 pokemon i used when i was 16 to top 10 the smogon singles ladder… but now adapted for modern VGC doubles. Reached master ball using fun mega Starmie Skill Swap, far cry from the old rapid spin set from ‘08!
Pokemon champions screenshot showing Master Ball Tier 4 being reached Screenshot of the team, showing a mega starmie with skill swap, life orb scizor, bulky gyarados, mega salamence, focus sash gengar and wide guard yawn swampert.
020
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
This was the coldest summer of the rest of our lives.
000
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Here at @mobilehci.bsky.social to present "Anime, Animal or Animal Crossing? Comparing Aesthetic Styles for Zoomorphic Robot Faces and Sounds using Augmented Reality"! My intern Josh Yip and I used AR to explore perceptions of 10 aesthetic styles applied to the same robot! Read: shorturl.at/SdUZr
230
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
Mike Cook @mtrc.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
3691322134
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
Defiantly Alice @mechanival.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Then in 2016, when North Carolina passed its bathroom ban, our *Conservative* government of the day issued a travel advisory for LGBT people going there - we're supposed to believe that even then, the EA already meant a ban in the UK, we were just all too dumb to see it. Absolute nonsense. 3/3
032
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
My partner linked me this little pixel bird that flits around your browser and its massively improved my day and perhaps life, highly recommend! idreesinc.itch.io/pocket-bird
idreesinc.itch.io
Pocket Bird - Portable Desktop Pet by Idrees
A tiny bird that flutters around your web browser!
163
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
“Bright” and early today as I take the coach to Edinburgh Zoo to become inducted as a researcher as part of FutureFauna. It’s going to be an intensive month as I run my first ever animal-computer interaction studies with the chimpanzees at the zoo’s Budungo Trail. Pretty excited but also nervous!
View out of a coach window showing a grey and raining sky
2100
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
It's my first solo Ascension 10 victory in Slay the Spire 2 with likely the most disgusting Flak Cannon status deck I will ever assemble 🤖🗑️
A screenshot of Slay the Spire 2, showing the Defect about to cast a Flak Cannon for 11 x 13 damage against the second of the two final bosses, who is on 41 total health.A screenshot of Slay the Spire 2 showing the decklist for the run. Highlights include 1 Flak Cannon, 2 Overclock+, 2 Boost Away, 2 Iteration, 1 TURBO and only 2 starter cards left. The deck drew around 11 cards ever turn.
140
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Went to a retro and arcade game expo today and it ruled
My playing a shmup on a VectrexA modded gameboy advance with the art of Final Fantasy Tactics AdvanceRows of classic pinball machines 
A circle of monitors with players engaging in a massive Halo 3 LAN matches
0101
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Went to the Scottish Owl Centre with my folks to see some of their adoptees. Largest owl sanctuary in the world, lots of lovely beasts :)
African wood owlGreat grey owlRock eagle owl sitting on a post during the flying displayRock eagle owl taking off during the flying display
050
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
🙃
020
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
John Gibbons 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇪🇺 @thinkorswim.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
The top frame is from 2015, when French meteorologists did a “forecast” from a #climate heated August 2050 - a warning on what could possibly happen in 35 years time. Bottom frame: well, it’s happened in barely a decade, only it’s already *much* worse than predicted. It’s a runaway train.
511488649
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
FunFactor Podcast @funfactorpod.com · 17/06/2026
A photograph of the green reflecting pool in Washington, DC. Pixel art Kefka crouches beside it.
5535011415
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
Iris Duane MSP 🇵🇸🇺🇦 @irisduane.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
We are one city united. No extremists will take that from us.
827446
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
Chris Higgins🔜 @higgins.games · 11/06/2026
Sorry to be controversial but I think everything, generally, is going quite badly
041
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Glasgow today was the site of white supremacist mobs marching and attacking POCs, absolutely horrifying. You will never represent this city. You will never be accepted. The shifting of the Overton window to embolden neonazis across UK (and European/American) is evil. We will never let you win.
030
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Rest in peace Cimo. Can’t really believe it.
010
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Glasgow random encounter
A single traffic cone in a circular pool of water with a small pink rose growing out of the top
150
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
🍁🇨🇦Team Canada Forever🇨🇦🍁 @teamcanadaforever.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Biking along the Stanley Park seawall, joined by a pod of orcas and otters. Beautiful British Columbia 🇨🇦🍁 🎥 Credit @arlenexa via IG ❤️🍁🇨🇦TEAM CANADA FOREVER🇨🇦❤️ ❤️🍁🇨🇦VIVE LE CANADA 🇨🇦🍁❤️
1142938404
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Just played the Neverway Prologue cos I've been looking forward to that game forever and it _slams_, can't wait until the Autumn. The art and sound direction is 10/10, but the character writing and story hints are also super enjoyable so far
020
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Icon of a scene-kids youth. Don't really have a strong positive/negative opinion aside from heavy sympathy for all affected by job losses, but its definitely the end of a UK highstreet era.
bbc.co.uk
Claire's closes all 154 stores in UK and Ireland with loss of 1,300 jobs
All of the chain's standalone stores have stopped trading in the UK and Ireland.
030
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
FDS @freyadalysad.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
I love this essay very much!!!!
3777223348
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
Hoeyboey @hoeyboey.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
In a just world sending election pamphlets advertising taking away queer rights would be a hate crime, man
1161
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
North Glasgow March Against Racism, needed now as much as ever ✊
A colourful march through the Glasgow streets, holding signs reading ‘North Glasgow Against Racism’
000
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Haven’t gotten to play competitive Pokémon much since my brief stint as a high-ranked Smogon ladder player as a teenager in ‘08, really enjoying jumping back in with Champions!
A photo of a switch screen showing a Pokemon Champions victory screen that says 5-win streak, Great Ball Tier, next to a blond haired player avatar in greyscale clothesA team sheet for a pokemon team, showing a Whimsicott with Tailwind, Heracross and Dragonite with mega stones and a Gengar, Tyranitar and Arcanine offering utility and coverage
130
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Made this little pompom bee at a Worry Object craft cafe run by Glasgow uni’s SolidariTee (@teesofsolidarity.bsky.social) branch. Went along because of my research interests in haptic comfort objects, but didn’t expect I’d also make one! Cool event, good cause, good soc :)
My hand holding a small yellow and black pompom bee with a little worried face
020
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Love to see Graeme's work celebrated!
000
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
Natasha Tara Petrović @ NYCC H03 @1000deaddraculas.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
I AM THE BIG RAT THAT MAKES ALL OF THE RULES
Illustration of a giant rat with a crown, surrounded by smaller rats. The text "I am the BIG RAT" is above while "that makes all of THE RULES" is below.
5588942793
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Doing research on pet-like robot interaction is just the natural consequence of loving Porygon as a child
020
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
RyanKamos @ryan-kamos.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Digimon World 1 Mockup (2019) I'm looking for work! You can check my portfolio below. Rts appreciated 🙏
A pixelart mockup of Digimon World 1.
13823254
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
James B Barrow @jamesbbarrow.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
#RWArtMonth 2026 Day 28: 9 Year Anniversary - 9 years ago, I experienced a game that was unlike anything I had played before. It led me on a journey I will never forget, and has inspired me hugely over the years. Rain World is not a typical game, but it will always be one of my favourites.
A digital painting depicting an abstract scene of 9 slugcats from the game Rain World in a subtly glowing void. A brighter glow is up towards the top right of the painting and the flowing forms of the slugcats appear to be swimming towards it. Each slugcat is slightly different, some glowing, some closer to us as dark silhouettes, one fading into glowing tendrils, one falling behind as they struggle to swim, and one with a glowing abstract halo.
110422
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Potentially huge breakthrough to solving the bee decline. Every crumb of hopium is vital! www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
sciencedaily.com
Scientists uncovered the nutrients bees were missing — Colonies surged 15-fold
Scientists have developed a breakthrough “superfood” for honeybees by engineering yeast to produce the essential nutrients normally found in pollen. In controlled trials, colonies fed this specially d...
020
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
Ben Barrett @chaossmurf.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
One actual trans athlete has ever taken part in the Olympic games! She was a weightlifter (surely, you must think, if there were to be an advantage, it would be there or similar!). She failed to make a lift in her category, thus placing joint last. This was 5 years ago.
171
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Seconded
020
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Lovely work meeting at Edinburgh Zoo today as we kicked our research collaboration as part of FutureFauna. Everybody was very excited except for this Koala who is just completely done.
A Koala slumped on a tree branch like a hung over hooligan staring into the void
040
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Miserable about the Glasgow Central fire. Nobody was injured, which is a blessing, but what was lost was homes, shops, and memories. Moreso than maybe any other building in Glasgow, if you lived or visited here, you likely have interacted with Central. It was an icon. The city won't be the same.
The north east Victorian buildings of Glasgow Central collapsing in an inferno.The dome of the north east corner collapsing into the flames, as fire engines line the streets below.A view of the station as it once was, an old victorian facade and dome adorned with two large adverts for Bells Whiskey and Iron Bru.
250
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
My 9 MTG Cards All represent level-up moments. Azusa, Inner Fire, Altar, Arcbound Ravager and Mayhem Devil all radically change the value/meaning of other cards. Smokestack, Thalia taught me about breaking parity. Delay and Incubator taught me to assess whether drawbacks actually matter.
The image shows 9 magic cards in the following order: Mayhem Devil, Inner Fire, Azusa Lost but Seeking, Myr Incubator, Thalia Guardian of Thraben, Smokestack, Ashnod's Alter, Arcound Ravager and Delay
020
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Valentines gift from wife ❤️
Switch 2 fully decaled with a blue and white check skin Switch 2 fully decaled with a blue and white check skin. Back side, with original stickers carefully replaced.The switch 2 with the controller separated, showing the controller mount has a blue skin.
050
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
headfallsoff @headfallsoff.com · 03/03/2026
e33's sexism is the one thing that gets the least pushback in discourse because its just impossible to deny. those hysterical women and their grief they must be brought to heel lest they destroy the world and themselves. you keep waiting for it to undercut this but it just doubles down lmao
1232833
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Daydreaming about being dunked into The Goop when I pass away. Huge social advancements in Scotland rn "Bodies are wrapped in a shroud of biodegradable material such as silk or wool before being placed in a pressurised chamber with hot water and chemicals"
bbc.co.uk
Scotland becomes first UK country to allow water cremations
The process - called alkaline hydrolysis - will offer families a third option instead of burial or traditional cremation.
020
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
One of the longest-lasting impacts on me of the current US regime will be observing how the media and international discourse shelter this regime, holding it almost entirely unaccountable for its crimes, death count, and horrific policies, just because the republicans hitched themselves to it.
130
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
Glasgow Women in Computer Science @gwics.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Thanks so much to everybody who attended our latest GWiCS workshop on journal editing and reviewing! And of course a very special thanks to our lovely speakers Andrew Dunn and our very own Fani Deligianni for their insights. See you all next time!
Fani, Andrew and Catherine smiling together.Andrew Dunn giving his presentation.
09213
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
RJ Palmer 🔜 LBX 637 @rj-palmer.com · 21/02/2026
Happy Zelda 40th anniversary!
Painting of Link with a million little gadgets and weapons from across the games. I worked harder on this in a 5 week period than any other thing I’ve ever painted. I think I almost died working on this lol
122139414623
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Very proud to help celebrate LGBTQ+ history month here at the @glasgow.ac.uk School of Computing Science by producing this set of posters highlighting five historic figures from the community, alongside the EDI committee 🏳️‍🌈❤️ Hard to be optimistic sometimes these days, but their achievements help
A set of posters highlighting the achievements of Lynn Conway, Mary Ann Horton, Christopher Strachey, Alan Turing and Edith Windsor.
080
Reposted by Shaun Macdonald
drif @drif.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
submitted for bevy jam 7 #bevy #bevyjam
0xd21f.itch.io
Somnivore by 0xD21F, Whompratt, Lolly, s-azzles, OhNoPhoton
control a kaiju. destroy a city. it's all just a dream....right?
165
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Waiting for me when I got home from having to work this weekend from my lovely valentine x
Dark round homemade cookies with inset red hearts made of strawberry jam
050
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Our Safety Clinics for Online Gaming and Social VR for Young People (12-17) and Parents/Carers hits Edinburgh tomorrow! Drop by the Eric Liddell Community Centre (south wing) between 10am and 4pm to take part! Adults attending with young people will also be compensated £20 for max 1 hr.
A square advert for the online gaming and social VR clinic, reflecting the same text as is in the post.
020
Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
World is very bad but I love my friends :)
051