Sign in

Jeff Alexander

@techiewonk.bsky.social
964 followers 617 following 289 posts

Director, Innovation Policy @rti.bsky.social (the Research Triangle Institute). Unapologetic wonk at the intersection of #sciencepolicy, #innovation, and strategy. Ask me about R&D evaluation, innovation metrics, horizon scanning, & cocktails.

PostsRepliesMedia
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Today!! It’s not too late to register and join our panel discussion on state gov’t strategies for funding scientific research & emerging technologies. See below for the registration link
000
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Next Tuesday, 1 Sept, I’ll be co-moderating an expert panel convened by the California Council on Science & Technology on state-led support for research & technology development. Via Zoom at 12pm PST. Register at ccst.us/register-inn... #scipol #innovation
140
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Dr. K. Lotterhos @drk-lo.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
OUR WORK IS NOT DONE. In unusual move, NSF issued a request for information on plan to conform grant policies to the proposed (unfinalized) OMB rule. Plan includes changes to grant termination provisions & disallowing publication costs. Comments due August 24. www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
federalregister.gov
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; National Science Foundation Proposal/Award Information-NSF Guidance on Financial Assistance
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to renew and revise its collection for its financial assistance policies and procedures. In accordance with the requirements of the Paper...
86186
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
jp flores (he/him) @jpflores.rbind.io · 17/06/2026
Peer review helps ensure the best science gets funded. A proposed OMB rule could expand political influence over federal research funding decisions. Join @snapcoalition.org & Allie Cashel (@protectdemocracy.org) on June 17 (5:30 PM ET) to learn about how to submit a public comment!
03425
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
In the latest play from Project 2025, the Trump Administration has announced plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a $368 million network of more than 900 instruments that continuously monitor the ocean. This is a deliberate destruction of critical scientific infrastructure.
22674397
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
At the Library of Congress for the launch of atlasofinnovation.org by the Institute of Progress and others
atlasofinnovation.org
The Atlas of Innovation
Navigate the world of innovation funding mechanisms
110
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Kasey Buckles @kaseybuckles.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Excellent article in The Atlantic about what's going on at NSF. Share with people in your circle--too many aren't aware!
theatlantic.com
The Trump Administration Is Done With Social Science
The National Science Foundation division that covers social, behavioral, and economic sciences is in the crosshairs.
15938
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️ @napaaqtuk.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
If you are going to comment on the proposed changes to how science is done in the US, please use this guide. The rules specify that you have to mention the number associated with the proposed changes, and this blog has those. Here is where to comment: www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
federalregister.gov
Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposes to revise the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance to improve government- wide policies and requirements related to the management of grants, co...
2120128
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Yikes.
000
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Colette Delawalla, PhD @cdelawalla.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD AND SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION IF THIS IS YOU. With no transparency, documentation is a team sport.
03442
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
#DefendResearch @defendresearch.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
US federal research funding is increasingly shaped by political priorities rather than scientific merit. Join #DefendResearch on 6/3 with @jeremymberg.bsky.social & @michaeldgreen.phd to examine the consequences of this shift. Register tinyurl.com/ympw5bkt #censorship #research #NIH #grants #SciSky
Square image with black background and stark red and white text describing #DefendResearch webinar titled “Funding Under Pressure: Political Influence, Censorship, and the Future of U.S. Research,” held on June 3rd at 11 AM EST via ZOOM. Pictures of guest speakers with descriptions for Jeremy Berg, PhD, former NIH institute director and Editor-in-Chief, Science magazine and Michael D. Green, PhD, early career researcher. Register at link.
052
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Sonny Rollins @thesonnyrollins.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
It is with deep sorrow and profound love that we announce the passing of Sonny Rollins. The Saxophone Colossus died this afternoon at his home in Woodstock, NY at the age of 95. 1/2
Photo of Sonny Rollins playing saxophone in 2009 by John Abbott
298105812673
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Science Magazine @science.org · 25/05/2026
The U.S. research community is asking the Senate to do something it hasn’t done in more than 3 decades: Hold a hearing on the president’s nominee to lead the National Science Foundation before voting on whether to confirm him. scim.ag/4dWgoxE
science.org
Research groups want Senate to vet Trump’s nominee for NSF head
A hearing would air questions about James O’Neill’s qualifications to lead the agency
313951
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Tomorrow, 20 May (Wednesday) at 12 noon US Eastern time, I’ll be on a panel about measuring and explaining the value of federally-funded R&D for policymakers. Register at lnkd.in/emP_fh69 to hear me, Prof. Fred Ledley of Bentley U, Dr. Nimmi Kannankutty of Elsevier, and @abankston.bsky.social
161
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Tomorrow, 20 May (Wednesday) at 12 noon US Eastern time, I’ll be on a panel about measuring and explaining the value of federally-funded R&D for policymakers. Register at lnkd.in/emP_fh69 to hear me, Prof. Fred Ledley of Bentley U, Dr. Nimmi Kannankutty of Elsevier, and @abankston.bsky.social
161
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
NASA Artemis @artemis.extwitter.link · 11/04/2026
"Planet Earth: You. Are. A. Crew." Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch reflects on what it means to be a "crew."
19507147
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Tim Clancy @viewfromarchstreet.com · 02/04/2026
Still nuts that Apollo went to the moon and back using the equivalent computing power of an 80s wristwatch
051
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
In honor of today’s launch, here are pix from my tour of Johnson Space Center from my project for the International Space Station program 10 yrs ago incl a behind the scenes tour of Mission Control (Apollo-era and the operational one) and me in a prototype lunar rover. Thanks #NASA!
Mission Control from the Apollo ProgramThis man is playing GalagaMission Control monitoring the International Space Station Me practicing for my lunar drivers license
064
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
At the joint #NoKings and @nihvigils.bsky.social rally on the plaza at the NIH visitor center—Not too late to join us!
The No Kings and NIH Vigil rally participants at the NIH Gateway Center
010
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Nigel Goldenfeld @nigelgoldenfeld.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Marching not an option but you still want to join millions protesting * worldwide * today? Virtual accessible No Kings Rally organized by @standupforscience.net Exciting speaker lineup Online at 1.30pm Eastern 10.30am Pacific Sign up below! events.zoom.us/ev/Am_KPLd9n...
events.zoom.us
No Kings 3 Accessible Rally
2338
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
SciLine @sciline.org · 19/03/2026
🚨 We're hiring! SciLine is looking for a Data Viz & Graphics Intern to turn complex data into eye-catching visuals that empower journalists—especially local TV reporters—to tell stronger stories. Ready to make an impact? Apply by March 30, 2026: bit.ly/4rMPtZ1 @aaas
Bright neon sign displaying 'NOW HIRING' with colorful blue, white, pink, and orange lights on a dark brick wall.
001
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
On my way to the rally in Washington DC—on the National Mall near the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden starting at noon. Who’s going to out-do this sign from last year? #standupforscience #science #sciencepolicy
2025 Stand Up for Science attendee with a sine wave on posterboard labeled “I brought a sine”
66815
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.net · 06/03/2026
WASHINGTON D.C.!!! TOMORROW we are rallying on the National Mall to complete three goals: Save Science. Protect Health. Defend Democracy. Learn more by visiting this link! : zurl.co/9Rp7c #standupforscience #science #March7 #savescience #rally
16629
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.net · 04/03/2026
It's up to us to save science, protect health and defend this democracy! Stand up! Speak out! Hit the streets on March 7th! Join us on the streets at rallies nationwide on March 7th.zurl.co/Rcwcl #ItsUpToUs #standupforscience #rally #March7
NO ONE IS COMING TO SAVE US
112975
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Are you a physical scientist whose career has been disrupted by changes in policies and funding for US science? AIP @aip.bsky.social wants to hear from you. #FederalFunding aipsurveys.aip.org/cgi-bin/care...
022
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.net · 04/03/2026
SCIENCE FIGHTERS!!! Are you attending a March 7th National Day of Action Rally?! Find YOUR LOCAL RALLY by visiting standupforscience.net/march7 and register to volunteer! No rally in your city? Register to host a rally or a pop-up protest! OR join us in WASHINGTON D.C.!!! #March7 #rally
standupforscience.net
34020
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
My @rti.bsky.social colleague Ivy Estabrooke and I had the pleasure of discussing state funding of scientific research with @aniloza.bsky.social for his piece in @statnews.com. He details some initiatives we omitted when writing about this for @science.org last month. #sciencepolicy
061
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Any other #aaasmtg attendees who were wondering what happened to the Science Policy Shindig (or wonder what it is), see below!
041
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Not sure how widely this point from @aaas.org President Maldonado is understood. The converging top lines are spending on basic research by the US gov’t and below it, industry. They are now equal, results of a trend over the last decade. #aaasmtg
154
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
@aaas.org How about naming an official hashtag so Annual Meeting people can find each other? #aaasmtg #aaas2026 #aaasmeeting
310
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
My colleague Ivy Estabrooke and I from @rti.bsky.social penned an editorial for @science.org on some of the potential implications if U.S. state governments boost funding of scientific #research as federal funding declines: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... (not paywalled). #scipol #sciencepolicy
science.org
States pioneer a new frontier in US science funding
Thirty-five years ago, a survey of university faculty concluded that despite relatively stable public funding, the research environment in the United States had deteriorated to the point that “a major...
096
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
My colleague Ivy Estabrooke and I from @rti.bsky.social penned an editorial for @science.org on some of the potential implications if U.S. state governments boost funding of scientific #research as federal funding declines: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... (not paywalled). #scipol #sciencepolicy
science.org
States pioneer a new frontier in US science funding
Thirty-five years ago, a survey of university faculty concluded that despite relatively stable public funding, the research environment in the United States had deteriorated to the point that “a major...
096
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Alessandra Zimmermann @alesszimm.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
I come back from my winter PTO and day one Congress drops the text of a minibus. The dashboard has been updated with the Senate Homeland numbers, and all the info in the CJS-Int-E&W minibus. A House vote is scheduled tomorrow night, and Senate likely later this week. www.aaas.org/news/fy-2026...
aaas.org
FY 2026 R&D Appropriations Dashboard | American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
31110
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Leah @leah.myatproto.social · 18/10/2025
Trying to crowd source crowd estimates with help from @thexylom.com Instructions are on the document for estimating crowds, and adding proof or a snapshot of those crowds.
0168
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Jeremy Yoder says no war @jbyoder.org · 29/09/2025
New today: We're petitioning NSF to revert GRFP eligibility criteria to last year's terms, to avoid pulling the rug out from under the earliest of early-career scientists who had every reason to think they'd be able to apply this year. Sign and spread the word! laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
laurenkuehne.github.io
Petition to NSF to Restore Eligibility for the 2026 Graduate Research Fellowship Program Competition
11824
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Michael E. Mann @michaelemann.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Please come out (or participate via livestream) for our #ScienceUnderSiege event at the storied DC bookstore @politicsprose.bsky.social, featuring my co-author @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social & yours truly, Thursday Oct 2: politics-prose.com/mann-hotez
advertisement for event
418267
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
AAU @aau.edu · 16/09/2025
On September 15th, Business for Federal Research Funding, a coalition of chambers of commerce representing employers in 35 states, expressed their support for robust R&D funding for FY26. Read the letter:
researchfunding.org
022
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
STARTS THURSDAY: Our course on “An Introduction to Technology Transfer and Commercialization” at Montgomery College, Rockville, MD with the option to attend remotely via Zoom. Thursdays from 6:30pm to 9pm Eastern through December 18. See www.montgomerycollege.edu/workforce-de...
montgomerycollege.edu
Small Business and Entrepreneurship | Montgomery College, Maryland
110
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
I’ll be speaking tomorrow (9/23) at 9am EST at the DC campus of Arizona State U on a project by @rti.bsky.social to calculate the long-term impacts of technologies invented at NIH labs. See cspo.org/event/ntfa09... Register to attend in-person or online. #techtransfer #sciencepolicy
cspo.org
Rethinking the Outcomes of Biomedical Research - CSPO
153
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
29th Annual Conference on Science and Technology Indicators @stienid2025.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
The 29th Annual #STI2025 isn’t just great talks — it’s about community + fun too! 📍 Bristol, Sept 3–5: 🏃‍♀️ Morning harbour run 🎨 Banksy treasure hunt 🎲 ‘Publish & Perish’ game 🖼️ Poster bingo Come for the research, stay for the people. Join us! 👉 stienid2025.org/registration-1
stienid2025.org
Registration | STI-ENID2025
042
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Neuromatch @neuromatch.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
We're gathering insights on how basic scientists think about public engagement, what barriers they face, & what kind of support would make it easier. 👉 Take a few minutes to share your thoughts before 3 Aug: airtable.com/appIOiMGYFhF... #BasicScience #OpenScience #LabLife #AcademicChatter
022
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
National Academy of Science President Marcia McNutt giving her 2nd annual address on the state of US science (probably not good)
Photo by of Dr Marcia McNutt addressing the National Academy of Sciences
240
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Adriana Bankston @abankston.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
The NSF GRFP was cut in half #nationwide and cancelled to @harvard.edu students, as the #agency seeks outside #funding and #program rebranding. This will severely harm the #STEM #workforce and their #science careers. www.science.org/content/arti... @researchamerica.bsky.social @fabbs.org
science.org
Will NSF’s flagship training program survive under Trump?
Despite 50 Nobelists and 75,000 alumni, NSF’s graduate research fellows could be a vanishing breed
11511
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Important upcoming event on the real impacts of NSF funding cuts on the US workforce in strategic industries. #scipol #econdev
121
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Worth a read (gift link). wapo.st/44x0Ig6
wapo.st
How a little-known Japanese American battalion freed Jews from a Nazi death march
They were Japanese American soldiers, part of a storied military unit that faced down prejudice and suspicion to fight Adolf Hitler’s armies in Europe.
021
Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
OK, in an effort to divert myself, this article got me wondering…how well does AI model what Herbert Simon called “satisficing”—how humans will compromise to get part of what they want when they can’t get all of what they want? www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
AI predicted the next pope. Did it get it right?
Researchers use algorithms to study political factions within the Catholic Church
110
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Dr. David Miller 🏳️‍🌈 @davidimiller.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
🧪 Ranking member Lofgren and 11 other House dems sent a fiery 7-page letter to acting NSF director today "The cancelation of these awards suggests instead that NSF is willing to apply political censorship of awards under direction from President Trump and the DOGE teenagers" Share widely #SaveNSF
democrats-science.house.gov
10303162
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Stanford AAUP @stanfordaaup.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Another example of how federal-funded research is fundamental for innovation publicusaresearchbenefits.com/examples/202...
publicusaresearchbenefits.com
GPS (Global Positioning System)
Department of Defense-funded research led to the Global Positioning System that powers how we map where we are on our phones
153
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
American Association for the Advancement of Science @aaas.org · 02/05/2025
POTUS released a skinny FY 2026 budget, proposing to drastically cut funding for federal R&D across several agencies. AAAS urges Congress to reject the budget and to reaffirm their long-standing bipartisan support for S&T investments. Read the full statement: www.aaas.org/news/preside...
A graphic with the AAAS logo and a quote from the AAAS CEO reading, "Make no mistake, if Congress enacts the President’s skinny budget, the consequences for the future of our nation will be catastrophic. The United States will no longer be in the global race for R&D leadership—we will have lost it...It is up to our federal lawmakers to reaffirm their long-standing bipartisan support for science and technology investment by rejecting this budget."
13221
Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
Please share these NSF talking points! All are welcome to them!
1177