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Jeff Alexander

@techiewonk.bsky.social
966 followers 617 following 290 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.

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Reposted by Jeff Alexander
Sameer Ashar @sameer-ashar.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
This is my nephew, please forward to your networks, esp any University of Maryland students.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
That one they circumvented by making the Natl Ctr for Science & Engineering Statistics a separate unit outside of any Directorate—which also violates the law that designated it as a national center within NSF (reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act)
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I see what you did there. It’s Star Wars all over again!
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I’m just explaining the economics of the system, not endorsing it
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Tax receipts are taxes the government has collected, not what it has spent.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
It’s the nature of privatized health care that makes healthcare economics so attractive for those who want to profit from providing care. The system is built on managing scarcity that we’ve imposed.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
If Medicare spending consumes all tax receipts, then we’d have no way to perform any other government service. At some point, we have to decide how much healthcare spending is “enough.” So economics, in support of medical science, can provide useful analysis. But it should not dominate.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Hence my caveadt that you would have to remove healthcare from the economic system
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Unfortunately healthcare economics is a real thing unless you remove healthcare from the economy. Decisions still need to be made, like how to set up Medicare without bankrupting everyone. Even if one practitioner is incompetent, the entire field can still have value.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Gotta give a shout-out to @datacolada.bsky.social for putting this analysis out there
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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
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Smart, since I didn’t know Mapquest still existed
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
@sarahrovito.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @aip.bsky.social @aaas.org @shalinjyotishi.bsky.social @farooquema.bsky.social
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The event is motivated in part by the editorial Ivy and I wrote in January for @science.org . See www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
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...
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The other moderator is my RTI colleague, Ivy Estabrooke, who previously ran Utah’s science and technology funding authority. Our panel will include people planning or leading state-led funding efforts in New York, Illinois, and California.
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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
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Part of the dynamic with the electric motor is that the producers weren’t the users, in contrast to the assembly line. The mode of application wasn’t obvious. I assume you’re referencing Paul David’s classic “The Computer and the Dynamo”
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
I just read Cloud Atlas earlier this year and I have no clue how it could have been made into a movie. The Wachowskis have to be brilliant to have even attempted it
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Apparently when it was republished in 1997, they changed the date in the story to something like 2056. So Bradbury’s Armageddon is still coming (maybe).
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Just one of a few Bradbury stories I read in middle school that have stuck with me over the decades.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
EXACTLY. Due to the Bell monopoly, Bell Labs had very little need to pay attention to market signals and instead pursued long-term discovery. Today, corporate “basic research” is predominantly short-term and focused on boosting profits.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
“Disruptions in the Gulf” = we complete screwed up global supply chains with an unnecessary war and that’s just a tough break for farmers.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Plus, it always pays to look at how survey questions are phrased.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Michael Crow, President of Arizona State Univ, explains the broader rationale here: uidp.org/strengthen-a...
uidp.org
Strengthen and Modernize Initiative - UIDP
UIDP's initiative to strengthen and modernize cross-sector partnerships and dramatically increase impact from collaborative innovation.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The fall cohort is for organizations (university-industry collaborations) interested in joining the program. PhD candidate applications will start later. It’s a pilot program so they’re still building it out.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I know something about this initiative and it’s been in discussion for years. It’s not solely a product of the current administration. It recognizes that the majority of science & tech PhD graduates will NOT work in academia so it emphasizes non-academic career prep.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
I do have mad respect for the staffers I know at NIH (and other science agencies) who stay in hopes of keeping the wheels on the bus. That takes a certain courage and I’m not sure I could do the same in their shoes.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
I was told by one federal agency that an “optional” question on their job application is, “What is your favorite executive order?”
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
You and the Grant Witness folks like @scott-delaney.bsky.social deserve some kind of service award after we get through this..
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Apparently we’ll obliterate their military an additional time for each warfighter we lose.
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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...
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Got mine in with 5 minutes to spare…
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
This rule would change EVERYTHING. Housing grants. Education grants. Health promotion grants. Community food programs. Criminal justice programs. It’s even greater than science and all allies should comment as well!
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
I believe that all four of my grandparents were born before 1901, but I doubt that my great-grandparents were born before 1800 (and all were born overseas). But the amount of US history my grandparents (and parents) witnessed is incredible
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
But to make up for the earlier slow pace, they’ll need to substantially EXCEED the normal number over the next two months, correct? (NSF normally closes its books in late August…)
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Note from the original poster: “I deleted this post because, after a deeper look, I couldn't verify that theeditorial dot news was an actual publication or that any of its authors were indeed journalists“ @joemurph.bsky.social
joemurph.bsky.social
Joe Murphy (@joemurph.bsky.social)
Data editor @ NBC News, @NBCguild.bsky.social strong, Oregonian born & raised, lives in NYC (Gowanus, Brooklyn). Formerly: NY Daily News, Denver Post, Medill. Into dataviz, data pipelines, accessibil...
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
This is an excellent case study in how AI can perpetuate bias while claiming to enhance “objectivity.” Thanks for providing a clear and compelling analysis!
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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!
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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.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
I don’t know all the details but it’s a multi-institutional consortium of economics researchers funded by philanthropy to identify interventions that use market forces to incentivize organizations to pursue social outcomes.
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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
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
That study has the neat feature of using an indexing where you could change the weights and reach any conclusion
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Small issue of not having a research workforce in 10 years but ok
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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.
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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...
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
I don’t have those conversations but we’re all thinking it.
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Jeff Alexander @techiewonk.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Yikes.
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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.
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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.
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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
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