Prof Ben Britton
@bmatb.expmicromech.com
Dyslexic atomic sorcerer @ UBC, Vancouver 🍁 (he/him & 🏳️🌈)|🐕 dad|🇨🇦🇬🇧
Materials and Manufacturing Engineering (🔬⚛️), Clean Tech, Academic Governance (UBC Senate & Faculty Assoc.), EDI. T1 CRC.
Leads @expmicromech.com.
Has too many hills to die on. Views own.
Materials and Manufacturing Engineering (🔬⚛️), Clean Tech, Academic Governance (UBC Senate & Faculty Assoc.), EDI. T1 CRC.
Leads @expmicromech.com.
Has too many hills to die on. Views own.
ELI5: Interpret my dog's inner thoughts...
September 22, 2026 at 4:02 PM
ELI5: Interpret my dog's inner thoughts...
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
Shocking to see this for one of the (historically) most respected Theoretical Computer Science conferences
I don’t work on stuff suitable for STOC, but let me say that the 2027 edition LLM policy of one of the (former, AFAIC) “top” TCS conferences is pure shit, and I certainly don’t regret not being part of a community actively working on destroying science from the inside. Shame, shame, shame on you.
September 19, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Shocking to see this for one of the (historically) most respected Theoretical Computer Science conferences
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
Neural networks did not work UNTIL they got all that data. Raw data is useless without immense human labour to clean and store it in massive data centres. GPUs which are also required need rare earth minerals. On and on. AI only works because we're dedicating all of a massive industry to it.
You haven't bothered to watch my video, which is fine, but you'd learn none of that is recent (see slide). This idea of pretending it's new when it's always been like that is part of the problem. You have to really be more careful as you keep falling into their traps.
bsky.app/profile/oliv...
bsky.app/profile/oliv...
September 19, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Neural networks did not work UNTIL they got all that data. Raw data is useless without immense human labour to clean and store it in massive data centres. GPUs which are also required need rare earth minerals. On and on. AI only works because we're dedicating all of a massive industry to it.
It's curious how dogs grow up - quite fast (😭).
My dog is settling into his 4th spin around the sun, and has firmly decided that mornings are overrated and stays in bed while I breakfast.
My dog is settling into his 4th spin around the sun, and has firmly decided that mornings are overrated and stays in bed while I breakfast.
September 17, 2026 at 2:23 PM
It's curious how dogs grow up - quite fast (😭).
My dog is settling into his 4th spin around the sun, and has firmly decided that mornings are overrated and stays in bed while I breakfast.
My dog is settling into his 4th spin around the sun, and has firmly decided that mornings are overrated and stays in bed while I breakfast.
There is definitely a strange feeling being British when the UK voted to leave and left the EU, and then being Canadian(-British) as Canada and the EU explore associate member status
September 16, 2026 at 8:46 PM
There is definitely a strange feeling being British when the UK voted to leave and left the EU, and then being Canadian(-British) as Canada and the EU explore associate member status
Not being able to exercise (due to an injury) means jetlag recovery continues to be less than ideal 😭
September 16, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Not being able to exercise (due to an injury) means jetlag recovery continues to be less than ideal 😭
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
In recent years, many professional/learned societies replaced their *young* scientist awards/grants with more inclusive titles and criteria that recognise that not all early career scientists are, for example, under 30.
So what is this rather odd #50Under50 framing @geosociety.bsky.social?
So what is this rather odd #50Under50 framing @geosociety.bsky.social?
September 15, 2026 at 4:25 PM
In recent years, many professional/learned societies replaced their *young* scientist awards/grants with more inclusive titles and criteria that recognise that not all early career scientists are, for example, under 30.
So what is this rather odd #50Under50 framing @geosociety.bsky.social?
So what is this rather odd #50Under50 framing @geosociety.bsky.social?
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
One aspect of research funding that it took me a while as a prof to appreciate: Someone who directs significant funding can shape the questions researchers investigate, *even researchers they don't directly fund*. Why? Because many researchers chase citations, and better-funded areas get cited more.
September 15, 2026 at 1:43 PM
One aspect of research funding that it took me a while as a prof to appreciate: Someone who directs significant funding can shape the questions researchers investigate, *even researchers they don't directly fund*. Why? Because many researchers chase citations, and better-funded areas get cited more.
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
many social media managers will encourage you to spread your posts throughout the day but why do that when you have 500 thoughts and you could just literally post them all at the same time
September 14, 2026 at 9:32 AM
many social media managers will encourage you to spread your posts throughout the day but why do that when you have 500 thoughts and you could just literally post them all at the same time
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
I’ll be real with you: the gloss was taken off today’s Great North Run by a very crowded “Raise the Colours” roundabout at around mile 9. My wife and kids had to walk past it to see me.
Check this post about the impact those present had on one Black participant:
www.instagram.com/reel/DdO3Kt8...
Check this post about the impact those present had on one Black participant:
www.instagram.com/reel/DdO3Kt8...
Emma Kirk-Odunubi 🙋🏽♀️ The Voice of Running on Instagram: "Well not how I thought my post would go sharing finishing Great North Run 🙃
As I said aside from being hyper aware of being literally 1 of ...
3,013 likes, 534 comments - emmakirkyo on September 13, 2026: "Well not how I thought my post would go sharing finishing Great North Run 🙃
As I said aside from being hyper aware of being literally 1 ...
www.instagram.com
September 13, 2026 at 6:56 PM
I’ll be real with you: the gloss was taken off today’s Great North Run by a very crowded “Raise the Colours” roundabout at around mile 9. My wife and kids had to walk past it to see me.
Check this post about the impact those present had on one Black participant:
www.instagram.com/reel/DdO3Kt8...
Check this post about the impact those present had on one Black participant:
www.instagram.com/reel/DdO3Kt8...
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
Roshaan Khattak was a postgraduate at Wolfson College, Cambridge
His research on enforced disappearances in Baluchistan
attracted threats
Instead of protecting academic freedom, Cambridge did not permit him to progress to the doctoral stage of his PhD
21percent.org?p=4367
His research on enforced disappearances in Baluchistan
attracted threats
Instead of protecting academic freedom, Cambridge did not permit him to progress to the doctoral stage of his PhD
21percent.org?p=4367
September 11, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Roshaan Khattak was a postgraduate at Wolfson College, Cambridge
His research on enforced disappearances in Baluchistan
attracted threats
Instead of protecting academic freedom, Cambridge did not permit him to progress to the doctoral stage of his PhD
21percent.org?p=4367
His research on enforced disappearances in Baluchistan
attracted threats
Instead of protecting academic freedom, Cambridge did not permit him to progress to the doctoral stage of his PhD
21percent.org?p=4367
And this is in USD, 🫠
holy crap it's expensive to go to the AGU meeting. hotels in San Francisco are well above $300/night after you add tax; meeting registration is > $800. then add in $600 for airfare. just this is nearly $3K. and it doesn't include a lot of ancillary expenses like parking at the airport, etc.
September 12, 2026 at 10:37 PM
And this is in USD, 🫠
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
In the face of researcher concerns that the change in policy to prioritise longer larger grants may have undesirable impacts on EDI, UKRI suggest they will "keep an eye" on it. Gee, thanks! I'm not sure that covers their duties under the equality act.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Fewer, longer research grants ‘could exacerbate inequalities’ - Research Professional News
Science minister’s call for larger, longer-term investments prompts fears around benefits for “big hitters”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 12, 2026 at 1:59 PM
In the face of researcher concerns that the change in policy to prioritise longer larger grants may have undesirable impacts on EDI, UKRI suggest they will "keep an eye" on it. Gee, thanks! I'm not sure that covers their duties under the equality act.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
I was told by a Labour MP this week that this couldn’t happen and I was wilfully ignorant.
Damn, I guess she was wrong. I guess I do know what I’m talking about after all.
Damn, I guess she was wrong. I guess I do know what I’m talking about after all.
A trans man in the UK has been banned in the workplace restrooms after he was forced to use the women's restrooms to comply with the new EHRC guidance. The women complained because he is visibly male and so they told him he can't use any bathroom.
![A screenshot of a Reddit post from the r/LegalAdviceUK subreddit by user Dijstraanon, titled "FtM transgender facing two different issues at work? England."
The post text reads:
"Brother in law is trans FtM and presents fully as a man. He's now facing an impossible situation at work with his employer telling him that due to recent legislation he must use the toilet of his birth gender. BUT several female colleagues have raised a grievance about him using their gendered toilet.
His employer has told him that he cannot use the toilet while he is at work until they sort it out and cannot give him a timeframe to do so. They do [cut off] have disabled separate toilets.
In the mean time one of his female colleagues has accused him of sexual harassment because he was used their gendered toilet. His menstrual cycle meant he needed to use the toilet.
He's been with the employer for just over 5 years but only in this location for 18 months. The location is mainly male with just a handful of females, and his workshop only has male toilets.
I do not know how to support him and as he's not in a union there is no one to turn too right now."
The post has an orange "Comments Moderated" tag, 169 upvotes, and 134 comments.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:sefgphqp2xqwh2hawaixykwz/bafkreigy6jrfjxyegrf7h4wzz3yptwmzobhjrd3k5zjoxwd75r6ulxzsyq)
September 12, 2026 at 9:48 AM
I was told by a Labour MP this week that this couldn’t happen and I was wilfully ignorant.
Damn, I guess she was wrong. I guess I do know what I’m talking about after all.
Damn, I guess she was wrong. I guess I do know what I’m talking about after all.
Academia is weird.
There are so few specialists in my area of expertise, that I need to travel half way around the world to help accelerate my learning.
There are so few specialists in my area of expertise, that I need to travel half way around the world to help accelerate my learning.
September 12, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Academia is weird.
There are so few specialists in my area of expertise, that I need to travel half way around the world to help accelerate my learning.
There are so few specialists in my area of expertise, that I need to travel half way around the world to help accelerate my learning.
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
'The University of Sydney has signed a multi-year partnership with OpenAI which will see the introduction of AI agents at all levels of learning. The partnership happens a week after thousands of USyd staff walked off over AI encroachment into their jobs.'
Guzzling the AI Kool-Aid at a university near you! "USyd signs multi-year partnership with OpenAI" honisoit.com/2026/09/brea...
BREAKING: USyd signs multi-year partnership with OpenAI – Honi Soit
USyd has signed a multi-year partnership with OpenAI to rollout ChatGPT Edu despite criticism from the NTEU and students
honisoit.com
September 12, 2026 at 7:38 AM
'The University of Sydney has signed a multi-year partnership with OpenAI which will see the introduction of AI agents at all levels of learning. The partnership happens a week after thousands of USyd staff walked off over AI encroachment into their jobs.'
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
On 9/11, the people of Gander stepped up. They showed the very best of Canada.
March 24, 2025 at 6:12 PM
On 9/11, the people of Gander stepped up. They showed the very best of Canada.
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
at this point: carbon removal is, at best, essentially a research project. renewable expansion is a policy project
At the moment we have no real idea how to scale up carbon removal--it's a hair on the mole of the ugly backside of the global hydrocarbon industry
But we do know how to scale up solar panels and wind turbines and batteries. So that's our job
billmckibben.substack.com/p/facts-on-t...
But we do know how to scale up solar panels and wind turbines and batteries. So that's our job
billmckibben.substack.com/p/facts-on-t...
Facts on the ground
Two things matter now: votes, and solar panels. (And wind turbines. And batteries)
billmckibben.substack.com
September 8, 2026 at 11:32 AM
at this point: carbon removal is, at best, essentially a research project. renewable expansion is a policy project
Days since I have been asked whether I am a PhD student: 0
Minions Cheer and Celebrate
Alt: Minions Cheer and Celebrate
static.klipy.com
September 7, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Days since I have been asked whether I am a PhD student: 0
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
And here I thought Brexit made no scents at all...
September 6, 2026 at 3:05 PM
And here I thought Brexit made no scents at all...
The smell of Brexit is waiting in a passport queue.
(Other Brexit smells are available.)
(Other Brexit smells are available.)
September 6, 2026 at 11:04 AM
The smell of Brexit is waiting in a passport queue.
(Other Brexit smells are available.)
(Other Brexit smells are available.)
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
4 yrs ago today, a family member managed a truly spectacular own goal, splintered his domestic bliss, & in the process, united the world for a day.
On popular request, I shall now recreate the livetweet thread from that day
So gather around children, for this is the tale of The Rice Truck Saga
On popular request, I shall now recreate the livetweet thread from that day
So gather around children, for this is the tale of The Rice Truck Saga
September 4, 2024 at 4:14 PM
4 yrs ago today, a family member managed a truly spectacular own goal, splintered his domestic bliss, & in the process, united the world for a day.
On popular request, I shall now recreate the livetweet thread from that day
So gather around children, for this is the tale of The Rice Truck Saga
On popular request, I shall now recreate the livetweet thread from that day
So gather around children, for this is the tale of The Rice Truck Saga
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
One of the worst design aspects of Twitter - which Bluesky has, too - is the ability for anyone to become the Main Character of the day.
If your take is disliked by a certain subset of users, it will be elevated to 100-1000× your usual reach (!!!) for a public shaming session. I think that's bad!
If your take is disliked by a certain subset of users, it will be elevated to 100-1000× your usual reach (!!!) for a public shaming session. I think that's bad!
September 4, 2026 at 7:02 AM
One of the worst design aspects of Twitter - which Bluesky has, too - is the ability for anyone to become the Main Character of the day.
If your take is disliked by a certain subset of users, it will be elevated to 100-1000× your usual reach (!!!) for a public shaming session. I think that's bad!
If your take is disliked by a certain subset of users, it will be elevated to 100-1000× your usual reach (!!!) for a public shaming session. I think that's bad!
September 4, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Reposted by Prof Ben Britton
So... this whole article is a pile of shit, and the argument is a rage-bait/dog whistle.
I have some quite personal stakes in this, as a CRC… with a learning disability 😬.
As Usher articulates - use of the h-index as the sole predicator of academic quality - is bullshit.
I have some quite personal stakes in this, as a CRC… with a learning disability 😬.
As Usher articulates - use of the h-index as the sole predicator of academic quality - is bullshit.
For furter clarity: Eric Kaufmaun is a shitbag who has no idea how bibliometrics work, but doesn't mind using them to spread racist crap everywhere.
Anyone associated with MLI needs to disavow this stuff right now.
Anyone associated with MLI needs to disavow this stuff right now.
It costs Canada millions to discriminate against white male academics: Eric Kaufmann in the National Post | Macdonald-Laurier Institute
The groups who benefit from diversity-based recruitment in the Canada Research Chairs program have the lowest research impact.
macdonaldlaurier.ca
September 3, 2026 at 7:50 AM
So... this whole article is a pile of shit, and the argument is a rage-bait/dog whistle.
I have some quite personal stakes in this, as a CRC… with a learning disability 😬.
As Usher articulates - use of the h-index as the sole predicator of academic quality - is bullshit.
I have some quite personal stakes in this, as a CRC… with a learning disability 😬.
As Usher articulates - use of the h-index as the sole predicator of academic quality - is bullshit.