Laura McCullough
@lauramccphd.bsky.social
Physics professor; researcher of gender and science; recipient of uxoriousness.
I pick up a lot of random books vaguely related to gender issues. While in Sweden this summer, I bought “The Bones of Birka” about the Viking warrior grave whose inhabitant was assumed male but was genetically proven female.
September 4, 2026 at 11:14 PM
I pick up a lot of random books vaguely related to gender issues. While in Sweden this summer, I bought “The Bones of Birka” about the Viking warrior grave whose inhabitant was assumed male but was genetically proven female.
Reposted by Laura McCullough
So, one of my oldest friends @petsnakereggie.bsky.social is dying of cancer right now and that sucks, but he is a hellaciously funny man, I am going to miss him, and I wanted to write an appreciation while he was still alive to complain about the bits I got wrong: kellymccullough.com/tim-wick-an-...
Tim Wick, An Appreciation – Kelly McCullough
kellymccullough.com
September 4, 2026 at 11:00 PM
So, one of my oldest friends @petsnakereggie.bsky.social is dying of cancer right now and that sucks, but he is a hellaciously funny man, I am going to miss him, and I wanted to write an appreciation while he was still alive to complain about the bits I got wrong: kellymccullough.com/tim-wick-an-...
First-year students are so cute! This morning someone hopped on their bike and when they got to a crosswalk on a minor street they stopped fully, one foot down, and looked both ways before crossing.
I give that behavior a week, at most.
I give that behavior a week, at most.
September 2, 2026 at 2:44 PM
First-year students are so cute! This morning someone hopped on their bike and when they got to a crosswalk on a minor street they stopped fully, one foot down, and looked both ways before crossing.
I give that behavior a week, at most.
I give that behavior a week, at most.
Irony, you're a bastard.
This is the first time in 27 years of teaching that I didn't have school stress dreams ahead of the semester. My dreams are always about missing the first day of class: I'm in the wrong building, my car breaks down, I oversleep, I have the wrong schedule, etc.
This is the first time in 27 years of teaching that I didn't have school stress dreams ahead of the semester. My dreams are always about missing the first day of class: I'm in the wrong building, my car breaks down, I oversleep, I have the wrong schedule, etc.
September 2, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Irony, you're a bastard.
This is the first time in 27 years of teaching that I didn't have school stress dreams ahead of the semester. My dreams are always about missing the first day of class: I'm in the wrong building, my car breaks down, I oversleep, I have the wrong schedule, etc.
This is the first time in 27 years of teaching that I didn't have school stress dreams ahead of the semester. My dreams are always about missing the first day of class: I'm in the wrong building, my car breaks down, I oversleep, I have the wrong schedule, etc.
I have had a realization that has completely changed how I view some fairy tales and stories set in ancient times. (Kelly has been playing a bunch of video games set in historic Japan.)
There are many, many stories about the lazy spouse (usually a husband) who just sits around and does nothing.
There are many, many stories about the lazy spouse (usually a husband) who just sits around and does nothing.
July 22, 2026 at 11:18 PM
I have had a realization that has completely changed how I view some fairy tales and stories set in ancient times. (Kelly has been playing a bunch of video games set in historic Japan.)
There are many, many stories about the lazy spouse (usually a husband) who just sits around and does nothing.
There are many, many stories about the lazy spouse (usually a husband) who just sits around and does nothing.
Getting back into exercising and today was a glorious morning and only 65 deg F. Walked along the river and saw this fellow napping.
July 22, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Getting back into exercising and today was a glorious morning and only 65 deg F. Walked along the river and saw this fellow napping.
I heard a fascinating conversation between two students last week. One was saying: “yeah, but with all the ‘tism going around in engineering…“
I guess autism really is becoming accepted when it gets a nickname.
I guess autism really is becoming accepted when it gets a nickname.
April 7, 2026 at 12:01 PM
I heard a fascinating conversation between two students last week. One was saying: “yeah, but with all the ‘tism going around in engineering…“
I guess autism really is becoming accepted when it gets a nickname.
I guess autism really is becoming accepted when it gets a nickname.
Walking to school in 20°. In October: winter coat, scarf, midweight hat, midweight gloves. In April: baseball cap, fleece jacket, consider a windbreaker.
April 7, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Walking to school in 20°. In October: winter coat, scarf, midweight hat, midweight gloves. In April: baseball cap, fleece jacket, consider a windbreaker.
Grading discussion posts. 25 years ago when I started this assignment, students had mixed feelings about climate change. Now it's a given, as I was reminded by this one:
" I picked [this article] because there is always talk of us having to leave earth some day...."
" I picked [this article] because there is always talk of us having to leave earth some day...."
March 25, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Grading discussion posts. 25 years ago when I started this assignment, students had mixed feelings about climate change. Now it's a given, as I was reminded by this one:
" I picked [this article] because there is always talk of us having to leave earth some day...."
" I picked [this article] because there is always talk of us having to leave earth some day...."
Pretty sure this is an AI fail.
"Hi Laura,
I was looking at the presentations list for the APS Global Physics Summit and saw that you are an author on "A Committee of One's Own: A History of the CSWP" that will be presented next week. Based on the title, you might be using vacuum equipment...
"Hi Laura,
I was looking at the presentations list for the APS Global Physics Summit and saw that you are an author on "A Committee of One's Own: A History of the CSWP" that will be presented next week. Based on the title, you might be using vacuum equipment...
March 11, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Pretty sure this is an AI fail.
"Hi Laura,
I was looking at the presentations list for the APS Global Physics Summit and saw that you are an author on "A Committee of One's Own: A History of the CSWP" that will be presented next week. Based on the title, you might be using vacuum equipment...
"Hi Laura,
I was looking at the presentations list for the APS Global Physics Summit and saw that you are an author on "A Committee of One's Own: A History of the CSWP" that will be presented next week. Based on the title, you might be using vacuum equipment...
We got into our hotel last night and I slept 10 hours. Had a leisurely breakfast, then I spent 7 hours writing the keynote talk I am giving on Wed.
Normally I write talks over a week or two, so I don’t notice how much work they are.
I am exhausted and my brain is just pudding. Now to bed.
Normally I write talks over a week or two, so I don’t notice how much work they are.
I am exhausted and my brain is just pudding. Now to bed.
March 1, 2026 at 7:11 PM
We got into our hotel last night and I slept 10 hours. Had a leisurely breakfast, then I spent 7 hours writing the keynote talk I am giving on Wed.
Normally I write talks over a week or two, so I don’t notice how much work they are.
I am exhausted and my brain is just pudding. Now to bed.
Normally I write talks over a week or two, so I don’t notice how much work they are.
I am exhausted and my brain is just pudding. Now to bed.
Got lucky with parking at the airport and found a charging space. It’s getting harder and harder.
Now waiting to board.
Eight hour flight then <sigh> a seven-hour layover in Amsterdam Schiphol. Then finally we will get to Helsinki in time to collapse in a heap.
Gonna be a loooooooooong day.
Now waiting to board.
Eight hour flight then <sigh> a seven-hour layover in Amsterdam Schiphol. Then finally we will get to Helsinki in time to collapse in a heap.
Gonna be a loooooooooong day.
February 27, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Got lucky with parking at the airport and found a charging space. It’s getting harder and harder.
Now waiting to board.
Eight hour flight then <sigh> a seven-hour layover in Amsterdam Schiphol. Then finally we will get to Helsinki in time to collapse in a heap.
Gonna be a loooooooooong day.
Now waiting to board.
Eight hour flight then <sigh> a seven-hour layover in Amsterdam Schiphol. Then finally we will get to Helsinki in time to collapse in a heap.
Gonna be a loooooooooong day.
New experience: I was just handed a sealed envelope from the City of Menomonie by a uniformed police officer.
It is a formal records request from when I was on the City Council.
It is a formal records request from when I was on the City Council.
February 20, 2026 at 9:39 PM
New experience: I was just handed a sealed envelope from the City of Menomonie by a uniformed police officer.
It is a formal records request from when I was on the City Council.
It is a formal records request from when I was on the City Council.
The last two flights I have done the Touchless TSAPre and it is amazing! No ID needed, just stand for your picture. Today I walked straight to the agent, no waiting. @kellydmcc.bsky.social did not have it and was sad.
February 6, 2026 at 3:18 PM
The last two flights I have done the Touchless TSAPre and it is amazing! No ID needed, just stand for your picture. Today I walked straight to the agent, no waiting. @kellydmcc.bsky.social did not have it and was sad.
Last spring, I heard a talk by my grad supervisor Ken H. arguing compellingly for a different order for teaching intro physics. I thought about it all fall, and decided to give it a try. (Kelly's response: "Never listen to Ken! Listening to Ken means work!")
February 3, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Last spring, I heard a talk by my grad supervisor Ken H. arguing compellingly for a different order for teaching intro physics. I thought about it all fall, and decided to give it a try. (Kelly's response: "Never listen to Ken! Listening to Ken means work!")
Today for the first day of class I tried a new-to-me activity. Students wrote their hopes/fears about the class on a scrap of paper, crumpled it up and threw it to the front of the room. I picked out random "snowballs" and read the hopes/fears to the class. It was very interesting.
January 26, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Today for the first day of class I tried a new-to-me activity. Students wrote their hopes/fears about the class on a scrap of paper, crumpled it up and threw it to the front of the room. I picked out random "snowballs" and read the hopes/fears to the class. It was very interesting.
Proud of Minnesota, where I grew up and learned that bullies are not to be tolerated.
January 23, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Proud of Minnesota, where I grew up and learned that bullies are not to be tolerated.
My first hot tubbing in a snowfall for this season. It is peacefully quiet, just light enough to see the falling snow, and absolutely relaxing.
November 29, 2025 at 11:12 PM
My first hot tubbing in a snowfall for this season. It is peacefully quiet, just light enough to see the falling snow, and absolutely relaxing.
Crocheted most of this last year but gave myself tennis elbow doing it. Finished it a month ago and finally got to wear it!
October 31, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Crocheted most of this last year but gave myself tennis elbow doing it. Finished it a month ago and finally got to wear it!
Exciting news: I have been elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society!
I am so thrilled, and my citation makes me extremely happy: "For sustained, significant, and impactful research on and service towards promoting gender equity in physics."
www.aps.org/funding-reco...
I am so thrilled, and my citation makes me extremely happy: "For sustained, significant, and impactful research on and service towards promoting gender equity in physics."
www.aps.org/funding-reco...
APS Fellows Archive
The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society.
www.aps.org
October 10, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Exciting news: I have been elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society!
I am so thrilled, and my citation makes me extremely happy: "For sustained, significant, and impactful research on and service towards promoting gender equity in physics."
www.aps.org/funding-reco...
I am so thrilled, and my citation makes me extremely happy: "For sustained, significant, and impactful research on and service towards promoting gender equity in physics."
www.aps.org/funding-reco...
Climate change for the...fail. Big old fail.
This is the week that I start teaching static electricity. Early October. Works great since the humidity is low and static demos work well.
Today will get into the high 80s and the current humidity is about 85%.
This is the week that I start teaching static electricity. Early October. Works great since the humidity is low and static demos work well.
Today will get into the high 80s and the current humidity is about 85%.
October 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Climate change for the...fail. Big old fail.
This is the week that I start teaching static electricity. Early October. Works great since the humidity is low and static demos work well.
Today will get into the high 80s and the current humidity is about 85%.
This is the week that I start teaching static electricity. Early October. Works great since the humidity is low and static demos work well.
Today will get into the high 80s and the current humidity is about 85%.
We got a message from the cats this morning, but I’m not sure what it means.
September 12, 2025 at 12:09 PM
We got a message from the cats this morning, but I’m not sure what it means.
“Excuse me, can you help me find my class?”
September 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
“Excuse me, can you help me find my class?”