Dr Samuel Finnerty

Thanks for sharing @profjohndrury.bsky.social

Scientists as activists: An ethnography of the ‘critical moments’ in scientists’ transition to climate activism This study presents the first ethnographic investigation of scientist climate activism, addressing a major gap in understanding how scientists navigate tensions between professional norms of neutralit...

The Open Access paper, in @plosclimate.org, can be found here: journals.plos.org/climate/arti...

How climate scientists balance the tension between research and public protest – new study Researchers said they tried to manage how their activism was perceived by clarifying their expertise and acting alongside other scientists.

How do scientists balance science with protest? My new piece for @theconversation.com, explores how scientists transition into activism and sustain their engagement.

This is based on my recently published ethnographic paper journals.plos.org/climate/arti...

theconversation.com/how-climate-...

How climate scientists balance the tension between research and public protest – new study Researchers said they tried to manage how their activism was perceived by clarifying their expertise and acting alongside other scientists.

When evidence alone isn’t enough, what does responsible scientific conduct look like?

As climate scientists, our responses differ: research, policy, teaching, or protest. Different paths, same evidence. We’re all trying to serve science and future generations.

theconversation.com/how-climate-...

How climate scientists balance the tension between research and public protest – new study Researchers said they tried to manage how their activism was perceived by clarifying their expertise and acting alongside other scientists.

Fascinating research by @samuelfinnerty.bsky.social on how scientist-activists navigate the tensions between their professional and activist roles, based on research with our group @scientistsforxr.earth

"as political inaction, hostility towards #climate activism, politicisation of science &misinformation grow, scientists face growing pressure not only to produce knowledge but to decide how to visibly stand for it... scientist activism reflects this shifting terrain &the difficult choices it brings"

Scientists as activists: An ethnography of the ‘critical moments’ in scientists’ transition to climate activism This study presents the first ethnographic investigation of scientist climate activism, addressing a major gap in understanding how scientists navigate tensions between professional norms of neutralit...

The Open Access paper, in @plosclimate.org, can be found here: journals.plos.org/climate/arti...

@hollybarnett.bsky.social for the Lancaster account, thank you

Thank you to @fdabl.bsky.social, Mark Levine, Jared Piazza, @maiensachis.bsky.social, Anna Sach, and @thierryaaron.bsky.social for your feedback on earlier drafts of the paper. Importantly, thank you to all the scientists who participated, especially @scientistsforxr.earth

How climate scientists balance the tension between research and public protest – new study Researchers said they tried to manage how their activism was perceived by clarifying their expertise and acting alongside other scientists.

How do scientists balance science with protest? My new piece for @theconversation.com, explores how scientists transition into activism and sustain their engagement.

This is based on my recently published ethnographic paper journals.plos.org/climate/arti...

theconversation.com/how-climate-...

Scientists as activists: An ethnography of the ‘critical moments’ in scientists’ transition to climate activism This study presents the first ethnographic investigation of scientist climate activism, addressing a major gap in understanding how scientists navigate tensions between professional norms of neutralit...

New research by @samuelfinnerty.bsky.social just published in PLOS Climate:

"Scientists as activists: An ethnography of the ‘critical moments’ in scientists’ transition to climate activism"

journals.plos.org/climate/arti...

@naomiaklein.bsky.social
@georgemonbiot.bsky.social
@aoc.bsky.social
@stephenking.bsky.social
@georgetakei.bsky.social
@markhamillofficial.bsky.social
@maddow.bsky.social

Can we please get a signal boost on this super important news clip?

BREAKING⚡️The High Court has just ruled that the government's draconian ban of Palestine Action was unlawful. This is a massive blow to the Home Office’s authoritarian approach. They need to stop criminalising people protesting a genocide and start ending the UK's complicity

Great having my friend @peteknapp.bsky.social in Lancaster to screen his rousing and inspiring film at the Gregson. If you haven't seen it, you must. It can be found here: fires-and-fascism.co.uk

Watch it, share it, and support it if you can.

Great having my friend @peteknapp.bsky.social in Lancaster to screen his rousing and inspiring film at the Gregson. If you haven't seen it, you must. It can be found here: fires-and-fascism.co.uk

Watch it, share it, and support it if you can.

New paper, expertly led by Matthew Ivory, on whether ChatGPT could pass a psychology degree. The answer was pretty much yes (albeit a low scoring pass). A lot to unpack in the paper but tldr is we really need to rethink how we assess our degrees and what we want students to get out of university.

Had a great chat to one of the best climate journalists in the world, @amywestervelt.bsky.social, about criminalisation & repression of climate & environmental protest around the world the other day. Here’s the result.

The Call for Papers is up! 📣

"What does the future of rigorous qualitative research look like in an era of open science, generative AI, increasing authoritarianism/geopolitical shifts, climate crisis and increasing concerns around research security?"

think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...

What motivates people to engage in climate advocacy?

In a new PNAS Nexus megastudy [https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf400] led by @dgoldwert.bsky.social we tested 17 theoretical interventions on a large US sample (N=31,324) to increase public, political, and financial climate advocacy.

1/5

A megastudy of behavioral interventions to catalyze public, political, and financial climate advocacy Abstract. Addressing climate change depends on large-scale system changes, which require public advocacy. Here, we identified and tested 17 expert-crowdsou

🌍 New megastudy on what motivates people to engage in climate advocacy 🥳

We tested 17 theory-driven behavior change interventions to increase public, political, and financial #climate advocacy in the United States (N = 31,324).

academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...

Go see this film

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“It’s a tremendous piece of work”

“A powerful, thought provoking and inspirational film”

“Many, many people need to see this”

“It’s your first film, and yet still better than most #climate documentaries I’ve seen!”

if you’re passionate about AI accountability research and enjoy working in a vibrant lab with a multi-disciplinary team but not interested in doing traditional academic work, this position might be for you

Main Responsibilities Operational and Financial Administration: • Coordinate the day-to-day operational and administrative activities of the AI Accountability Lab. • Oversee lab budgets and financial planning for research grants and cost centres; monitor expenditure and prepare financial reports for the PI and Faculty Finance Office. • Ensure adherence to Trinity and funder financial policies and procurement procedures. • Maintain internal administrative systems, documentation, and records to support efficient project delivery. • Liaise with central Finance, the Research Development Office, and external funding bodies on budgetary and governance matters. • Coordinate HR administrative processes for the lab, including recruitment, onboarding, contract administration, and research staff extensions in liaison with central HR and the Research Office. • Create and maintain shared resources, calendars, and internal documentation. • Coordinate relationships and collaboration with other research centres, government bodies, policy makers, civil society partners, and media as required by the research team. • Plan and schedule internal lab meetings, reading groups, invited speakers, collaborative work sessions, and other events as required.

Research Coordination and Governance: • Track project timelines, deliverables, reporting schedules, and ethical compliance across multiple funded projects. • Ensure research activities meet Trinity and funder governance requirements (e.g., ethics, data management, GDPR, and reporting). • Coordinate workshops, seminars, and collaborative events with research centres and external partners as required. • Maintain shared documentation and project records to support effective collaboration. • Ensure that research outputs comply with ethical and scientific standards and satisfy the terms and conditions of relevant funding bodies.

Communications and External Engagement • Coordinate internal and external communications for the lab, including its website, newsletters, and social media presence. • Liaise with policy makers, media, and stakeholder organisations on behalf of the lab, in consultation with the PI. • Support the dissemination of research outputs, such as academic publications, policy briefs, and public events in collaboration with ADAPT’s and TCD’s communications staff. • Work with Trinity Communications to prepare press releases and highlight lab achievements. • Representing the lab externally with media if required. Planning and Cross-Centre Coordination • Support the PI in delivering AIAL’s annual operational plan and reporting on progress against objectives. • Coordinate activities across multiple projects and partnerships to ensure consistency and alignment with institutional priorities. • Contribute to process improvements that strengthen the lab’s administrative and operational framework. • Act as a key contact for internal governance reviews, audits, and funder compliance checks. Any other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the PI or their delegate in support of the effective operation of the AI Accountability Lab and its objectives.

I’m looking for my right-hand person to come help me run the @aial.ie

- Job Title: Lab Coordinator, AI Accountability Lab (0.8 FTE)
- Pay Scale: (€58,999 - €69,325 per annum pro-rata)
- Closing Date: 11-Feb-2026 12:00

Apply here: my.corehr.com/pls/trrecrui...

Main Responsibilities👇🏾

Bill Gates charity trust's holdings in fossil fuel firms rise despite divestment claims Trust had $254m invested in companies such as Chevron, BP and Shell in 2024, a nine-year record, analysis shows

As Bill Gates recommends a “strategic pivot” away from climate change, the Gates Foundation made record investments in fossil fuel companies in 2024, despite its 2019 pledge to divest.

No one should ever listen to Gates about climate change again.

This ought to be a huge national news story. But the quiet dismantling of a key sector barely registers outside HE. Maybe someone will care when the local economies that Unis sustain start to go bust too. Important story from @patrickjack.bsky.social & @timeshighered.bsky.social

⚡2026 is a turning point. UK #climate & environmental activists face both crisis & opportunity.

Fascism rises, the #climate agenda is under attack, & political representation is urgent.

🧵A longish thread on why we must unite behind @zackpolanski.bsky.social & the @greenparty.org.uk 💚

Great thread Aaron. Important to note the victories along the way

Interview with Abi Perrin: "academia isn’t responding robustly to a world that’s literally and metaphorically on fire" - All Our Yesterdays Dr Abi Perrin, who was one of the presenters at November’s National Emergency Briefing kindly did an email interview. Her website is here. This post is especially worth your time. She is on Bluesky as...

Interview with @abiperrin.bsky.social : “academia isn’t responding robustly to a world that’s literally and metaphorically on fire”

allouryesterdays.info/2026/01/08/i...

I am pleased to announce that I have commandeered my neighbor's home. This home will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, to ensure it is used to benefit my neighbor and me! Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Thank you for this @olivia.science. I am applying for a lecturing role and want to make the case that in person research is still really valuable for psychology, especially given these developments. For example, ethnographic research in real world contexts as I explored here osf.io/preprints/ps...