What we know we don’t know: impacts of deep-sea mining on whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and other migratory species.

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Conservation, Exploration, Featured, Science

Migratory species depend on a vast, interconnected ocean. Disturbance in the deep-sea isn’t localized, it ripples across a globally-connected ocean and impacts made today may persist long after our species fades. Deep-sea mining is an industry in its infancy. As it has slowly matured towards commercial production, the major focus on the impacts of deep-sea … Read More “What we know we don’t know: impacts of deep-sea mining on whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and other migratory species.” »

Beyoncé is Right: History Can’t Be Erased

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Featured, News, Policy

“My family lived and died in America, hmGood ol’ USA (good ol’ USA), shitWhole lotta red in that white and blue, huhHistory can’t be erased, ooh-ohAre you lookin’ for a new America? (America)Are you tired, working time and a half for half the pay?” – Ya Ya lyrics, Beyonce The Trump administration is attempting to … Read More “Beyoncé is Right: History Can’t Be Erased” »

I can serve on your graduate thesis committee. Here’s what you can expect of me, and what I expect in return.

Posted on By David Shiffman
Academic life, Science

By outlining my role and expectations as a committee member, my goal is to help make sure that we have a productive professional relationship, and that we avoid any conflict stemming from not being on the same page about these important matters. This document is a work in progress and may be edited. And this … Read More “I can serve on your graduate thesis committee. Here’s what you can expect of me, and what I expect in return.” »

Teaching with D&D: My favorite source books for running a great Dungeons & Dragons campaign.

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Education, Featured

For the last several years now, I’ve been running educational themed Dungeons & Dragons campaigns through my local library, as well as with student groups in a variety of settings. While you only need the core rulebooks to run a good campaign (and not even that if you use the free System Reference Documents) there … Read More “Teaching with D&D: My favorite source books for running a great Dungeons & Dragons campaign.” »

9 Quick Questions About Deep-Sea Mining from My Congressional Briefing

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Exploration, Featured, Science

Last Friday, I was invited by Congressman Case to brief congressional staffers on the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining alongside former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ocean, Fisheries and Polar Affairs, Dr. Mahlet Mesfin, and native Hawaiian Elder, Solomon Pili Kahoʻohalahala. It was a complex and wide ranging discussion across a range of scientific, policy, and … Read More “9 Quick Questions About Deep-Sea Mining from My Congressional Briefing” »

Help support a new shark science and conservation exhibit in Maryland!

Posted on By David Shiffman
Featured, Science

The Natural History Society of Maryland is redoing their public exhibit halls, including a new exhibit on shark science and conservation. I’m helping them to design it, we’re fundraising, and we can use your help! The centerpiece of the exhibit is a shark diving cage with a fascinating history: It was used during the filming … Read More “Help support a new shark science and conservation exhibit in Maryland!” »

I’m offering a free online crash course in scientific writing and publishing. Here’s how to join!

Posted on By David Shiffman
Academic life, Exploration, Science

The world of scientific writing and pubilshing is complex and confusing, and it can be hard for early career scientists to master. But don’t worry! I am an experienced and award-winning scientific writer, reviewer, editor, and writing instructor, and I’m here to help! I am offering a free online crash course in scientific writing and … Read More “I’m offering a free online crash course in scientific writing and publishing. Here’s how to join!” »

“Twitter sucks now and all the cool kids are moving to Bluesky:” Our new survey shows that scientists no longer find Twitter professionally useful or pleasant

Posted on By David Shiffman 3 Comments on “Twitter sucks now and all the cool kids are moving to Bluesky:” Our new survey shows that scientists no longer find Twitter professionally useful or pleasant
Blogging, Education, Featured, Science

My colleague Dr. Julia Wester and I have a new paper out in the journal Integrative and Comparative Biology reporting on the results of a survey distributed to over 800 scientists, science educators, and science communicators. I presented these results at the 2025 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Our study confirms a trend that’s … Read More ““Twitter sucks now and all the cool kids are moving to Bluesky:” Our new survey shows that scientists no longer find Twitter professionally useful or pleasant” »