Christopher Berry

Christopher Berry

@cplberry.bsky.social

Gravitational-wave astrophysicist. University of Glasgow Senior Lecturer. Science, education, LEGO & cake. May contain traces of nuts 🐘 https://mastodon.online/@cplberry 📚 https://cplberry.com

4.2K followers623 following4.5K posts

Christopher Berry reposted

Leicester Gazette
@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *
Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

I used to think it unrealistic how rich people used to keep trying to reopen Jurassic Park in the sequels

Amy Feldman@amyfeldman7.bsky.social

*NEW* Colossal Biosciences’ Ben Lamm and Anduril’s Palmer Luckey team up on a new startup to genetically engineer war dogs for the military. Warhound comes out of stealth at $1.2B valuation For @forbes.com with @iainmartin.bsky.social and @mhunterhart.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/amyfel...

forbes.comBillionaires Palmer Luckey And Ben Lamm Spin Up Startup To Genetically Engineer Military DogsBen Lamm of de-extinction startup Colossal has teamed up with Palmer Luckey’s team at Anduril to create a dog that’s optimized for military use. The new “warhounds” will be cloned and gene edited.

Christopher Berry reposted

Jan Rosenow
@janrosenow.bsky.social

What most people don't know: when you fill up a petrol car most of the energy never moves it. Petrol car: 13–21% of the crude oil's energy reaches wheels. Electric car on today's UK grid: 43–45%. Electric car on wind+solar: 77–80%. That's why we don't need to replace fossil energy one for one.

Christopher Berry reposted

Charlotte Lydia Riley
@lottelydia.bsky.social

University of Nottingham, right now, is cutting 560 jobs. Do we need to rebrand universities as very large, very clean, land-based oil rigs to get government support?

Leo Hickman@leohickman.carbonbrief.org

From the govt's press release: "The developer estimates that Jackdaw will create 27 new direct jobs and safeguard 273 existing jobs that would otherwise be lost." Odd that so much is made about this being good for jobs. Your nearest out-of-town supermarket likely generates more jobs.

Christopher Berry reposted

Tim O'Brien
@proftimob.bsky.social

Just a reminder that the STFC cuts will not only end all radio astronomy observations from Jodrell Bank and its e-MERLIN array, they will also end the UK's involvement in the Europe-wide radio astronomy network EVN, of which we were a founder member. Our international partners are astounded...

Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

I look at this an instinctively make a spaceship zoom sound

China Space Watch@chinaspace.bsky.social

China’s Tiangong Space Station crosses in front of Jupiter in this remarkable astrophotography shot. Just hundreds of kilometres above Earth, Tiangong appears in front of Jupiter, a world hundreds of millions of kilometres away. Captured by 沈老思347

Christopher Berry reposted

Research Professional News
@resprofnews.bsky.social

Jonathan Reynolds told MPs he has “had to find” money from the former science department’s budget for the government’s defence package The secretary of state was responding to a question about cost savings at major facilities funded by STFC www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

researchprofessionalnews.comReynolds has ‘had to find money’ from science budget for defence - Research Professional NewsSecretary of state responds to questions from MPs about major science facilities impacted by STFC cuts

Christopher Berry reposted

Lucien Heurtier
@lucienheurtier.bsky.social

🚨What happens to UK science when its next generation sees a future elsewhere? 🧪 69% of the PhD students and postdocs in physics we surveyed seriously consider their next job abroad. Just 1 in 20 are confident about suitable UK opportunities. #UKRI #STFC @chionwurah.bsky.social

Christopher Berry reposted

John Bull
@garius.eurosky.social

Replying to @garius.eurosky.social

Nigella Lawson could have gone full political dynasty, but instead she chose cake. Respect.

Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

Citations in a curved space

INSPIRE HEP@inspirehep.net

N.D. Birrell and P.C.W. Davies' 1982 book "Quantum Fields in Curved Space" inspirehep.net/literature/1... reaches 3,000 citations. The unsual shape of the graph may be an artefact of trying to record citations to a book.

Christopher Berry reposted

Robin Bisson
@robinbisson.bsky.social

Replying to @robinbisson.bsky.social

UKRI is on paper and arm's length body but, as someone recently pointed out to me, those arms seem as long as a T-rex's. Full story in today's Research Fortnight: bsky.app/profile/resp...

Research Professional News@resprofnews.bsky.social

Government’s quantum facility bid fast-tracked at UKRI amid cutbacks. 🚨Exclusive🚨 ‘Wildcard’ proposal to Infrastructure Fund approved as projects including Cern experiment upgrade lost backing www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

researchprofessionalnews.comGovernment’s quantum facility bid fast-tracked at UKRI amid cutbacks - Research Professional NewsExclusive: ‘Wildcard’ proposal to Infrastructure Fund approved as projects including Cern experiment upgrade lost backing

Christopher Berry reposted

University and College Union (UCU)
@ucu.org.uk

Nottingham is cutting paediatric nursing. These are the nurses who care for sick children. The university trains them. The region relies on them. Labour MP Amanda Hack says these cuts will bite across the East Midlands. She's right. Staff are on strike to stop it. Stand with them.

Christopher Berry reposted

Jan Rosenow
@janrosenow.bsky.social

Excellent article in El Pais on the impact of Hormuz on electrification this morning. I told them “Electric cars and heat pumps are between three and four times more efficient [than their fossil equivalents]” archive.is/VfFsl

Christopher Berry reposted

Chris Lintott
@chrislintott.bsky.social

As expected, the Prime Minister's promise to sort out the mess of funding for Jodrell actually meant nothing - it seems the government would like it to be some sort of heritage theme park when you can go and see where we used to do science. 🔭

Margot Finn@eicathomefinn.bsky.social

'The University of Manchester is seeking alternative funding sources to keep scientific work at Jodrell Bank going after hearing that lost UK Research and Innovation funding would not be restored despite interventions by the prime minister.'

timeshighereducation.comManchester seeks alternative Jodrell funds despite Burnham pledgeUniversity exploring new revenue streams to continue important scientific research at site, as astronomers remain concerned about the future of facility

Christopher Berry reposted

Britt Lundgren
@brittlundgren.bsky.social

My article on the likely influence of the experiments of polymath Thomas Young on the early abstract art of Hilma af Klint is now published & open access at Leonardo / MIT Press 🎉 direct.mit.edu/leon/article...

direct.mit.eduAction at a Distance: Did Physicist Thomas Young’s 1807 Lectures Inspire Some of the Earliest Examples of Abstract Art?Abstract. Swedish artist Hilma af Klint is known to have been influenced by scientific developments at the turn of the twentieth century. However, many of her paintings from 1914 to 1916 exhibit simil...
Britt Lundgren@brittlundgren.bsky.social

Since we’re all desperate for a positive distraction today, I guess I’ll share some exciting news I’ve been sitting on for a few months… I made an accidental discovery in art history & after four years of researching and reworking, it’s finally getting published! direct.mit.edu/leon/article...

Christopher Berry reposted

Elizabeth Tasker
@elizabethtasker.bsky.social

12 days until the launch of the JAXA Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) to explore the moons of Mars and return a sample from Phobos. This meanwhile, is a white lotus moon cake. It is unlikely that Phobos and Deimos are made from white lotus, but you never know…

Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

Great work by Ananya, who did an internship with us as part of the GET-GO exchange with LIGO India!

LIGO Scientific Collaboration@ligo.org

Lots of great research was presented at our recent Collaboration meeting. Special congratulations to our poster prize winners! 👨‍🔬 Avanish Kulur Ramamohan (Australian National University) 👨‍💻 Ananya Anandharaman (@uofgravity.bsky.social) 👩‍🏫 Ashika Achuthankutty (University of Szeged/HUN-REN Wigner RCP)

Christopher Berry reposted

University and College Union (UCU)
@ucu.org.uk

Nottingham today. Everywhere tomorrow. 2,700 staff put at risk. 600+ jobs targeted. At least 48 courses facing closure. What happens here sets the template for the sector. Stand with Nottingham.

Christopher Berry reposted

Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

🔭 Anyone interested in applying for a RAS Fellowship or 1851 Fellowship at @uofgravity.bsky.social, please get in touch! We have a great gravitational-wave group ⚛️ These fellowships are great for those coming straight from a PhD. We have internal deadlines, so we need to know who's interested soon

Christopher Berry reposted

Prof Jim Wild
@jim-wild.bsky.social

Fabulous that humanity has regained the ability to image the Earth's entire auroral oval from orbit. Well done to the whole SMILE/UVI team! 👏 Note how the whole oval seen here is in daylight These ultraviolet images were captured during the middle of summer in the northern hemisphere 👀

ESA Space Science@science.esa.int

Inspector Smile is ready for science! 🫡 This is Smile’s first ultraviolet view showing an auroral substorm. With the ultraviolet camera now operational, Smile becomes the first spacecraft since 2008 to capture the full ring of northern lights around the north pole in ultraviolet light. 🔭 🧪 ☀️

Christopher Berry reposted

Conor Fitzpatrick
@fitzparticle.bsky.social

@robinbisson.bsky.social doing great work here. If I were on @ukri.org's STFC council I'd be very unhappy with the chair altering approved minutes I'm named on without consultation. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

researchprofessionalnews.comNew evidence raises questions for UKRI on edited STFC minutes - Research Professional NewsFunder insists amended minutes are “accurate summary”, despite differing with slide presented to council

Christopher Berry reposted

Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans
@astroroyalscot.bsky.social

I absolutely love the idea of everyone across the world, looking up at the cosmos, together. Join in the international fun for 100 hours of stargazing! The challenges start this Thursday! 🔭🎢🧪⚛️ ℹ️: 100hours.online

Jenny Shipway@jennyshipway.bsky.social

FIVE days to go! People across the world will be looking up at the starry skies 1-4 October for '100 Hours of Astronomy'. Take a short break, step outside, and join us at 100hours.online to complete four simple stargazing challenges and put a marker on your town or city of our UK/Ireland map.

Christopher Berry reposted

Matt Henderson
@matthen.com

How have the constellations changed since humans first looked up? Has the big dipper always pointed to Polaris? Has Polaris always been the North star? (nope!)

Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

🔭 Anyone interested in applying for a RAS Fellowship or 1851 Fellowship at @uofgravity.bsky.social, please get in touch! We have a great gravitational-wave group ⚛️ These fellowships are great for those coming straight from a PhD. We have internal deadlines, so we need to know who's interested soon

Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

🔥 🔥🐶 ☕ 🔥 🔥

Guardian US@us.theguardian.com

The “jaw-dropping” El Niño currently heating up the planet has burst through the highest temperature ever recorded for the phenomenon, several months before its expected peak.

Christopher Berry reposted

Lucien Heurtier
@lucienheurtier.bsky.social

Excellent article about the crisis faced by physics research in the UK: Brian Cox: "I have no idea who mandated this shift or why they think it’s a good idea, but from my perspective it’s a disaster. I urge the new Burnham government to step in..." 🧪🔭 www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...

thetimes.comBrian Cox: Physics in Britain is facing a crisisThe celebrity physicist has joined officials in condemning the UK’s decision to withdraw £45 million in funding from the Large Hadron Collider

Christopher Berry reposted

Thomas I-G
@thomasig.bsky.social

Higher education is good, actually.

Resolution Foundation@resolutionfoundation.org

The evidence is clear: countries with lower NEET rates than the UK get there almost entirely through higher rates of post-18 education. In these countries, more young people stay in education for longer and often combine it with work.

Christopher Berry reposted

Nick Harkaway
@nickharkaway.com

Replying to @nickharkaway.com

The RNLI is the closest you will ever get to actual Batman. When rescue is visibly, viscerally, obviously impossible; when the water is a smothering, thundering black wall and the wind is screaming straight from Hell; when you are absolutely going to die: someone’s hand pulls you out and you don’t.

Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

What next, attacking the RSPB for helping Canada geese?

Otto English@ottoenglish.bsky.social

The RNLI rescued Luftwaffe pilots in WW2 because the organisation is there to 'save life at sea' - it's something to be immensely proud of. But as I've said many times before Farage and Co don't seem to have pride in Britain and its institutions beyond flags and crap Enoch Powell said 60 years ago.

Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

I know Pokémon Go some to get people out, but this seems a bit far

Serebii.net@serebii.bsky.social

Serebii Update: The collaboration between the Europe Space Agency and Pokémon has been announced. Features museum exhibits, merchandise and a Pokémon GO tie-in event. Runs from early October Details @ www.serebii.net

Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

It's not even a real fish

Margot Finn@eicathomefinn.bsky.social

'At the start of the year, Elsevier said it would close Researchfish in July 2027, leaving the scores of funders who rely on it for tracking grant outcomes scrabbling for alternatives. UK Research and Innovation, one of the biggest users of Researchfish, renewed its contract in July 2025.'

Christopher Berry reposted

Lucien Heurtier
@lucienheurtier.bsky.social

📢 Are you working in Particle Physics, Astronomy, and Nuclear (PPAN) in the UK? You were sent a survey regarding Early-Career Researchers and the impact of STFC cuts on them. If you didn't, PM me, as we need as many ECRs to fill it asap, and you could help spread it. If you were, fill/spread it!🧪

Christopher Berry reposted

Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

Good to see @heraldscotland.bsky.social picking up the story of the chronic shortage of Physics teachers in Scotland www.heraldscotland.com/news/2655294... 🎢⚛️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.comScotland faces worsening physics teacher shortage, says new IOP reportIOP Scotland is calling for a new 10-year strategy to boost retention, recruitment and retraining.
Institute of Physics@iop.org

Scotland recruited just 28 trainee physics teachers this year against a target of 131. Without action, shortages will continue to impact pupils, schools & future workforce. @iopscotland.bsky.social's new report calls for a 10-year plan focused on Retention, Recruitment & Retraining: bit.ly/4h3M2K0

bit.lyRetaining, Recruiting, and Retraining Physics Teachers for Scotland’s FutureRead our report to see how the Scottish Government can get physics teaching in Scotland on a more sustainable footing.
Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social

Good to see @heraldscotland.bsky.social picking up the story of the chronic shortage of Physics teachers in Scotland www.heraldscotland.com/news/2655294... 🎢⚛️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.comScotland faces worsening physics teacher shortage, says new IOP reportIOP Scotland is calling for a new 10-year strategy to boost retention, recruitment and retraining.
Institute of Physics@iop.org

Scotland recruited just 28 trainee physics teachers this year against a target of 131. Without action, shortages will continue to impact pupils, schools & future workforce. @iopscotland.bsky.social's new report calls for a 10-year plan focused on Retention, Recruitment & Retraining: bit.ly/4h3M2K0

bit.lyRetaining, Recruiting, and Retraining Physics Teachers for Scotland’s FutureRead our report to see how the Scottish Government can get physics teaching in Scotland on a more sustainable footing.

Christopher Berry reposted

Rose Schmits
@roseschmits.bsky.social

Tapping the sign. There is a solution to the “problem“ of the *scary* (ooooOOOOooh spooky) asylum centre and its to just treat them as normal people and start integrating them into society the moment they get here and just find them homes

Rose Schmits@roseschmits.bsky.social

There really is a simple solution to migration. And its to be fucking normal about it and stop being a nationalist racist