#PhD in Built Environment

[ricssbeblogs]

Explore what a PhD in Built Environment entails! This guide covers research areas, career prospects, and the skills you’ll develop, helping you understand how this advanced degree can shape your future in sustainable design, urban development, and construction innovation.

[antisnookdog]

I made a humans are weird pamphlet

⸻

[Welcome to Earth!]

Diplomatic Briefing Pamphlet: The Human Species

(For Official Use Only – Do Not Leave in Orbit)

⸻

Species Designation: Homo sapiens

Common Names: Humans, Earthlings, Gremlins with God Complexes

Status: Emotionally volatile. Excessively curious. Terminally dramatic.

Threat Level: Vibes-based. Somehow both harmless and extremely dangerous.

⸻

1. General Overview

Humans are a carbon-based bipedal species that developed intelligence, opposable thumbs, and the alarming tendency to either love or destroy everything they encounter.

They are fueled by caffeine, spite, and memes.

Despite their fragile physiology, humans are incredibly persistent. If an environment is considered “inhospitable,” a human will attempt to live there for fun or content.

⸻

2. Cultural Duality

Humanity exists in a state of constant contradiction. Examples include:

Dark Side Wholesome Side

Warhammer 40k Stardew Valley

Doom Eternal Animal Crossing

Final Destination Pride and Prejudice

The Crusades Bake-Off Competitions

Exploiting labor via colonial empires Adopting stray animals and crying

They are simultaneously writing love poems and building orbital death platforms. Proceed accordingly.

⸻

3. Violence (See Also: Sports)

Humans made rules about how to be less evil during war, then immediately violated them. These are called the Geneva Conventions.

They also made sports out of fighting each other for trophies, fame, or vibes.

Favorite pastimes include:

• Beating each other senseless in a cage

• Running at 40 km/h for fun

• Climbing lethal mountains

• Jumping out of flying machines

Note: They will say it’s “for the experience.”

⸻

4. Denial Reflex

Even in the face of literal interstellar beings landing on their lawns, many humans will:

• Claim it’s CGI

• Blame the government

• Insist it’s demons

• Ask for merch

They evolved this reflex to avoid existential crises and somehow made it a cultural cornerstone.

⸻

5. Reproduction & Romance (Warning: NSFW)

Human mating behavior is chaotic and often ritualized via elaborate apps, confusing signals, and courtship dances involving memes. They:

• Invented robots for companionship

• Wrote fanfiction about everything

• Made “tentacle romance” a genre

• Occasionally attempt to seduce supernatural entities

Proceed with caution and boundaries. Consent is important. They learned that… eventually.

⸻

6. History (Not for the faint of core)

Earth’s timeline is packed with:

• Empires built on slavery

• Religious wars over metaphysical real estate

• Repeated cycles of “oops, genocide”

• Philosophers who were also warlords

• Burning witches. And books. Sometimes both.

They also recorded these events, dramatized them in film, and won awards.

⸻

7. Interaction Tips

• If a human offers you food, accept it. Then ask if it’s poisonous. Sometimes it is. They eat it anyway.

• Avoid debates unless you have 6 hours to spare and a tolerance for shouting.

• They will name you. Prepare to be called “Steve” or “Gary.”

• Do not show fear. They can smell it.

• Show them a shiny rock and they might worship it or mine it. Possibly both.

⸻

8. Warning List

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE:

• Mention their oceans. Even they don’t go down there anymore.

• Bring up Australia without mental prep.

• Assume they’re peaceful just because they’re smiling.

• Take them to space before explaining that aliens exist.

• Say “Warhammer is real.” Some believe it already.

⸻

Final Summary:

Humans are unpredictable, violent, hilarious, empathetic, and incredibly weird.

They’ll destroy a planet for oil and then cry over a 2-minute animal rescue video.

They are terrifying and lovable, like if a raccoon had a PhD and nuclear codes.

We recommend extreme caution, cultural immersion, and bringing snacks.

⸻

Issued by:

GCIR – Department of Chaotic Species Affairs

Document: Earth-001-HowToHuman (Rev. 2.0 – Updated after Florida Incident)

⸻

[tinfoil-jones]

Gravity Falls: For Your Own Good, Ch. 9

Summary: A few years after moving to Gravity Falls and having his lab built, Stanford Pines happens upon his estranged twin brother, Stanley. He mentally prepared himself to be suffocated by his brothers neediness all over again - what he wasn't prepared for was Stanley walking right past him like he didn't even notice him.

Rating: M for language, violence, and adult implications

Preface: Dialogue only, but some actions will be annotated for clarity. Cross-Posted on AO3 Here

First - Prev - Next

CH.9

“Why don’t criminals trust stairs?”

“Stanley, I am trying to work.”

“Because they’re always up to something.”

*Ford covering his mouth with his hand because he’s trying really hard not to laugh*

“Why don’t criminals like elevators? Because they hate getting taken down.”

*Ford faceplanting on his desk and slamming his fist on it because he’s trying not to laugh*

“What do you call a criminal snob going downstairs? A condescending con descending.”

“E-enough! I’m going to put you on mute if you don’t stop.”

“Ah, come on man. It’s not like I got much else to do here. I can’t even write in that notebook you guys gave me anymore cause I got nothing to write with.”

“Maybe you would still have writing utensils if we didn't run out because you chewed up all of the other ones we gave you.”

“I can’t help it, PhD. I’m on day seven of nicotine withdrawal and it’s still kicking my ass. I get that this whole lab is a ‘no smoking’ zone, but I saw stretch using dip, and you didn’t say anything; just looked at him in a passive aggressive, judgemental way.”

“Tobacco is a nasty habit, and you are better off losing that vice while you’re still in a controlled environment. Our father never kicked it on his own, so this is really for your own-.”

“Yeah, yeah Doc. For my own good. I’ve heard it a million times. Do you like, keep score of how many times you say that, is someone keeping track of it? Or is that your only excuse for the insane crap you’re always pulling.”

“If it will placate you and keep you quiet, I’ll wheel over a television.”

“You have one of those down here?”

“I primarily use it as a device that decrypts thoughts, but its original function is still intact. Let me bring it over.”

“How uncharacteristically considerate of you.”

“You’re watching The Black and White Period Piece Old Lady Boring Movie Channel.”

“Wait a second, where's the remote?”

“There isn’t one.”

“Stay tuned for the six episode marathon of The Six Wives of Henry VIII, starring Keith Michell as Henry VIII, Annette Crosbie as Catherine of Aragon, Dorothy Tutin as Anne Boleyn-”

“Change the channel. PhD, I swear to God.”

“Anne Stallybrass as Jane Seymour, Elvi Hale as Anne of Cleves, Angela Pleasance as Catherine Howard, and Rosalie Crutchley as Catherine Parr.”

“No- NO!”

*Ford presses the mute button on the cell*

(...)

160 minutes later…

“Stanford, I brought those scrap m- what in Sam Hell?”

“I appreciate it, Fiddleford.”

“Is there a particular reason Stan is staring unblinking at that TV screen?”

“I put on a soap opera because I thought he would hate it. But he… really got into it.”

“Is that the same reason why his desk chair is smashed in the corner?”

“Yes, there was a plot twist he did not find agreeable. I tried to change the channel after one episode, but he gave me such a look that I truly believe if I did, he would find a way to break the forcefield just to strangle me.”

“That’s… Not what I expected from someone like him.”

“I’ve never seen him get this way. Not even during a baseball game or boxing match where he made the wrong bet.”

“It can’t rightly be that interesting.” 

*Fiddleford pulls up a chair near the cell to watch the TV*

“You both do that. I still have important research to document.”

(...)

240 minutes later…

*all three of them are staring at the TV and don’t start blinking until the credits roll*

“I’ll tell you what, fellers, I can’t believe Gardiner got away with everything.”

“I know, right? Whatever Jesus approves of, I’m sure it’s not that.”

"We're Jewish, Stanley."

"Really? Well that explains why I distinctly remember the Aryan Brotherhood nearly beating me to death in prison."

"They what?!"

"Calm down PhD, I said nearly."

(...)

"Stanley, it has almost been ten days, it’s time to remove your stitches."

"Give me some nail clippers, I'll do it myself."

"Properly. Come on, don't be such a wuss about it."

“Can’t F do it instead?”

“No, he is in town on a supply run. Also, the only difference between you and I and under that shirt is the amount of rolls.”

“Ouch, low blow PhD. It’s not like you’re a runway model either. Fine, but any more cracks on my weight, and I’m going to remind you I’m a threat inside and outside of bars.”

"What are these, circles-? Wait, burns? ...Who did this to you?"

"... Don't worry about it."

"I am going to worry about it! Stanley, who did this?"

"It doesn't matter..."

"It does! Please, I'm your brother just-"

"Don't make me think about it, I don’t remember a lot but- I don't like remembering that."

"Oh Stanley." *hugs him even though it isn't returned* "I'm so sorry. Whatever happened, you didn't deserve that."

"You'd be surprised."

To be continued...

[bme-girl]

02.June.2025

Iced coffee season + happy pride month 😍🌈 I really couldn’t be more content. Chipping away at the thesis with summer vibes gives me so much more energy and life. I really was built for this hahaha

The past 2 weeks I have definitely been in a rut, and I think one of the harder things about being in a rut in a PhD is acknowledging or knowing that no one thing is just gonna magically make you feel better or resolve it. You just sort of do what you can, take a break, and get back on the horse kinda. I see how easy it is for mental health to slip during this thing, it’s wild. One of my coworkers is in their last year and just asked for leave time due to burnout and I’m just kinda like… can this actually be avoided? Questioning academia and the somewhat fake friendly environment a lot of people/groups portray *side eye*, it’s seriously like taking a hit on mental health is somehow “part of it”??

Anywho, of course the system is messed up but it’s important to talk about these things. Cheers to another day of reminding myself I am bigger than the PhD, I am bigger than these problems and struggles, and seeking small pleasures in my every day is key for me.

[rederiswrites]

hi, in one of your garden post tags, you say you have mixed feelings about tallamy. would you be willing to go into that?

Ohhhh man I've been holding onto this great ask because I wanted to be able to pull receipts and really give a good response, but it keeps chewing on my brain, so let's bang something out.

Pretty much everyone in my Master Gardeners program, from the regular volunteers to some of the PhD-holding teachers, seems to think he's great. He's in my region, so honestly some of them have probably met or worked with him. On the other hand, when I read Nature's Best Hope, a few things itched my brain along the way and overall I was left underwhelmed. And I do know a prairie restorationist here on Tumblr (whom I won't tag so they don't have to get angry about bullshit) who really hates him, I think principally because he's so focused on small individual action? which won't really do much to save prairies, tbh.

For those who aren't familiar, Douglas Tallamy is a professor of entomology and wildlife ecology at University of Delaware. He wrote assorted scholarly stuff, but really came to wider attention with his books Bringing Nature Home and Nature's Best Hope, books written (more or less; more on that later) for the layman.

His central thesis is that, essentially, we (the US; this is all VERY US-centric) have built over and privatized so much of the land here that our ecosystems cannot survive without us shifting to deliberately using private land to build wildlife habitat. He suggests that nature preserves, no matter how large, will never be large enough if we don't support them on private land.

On the other hand, he brings together some encouraging data to suggest that even small, relatively isolated patches of native plants and habitat can contribute significantly to the welfare of more mobile species like insects and birds. The idea he's most famous for is the Homegrown National Park, a proposed network of public parks, home properties, and thoughtfully landscaped commercial properties that would, in theory, create large interconnected areas of habitat for native species, based on deliberate planting of native plants.

And I think that's great! I think that's a great premise. I have no problem with the basic ideas. Nor have I seen anyone criticize his actual research or its interpretations. Entomology, and insect interactions within the food web, seem to be his focus, and so far as I know his methods are pretty rigorous and his data not in question.

It was his attitude and his writing I didn't love. I think the problem stands out most strongly in contrast with, say, Robin Kimmerer's work and her book, Braiding Sweetgrass, which is essentially a series of autobiographical stories highlighting the positive ways in which humans can interact with their environment. Kimmerer is a member of the Potawatomi nation and herself a highly respected botanist, and she brings a very different indigenous perspective to her work, wherein humans are a part of nature and can be its partner. Tallamy's writing is constantly studded with his own guilt over human destruction of nature, and I think it harms both his writing and his attempt to appeal to a broader audience.

I don't have the time to find specific quotes, alas, but Tallamy straight-up talks about North American indigenous people as if they no longer exist, and also completely ignores the relationship they had with the land. It was extremely jarring to me as I read, and I'm shocked I'm not better able to find people talking about it online tbh. More than that, he virtually ignores that native peoples ever DID exist, referring to the North America that Europeans discovered as "untrammeled wilderness" (wildly untrue and embarrassingly dated from a scholarly point of view) and talks about westward expansion and the slaughter of the bison without once mentioning the indigenous peoples. He espouses a pretty troubling view of humans as locked in a millenia-old inherent struggle against nature that is just....eecccchhhhhh no please.

Then he turns right around and spends an entire chapter (very weirdly and awkwardly, I thought) fanboying over a succession of (mostly white male) ecologists over the last century. And though he doesn't say so, cumulatively the effect is to put him in this lineage of white male saviors who continuously expand our cultural idea of what it means to save the ecosystems around us. It's...iffy.

Beyond that, the central premise wasn't super new to me, which left me reading the book with more of an eye to presentation and writing, and that was a little all over the place. Besides being bogged down in his guilt, his prose was also hampered by a lack of clarity of purpose. Sometimes he seemed to be appealing to his fellow scholars, other times to homeowners and laypeople. The two audiences don't really need the same information, and I didn't think the passages pleading with scholars added much to the writing's strength as a general audiences book. Sometimes it even came off as...how do I say this nicely? A little uncomfortably desperate. I understand the desperation! But I think it negatively impacted the writing.

And lastly, I feel he wrote with a heavy focus on his own ecoregion, without ever acknowledging that he was doing so. This worked out for me, because we're in the same ecoregion and only a couple hours apart geographically, but I think it would have been very annoying for, say, someone in New Mexico, whom he was ostensibly also addressing, but with almost no attention to their actual ecological circumstances. I think writing for your own region is great! We need to do so! But doing so without acknowledging it just makes you look shortsighted.

All that said, I am glad I read Nature's Best Hope, and it did have a couple lessons for me that I've taken forward.

One, I really liked the idea that in the future, ownership of land will come with an expectation that you will care for that land in a way that supports its "ecosystem services". Those being things like cycling water, producing and maintaining fresh air, nutrient cycling, etc. That just like, say, recycling cans, there will be a cultural expectation that you don't landscape in a way that pollutes your area with insecticides or directs a lot of rainwater runoff into the road. Honestly, in my home state of Maryland, there are beginnings of that. Farmers are pretty strictly regulated with an eye to reducing pesticide and fertilizer runoff and soil erosion, because of concern for the health of the Chesapeake Bay. There are programs and incentives for solar power, riparian reforestation, and other ecological initiatives. So it doesn't seem impossible, and it does seem logical.

Two, I needed the reminder that in order to fully support insect life, and thus the species that depend on insects, we can't just provide pretty pollen plants. Those of us with the means to do so need to provide habitat for the entire life cycle, which means leaving leaves and dead flower stems over winter, providing rotting wood, keeping clean water available, etc. Again, because I live in the same environment as Tallamy, his specific suggestions were helpful.

So yeah...there it is. I'm sure much more could be said, but not by me, or at least not today. Tallamy. Kind of a mixed bag tbh.

[yandere-paramour]

Need some reassurance from the yans since I am currently doing my university application coming in from college and still looking at the courses within my chosen interest, which is politics and other such social sciences subjects 🫠

Vivien will always support you in everything you do, but he would be a GREAT trophy husband. If you become a local politician dedicated to changing the environment around you for the better, he would be ecstatic. He would be right beside you at every charity auction, LGBTQ+ rally, and "Science is Real" protest. He would put on an apron and gladly grill thousands of pancakes for your pancake breakfast. He would deliver flowers to your office every week and stay up late making signs. Whenever you give a speech, he would be right there in his cute little floral collared shirt, smiling up at you adorably. All the activist teenagers would love you guys, you would be an absolute power couple. At the end of your term, you would be re-elected, and when you finally retired, they would probably name a building/street/monument after you.

Atalanta encourages you to major in psychology or sociology. She has billions of dollars worth of wealth, and part of being a Montclair is using that money to better both the immediate city and the world around you (remember Jamie built the community center with the attached ballet studio for afterschool enrichment for the city's children). Studying psych/soc is a great way to identify problems with equality and equity within the city and try to do something to fix them. It also will help you understand human, and therefore yandere, behavior, but Ata did not consider that. You can easily learn some good tricks to deal with her.

Noelle doesn't really like the politics angle (too much being outside the apartment), but she highly encourages social sciences like psychology, linguistics, history, sociology, anthropology, and gender studies. Everything is online these days, you can absolutely get a PhD and become the world's leading expert on Ancient Egyptian gender roles or hunter-gatherer baby slings or something. It would be a great way to keep you busy while she's at work, and you would be contributing to the world. She would be endlessly proud of your work and would get you one of those blankets where you can print your dissertation on it.

I'm so happy for you! I was a biology major myself and I do not recommend it ❤️

[mr-entj]

Mr-entj, you always say to start from the problems we want to solve. But how exactly can we find out what those are and how good we are at doing that?

Related answer:

Career and impact

Look around everywhere and see what catches your interest. Here are a few places to start and questions to ask:

Your immediate environment. Look around you—at your situation, family, neighborhood, socioeconomic class, ethnic group, town, city, and country. What issues are affecting them? What conditions are you living in? How are you treated?

For example, a former classmate of mine, whose family was deeply impacted by the Korean War, went on to study at Harvard and earn her PhD at Oxford. Today, she’s a recognized expert on North Korean human rights issues, publishing and speaking on the topic worldwide (currently a guest lecturer at Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government).

Within society. Check the news, social media, and entertainment channels. What themes keep surfacing? What news headlines are most fascinating or disturbing?

For example, I have a friend who was deeply troubled by corporate environmental abuse, everything from unchecked pollution to unpunished disasters and the growing threat of climate change. She pursued a law degree at Stanford Law School, later led the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and now serves as the Director of Global Climate Strategies for a climate non-profit.

At school and in academia. What research are people working on? What subjects interest you? Which professors are tackling interesting problems and pushing exciting boundaries?

For example, a friend of mine was inspired by her Child Development Psychology professor, who encouraged her to pursue graduate school. With support from that professor, my friend earned a spot in a top PhD program at the University of Michigan. Today, she’s a professor of Child and Adolescent Development in California, researching educational outcomes for first-generation Latino students.

At work. What’s inefficient or frustrating? What tools would make life easier? What solutions are missing that need to be built?

For example, a friend of mine noticed how tedious and frustrating it was to onboard contractors. So, he launched a startup to streamline everything from interviews to payroll. In 2021, he sold that same startup to Workday for $500 million USD.

For me, I'm driven by technological innovations that improve society (Product Management + Strategy) and working to ensure the responsible deployment of that technology to keep the world safe (Trust & Safety). For my wife (the INTJ), her focus is on ensuring technology is used fairly and that personal data isn’t exploited or misused (she's a lawyer that works in data privacy).

You won’t know how good you are at solving problems until you identify your strengths. Then: research, experiment, fail, learn, grow, and repeat. Without data, there are no new insights. Get out there, try something, and come back with real-world feedback.

[drdemonprince]

spiraling slightly about finally applying to grad school with a low gpa. I’m proud bc even getting to this point took a lot of work facing shame and I know my essay is strong but it might not even get read. I have an idea of what I’ll do if I don’t get in anywhere this first round but the whole thing is just so frustrating 😖 wish I could just pluck out the menty-b year from my transcript

Here's a little reassurance that's also very grounded in stastical reality and academic process, for what it's worth:

Depending on the graduate program, you're looking at about a 10% rate of acceptance on average. So receiving some rejections is normal -- it's typical to expect 90% of the schools you apply to to ultimately reject you. So if you get some rejection letters, know that it's not a reflection that you have failed, or that you're not graduate school material, it's a built-in part of the experience.

Additionally, *most* graduate programs have a GPA and standardized test score cut off, and all applications that fall below that cut-off are not even examined. For example, I applied to my undregrad alma mater, OSU, for graduate school, but my test scores were *one point below* the threshold they require, and so it didn't matter that I had been working for three years in two different social psychology labs for like 20 hours a week and had stellar recommendations from the school's own faculty. They didn't even look at that stuff. So, if you get some rejections, know that it's often nothing to do with your application materials at all. Yes this is fucked up. I think it's good to know that it's due to a built-in discrimination that THEY are doing, not anything you did.

Most people have to apply to multiple programs or apply multiple times over the course of a couple of years to find an acceptance at a school that is a good fit. It sounds like you have a back-up plan, which is definitely wise of you, but if you know in your heart that this is the path you want to pursue, don't let some rejections get you down on yourself. You can dust yourself off and apply again. I applied to I think 15? programs and got rejected by like 10 or 11 of them. That's par for the course.

The last thing I'll say is that graduate schools are exploitative, ableist environments that cause immense trauma to nearly every neurodivergent person who goes through them, so make sure you know what you are in for and have a really robust support system in place should you choose to pursue it.

It also *rarely* leads to any career prospects. To put it in perspective, blogging on tumblr helped my career more than 5 years of graduate study did. The blog The Professor is In by Karen Kelskey is a must read if you want a gut check for all the labor exploitation and poor preparation for the job market that happens in academia. you know your life, your values, and what excites and motivates you best, but graduate school is never an experience i proactively recommend to people.

ultimately i got very, very, very lucky as far as PhD's go, and even with that being the case in the end, graduate school still ruined my life and physical health.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New SpaceTime out Wednesday

SpaceTime 20240821 Series 27 Episode 101

Oceans of water found on Mars

Scientists have found evidence of oceans of liquid water deep under the Martian surface – enough to cover the red planet to a depth of more than a kilometre.

Galaxies in dense environments tend to grow larger

A new study has shown that galaxies located within galaxy clusters with lots of other galaxies nearby tend to be up to 25 per cent larger than isolated galaxies drifting through the cosmos alone.

Curtin’s Binar satellites arrive aboard the International Space Station

Northrop Grumman’s NG-21 Cygnus cargo ship has successfully docked with the International Space Station’s Unity module’s nadir port carrying fresh supplies including three Curtin University built experimental satellites.

The Science Report

Why the thymus dies early.

July shown to be the 14th consecutive month of record breaking heat.

AI-generated training datasets can cause machine learning model collapse.

Alex on Tech Google Pixel release

SpaceTime covers the latest news in astronomy & space sciences.

The show is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Apple Podcasts (itunes), Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pocketcasts, SoundCloud, Bitez.com, YouTube, your favourite podcast download provider, and from www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com

SpaceTime is also broadcast through the National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio and on both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

SpaceTime daily news blog: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/

SpaceTime facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime Instagram @spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime twitter feed @stuartgary

SpaceTime YouTube: @SpaceTimewithStuartGary

SpaceTime -- A brief history

SpaceTime is Australia’s most popular and respected astronomy and space science news program – averaging over two million downloads every year. We’re also number five in the United States.  The show reports on the latest stories and discoveries making news in astronomy, space flight, and science.  SpaceTime features weekly interviews with leading Australian scientists about their research.  The show began life in 1995 as ‘StarStuff’ on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) NewsRadio network.  Award winning investigative reporter Stuart Gary created the program during more than fifteen years as NewsRadio’s evening anchor and Science Editor.  Gary’s always loved science. He studied astronomy at university and was invited to undertake a PHD in astrophysics, but instead focused on his career in journalism and radio broadcasting. Gary’s radio career stretches back some 34 years including 26 at the ABC. He worked as an announcer and music DJ in commercial radio, before becoming a journalist and eventually joining ABC News and Current Affairs. He was part of the team that set up ABC NewsRadio and became one of its first on air presenters. When asked to put his science background to use, Gary developed StarStuff which he wrote, produced and hosted, consistently achieving 9 per cent of the national Australian radio audience based on the ABC’s Nielsen ratings survey figures for the five major Australian metro markets: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.  The StarStuff podcast was published on line by ABC Science -- achieving over 1.3 million downloads annually.  However, after some 20 years, the show finally wrapped up in December 2015 following ABC funding cuts, and a redirection of available finances to increase sports and horse racing coverage.  Rather than continue with the ABC, Gary resigned so that he could keep the show going independently.  StarStuff was rebranded as “SpaceTime”, with the first episode being broadcast in February 2016.  Over the years, SpaceTime has grown, more than doubling its former ABC audience numbers and expanding to include new segments such as the Science Report -- which provides a wrap of general science news, weekly skeptical science features, special reports looking at the latest computer and technology news, and Skywatch – which provides a monthly guide to the night skies. The show is published three times weekly (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and available from the United States National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio, and through both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

[jcmarchi]

Erin Kara named Edgerton Award winner

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/erin-kara-named-edgerton-award-winner/

Erin Kara named Edgerton Award winner

Class of 1958 Career Development Assistant Professor Erin Kara of the Department of Physics has been named as the recipient of the 2023-24 Harold E. Edgerton Faculty Achievement Award.   Established in 1982, the award is a tribute to the late Institute Professor Emeritus Harold E. Edgerton for his support for younger faculty members. This award recognizes exceptional distinction in teaching, research, and service.

Professor Kara is an observational astrophysicist who is a faculty member in the Department of Physics and a member of the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research (MKI). She uses high-energy transients and time-variable phenomena to understand the physics behind how black holes grow and how they affect their environments.

Kara has advanced a new technique called X-ray reverberation mapping, which allows astronomers to map the gas falling onto black holes and measure the effects of strongly curved spacetime close to the event horizon. She also works on a variety of transient phenomena, such as tidal disruption events and galactic black hole outbursts.

She is a NASA Participating Scientist for the XRISM Observatory, a joint JAXA/NASA X-ray spectroscopy mission that just launched this past September, and is a NASA Participating Scientist for the ULTRASAT Mission, an ultraviolet all-sky time domain mission, set to launch in 2027. She is also working to develop and launch the next generation of NASA missions, as deputy principal investigator of the AXIS Probe Mission.

“I am delighted for Erin,” says Claude Canizares, the Bruno Rossi Professor of Physics. “She is an exemplary Edgerton awardee. As one of the leading observational astrophysicists of her generation, she has made major advances in our understanding of black holes and their environments. She also plays a leadership role in the design of new space missions, is a passionate and effective teacher, and a thoughtful mentor of graduate students and postdocs.”

Adds Kavli Director Rob Simcoe, “Erin is one of a very rare breed of experimental astrophysicists who have the interest and stamina not only to use observatories built by colleagues before her, but also to dive into a leadership role planning and executing new spaceflight missions that will shape the future of her field.”

The committee also recognized Kara’s work to create “a stimulating and productive multigenerational research group. Her mentorship is thoughtful and intentional, guiding and supporting each student or postdoc while giving them the freedom to grow and become self-reliant.”

During the nomination process, students praised Kara’s teaching skills, enthusiasm, organization, friendly demeanor, and knowledge of the material.

“Erin is the best faculty mentor I have ever had,” says one of her students. “She is supportive, engaged, and able to provide detailed input on projects when needed, but also gives the right amount of freedom to her students/postdocs to aid in their development. Working with Erin has been one of the best parts of my time at MIT.”

Kara received a BA in physics from Barnard College, and an MPhil in physics and a PhD in astronomy from the Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge University. She subsequently served as Hubble Postdoctoral Fellow and then Neil Gehrels Prize Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Maryland and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She joined the MIT faculty in 2019.

Her recognitions include the American Astronomical Society‘s Newton Lacy Pierce Prize, for “outstanding achievement, over the past five years, in observational astronomical research,” and the Rossi Prize from the High-Energy Astrophysics Division of the AAS (shared).

The award committee lauded Kara’s service in the field and at MIT, including her participation with the Physics Graduate Admissions Committee, the Pappalardo Postdoctoral Fellowship Committee, and the MKI Anti-Racism Task Force. Professor Kara also participates in dinners and meet-and-greets invited by student groups, such as Undergraduate Women in Physics, Graduate Women in Physics, and the Society of Physics Students.

Her participation in public outreach programs includes her talks “Black Hole Echoes and the Music of the Cosmos” at both the Concord Conservatory of Music and an event with MIT School of Science alumni, and “What’s for dinner? How black holes eat nearby stars” for the MIT Summer Research Program.

“There is nothing more gratifying than being recognized by your peers, and I am so appreciative and touched that my colleagues in physics even thought to nominate me for this award,” says Kara. “I also want to express my gratitude to my awesome research group. They are what makes this job so fun and so rewarding, and I know I wouldn’t be in this position without their hard work, great attitudes, and unwavering curiosity.” 

[ricssbeblogs]

you’ll discover why pursuing a PhD in Built Environment is more than an academic milestone: it’s a strategic career choice. We’ll unpack what a PhD in Built Environment Program involves, highlight diverse research areas, explore career trajectories, and offer practical tips for thriving in your doctoral journey. Let’s dive in.

[thoughtportal]

Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a breath test that quickly identifies those who are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. The device requires only one or two breaths and provides results in less than a minute.

The study is available online in the journal ACS Sensors. The same group of researchers recently published a paper in the journal Nature Communications about an air monitor they had built to detect airborne SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — within about five minutes in hospitals, schools and other public places.

The new study is about a breath test that could become a tool for use in doctors’ offices to quickly diagnose people infected with the virus. If and when new strains of COVID-19 or other airborne pathogenic diseases arise, such devices also could be used to screen people at public events. The researchers said the breath test also has potential to help prevent outbreaks in situations where many people live or interact in close quarters — for example aboard ships, in nursing homes, in residence halls at colleges and universities or on military bases.

“With this test, there are no nasal swabs and no waiting 15 minutes for results, as with home tests,” said co-corresponding author Rajan K. Chakrabarty, PhD, the Harold D. Jolley Career Development Associate Professor of Energy, Environment & Chemical Engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering. “A person simply blows into a tube in the device, and an electrochemical biosensor detects whether the virus is there. Results are available in about a minute.”

[architectuul]

Tinatin Gurgenidze: Between Two Cities

Continuing our talks on the Independent Coastal Radio NOR with Tinatin Gurgenidze, an architect and urban researcher from Georgia. She is one of the co-founders of the Tbilisi Architecture Biennial. Listen to new edition of Weltraum.

Explain me more about the Tbilisi architectural biennial?

Tinatin Gurgenidze: Since I've left Georgia, I always wanted to do something there. I started my PhD research about a neighbourhood in Tbilisi and at some point in 2017 spent half a year in Georgia. This is when the idea of making a cultural event in this district came up. With some friends we made this utopian idea of establishing an architectural biennial in 2017. Afterwards we managed to organise the first edition in 2018. The main reason was the lack of cultural activities in Georgia concerning architecture and also a lack of critical discourse. It was important to create a platform to bring different actors together and talk about certain topics. The second important reason was to engage with the city critically and talk about existing problems.

The inaugural Tbilisi Architecture Biennial was based in the suburb of Gldani. Photo is by Tako Robakidze

Do you also involve different communities in this discourse?

TG: The initial idea is to create it for the local audience but as we had less expertise, and we were lacking experiences of creating such events we made it quite international at the beginning. The local audience at first was not so much present, probably because it was the first time, they didn't really understand what we were doing, but it radically grew in the last two editions. Our audience is very different because we make very interdisciplinary activities. For example, in the last edition we had the film screenings where completely other audience attended compared to the symposium. Each activity has different audiences and it's always open to new people depending on what is happening. Participation wise it's quite international but oriented and based on local topics.

Young architects built guerrilla structures into existing buildings, like this pavilion by Maria Kremer. Photo is by Stefan Rusu

What did LINA offered the the biennial?

TG: This was probably the most important things for us, being part of LINA platform gave us so much connections throughout all Europe with different organisations and also so much support. Without LINA we have not gone so far. I feel very grateful for that, and I think we sometimes forget how important it is to come together and share, what LINA is doing. We've got also partners for another project that we have met through LINA.

How is to create such events in a precarious situation of work as a freelance?

TG: I am not completely a freelancer because I work for a local NGO in Berlin which is partnering with biennial and also my colleagues in Georgia they get their part time employment as well. Creative Europe funding allows us to have the salaries, which is a very positive thing. There is so much energy and time that we invested for free, overworking, but slowly with experiences and the results we get it pays back.

Your PhD thesis is based on the (post-) Soviet mass housing settlement of Gldani, a suburb of Tbilisi; What are you researching?

TG: It's a complicated story. When I started my PhD I did my research and stop it because of lack of time as I was involved in the organising the biennial. I have a plan to start again this year. It changed a lot from what I was researching and what I want to research now because I am working on the period of transformation after the break up of the Soviet Union and introduction of the market economy and how this influenced the built environment. I would like to research the typologies of the self-made structures and this transformation that happened in this period and archive the cases. I know the typologies will disappear but I would like to pay attention to this phenomena because this is also the period when self-made architecture was done and it's also an architectural style that needs to be studied.

Soviet mass housing settlement of Gldani, a suburb of Tbilisi. Photo © Tbilisi Architectural Biennial

Some people doesn't consider the self-made as an architectural style. I have to proof why it is it important to document this.

How did neoliberal period influenced on the architecture and society in Georgia?

TG: Extremely. From one radical system we entered to another radical system. This is having a massive influence, specially exploiting all the resources like selling out to foreign investors valleys and forests. The feeling of common ship is completely lost. This process has gone so far that since few years there are movements and protest. Since there is another side there is some hope. The situation is so extreme that people are also loosing their homes in a very brutal way. The banking system is super violent and influences drastically on people's life. The discourse is now opening more and more around the topic of common resources and that forests shouldn't be sold to one owner. People are slowly starting to understand this and these protest start from the region, they didn't started in the big cities, this fact makes it strong as well. It is very important that they reached the centre and are more and more people understand the problematic.

What about the privatisation of water in Georgia?

TG: We worked on this topic during the Venice biennial last year and we will continue to talk about it this year during the Tbilisi biennial. Water in Georgia is one of the most valuable resources as the territory in Georgia has so many different bodies of water - from nature springs to lakes, rivers, glacial, sea. The reality is that not everybody has equal access to the drinking water. Rather that some made water into a commodity and earning money from it, while on the other hand locals might not have the access to drinking water in their homes. It is a paradox how this can happen and a way of modern colonisation that affects environment and ecosystems because t's not really controlled. There is a problem of what kind of contracts are being made and how the natural resources are being sold out.

Exploring the Relationship Between Time and Energy: The Georgian Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Biennale is Curated by the Tbilisi Architecture Biennial Photo © Gigi Shukakidze

It is not possible to sell an entire valley or a river to a private investor, this is something that has to belong to the country and its people.

How do you see architecture in the future?

TG: A lot of rethinking must be done of what is architecture and what it can be in the future. We must really think if we need to build completely new buildings and urbanise so much territory. We must start to radically change not to build new things. It's proven many times that reconstruction is much more eco-friendly and cheaper. How much more can we build? According to the calculations where more people are coming into cities, we shall build more, but how far can we go? If we build more, more people will come therefore we need to find a balance between land, regions and cities, which can't grow endlessly.

Architecture is not an alone standing profession, it's connected with everything around it.

-

Tinatin Gurgenidze lives and works in Berlin. She studied architecture and urban design in Tbilisi and Barcelona. Trained as an architect and urban designer, Tinatin is involved in research and curatorial work regarding critical urban issues. She is one of the co-founders of the Tbilisi Architecture Biennial. Tinatin is also an author of several publications and articles in journals as ‘Architectural review’ and ‘Failed Architecture’. Currently, she is working on her PhD thesis concerning the (post-) Soviet mass housing settlement of Gldani, a suburb of Tbilisi. Tinatin’s work concentrates on a sociological approach towards architecture and urban space. In her work she tries to understand what happened to Gldani in the transition period after Georgia regained its independence in 1991.

Here You can listen to the WELTRAUM interview. 

[meontheroad]

This is inside the first courtyard of the temple. Each courtyard has an elaborate gate, which you have to qualify to step through and progress to the next level. There are 4 levels, and the goal of the first one is to teach proper behavior, etiquette, and morals.

The temple was established as a university in around 1070AD. At that time, only the innermost courtyard was built. Unfortunately, that one was destroyed by French forces. It was reconstructed in 1999. The other buildings are from varying dates. There are also reproductions of the teaching environment that existed -- pics later.

This courtyard was filled with bonsai trees, and I loved this mini orange one. Apparently fruit trees are an important part of temples because every temple I have been to has fruit trees, especially orange trees.

Here is more info about the temple

Ooh I forgot -- the steles are in honor of PhDs, basically. Each one is for a person and on top of a turtle.

[bhavneetverma123]

Best Private University in North India – NIILM University

NIILM University: The Best Private University in North India for Future Leaders

In the evolving landscape of higher education in India, students are no longer just seeking degrees — they’re searching for institutions that shape their futures, build real-world skills, and nurture global perspectives. Located in the heart of Haryana, NIILM University has risen as a beacon of excellence and innovation, widely recognized as one of the best private universities in North India.

With a commitment to academic brilliance, career-driven programs, and cutting-edge campus infrastructure, NIILM University stands as a preferred destination for thousands of students from across the country.

Why NIILM University Stands Out in North India

Choosing a university is one of the most important decisions in a student’s life. Here’s why NIILM University continues to earn its place among the top institutions in North India:

1. UGC-Recognized Excellence

NIILM University is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), ensuring every degree holds national and international validity. This recognition is a testament to its compliance with academic and administrative standards, offering students trusted education backed by regulatory bodies.

2. Industry-Aligned Programs

At NIILM University, the curriculum is not limited to theoretical knowledge. Programs are designed in collaboration with industry experts to ensure students are job-ready from day one. Whether you choose engineering, law, agriculture, management, journalism, or computer applications, each course includes practical exposure, case studies, and internship opportunities.

3. A Multidisciplinary Campus

NIILM is a melting pot of various disciplines. The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and doctoral programs. This multidisciplinary approach fosters holistic learning, helping students explore intersections between technology, business, law, and sciences.

Top Programs Offered at NIILM University

NIILM University houses several schools, each dedicated to offering the highest standards in teaching, research, and innovation:

School of Law — Recognized for its rigorous curriculum and moot court practice.

School of Agriculture — One of the finest in Haryana with real-time field training and labs.

School of Management — Focused on entrepreneurship, corporate training, and leadership.

School of Engineering & Technology — Equipped with the latest labs and industry-integrated syllabi.

School of Journalism & Mass Communication — Offers hands-on media training and internships with reputed organizations.

Modern Infrastructure to Empower Learning

NIILM University is built to support every facet of modern learning:

Smart Classrooms with digital boards and projectors

Advanced Labs for computer science, biotechnology, engineering, and agriculture

24x7 Wi-Fi-enabled Campus

On-campus Medical and Health Centre

In-house Library and E-resources

Hostel facilities with mess, gym, and recreation zones

From lush green lawns to high-tech labs, NIILM’s infrastructure ensures students live and learn in a comfortable, intellectually stimulating environment.

Unmatched Placement Assistance

The NIILM University placement cell works tirelessly to connect students with top companies through:

Industry tie-ups

Campus drives

Soft skills & personality development training

Resume-building workshops

Internship programs

Top recruiters include TCS, Wipro, HDFC, ICICI, Infosys, and more. The university’s impressive placement track record is one of the many reasons it is often called the best private university in North India.

Highly Experienced Faculty

The backbone of any great institution is its faculty, and NIILM boasts a team of educators who are:

PhD holders from reputed institutions

Industry professionals with real-world experience

Dedicated to mentoring and guiding students beyond the classroom

Their mentorship creates a healthy academic environment where critical thinking and creativity are nurtured.

A Hub of Research and Innovation

NIILM University fosters a strong research culture by encouraging students and faculty to engage in:

Government-funded research projects

International collaborations

Patents and publications

National & international conferences

Students also get access to research labs and innovation hubs that bridge the gap between academics and real-world challenges.

Student-Centric Approach

What truly sets NIILM apart is its student-first philosophy:

Flexible Learning Options: Including hybrid and online learning where needed.

Financial Aid and Scholarships: For meritorious and deserving candidates.

Extracurricular Activities: Annual fests, debates, seminars, sports, and cultural events.

Career Counseling: To help students make the right academic and professional choices.

NIILM is more than just a university — it’s a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem that nurtures students into well-rounded professionals and responsible citizens.

International Exposure & Global Outlook

The university also provides international exposure through exchange programs, global seminars, and tie-ups with universities abroad. Students get the opportunity to experience diverse cultures, academic styles, and international business practices.

Strategic Location in Haryana

NIILM University’s location in Kaithal, Haryana, offers the perfect blend of a serene academic atmosphere and easy accessibility from major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana. Its peaceful environment helps students focus on learning without distractions while staying connected to major urban centers.

Recognitions & Accreditations

UGC Approved

Member of AIU (Association of Indian Universities)

Approved by BCI (Bar Council of India) for Law Programs

Member of prestigious educational associations

Such accreditations highlight the university’s unwavering commitment to academic integrity and excellence.

NIILM University: Your Gateway to a Successful Career

If you’re a student aspiring for a dynamic academic journey filled with innovation, industry-relevance, and global exposure, NIILM University is your ideal choice. The university continues to redefine quality education, and its track record speaks for itself.

Join the ranks of future-ready professionals who began their journey at the best private university in North India — NIILM University.

With the right blend of tradition, technology, and teaching, NIILM empowers students to take charge of their future with confidence and capability.