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- 1Fossil fuel funding laid groundwork for Trump attacks on research, study finds▼Decades of fossil fuel influence paved way for Trump’s assault on university research, study says https://www. theguardi
A new study argues that decades of fossil fuel industry funding and influence over American universities helped prepare the ground for the Trump administration's current assault on university research, particularly climate science. The findings suggest industry ties compromised academic independence, leaving institutions vulnerable to political pressure. Commenters are sharing the report as evidence of long-term corporate shaping of US academic research.
- 2Study tracks Ukrainian researchers' mobility limits under war▼Tracking researchers in Ukraine through war and armed conflict: The limits of free scholarly mobility
Researchers with the Max Planck Society and partners are tracking how the war in Ukraine has affected Ukrainian academics, documenting displacement, disrupted careers and the breakdown of free scholarly mobility during armed conflict. The work highlights how scientists' international movement and collaboration collapse under war, raising questions about how the global research community can support scholars in conflict zones.
- 3Fossil fuel influence enabled Trump's attacks on university research, study says●Decades of fossil fuel influence paved way for Trump’s assault on university research, study says https:// slrpnk.net/po
A new study argues that decades of fossil fuel industry funding and influence over American universities helped lay the groundwork for the Trump administration's current assaults on university research. The finding links corporate climate denial and industry-backed science on campus to today's political attacks on academic institutions, drawing attention on left-leaning social media.
- 4Study tracks Ukraine researcher flight since 2014●In der # Ukraine verschob sich seit 2014 die Mobilität von Forschenden deutlich. Besonders konfliktbetroffene Regionen v
A new German-language study finds that the mobility of researchers in Ukraine shifted markedly after 2014, with conflict-affected regions losing academics both internally within the country and to emigration abroad. The research examines the intersection of science, migration and war, documenting how hostilities have reshaped where Ukrainian scholars work. The findings underline a growing concern about brain drain and regional loss of scientific capacity.
- 5Psychological Science Faces a Double Standard Outside the Global North▼Outside of the Global North, Psychological Science Faces a Double Standard
The Association for Psychological Science argues that psychological research conducted outside the Global North is held to a different standard than work from wealthy Western institutions. The organization highlights how scientists in Africa, Latin America, Asia and other regions face greater scrutiny, fewer resources and biased assumptions about the quality of their research, calling for fairer treatment and greater recognition of scholarship from the Global South.
- 6Nicholas Polson credited with 258 papers in 2026●Nicholas Polson has authored 258 academic papers in 2026 so far
A tally circulating online claims Duke University statistician Nicholas Polson has authored 258 academic papers so far in 2026, an extraordinarily high count for a single researcher. Commenters are treating the figure as a case study in inflated publication practices and authorship norms in academia, with debate over how such productivity is possible and what it says about pressure to publish.
- 7Doctor warns of collusion between academics and drug industry●One of the greatest problems in medicine is the collusion between academics seeking money and industry in search of a pl
Richard Lehman, a British general practitioner and commentator on medical evidence, says one of the greatest problems in medicine is the collusion between academics seeking money and industry looking for a plausible narrative to sell products. He argues that the role of academia is to question lucrative dogma rather than join what he calls the feeding frenzy around commercial interests.
- 8Al Akhawayn University and ICESCO Launch Ibn Battuta Science Diplomacy Center●Al Akhawayn University, ICESCO Establish Ibn Battuta Center for Science Diplomacy
Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, has partnered with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) to establish the Ibn Battuta Center for Science Diplomacy. The new center, named after the famed Moroccan traveler, aims to connect scientific research with diplomatic practice across the Islamic world and beyond, strengthening cooperation between academia and international institutions.
- 9Ukrainian Science Academy Struck by Drone, Research Role Highlighted●Ukrainian Science Academy, Struck by Drone, Played Key Role in Research https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/science/ukrai
The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine was struck by a drone in a Russian attack, drawing attention to the institution's significant role in Ukrainian and international scientific research. The report highlights how the strike damaged a body long central to the country's scientific work, adding to the wider toll of the war on Ukrainian academia and infrastructure.
- 10ASMR antique book care video draws large audience●Handling & Caring for Antique Books | ASMR Cozy basics (relaxing tips, soft spoken, Dark Academia)
A soft-spoken ASMR video on how to handle and care for antique books, styled around the Dark Academia aesthetic, is attracting wide attention online. It offers relaxing tips on preserving old volumes, and viewers have responded enthusiastically, with engagement reaching several hundred thousand. It reflects the continued popularity of cozy, book-themed relaxation content.
- 11Sixth Truly Devious Book by Maureen Johnson Released▼I’ve been waiting for this new release, and now it’s here! Book six of a planned seven in the # TrulyDevious series by #
Book six of the planned seven-book Truly Devious series by author Maureen Johnson has been released, and readers are celebrating its arrival. The new instalment, The Velvet Knife, is being discussed among mystery, young adult and dark academia fans, many of whom say they have been waiting for the release. The series will conclude with its seventh and final book.
- 12New Scientist examines AI's impact on mathematical research●Very interesting article in New Scientist page 5 issue 3613 about the effects of AI and LLM use on # mathsresearch . The
A New Scientist article in issue 3613 argues that AI and large language models are set to change how progress is made in mathematics. The concern raised is that mathematicians could end up spending much of their time reviewing and filtering AI-generated output rather than doing original work. Readers are debating whether AI tooling will accelerate discovery or burden researchers with checking machine-generated results.
- 13Writer reflects on academia's power to shape minds●The power of academia https://nowaraga.com/2016/09/29/decolonise-minds-research-disputable/?page_id=1236 My relationship
Ugandan-based blogger and academic Norbert Ochieng? No — the essay, shared by CPAR Uganda, describes a personal relationship with academia as the most instructive of the author's life, one that nurtured a deep appreciation of learning while raising questions about decolonising minds and disputable research practices. The piece revisits a 2016 debate on whether academic research traditions serve or constrain African thought, and readers continue to weigh academia's liberating and limiting sides.
- 14Government and civic leaders to join World Academic Summit 2026▼September: Government and civic leaders join THE World Academic Summit 2026 | News and features
The University of Bristol has announced that government and civic leaders will take part in the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit in September 2026. The summit brings together university leaders, policymakers and industry figures to discuss the future of higher education and research. The announcement highlights the event's aim of connecting academia with public sector decision-makers.