Dr. Brad K. Gibson
@profbradgibson
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Science Communicator; Data Scientist; Astrophysicist 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇨🇦
Joined September 2009
To students . there is life outside the Russell Group. Only 17% of the UK undergrads are at the Russell Group. World-leading teaching, research, and social experiences are gained by the other 83% of you. There are no "bad" universities in the UK. None. Zero.
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Pleased to announce I'll be awarding an Honorary Degree in July to an old colleague who did seminal work in characterising interplanetary dust, before getting distracted by some music lark along the way. @DrBrianMay @QueenWillRock @UniOfHull
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Gold from #NeutronStar merger cancels world debt if it occurs 0.3 light-years away & hits us uniformly; downside is biosphere evaporated.
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As someone who was personally subjected to toxic academic bullying in a place of previous employ, I would encourage all fellow academics to read, follow, and support @MoriMahmoudi . every article of his merits attention, including
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Our 1st year Physics cohort @UniOfHull is 50% women, despite shockingly poor role models espousing outdated memes about women avoiding physics & maths. To every person who has been dissuaded, there are many forward-thinking places like us, rest assured. Contact/visit us, ok?
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@emilyxax98 Destroying us. 80 hr weeks, 9pm to 2am seven days a week; we do it because we love and care for our students, and always will, but it is destroying our personal lives, our research careers, and our mental well-being.
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Has there ever been anything more true in academia than this Venn Diagram?
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Introducing Emmett Gibson. @k8pilk was a legend . born @ 1:30am, about 3 hours ago . feeding like a trooper from about one minute after arrival. night night folks!
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Proof that I am older than I feel . Elected a Fellow of the Institute of Physics (FInstP) . thanks to @PhysicsNews @PhysYorks for the honour. Daughter even looked up briefly from the Switch for that.
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Welcome to the @EAMilneCentre @UniOfHull, Brian. looking forward to seeing you again in the near future. @DrBrianMay @QueenWillRock
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Little known fact . the first moon rocks and dust returned by Apollo 11 were analysed @UniOfHull by Gottfried Steigmann and team within the Physics Dept, to better understand why the basaltic dust of the Moon reflected less light than the same sort of dust on Earth. Incredible!
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Apologies to my fellow members of the @royalsociety URF panel should they have been traumatised by my 3-yr old boy wandering past our Zoom meeting naked commenting loudly about how cute his penis is. .
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For the second year running Physics @UniOfHull has ranked in the Top 10 in the UK in the Guardian League Table and Top 3 in the North Of England. A truly spectacular result and a testament to a truly passionate and supportive team of educators.
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Anyone else welcoming Brian May to their University team next week? . can't wait to have him as part of the @EAMilneCentre @UniOfHull family, come Thursday!
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In a few short hours, I'll be standing on this stage in front of a packed house @Ri_Science . what have I gotten myself into?
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Thrilled to announce our Horizon 2020 grant (Infrastructures for Nuclear Astrophysics) has been funded by the EU; €5M spanning Chemical Elements as Tracers as of the Evolution of the Cosmos. Congrats to @MarcoPignatari and Richard Stancliffe (& me, in a tiny role) @UniOfHull !.
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I know it is genuinely lost in the noise, but as of tomorrow, I will have delivered (exactly) my 1000th schools event since 2015. .
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Happy 5th birthday to the @EAMilneCentre! 292 papers published; >£1M in grants; reached 3,000,000+ people in our outreach activities, including 100+ schools; doubled the number of women into physics. Yeah, I'd say we've done a pretty unbelievable thing. @UniOfHull @RoyalAstroSoc
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On a day of great joy with the arrival of my son, I can always count on our funding council and its grant panel members to re-introduce anger and depression.
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To all my primary, secondary & college teacher colleagues. if you need a break from your space & physics prep this month, drop me an email (brad.gibson@hull.ac.uk). a guest lecture, space Q&A, STEM careers talk, etc. I'm here to serve, so please don't hesitate! @IOPTeaching.
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As conference season is upon us, something to perhaps bear in mind.
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Hey look . I won something for my outreach & engagement work across the region! :)
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Stopped at a red light on my bike in Beverley today when a lovely woman walking in the pedestrian crossing turned and said to me, out of the blue: "Thank you for your amazing physics!" One of the nicest things to happen in my career. #chuffed.
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Extremely humbled to be named incoming Honorary President of the Association for Science Education Yorkshire Branch @theASE @ASEYorkshire . I've worked with 50 Primaries & Nurseries across the Region and hope to extend that reach & passion in my new role.
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Pleased to announce our Changing Face of Physics campaign secured an anonymous £3750 @UniOfHull alum donation; the 5 women who have spearheaded our efforts at widening participation lauded & recognised with bursaries! @PhysYorks @IOPDiversity @hullalumni @RAS_Women @IoPNorthEast
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20 years ago we characterised the Galactic Habitable Zone (where to look for complex life in the Milky Way), for the first time in a quantitative sense; thank you to @ScienceMagazine for publishing it & the readers of @NatGeo for voting it a Top 10 News Story of the Year!
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Excuse the non-work tweet . but my boy, Emmett, just turned 1 today, and that's made just about the worst year of my life end on just about the best note possible.
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Unwrapped and tested out our new jaw-dropping Mobile Planetarium today; led by our students @DanielPWhitt @astrogirl1202 @starsNstruggles, this will be an amazing resource for teachers across the region; DM/email for info! @priscigeeks @childrensuni @IOPTeaching @RAS_Outreach
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Best. Gift. Ever. 50 bound pages of hand-written letters and drawings from all the Yr 5 students @HilderthorpeSch . thank you so so much!
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Rolling out Project Tadpole to 1st year Physics students @UniOfHull . self-contained kits with everything needed for labs, whether working on campus or at home . super-cool forward-thinking initiative supported by the Ferens Education Trust. @IOPHEG @PhysYorks @IoPNorthEast
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Been asked why I do outreach with schools; here's why: spoke with 1200 students from across East Yorkshire the past 2 weeks. Exactly 90% of them lie within the UK's bottom two POLAR4 quintiles (the most socio-economically deprived regions of the UK). This is why I do outreach.
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We are "Changing the face of physics. " @UniOfHull ; home to the brightest inspirational women #STEM leaders of the future, we've doubled number of women entering Physics in 18 months (now above national average)! #InternationalWomensDay @PhysicsNews @RadioHumberside @Stemettes
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8 years ago I launched the @EAMilneCentre @UniOfHull . 300+ papers, 25 PGR completions, & 1200 outreach events later, I think it's safe to say we have absolutely crushed it!
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I have struggled with mental health issues for the past year+; lockdown has, perhaps against the national trend, helped me in that battle; I cannot thank my family enough, as well as all those friends who reached out and helped me over the past few months. You know who you are.
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News today that my wife @k8pilk sailed through her teaching QTS successfully; @BeverleyHigh gains an amazing physics/science teacher this September!.
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Mental health disclosure: the past few years have been tough for me; I made mistakes for which I am deeply ashamed, the prices for which I continue to pay. But the past 7 months have been amazing, thanks to my wife @k8pilk not giving up on me. I could not be happier right now. :).
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Happy 7th Birthday @EAMilneCentre : 1 of the greatest joys of my career was in establishing the Milne Centre & watching it grow from strength to strength. From 0 to >30 staff and PhD students, and the #1 ranked Astronomy Programme in the UK in the 2022 National Student Survey!
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My 12 months of Lockdown Outreach?: 75 events; 25 of them at 15 different schools; 2200 people face-to-face; 14000 via YouTube; 19 media appearances; 13 astro societies; 2 Scouts' groups. Happy to do more. just ask!.
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Walking in a winter wonderland @UniOfHull . (coffee/chocolate run for the @EAMilneCentre postgrads. little known component of my Job Description).
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Little known "fact" . while the country swelters, I have designated this patch of beach in Hornsea an outpost of the @EAMilneCentre . 10C cooler than everywhere else. so, yeah, come join us @UniOfHull .
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Apropos of nothing, there is no expression in 'science' I detest more than 'supermoon'. none. zero.
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Tomorrow will be my 600th outreach/public event since 2014: 45,000 people face-to-face, including 50 unique schools/colleges across the UK; proudly, 90% in the bottom two quintiles of various monetary/socio-economic deprivation indices. @IoPNorthEast @PhysYorks @RoyalAstroSoc
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Pleased to see my academic grandfather (Jim Peebles) awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics today; the apple fell far from the tree, with me. Sad for Gordon Walker, Bruce Campbell, and Stephenson Yang though, whose 1988 exoplanet discovery was not confirmed until 2003. @PhysicsWorld.
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Amazing turn-out and engagement for today's Open Day @UniOfHull . Physics was rammed from open to close with amazing students from across the country. One of the most satisfying I have been a part of over the past decade. Thank you to all!.
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Seen on a wall at the Hull Science Festival. possibly the best feedback ever.
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You would be hard-pressed to find a better Outreach Team anywhere in the world, and I do not say that lightly. A fantastic day with our friend, astronaut Helen Sharman, and 150 of the region's most excited school kids. @UniOfHull @BIS_spaceflight @spacelinklf @EAMilneCentre
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Infuriating pet peeve of the week? Colleges which preferentially celebrate only their graduates who go on to OxBridge. Every single student should be celebrated for their accomplishments; this two tier philosophy is completely irrelevant and outdated.
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Student to me, today: "The passion you have put into the dept since becoming Head is more than apparent! Unfortunately it seems to be a role where appreciation will always be underwhelming. Know that there are those of us out there who have huge respect for what you do. ".
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Hull . leading the world in renewable energy generation!
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Inbox today, offsetting work stress: "I just want to say thank you for all the work you put into the department! Without it my PhD wouldn't have existed and I never would have gone on to do one. You have made a huge positive impact on mine and hundreds of other students lives.".
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We know #Clearing can be stressful, but do take the opportunity to talk to us @UniOfHull Physics this week. A great, supportive, team awaits you, alongside one of the best taught programmes in the country. Come visit this week or next. you will *not* be disappointed!
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Much to my extreme surprise, tonight I was awarded Honorary Life Member status within the Isle of Man Astronomical Society; deeply humbled to be joining the likes of the most decorated scientists and astronauts across the globe with this honour.
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I like to think I didn't do that bad of a job as Head of Department over the past few years. very fortunate to have had an amazing team of staff and students around me. @UniOfHull @EAMilneCentre
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Spectacular outcome for Physics @ Hull . revolutionising computer technology and the infrastructure for nuclear physics . thank you @EU_H2020 ! :).
A European-wide project which hopes to change the future of computing has helped the @UniOfHull secure £1m of Physics funding. The University’s Physics Department has been successful in two grant funding bids, on offer as part of the EU’s @EU_H2020 programme. More below!
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And so it begins . 1st lecture of the semester in 10 minutes . an introduction to data visualisation . I may have pitched it too low, given my 7-yr old daughter understood it and has corrected me already on bar charts vs histograms. .
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League Tables are the bane of Higher Education, but it would be remiss of me not to highlight the stunning outcome for Physics @UniOfHull in the 2022 @GdnUniversities League Table: #7 of 51 programmes in the UK; #5 in England! Talk to me if you're a student/teacher wanting info!
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Again, why we do Clearing. "Thank you for your email. I am very grateful and excited to have been offered a place at the University of Hull, and to be given the opportunity to study Physics with you. For me, is a dream come true!".
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Excuse the non-work proud dad tweet . daughter Esmé is now ranked 28th in the country in the 50m Butterfly (4th in the Northeast of England) . top 24 get invitations to the National Championships, so she's close. :)
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For my sins, I am happy to announce that I am joining the IOP's Heads of Physics Steering Group. genuinely happy to support the community in any way that I can. @PhysicsNews.
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One of the real honours in my career to date was sitting down with @leighhoath for a fantastic chat about what it means to me to try and inspire young learners. Thanks to the @theASE for making the interview Open Access to all . please do have a read:
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A huge thank you to the Institute of Physics for a very supportive and enthusiastic approval of Hull Physics' 2021-2025 Re-Accreditation. All programmes fully re-accredited; fantastic news just before the break! @IoPNorthEast @PhysicsNews @PhysYorks.
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Only two Physics programmes outside the Russell Group have placed in the Top 10 of the Guardian League Table for both 2022 and 2023 - Lancaster and Hull - we @UniOfHull @EAMilneCentre would love to tell you why at our Nov 26th Open Day. Come see. you won't be disappointed!.
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On an absolute shit day, this helps a little ". you are doing a fantastic job. Definitely the best Head of Dept we have had. probably the best on campus, too." . I don't believe it for a second (I'm realistic), but the sentiments are rarely expressed and mean so much to me.
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How good does the Middleton Hall venue @UniOfHull look for Saturday's @Ri_Science Maths Masterclass, showcased by our Mobile Planetarium and Escape Room?!? Masterfully delivered by @DanielPWhitt, @astrogirl1202, and team!
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Thrilled to announce the arrival of 3 of our 6 new world-leading applied mathematicians @UniOfHull:Jie Yang, Stephen Chaffin & @MathsMoore . each driving the fields of biological & pollution modelling and fluid/solid mechanical flows. From 0 to 60 to be one of the UK's leaders!.
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National Student Survey 2023 Released Today: Physics & Astronomy @EAMilneCentre @UniOfHull Ranked #1 in the UK (out of 47 providers) for "Teaching on my Course". If you're looking for the best in teaching next week in Clearing, give us a call. you will not be disappointed!.
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Next week I have the pleasure of awarding Jess Wade @jesswade ( an Honorary Doctorate @UniOfHull. Jess' work in raising awareness of overlooked/underrepresented scientists is mind-boggling (authoring more than 2000 Wikipedia biographies)! @imperialcollege.
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This might be the most jaw-dropping few seconds of astronomical "imagery" I have ever seen.
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With rest of the house desperately ill, Evan stayed up 'til 8pm so he could join me outside to #clapforNHS
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Esmé Gibson and Princess Sofia meeting the UK's first astronaut at the launch of the British Science Festival! @BritSciAssoc @BritishSciFest @DisneyJunior @UniOfHull
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Exciting developments in STEM outreach and engagement @UniOfHull . we're here to support teachers and the broader community, so reach out and let's see we can help you and your pupils!
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Probably the best part of my job @UniOfHull is working alongside dozens of the most inspirational role models for girls and women in physics. #WomenInScienceDay #WomenInScience
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Our 450 astro/physics outreach events since 2016, reaching 50,000+ people, including 50+ schools & colleges (ignoring digital/streaming, audio, radio & print media which reached a further 3M+); almost all within socio-economically challenged areas. @RAS_Outreach @PhysicsNews
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Random interaction in a random playground. 3 kids came up to me and asked if it was me who came and spoke to them at their school about Wonders of the Universe. I said yep, and they told me just how much they loved it. the sort of validation that makes it all worthwhile.
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Permanent Lectureship (Assistant Professorship) in Astrophysics available @EAMilneCentre @UniOfHull ; come join one of the most supportive groups imaginable! Deadline to apply is 26 July 2021, with application details at
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Last night, for the first time in over a decade, I did not check my email after 9pm. .
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Excuse the non-work tweet, but my boy Evan is killing it at a nation-wide ice hockey training camp for 6 year olds . :)
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As @UniOfHull leaders in widening participation, we're pleased to announce the launch of two £1,000 bursaries to support BAME students entering Physics @ Hull in 2021. DM/email me for details; one of a number of initiatives aimed at changing the face of physics. @IOPDiversity
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The coolest award ever . @PhysicsNews John Porter Memorial Lecture . design by @crystal_nebulae . in honour of my old friend who passed far too early.
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We know you're applying for multiple jobs, but try and tweak your cover letter a little to explain why you might want to go there . and at the very least, make sure you actually refer to the correct university in said letter . ;).
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20 years ago today, one of my life's works was accepted for publication @AAS_Publishing ( - the culmination of our @NASAHubble Key Project; honoured to play a role which put me 3rd in the list; sharing the @The_Gruber_Fdtn prize would have been nice. ;)
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17,000 9-year old girls in Yorkshire & The Humber . Esmé finished 7th in the 100m butterfly . scored a cap at the Yorkshire Swimming Championships. 2nd after 50m (her speciality), but faded in the final 50m . shattered her personal best by 20 seconds. Today, 50m fly!
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Eight years of marriage under our belts, as of today.
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Congrats to @UniOfHull physics student @Kiri_Newson on the award to her of one of the inaugural IOP @PhysicsNews Jocelyn Bell Burnell Graduate Fellowships.
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Extra Peppermint Chewing Gum claims to have laxative effects, when taken in excess; being a scientist, I rose to the challenge; 4 days with 20 pieces per day; the outcome? Destroyed my innards in the most horrific fashion; more info than you need to know, but science confirmed.
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While the @NespressoUK coffee machine has highly garnered much attention as one of the newest members of the @EAMilneCentre family, it would be remiss of me not to note the newly announced Proto-Gibson on its way.
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I know it is re-stating the obvious, but I remain unclear as to why (a) private "elite" schools like Eton are closed this week, and (b) Ofsted inspections have been called off, as it is not safe for inspectors . while at the same time, BoJo tells us that state schools are safe.
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Thank you to the 400 souls who showed up for my @Ri_Science talk last night . nerve-wracking, but such a warm and receptive audience, and I got to meet some great kids, teachers, and the public afterwards. If anyone has some pics, could you possibly send me one or two? :).
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