Simon Fischer-Baum
Word nerd @ Rice in Texas but currently at the National Science Foundation. Cogsci of written language, aphasia, disability.
Definitely not speaking on behalf of the NSF! Only my views here…
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumThe National Science Foundation sign on our Eisenhower Av building is now gone. The NSF mural in the foyer is removed and torn off in sheets. We were supposed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the agency in May 2025. That never happened.
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumFantastic audience, seamless conference. #psynom25
- The SPARK Society is sponsoring a lunchtime workshop at Psychonomics (noon today, Governor's Square 12) on Science Outreach and Advocacy, featuring @ozgegurcanli.bsky.social @paulacroxson.bsky.social and @jzacks.bsky.social, moderated by me. Free lunch for the first 50 attendees - join us! #psynom25
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumThe Sinclair Lab website won an award for Best Research Lab or Group Website! Check out the website and the other winners here: theacademicdesigner.com/2025/winners... www.sinclairlab-rice.com
- Big news out of Rice this morning! Our new Brain Institute is launching - with the goal of having a concrete impact on the brain health of our local Houston community. news.rice.edu/news/2025/ri...
- There are three main research pillars - one builds on Rice’s strength in neuroengineering, a second focuses on cellular/molecular neuroscience. But I am most excited about the third pillar - which I am going co-direct - called Brain and Society.
- The idea behind Brain and Society is that neuroscience discovery should lead to improvement in human lives. We have to study human brains, doing tasks that are real-world relevant to humans, while understanding the contexts in which humans live, and the variability (and its sources) across humans.
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View full threadThe first big public event is March 12-14, a Rice De Lange conference on the future of neuroscience as it starts to impact society. The De Lange awarded by the Scientia Institute for it to be free and open to the public. Join us in Houston in March! More information to come!
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumPosting on behalf of Tamar Gollan, who is not on Bluesky: A postdoc position is open and available immediately in Dr. Tamar Gollan’s Laboratory of Aging Bilingualism at the University of California, San Diego, funded by NIH & NSF. See link for details! psychiatry.ucsd.edu/about/LAB_Go...
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-Baum🌟 Excited to share that I'm recruiting PhD students in Psychology for my new lab at Rice University this cycle (Signal boost appreciated!) To learn more, check out the Learning & Behavior Change Lab website: www.sinclairlab-rice.com Applications are due Dec 1st: psychology.rice.edu/graduate/pro...
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumStarting a new chapter, and proud to see the continued impact of programs I helped build — like the first-ever Congressional Hill Day at APS. Designing & leading this initiative was one of the most meaningful parts of my role. When science meets policy with clarity and purpose, change is possible.
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumApplications accepted on rolling basis: 4 postdocs, neuroscience of language, Georgetown University (US citizens/permanent residents only) neurolang.georgetown.edu/admission
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumSuper stoked for our Minds in the Making workshop at @cogscisociety.bsky.social 2025! If you are at all interested in the intersection between cognitive science and design, you won’t want to miss it!! 🧠🛠️
- Very last minute - but check out this workshop happening this Thursday and Friday on how we might build theories that account for variability and universality in human minds and brains. Remote attendence is an option! cps-vo.org/group/cise-s...
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumThis morning at #APS25DC, we dug into how foundations can fuel psychological science beyond federal grants. From U.S.-based work (Russell Sage) to global proposals (APF), both secondary data and new studies are eligible. @psychscience.bsky.social #ResearchFunding #PsychScience #BehavioralScience
- If you know @ozgegurcanli.bsky.social , you know she’s a force of nature. With growing uncertainty in science, she brought psychological scientists from seven states to advocate on Capitol Hill. Proud to watch her lead this historic Hill Day at @psychscience.bsky.social with vision, grit, and heart.
- Psychological scientists from seven states (AZ, GA, MA, PA, TN, TX,VA) are headed to the Capitol this morning to advocate for #NSF and #NIH funding. Very excited to lead this effort at the @psychscience.bsky.social under the supervision of Robert Gropp. With special thanks to @fabbs.org
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumPsychological scientists from seven states (AZ, GA, MA, PA, TN, TX,VA) are headed to the Capitol this morning to advocate for #NSF and #NIH funding. Very excited to lead this effort at the @psychscience.bsky.social under the supervision of Robert Gropp. With special thanks to @fabbs.org
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-Baum"For me, the answer now lies in refusal, the withdrawal of participation from systems that require dishonesty as the price of belonging." Today I am resigning from the National Science Board and the Library of Congress Scholars Council. I wrote about my decision in TIME. time.com/7285045/resi...
- You can comment on this proposed policy change by May 23rd. The proposed policy defines science agency grant making program officers, among other positions, as “policy-making” and removes civil service protections. www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-Baum"Let’s be clear: It isn’t institutions that are being punished. It’s the researchers who are the future of science in this country — the ones who spend long hours at lab benches, running experiments, analyzing data." #SpeakOut #BrainDrain www.statnews.com/2025/05/07/u...
- Cogsci has been a historical partner in AI R&D. Please reply to the request for information if you have opinions, about the role that Cognitive science continues to have in AI or anything else, for the development of national strategic priorities for AI www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumThe Language Science Fair is a free, family-friendly event where visitors can explore the world of language through activities, puzzles, crafts, + public talks. It brings together scientists + curious minds to celebrate language! 📆 Saturday, May 10 | Planet Word 🔗 Link in bio to register
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumIt will be critical in the coming months and years to support junior scholars impacted by politically-motivated cuts to science funding. One potential pathway for philanthropic funders (after the lawsuits are resolved) is to prioritize funding cancelled NSF postdoctoral fellowships & CAREER grants.
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumThe NSF is in a crisis. its director is out, hundreds more grants have been cut, and it is staring down catastrophic budget cuts and layoffs. Our reporting: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumUnfortunately, the NSF grant that supports our work has been terminated. This is a setback, but our mission has not changed. We will continue to work hard on making cognitive science a more inclusive field. Stay tuned for upcoming events.
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumHey academics, wondering about changes for evaluating job applicants and T&P decisions. Downgrade importance of grants if getting grants is no longer based on scientific evaluation. Increase the value of communication with the general public. We need to speak clearly about the value of our work.
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumClick the link to secure your spot at the Language Science Fair! No reservation? No problem! Walk-ups welcome 🎟️ planetwordmuseum.org/events/langu...
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumWriting for Local Impact - a new webinar on April 14 @spiantado.bsky.social will introduce participants to the @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social movement and explore how researchers can write effective opinion pieces for local newspapers. member.psychologicalscience.org/events/event...
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumIf you're a native speaker of English, you might not have experienced any language barriers in your scientific career, but their negative impacts on early-career scientists nonfluent in English are big, as summarized in the figure below created by @tatsuya-amano.bsky.social and colleagues. (1/10)
- It’s NSF @ #psynom24 day! Find us on the Ziegfeld room at noon for all questions great and small about NSF funding. Or catch us wandering around posters and at talks!
- UPDATE: NSF event @ #psynom24 - still Friday from 12-1:30 - moved from the Brecht Room to the Ziegfeld Room next door, potentially for some more upbeat vibes #onbroadway
- And and and… Dwight Kravitz will be there repping CogNeuro. NSF program officers will quickly outnumber psychonomes.
- MANY NSF program officers at Psychonomics this week. We will be in the Brecht from on Friday, November 22nd from 12:00-1:30 PM, set up for what has been described to us as "an intimate environment for meaningful discussion", but will also generally be around for a chat.
- PAC: Betty Tuller and @cogsimon.bsky.social Human Networks and Data Science: Amy Criss Linguistics/DLI-DEL: @rachelmtheodore.bsky.social Science of Learning/Developmental Science:Anna Fisher SoL/CogNeuro: Elizabeth Chua Build and Broaden/Science of Broadening Participation: @jorgelingo.bsky.social
- We are a kind and approachable bunch - happy to demystify federal funding and talk about the WIDE range of opportunities that could be good fits for psychonomes. We want to talk to you!
- Also bonus - Joan Sereno will be around for NSF boss business
- Since I have a bunch of new followers 👋 Cognitive Scientist from Rice University - esp. acquired dyslexia/dysgraphia and braille. But taking time to be your friendly neighborhood program officer at the National Science Foundation in DC. That means no political hot takes but plenty of DCLs…
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumOn the hill today! Advocating for psychology and social science with the support of @psychscience.bsky.social @cossadc.bsky.social
- Rant coming! As a reading scientist, I think cognitive scientists have done a lot to contribute to evidenced-based education in how we teach kids to read and write. But I am disappointed to see this body of literature misused (in my opinion) to perpetuate inequality.
- I have been thinking about the equity gaps that might come from the science of reading - but mostly with respect to blindness and deafness. These equity gaps are here now, as Science of Reading curricula spread across the country. I don’t think we can stand on the sidelines. #PsychSciSky
- I will also say - I am sure this is happening lots of places. I am especially attuned to the HISD because my kid learned to read at a great neighborhood school there with a lot of English language learners…
- Hit me up with any questions you have about this. Excited about this effort to make science more inclusive. #Linguistics #Neuroskyence #PsychSciSky
- Important NSF Dear Colleague Letter to promote STEM access for persons with disabilities, including information on supplemental funding — www.nsf.gov/pubs/2023/ns...
- Reposted by Simon Fischer-BaumImportant NSF Dear Colleague Letter to promote STEM access for persons with disabilities, including information on supplemental funding — www.nsf.gov/pubs/2023/ns...
