Interdisciplinary research network at the University of St Andrews https://seti.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk
Connecting science, policy, and society to prepare for the discovery of life beyond Earth.
Account recently migrated from astrodon.social
Interdisciplinary research network at the University of St Andrews https://seti.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk
Connecting science, policy, and society to prepare for the discovery of life beyond Earth.
Account recently migrated from astrodon.social
🧠 Does intelligence naturally try to control its environment?
🪺 Many intelligent systems reshape their surroundings, from animals building nests to humans altering the entire planet. Some argue that increasing control is a natural outcome of intelligence. Others see it as a specific cultural choice.
If we detected a civilisation that made almost no changes to its environment, would that expand our concept of intelligence?
💬 Do you connect intelligence with environmental control?
An invitation to tune in to the Soundcamp Cooperative's Reveil 13, a 24+1 HOUR live broadcast of the dawn chorus as the sun rises around the planet.
Listen live across the weekend:
http://soundtent.org/reveil/#
4pm NZ, Sat 2 MAY to 5pm NZ, Sun 3 MAY 2026
The Asia-Pacific streams will be mixed from the Sunshine Coast by Leah Barclay (Biosphere Soundscapes).
In Aotearoa, you can listen online or via Mouthfull Radio https://mouthfull.live.
There is a new study out which shows that physics based weather prediction is better than #slop based predictions when it comes to extreme weather events. This shouldn't really be surprising to anyone who has studied physical or chaotic systems.
🧰 Do tools define intelligence
Tool use is often presented as a clear marker of intelligence on Earth. However, not all smart species use tools extensively, and some forms of intelligence might operate entirely within internal models rather than external artefacts.
If we discovered a species that never built tools but showed complex planning and understanding, how would that reshape our assumptions
💬 How strongly do you connect tool use with being truly intelligent
We’re looking forward to a special Earth Day meeting on citizen science with Megan Li from UCLA SETI and our colleagues in Aotearoa New Zealand, Hari Mogoșanu astrobiology.nz & @kategenevieve.
All welcome, especially students curious about astrobiology and SETI.
🔗https://events.humanitix.com/earth-day-seti-event
22nd April, 12.30pm PST / 8.30pm UK/BST / 7.30am NZST #CitizenScience #SETI #astrobiology #astroNZ
Professor Andjelka B. Kovačević’s video presentation for the IAU Symposium 404 is now online - “Multiscale Coherence for Astrobiology and Technosignatures with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory LSST” (Kovačević, Mason, Ciprijanović et al.).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C23gezrXAWk #LSST #VeraRubin #Observatory #technosignatures #Astronomy #AndjelkaKovacevic

SETI Post-Detection Futures: Directions for Technosignature Research and Readiness
Kate Genevieve, Andjelka B. Kovacevic, John Elliott, Martin Dominik, Emily Finer, Kathryn Denning, Chelsea Haramia, George Profitiliotis, Carol A. Oliver, Anamaria Berea, Arik Kershenbaum, Daliah Bibas, Hannah Little, William H. Edmondson, Pauli Laine
https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.11587 https://arxiv.org/pdf/2507.11587 https://arxiv.org/html/2507.11587
arXiv:2507.11587v1 Announce Type: new
Abstract: This white paper highlights the work that is needed to anticipate the challenges and societal impacts of a possible technosignature detection. We recommend practical steps to strengthen NASA's astrobiology agenda, guided by the existing interdisciplinary framework of the SETI PostDetection Hub (est. 2022) at the University of St Andrews (Elliot et al. 2023), which emphasizes comprehensive preparedness across science, society, governance, and communication. NASA can significantly enhance readiness by supporting deep interdisciplinary integration, funding SETI post-detection research infrastructure, and cultivating international collaboration. We outline six key dimensions of readiness-directed evidence-based research: cross-divisional methodologies, humanities and social sciences integration, communication, strategic foresight, and development of resilient global infrastructures.
toXiv_bot_toot
This white paper highlights the work that is needed to anticipate the challenges and societal impacts of a possible technosignature detection. We recommend practical steps to strengthen NASA's astrobiology agenda, guided by the existing interdisciplinary framework of the SETI PostDetection Hub (est. 2022) at the University of St Andrews (Elliot et al. 2023), which emphasizes comprehensive preparedness across science, society, governance, and communication. NASA can significantly enhance readiness by supporting deep interdisciplinary integration, funding SETI post-detection research infrastructure, and cultivating international collaboration. We outline six key dimensions of readiness-directed evidence-based research: cross-divisional methodologies, humanities and social sciences integration, communication, strategic foresight, and development of resilient global infrastructures.
For the science-interested, early-rising secondary school student in your life: a special Earth Day citizen science session w. Megan Li from UCLA SETI & Hari Mogoșanu astrobiology.nz.
Megan leads a #Zooniverse project inviting the public to help analyse Green Bank Telescope radio data for signs of technology beyond Earth.
Aimed at secondary school students. Curious others welcome too. 22nd April Europe, N./S. America; 23rd NZ: Aotearoa breakfast!
https://events.humanitix.com/earth-day-seti-event #SETI #CitizenScience
🌍 Who should have a say after a detection of extraterrestrial intelligence is announced?
Decisions won’t belong only to astronomers. Communities worldwide, especially those already affected by inequality, will have their own concerns and priorities.
The SETI Post Detection Hub invites voices across disciplines to explore fair and inclusive participation.
💬 Whose perspectives do you think are missing most often in space discussions today?