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Join our workshop onShinyscholar – a template for producing reproducible analytic apps in R, which is a part of our workshops for Ukraine series!
Here’s some more info:
Title: Shinyscholar – a template for producing reproducible analytic apps in R
Date: Thursday, June 5th, 18:00 – 20:00 CEST (Rome, Berlin, Paris timezone)
Speaker: Simon Smart is a software developer in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Leicester, UK. He has a background in plant and agricultural science and began developing Shiny apps in 2018, originally for forecasting yield in tomato and potato crops. He developed the shinyscholar package for creating reproducible apps and has applied it to create Disagapp for epidemiological modelling and refactor MetaInsight for evidence synthesis. He strives to create flexible, robust and reproducible apps using modern workflows that break down barriers for performing complex analyses.
Description: Shiny is an increasingly popular method for researchers to develop apps but they are typically not reproducible and a lack of training in software development results in substandard coding practices that make apps hard to maintain. The shinyscholar package addresses these problems by providing a template for producing apps that enable complex reproducible analyses, without having to learn best practices from scratch. In the workshop you will learn how to create a new application and the steps in developing shinyscholar modules, including prototyping, creating functions, checking for valid inputs, generating outputs, enabling reproducibility and automated testing.
Minimal registration fee: 20 euro (or 20 USD or 800 UAH)
Please note that the registration confirmation is sent 1 day before the workshop to all registered participants rather than immediately after registration
Save your donation receipt (after the donation is processed, there is an option to enter your email address on the website to which the donation receipt is sent)
Fill in the registration form, attaching a screenshot of a donation receipt (please attach the screenshot of the donation receipt that was emailed to you rather than the page you see after donation).
If you are not personally interested in attending, you can also contribute by sponsoring a participation of a student, who will then be able to participate for free. If you choose to sponsor a student, all proceeds will also go directly to organisations working in Ukraine. You can either sponsor a particular student or you can leave it up to us so that we can allocate the sponsored place to students who have signed up for the waiting list.
Save your donation receipt (after the donation is processed, there is an option to enter your email address on the website to which the donation receipt is sent)
Fill in the sponsorship form, attaching the screenshot of the donation receipt (please attach the screenshot of the donation receipt that was emailed to you rather than the page you see after the donation). You can indicate whether you want to sponsor a particular student or we can allocate this spot ourselves to the students from the waiting list. You can also indicate whether you prefer us to prioritize students from developing countries when assigning place(s) that you sponsored.
If you are a university student and cannot afford the registration fee, you can also sign up for the waiting listhere. (Note that you are not guaranteed to participate by signing up for the waiting list).
You can also find more information about this workshop series, a schedule of our future workshops as well as a list of our past workshops which you can get the recordings & materials here.
Looking forward to seeing you during the workshop!
Long-term Implications and Possible Future Developments
The increasing popularity of the coding language, R, and the shift toward data-driven decision making in various fields underscores the relevance of training programs such as the Shinyscholar workshop. Herein lies the long-term implications and possible future developments based on the workshop’s details explicitly outlined in the text above.
Shinyscholar, the focal point of the workshop, is a package for producing reproducible analytic apps in R. Its growing use indicates a significant long-term effect on how researchers, software developers, and data scientists appraise and process data, leaning more towards reproducible analyses.
Standardization of Practices
By teaching and promoting sophisticated coding practices, Shinyscholar aids the creation of clean and robust applications. This development may drive a long-term transition towards a more standardized and efficient data processing paradigm, mitigating the issues associated with poor code quality and hard-to-maintain apps.
Future Adoption
Lessons gleaned from the workshop such as prototyping, creating functions, checking for valid inputs, enabling reproducibility, and automated testing indicates a widespread future adoption of Shiny apps, particularly in research fields requiring substantial data analysis.
Increased Accessibility
The provision to sponsor a student and the low registration fee hints at a commitment to accessibility. With sufficient support and funding, these workshops can become more universal, providing valuable coding and data analysis skills to a broader audience.
Actionable Response
Given these insights, consider the following actionable advice:
Get Involved: Attend the Shinyscholar workshop or similar training programs to acquire skills that would remain relevant in the long term. These skills offer potential opportunities in research, data science, and software development.
Sponsor a Student: If personally attending these events is not an option, consider sponsoring a student’s participation. This act not only facilitates the spread of essential coding skills but also supports local charities.
Advocate for Accessibility: Promote these events within your network or organization to raise awareness. If you are part of an institution, consider collaborating with these workshop organizers to sponsor a series of sessions for students or staff.
Apply for Waiting Lists: If you are a student or financially constrained, sign up for waiting lists. These workshops might be tissue-tight but present a cost-effective way of learning crucial programming skills that will be sought after in the future.
In conclusion, the adoption and promotion of reproducible analytics apps in R, such as Shinyscholar, will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the way researchers and data scientists process and generate information. The increased accessibility and affordability of workshops like these indicate a promising shift towards widespread data literacy.
President Trump’s administration has cut funding to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and humanities councils, impacting plans for America’s 250th anniversary celebration in 2026.
Artist Dina Khaled Zaurub was killed in an airstrike in Gaza. She was known for her portraits of Palestinians affected by the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Art Innovation Gallery allegedly pressured artist Badiucao to remain silent about a political message in his artwork. Index on Censorship has condemned the gallery’s actions.
Iranian artist Kamran Katouzian has passed away at the age of 83.
Contemporary auction sales fell 27% in 2024, but sales of works by women artists and lower-value art rose.
Sotheby’s is selling works from the estate of Rolf and Margit Weinberg, including pieces from the late 19th century to early abstraction and expressionism.
The Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac in Paris is hosting an exhibition that explores the provenance of its artifacts obtained during France’s colonial era, potentially leading to restitution.
Potential Future Trends in the Art Industry
Based on the key points discussed above, several potential future trends can be identified in the art industry:
Decreased Funding for the Arts: The cuts to the NEH and humanities councils under Trump’s administration highlight a potential trend of decreased funding for the arts. This could have wide-ranging impacts on arts organizations and events, limiting their ability to carry out their missions and plan significant celebrations or initiatives.
Art as a Form of Political Expression: The pressure exerted on artist Badiucao by the Art Innovation Gallery demonstrates the power of art as a form of political expression. Artists may continue to use their work to communicate messages and comment on social and political issues, sometimes facing pushback or censorship from authorities or institutions.
Increased Focus on Social Justice and Restitution: The exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac highlights the growing focus on social justice and restitution in the art world. Museums and institutions may face increased scrutiny over the provenance of their collections, potentially leading to calls for repatriation or restitution of artifacts obtained through colonialism or other oppressive means.
Emergence of Regional Art Markets: The decline in contemporary auction sales may indicate a shift towards regional art markets, with sales in New York still seeing some growth. This could lead to a more decentralized art market, where artists from various regions gain increased visibility and recognition.
Increased Emphasis on Underrepresented Artists: The rise in sales of works by women artists and lower-value art suggests an increased emphasis on underrepresented artists. Collectors and buyers may seek out artists who have historically been overlooked or undervalued, leading to a more inclusive and diverse art market.
Predictions and Recommendations
Based on these potential future trends, several predictions and recommendations can be made for the art industry:
Advocate for Increased Arts Funding: Arts organizations and individuals in the industry should advocate for increased funding for the arts, recognizing its importance in society and the positive impact it can have on communities. Engaging in conversations with policymakers and supporting organizations like the NEH can help ensure the sustainability of the arts.
Promote Freedom of Expression: Artists, galleries, and institutions should work to create an environment that supports freedom of expression and artistic integrity. Encouraging dialogue and understanding around controversial or political artwork can help foster a culture that values diverse perspectives and artistic autonomy.
Support Restitution Efforts: Museums and institutions should actively engage in research, dialogue, and transparency regarding the provenance of their collections. Proactively addressing any potential restitution issues and working towards fair and just solutions can help rebuild trust and promote social justice within the art world.
Nurture Regional Art Scenes: The art industry should continue to support and promote regional art scenes, recognizing the unique voices and perspectives they bring to the global art landscape. Investing in local art communities, organizing regional art fairs or exhibitions, and providing platforms for artists from underrepresented regions can help create a more diverse and inclusive art market.
Encourage Diversity and Inclusion: Collectors, galleries, and curators should actively seek out and promote artists from diverse backgrounds, ensuring equal representation and recognition. Making an effort to include artists of all genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds can lead to a more inclusive and vibrant art industry.
References
Artnet News, “Art Innovation Gallery Pressured Dissident Chinese Artist Badiucao to Keep Silent,” Accessed [Insert Date], Available at: [Insert URL]
South China Morning Press, “Chinese Dissident Artist Badiucao Accuses Italian Gallery of Spreading Misinformation,” Accessed [Insert Date], Available at: [Insert URL]
ArtAsiaPacific, “Prominent Iranian Artist Kamran Katouzian Passes Away,” Accessed [Insert Date], Available at: [Insert URL]
ARTnews, “Hiscox Artists Top 100 Reports Decrease in Auction Sales,” Accessed [Insert Date], Available at: [Insert URL]
ARTnews, “Sotheby’s to Auction Works from Estate of Rolf and Margit Weinberg,” Accessed [Insert Date], Available at: [Insert URL]
Le Monde, “Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac Exhibition Explores Provenance of Artifacts,” Accessed [Insert Date], Available at: [Insert URL]
Salvador Dali. Peter Cook. Dudley Moore. Tom Jones. Joe Orton. Michael Caine. Peter O’Toole. John Hurt. Barry Humphries. Twiggy. These are just some of the stars who were photographed by Lewis Morley during his illustrious career as a portrait photographer in London during the Swinging Sixties.
Contact print of Tom Jones dressing, taken by Lewis Morley in the early 1960s. Science Museum Group Collection
Morley’s vast archive, held at the National Science and Media Museum, contains some of his personal photography in the form of reference photographs, Polaroids and transfer prints. It also includes vintage contact sheets from some of his most popular shoots, as well as exhibition materials, artworks, personal and professional correspondence and ephemera.
Over the next year we intend to catalogue the archive in more detail, improving accessibility for our researchers. We will provide you with updates on the cataloguing project, sharing some of the highlights in the collection as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the cataloguing process.
Lewis Morley was introduced to theatre photography in 1959 when Lindsay Anderson, one of the leading voices of British cinema and part of the Angry Young Men movement, asked Morley to photograph Albert Finney for his production of Billy Liar at the Royal Court Theatre. This began a ten-year relationship with the Royal Court, as well as various theatrical production companies, where Morley would go on to photograph hundreds of productions and their stars.
An image of Dudley Moore and Peter Cook in Brighton for their Beyond the Fringe show in 1961, taken by Lewis Morley and used to illustrate a set of homemade greetings cards.
During the early 1960s, Morley rented a studio in Soho above Peter Cook’s satirical nightclub The Establishment and became their resident photographer. Here he would photograph the Beyond the Fringe cast and would bump shoulders with the emerging actors and musicians of the day. His image of Twiggy was the first photograph of the model to be published and contributed to her status as the iconic face of the 1960s.
However, it was when Christine Keeler walked into Morley’s studio that he cemented his name as one of the iconic photographers of our time.
The year was 1963 and a scandal had broken out in British politics. John Profumo, the Secretary of State for War in Harold Macmillan’s conservative government, had been discovered to be having an extramarital affair with the young model Christine Keeler. Profumo was forced to resign from government and Keeler was catapulted to instant notoriety.
A photograph taken by Lewis Morley showing a poster advertising his retrospective at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2006, containing his famous image of Christine Keeler from 1963.
Keeler was contracted to take some publicity shots for an upcoming film about the scandal (the film was eventually scrapped) and the producers insisted she take some nude shots. Noticing that Keeler was reluctant to do so, Morley suggested she could fulfil her contract with the studio without having to appear fully nude. By using the now famous Arne Jacobson chair, Morley was able to help Keeler fulfil her contract but maintain her modesty. Eventually the photograph was leaked to the press and it became one of the defining images of the decade. The image continues to be imitated to this day in other forms of media.
A self-portrait with Arne Jacobsen chair, taken by Lewis Morley, c2000s
So who was the man behind the camera Lewis Frederick Morley (known to his close friends as Fred) was born in 1925 to English and Chinese parents in Hong Kong. He spent his later teenage years at the Stanley Internment Camp with his family during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong and was repatriated to London in 1945. After attending Twickenham art school and studying life drawing in Paris, he married fellow art student Patricia Kay Clifford and began his career by selling photographs to magazines such as Photography Magazine and Tatler.
Morley liked to work in black and white and specialised in portraiture. He used high contrast lighting and studio environments with often minimalist backgrounds. This kept the focus on his subjects, capturing their personalities and emotions. As well as studio work, he also had an eye for capturing his subjects in their own environments, such as in his reportage and fashion photography. In his later years, Morley would use colour in his work and became a fan of still life photography and artworks.
Still life polaroid of fruit taken by Lewis Morley, undated (1990s–2000s)Transfer print of a polaroid by Lewis Morley, showing a room with vase and flowers, undated (1990s–2000s)
After working in mostly theatre, fashion and reportage, Morley emigrated to Australia with his family in 1971, where he spent his life working on his many art projects and taking photographs for style magazines such as Belle, Pol and Dolly. He would go on to have exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery in both London and Canberra, as well at the State Library of New South Wales and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, among others. Morley received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2010 before he passed away at the age of 88 in 2013.
The Lewis Morley Archive reflects the life and career of a busy, working photographer. However, it also covers his post-retirement years, when he seemed busier than ever, managing how his images would be used, dealing with reproduction requests, copyright matters and attending exhibitions of his work.
We can’t wait to reveal some of the wonders from this archive in due course—watch this space.
The US is against the world on sustainable development
Published online: 08 April 2025
Nature, doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01041-y
For years, sustainable development has been a global objective, with countries around the world working towards implementing environmentally-friendly practices and policies to ensure a better future. However, in recent times, the United States seems to be going against the tide, as it takes a stance that is in opposition to sustainable development efforts.
Key Points
The United States has been vocal about its skepticism towards climate change and environmental concerns, leading to a lack of support for global sustainability initiatives.
The US has withdrawn from key international climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, which aimed to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Domestically, the US government has rolled back environmental regulations and promoted the expansion of industries with high carbon footprints, such as coal and oil.
While some states and cities within the US have been proactive in taking sustainable actions, the overall national stance is hindering progress.
The Future Trends: Potential Scenarios
The US’s opposition to sustainable development raises significant concerns about the future of global environmental efforts. Several potential future scenarios could emerge in light of this situation:
Isolation and Resistance: The US may face increasing isolation on the international stage, as other countries push forward with sustainable development initiatives. This could lead to trade barriers, strained diplomatic relationships, and limited cooperation on global challenges.
Rise of Alternative Leadership: In the absence of US leadership on sustainability, other countries and regions may step up to take the lead. The European Union, China, and India have already shown commitment to sustainable development, and they could strengthen their positions as global leaders in this area.
Technological Innovation: Without government support, sustainable innovation in the US might shift from the public to the private sector. Companies and entrepreneurs could take the lead in developing clean technologies, renewable energy, and sustainable practices, potentially driving a wave of innovation.
Local and State Initiatives: As the national government neglects sustainable development, individuals, communities, and local governments may take matters into their own hands. Grassroots movements, advocacy organizations, and state-level sustainability initiatives could gain prominence, pushing for change from the bottom up.
Predictions and Recommendations
Despite the challenging reality presented by the US’s opposition to sustainable development, there are still predictions and recommendations worth considering:
Increased Collaboration: Other countries should intensify collaboration amongst themselves, bypassing the US as needed, to strengthen global sustainability efforts. Joint research initiatives, funding mechanisms, and sharing best practices can help maintain momentum and progress.
Engagement with the Private Sector: Governments, organizations, and investors worldwide should engage with US businesses and entrepreneurs who are committed to sustainable practices. By supporting and collaborating with these companies, the international community can promote sustainable innovation and foster change from within the US.
Educational and Awareness Campaigns: Raising global awareness about the importance of sustainability is crucial for driving change. Governments, NGOs, and educational institutions should invest in campaigns to educate citizens and highlight the benefits and urgency of sustainable development. By fostering a global environmentally-conscious mindset, the international community can create a demand for sustainable solutions.
Support for Local Initiatives: Individual efforts and local sustainability initiatives should be encouraged and supported. Governments and organizations can provide resources, funding, and incentives to local communities, enabling them to implement sustainable practices and set examples for others to follow.
Reference: Nature. (2025, April 8). The US is against the world on sustainable development. doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01041-y
