Martin J. Smith | Lightnews

Martin Smith

@martinrsmith.bsky.social

860 followers 260 following 230 posts

Head of Policy Lab, Wellcome. Science policy things, puns, cats

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Political science 83%

Education 4%

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Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 16d

🎉Measures of research environments are now going to play a bigger part in the REF.

Improving research culture is the foundation of future excellence - everyone involved in research culture should be pleased with today's Announcement.

Brace yourself for my SPRE acronym quip... #culture

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 9d

I don’t know a vast amount about all the different bits of Erasmus+ or how they work in practice - but to your point about benefitting younger kids there’s also a schools part… op.europa.eu/o/opportal-s...

op.europa.eu

Reposted by Dave O’Brien, Martin J. Smith, Paul Nightingale

John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · 9d

UKRI's allocation of budget up to 2030 just out. More about 'buckets' than just allocations for individual research councils this time round.

Spending on curiosity-driven research flat, while budget linked to govt priorities, innovation will rise.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Flat cash for curiosity-driven research at UKRI up to 2030 - Research Professional News

But spending on government priorities and innovation will increase as share of agency’s budget

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Martin J. Smith, Margot C. Finn

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 15d

Research England links funding to mandatory culture standard.

Policy shift requiring universities in England to achieve minimum baseline comes alongside shake-up of REF.

Free to read.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Research England links funding to mandatory culture standard - Research Professional News

Policy shift requiring universities in England to achieve minimum baseline comes alongside shake-up of REF

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 16d

REF 2029 will still move the needle on research culture.

Despite word ‘culture’ disappearing from the environment element, its essence remains, write Karen Stroobants, Yolana Pringle and Elizabeth Gadd.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...

REF 2029 will still move the needle on research culture - Research Professional News

Despite word ‘culture’ disappearing, its essence remains, write Karen Stroobants, Yolana Pringle and Elizabeth Gadd

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 16d

Find out more in today's op ed from Wellcome's CEO John-Arne Rottingen www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/refs...

The REF’s environment rebrand is no climbdown

The pragmatic response to misunderstandings around the word ‘culture’ will ensure that grassroots momentum is not lost, says John-Arne Røttingen

www.timeshighereducation.com

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 23d

AI accidentally manages to add another layer to this poem.

A profound message for our times.

AI response to a google search for a poem called Wild Geese, with an error message that looks like part of the poem itself

You do not have to be good
You do not have to walk on your knees
Something went wrong with this response

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 23d

“Big change sometimes results from small steps. Incorporating a supportive research culture into the REF is one such step. Bullying and harassment are serious problems, and excellence in research and a supportive environment are not mutually exclusive”

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Don’t downplay problems of bullying and harassment in academia

The United Kingdom, like all countries, must prioritize a supportive research culture as an essential ingredient in research excellence.

www.nature.com

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 24d

Also here in case there’s more info about state rodents

Reposted by Martin J. Smith, Steven H. Seggie

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 28d

‘We know this funding works. Every £l spent on public R&D generates £8 in benefits for the country over the long term’ says Secretary of State for Science and Technology @lizforleicester.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/article/c9e4...

Stronger growth will be led by science, technology and innovation

The UK has committed £38.6 billion to research and innovation projects. This investment aims to propel the nation’s economic growth

www.thetimes.com

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Wellcome Trust @wellcometrust.bsky.social · Nov 25

UK health research is getting a £27 million boost.

We’re partnering with @acmedsci.bsky.social to support biomedical and health researchers across the UK.

From cross-sector collaboration to support for clinical academics, this funding will address some of UK health research’s biggest challenges.

A quote from Rachel McKendry, Executive Director of Discovery at Wellcome: "We're proud to strengthen our partnership with the Academy of Medical Sciences. This commitment will ultimately enable cutting-edge new discoveries and improve lives."

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Nov 16

Accurate AI summary of the entirety of Twitter

Screenshot of AI summary of Twitter notifications. Text says “Illegal migration; Government; Nigel Farage”

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Stephen Curry @scurry.bsky.social · Nov 12

The latest @rorinstitute.bsky.social/STEaPP seminar 'Science advice in a populist age' has a stellar line up to discuss this critical topic. Book now for 01 Dec to avoid disappointment. Free, but places are limited. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/science-ad...

Science advice in a populist age

How should science advice adapt to an age of populism? A UCL-STEaPP Seminar in partnership with RoRI and hosted by Wellcome

www.eventbrite.co.uk

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Nov 11

Public support for R&D is ‘broad but shallow’, report warns.

Highlight personal connections and local links to protect investment from political shifts, Case advises.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Horizon Europe @horizoneu.bsky.social · Nov 10

It’s official!

Switzerland joins #HorizonEU & #Euratom Research & Training, the EU’s programmes for R&I!

Swiss researchers & organisations can now fully collaborate on research, innovation & digital transformation, driving solutions across Europe.

🔗 link.europa.eu/G4Jfjw

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Nov 9

Players from Patcham Silver Band supporting the Salvation Army today in Brighton for Remembrance Sunday.

Bram (in the SA hat) has played the Last Post here since 1967

Four brass band players dressed in smart dark clothes and wearing poppies, standing in a line. A sunny day at a war memorial. They are holding shiny silver brass instruments - two cornets, a flugelhorn and a euphonium

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Nov 9

Fat toast for jam?

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · Nov 7

Opinion: “This year something has changed. More than 100 MPs’ offices signed up to January’s Evidence Week 2024, many of them immediately...MPs asked a host of questions on topics such as health data, post-Covid school attendance, pollution and transport.”

🖊️ Tracey Brown https://ow.ly/SuUe50XnJ5W

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Nov 6

Wait, there’s more! Data has Spot! 😻

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Nov 6

The Riker minifig comes with a lil’ trombone 😍

www.lego.com/en-gb/produc...

Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D™ 10356 | LEGO® Icons | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop GB

LEGO® Icons Star Trek model kit for adults

www.lego.com

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Nov 6

'Nottingham put part of the blame for the continued financial uncertainty on the proposed international student fee levy, pointing out that it will “wipe out any benefits” that will come from the Westminster government’s recent decision to link fees to inflation.' 3/3

Reposted by Martin J. Smith, Catriona Seth, Annette Yoshiko Reed

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Nov 6

'Music and modern foreign languages degrees are among courses being suspended at the University of Nottingham, with the institution saying it “cannot rely on additional income” from the coming tuition fee rises.' 1/3

Nottingham suspends music, language and nursing courses

University says financial uncertainties continue as government’s proposed student levy will ‘wipe out any benefits’ from rising tuition fees

www.timeshighereducation.com

Reposted by Martin J. Smith, Christina Pagel

John Burn-Murdoch @jburnmurdoch.ft.com · Oct 31

With more and more countries pursuing policies aimed at attracting the most highly skilled workers, the UK and US need to realise that perceptions also matter, and — in the UK’s case — that this is just one more area where a bit of economic growth would help.

My column: www.ft.com/content/d70c...

Are Britain and the US losing their allure for top talent?

Open hostility and high visa fees are a risky bet amid intensifying competition for the world’s brightest and best

www.ft.com

John Burn-Murdoch @jburnmurdoch.ft.com · Oct 31

NEW from me:

Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.

That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · Oct 31

"Dsit’s assessment is that every £1 of civil public R&D investment generates £8 in economic benefits. This rather raises the question of why we don’t just bosh it another £3bn and wipe out the budget deficit, but we’re probably oversimplifying things"
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-he-govern...

Silver linings - Research Professional News

Reports consider the economic value of research and problems with Global Talent visas

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Martin J. Smith, Tom Griffin , and 1 more Ben H. Ansell, Martin J. Smith, Tom Griffin, Catriona Seth

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · Oct 31

‘The CBI and Universities UK… said universities already subsidised research by £5.4 billion a year, largely through international student income. A levy would "accelerate contraction" in research and innovation, they warned.’
www.thetimes.com/article/95f2...

Tax on international students would be crippling, universities say

The Confederation of British Industry and Universities UK warn plans for a 6% levy will also affect the wider economy

www.thetimes.com

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Luke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · Oct 30

But while Brits see research as a core role of universities, awareness is fairly low: less than half of non-graduates say they are “fully aware” of the research that universities do, while a fifth say they are “not at all” aware. In focus groups research was often an afterthought

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Luke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · Oct 30

Asked about the most important roles of universities, their wider national (and international) contributions are the top: training professionals and researching new medicines are main reasons, followed by the benefits they provide to students.

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Oct 30

bsky.app/profile/heta...

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · Oct 30

Whilst there has been much to criticise about policymaking in recent years, it should be noted that governments of both stripes have continued to invest in R&D at a time of tight budgets when it would have been easy to cut back on it. This has been a quiet area of consensus politics

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · Oct 30

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