Chris Parr
@chrisjparr.bsky.social
Award-winning education journalist. Senior editor, Research Professional News. Formerly Times Higher Education.
Non-award-winning musician.
Non-award-winning musician.
Er...really?
AI ‘could replace humans’ in some social science surveys.
Metascientist says AI responses are similar enough to humans and could offer productivity gains.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Metascientist says AI responses are similar enough to humans and could offer productivity gains.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
January 5, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Er...really?
Reposted by Chris Parr
🧵 If you are just back at work after the festive period, you may have missed some of our 2025 roundup articles. If so, this thread is for you.
First up, we looked at the biggest research stories of last year: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
First up, we looked at the biggest research stories of last year: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
The biggest research stories of 2025 - Research Professional News
Political interference, revamping research assessment and the global race for competitiveness all featured this year
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:20 AM
🧵 If you are just back at work after the festive period, you may have missed some of our 2025 roundup articles. If so, this thread is for you.
First up, we looked at the biggest research stories of last year: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
First up, we looked at the biggest research stories of last year: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
Reposted by Chris Parr
Another tumultuous year: UK higher education in 2025.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
December 31, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Another tumultuous year: UK higher education in 2025.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Flat cash for curiosity-driven research at UKRI up to 2030.
Spending on curiosity-driven research at UK Research and Innovation will remain flat from 2026 to 2030, while the funder’s budget linked to government priorities and innovation will rise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Spending on curiosity-driven research at UK Research and Innovation will remain flat from 2026 to 2030, while the funder’s budget linked to government priorities and innovation will rise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
December 17, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Flat cash for curiosity-driven research at UKRI up to 2030.
Spending on curiosity-driven research at UK Research and Innovation will remain flat from 2026 to 2030, while the funder’s budget linked to government priorities and innovation will rise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Spending on curiosity-driven research at UK Research and Innovation will remain flat from 2026 to 2030, while the funder’s budget linked to government priorities and innovation will rise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
I remember writing this back in 2020. I mean, I suppose he was right, after a fashion.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-he-govern...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-he-govern...
Boris Johnson: UK will continue Erasmus participation after Brexit - Research Professional News
Prime minister appears to rule out UK leaving the exchange programme
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:42 AM
I remember writing this back in 2020. I mean, I suppose he was right, after a fashion.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-he-govern...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-he-govern...
Sounds plausible.
UK’s non-EU status ‘could explain weaker Horizon performance’.
Science department official says European partners may be treating UK differently in research programme post-Brexit.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Science department official says European partners may be treating UK differently in research programme post-Brexit.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
UK’s non-EU status ‘could explain weaker Horizon performance’ - Research Professional News
Science department official says European partners may be treating UK differently in research programme post-Brexit
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Sounds plausible.
Reposted by Chris Parr
Breaking:
Susan Lapworth to leave OfS chief executive role.
Head of English regulator to stand down next year after four years in post.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Susan Lapworth to leave OfS chief executive role.
Head of English regulator to stand down next year after four years in post.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Susan Lapworth to leave OfS chief executive role - Research Professional News
Head of English regulator to stand down next year after four years in post
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Breaking:
Susan Lapworth to leave OfS chief executive role.
Head of English regulator to stand down next year after four years in post.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Susan Lapworth to leave OfS chief executive role.
Head of English regulator to stand down next year after four years in post.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Susan Lapworth, the chief executive of the Office for Students, will leave the organisation at Easter 2026, the OfS has confirmed.
"I am hugely proud of everything we have achieved since 2018."
Story to come.
"I am hugely proud of everything we have achieved since 2018."
Story to come.
December 11, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Susan Lapworth, the chief executive of the Office for Students, will leave the organisation at Easter 2026, the OfS has confirmed.
"I am hugely proud of everything we have achieved since 2018."
Story to come.
"I am hugely proud of everything we have achieved since 2018."
Story to come.
Reposted by Chris Parr
REF 2029 changes: how the sector is responding.
Responses from higher education and research organisations to reshaping of the Research Excellence Framework.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Responses from higher education and research organisations to reshaping of the Research Excellence Framework.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029 changes: how the sector is responding - Research Professional News
Responses from higher education and research organisations to reshaping of the Research Excellence Framework
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
REF 2029 changes: how the sector is responding.
Responses from higher education and research organisations to reshaping of the Research Excellence Framework.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Responses from higher education and research organisations to reshaping of the Research Excellence Framework.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
I remember when it was just plain old "REF 2028".
🚨BREAKING🚨
REF 2029: Research culture metric overhauled (and weighting reduced).
Research Excellence Framework reworked “to reduce burden”, with elements of 2021 exercise reinstated.
All the headlines as the three-month pause ends. Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029: Research culture metric overhauled (and weighting reduced).
Research Excellence Framework reworked “to reduce burden”, with elements of 2021 exercise reinstated.
All the headlines as the three-month pause ends. Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029: research culture metric overhauled - Research Professional News
Research Excellence Framework reworked “to reduce burden”, with elements of 2021 exercise reinstated
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I remember when it was just plain old "REF 2028".
Science minister Patrick Vallance at UUK event unveiling post-pause REF reforms:
“I am very clear that the only question a minister should ask [about curiosity-driven research] is, ‘can you assure me this is world class?’.”
News in full: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
“I am very clear that the only question a minister should ask [about curiosity-driven research] is, ‘can you assure me this is world class?’.”
News in full: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029: research culture metric overhauled - Research Professional News
Research Excellence Framework reworked “to reduce burden”, with elements of 2021 exercise reinstated
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Science minister Patrick Vallance at UUK event unveiling post-pause REF reforms:
“I am very clear that the only question a minister should ask [about curiosity-driven research] is, ‘can you assure me this is world class?’.”
News in full: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
“I am very clear that the only question a minister should ask [about curiosity-driven research] is, ‘can you assure me this is world class?’.”
News in full: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029: research culture metric overhauled.
Research culture element of the next Research Excellence Framework has been scaled back as part of changes that will shift the exercise back towards its 2021 model.
What we know so far (free to read):
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Research culture element of the next Research Excellence Framework has been scaled back as part of changes that will shift the exercise back towards its 2021 model.
What we know so far (free to read):
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029: research culture metric overhauled - Research Professional News
Research Excellence Framework reworked “to reduce burden”, with elements of 2021 exercise reinstated
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:09 AM
REF 2029: research culture metric overhauled.
Research culture element of the next Research Excellence Framework has been scaled back as part of changes that will shift the exercise back towards its 2021 model.
What we know so far (free to read):
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Research culture element of the next Research Excellence Framework has been scaled back as part of changes that will shift the exercise back towards its 2021 model.
What we know so far (free to read):
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Chris Parr
🚨BREAKING🚨
REF 2029: Research culture metric overhauled (and weighting reduced).
Research Excellence Framework reworked “to reduce burden”, with elements of 2021 exercise reinstated.
All the headlines as the three-month pause ends. Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029: Research culture metric overhauled (and weighting reduced).
Research Excellence Framework reworked “to reduce burden”, with elements of 2021 exercise reinstated.
All the headlines as the three-month pause ends. Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029: research culture metric overhauled - Research Professional News
Research Excellence Framework reworked “to reduce burden”, with elements of 2021 exercise reinstated
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:04 AM
🚨BREAKING🚨
REF 2029: Research culture metric overhauled (and weighting reduced).
Research Excellence Framework reworked “to reduce burden”, with elements of 2021 exercise reinstated.
All the headlines as the three-month pause ends. Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029: Research culture metric overhauled (and weighting reduced).
Research Excellence Framework reworked “to reduce burden”, with elements of 2021 exercise reinstated.
All the headlines as the three-month pause ends. Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Chris Parr
UKRI CEO Ian Chapman told me he doesn't want universities to “get into an unsustainable financial position because there’s any drive from us for them to put in lowball bids, not at all”
“I’m interested in quality and output, and if I pay a bit more for that quality output, fine, absolutely fine”
“I’m interested in quality and output, and if I pay a bit more for that quality output, fine, absolutely fine”
Exclusive: UKRI chief pledges shift from short-termism in research funding.
In RPN interview, Ian Chapman heralds specialisation drive for UK universities via “continuity and commitment”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
In RPN interview, Ian Chapman heralds specialisation drive for UK universities via “continuity and commitment”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UKRI chief pledges shift from short-termism in research funding - Research Professional News
In RPN interview, Ian Chapman heralds specialisation drive for UK universities via “continuity and commitment”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:55 AM
UKRI CEO Ian Chapman told me he doesn't want universities to “get into an unsustainable financial position because there’s any drive from us for them to put in lowball bids, not at all”
“I’m interested in quality and output, and if I pay a bit more for that quality output, fine, absolutely fine”
“I’m interested in quality and output, and if I pay a bit more for that quality output, fine, absolutely fine”
Grabbed a (very) quick interview with skills minister Jacqui Smith in Oxford last week. Longer version in the 8am Playbook this morning. Link in second post. 1/2
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Jacqui Smith: ‘legitimate’ to link student grants with growth - Research Professional News
Skills minister highlights industrial strategy context for maintenance funding, while hinting at future expansion
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Grabbed a (very) quick interview with skills minister Jacqui Smith in Oxford last week. Longer version in the 8am Playbook this morning. Link in second post. 1/2
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Reposted by Chris Parr
Will ERC’s Plus Grants boost European research?
As some fear “wasteful” low success rate, senior figures welcome extra funding without political direction.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
As some fear “wasteful” low success rate, senior figures welcome extra funding without political direction.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
December 8, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Will ERC’s Plus Grants boost European research?
As some fear “wasteful” low success rate, senior figures welcome extra funding without political direction.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
As some fear “wasteful” low success rate, senior figures welcome extra funding without political direction.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Reposted by Chris Parr
‘No one seems to care’: scholars decry plight of British Library.
Humanities researchers suffer amid “agonisingly slow” recovery from 2023 cyberattack, as strikes cause further delays.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Humanities researchers suffer amid “agonisingly slow” recovery from 2023 cyberattack, as strikes cause further delays.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
‘No one seems to care’: scholars decry plight of British Library - Research Professional News
Humanities researchers suffer amid “agonisingly slow” recovery from 2023 cyberattack, as strikes cause further delays
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:42 AM
‘No one seems to care’: scholars decry plight of British Library.
Humanities researchers suffer amid “agonisingly slow” recovery from 2023 cyberattack, as strikes cause further delays.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Humanities researchers suffer amid “agonisingly slow” recovery from 2023 cyberattack, as strikes cause further delays.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Reposted by Chris Parr
Exclusive: Publishers to trial removing fees from some journals in UK deals.
Agreements under negotiation will include open access pilots hailed as “fundamental shift in business model”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-o...
Agreements under negotiation will include open access pilots hailed as “fundamental shift in business model”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-o...
Publishers to trial removing fees from some journals in UK deals - Research Professional News
Agreements under negotiation will include open access pilots hailed as “fundamental shift in business model”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Exclusive: Publishers to trial removing fees from some journals in UK deals.
Agreements under negotiation will include open access pilots hailed as “fundamental shift in business model”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-o...
Agreements under negotiation will include open access pilots hailed as “fundamental shift in business model”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-o...
Is Haldane dead? The short answer is “yes”. Richard Burdon Haldane died in 1928.
For researchers, however, the question relates to the nuance of the Haldane principle.
My feature for @resprofnews.bsky.social:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
For researchers, however, the question relates to the nuance of the Haldane principle.
My feature for @resprofnews.bsky.social:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Is the Haldane principle under threat? - Research Professional News
Increasing political direction in the allocation of research funding is alarming some policy experts
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Is Haldane dead? The short answer is “yes”. Richard Burdon Haldane died in 1928.
For researchers, however, the question relates to the nuance of the Haldane principle.
My feature for @resprofnews.bsky.social:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
For researchers, however, the question relates to the nuance of the Haldane principle.
My feature for @resprofnews.bsky.social:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Reposted by Chris Parr
Plenty of analysis of yesterday's budget news from @chrisjparr.bsky.social in this morning's 8am Playbook, e.g.
Adam Tickell, vice-chancellor of the University of Birmingham, saying that although no one would welcome the levy, a flat-rate fee below £1,000 was the “least worst option available”
Adam Tickell, vice-chancellor of the University of Birmingham, saying that although no one would welcome the levy, a flat-rate fee below £1,000 was the “least worst option available”
November 27, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Plenty of analysis of yesterday's budget news from @chrisjparr.bsky.social in this morning's 8am Playbook, e.g.
Adam Tickell, vice-chancellor of the University of Birmingham, saying that although no one would welcome the levy, a flat-rate fee below £1,000 was the “least worst option available”
Adam Tickell, vice-chancellor of the University of Birmingham, saying that although no one would welcome the levy, a flat-rate fee below £1,000 was the “least worst option available”
Reposted by Chris Parr
Is the Haldane principle under threat?
Increasing political direction in the allocation of research funding is alarming some policy experts.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Increasing political direction in the allocation of research funding is alarming some policy experts.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Is the Haldane principle under threat? - Research Professional News
Increasing political direction in the allocation of research funding is alarming some policy experts
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Is the Haldane principle under threat?
Increasing political direction in the allocation of research funding is alarming some policy experts.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Increasing political direction in the allocation of research funding is alarming some policy experts.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Reposted by Chris Parr
Liz Kendall talked about Haldane principle this week as she set out (broadly) how UKRI would spend 4-year, £38.6bn budget.
@chrisjparr.bsky.social looks at whether Haldane under threat from more interventionist govt - or whether it is misunderstood.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
@chrisjparr.bsky.social looks at whether Haldane under threat from more interventionist govt - or whether it is misunderstood.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Is the Haldane principle under threat? - Research Professional News
Increasing political direction in the allocation of research funding is alarming some policy experts
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Liz Kendall talked about Haldane principle this week as she set out (broadly) how UKRI would spend 4-year, £38.6bn budget.
@chrisjparr.bsky.social looks at whether Haldane under threat from more interventionist govt - or whether it is misunderstood.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
@chrisjparr.bsky.social looks at whether Haldane under threat from more interventionist govt - or whether it is misunderstood.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Reposted by Chris Parr
Will the international student levy be a flat £1k fee, and would that disproportionately impact different institutions?
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Will the international student levy be a flat £1k fee? - Research Professional News
Ahead of Budget set to deliver fee levy policy, Chris Parr considers how it could work
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Will the international student levy be a flat £1k fee, and would that disproportionately impact different institutions?
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Reposted by Chris Parr
Special report: Research Offices of the Future 2025.
Findings from two Research Professional News surveys on the changing nature of research services around the world.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
Findings from two Research Professional News surveys on the changing nature of research services around the world.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
Special report: Research Offices of the Future 2025 - Research Professional News
Findings from two Research Professional News surveys on the changing nature of research services around the world
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Special report: Research Offices of the Future 2025.
Findings from two Research Professional News surveys on the changing nature of research services around the world.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
Findings from two Research Professional News surveys on the changing nature of research services around the world.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
Reposted by Chris Parr
Here's how to read the full Research Offices of the Future 2025 report, by @chrisjparr.bsky.social.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
Special report: Research Offices of the Future 2025 - Research Professional News
Findings from two Research Professional News surveys on the changing nature of research services around the world
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Here's how to read the full Research Offices of the Future 2025 report, by @chrisjparr.bsky.social.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...