Ali Twelvetrees
@dozenoaks.bsky.social
Sir Henry Dale Fellow | Sheffield | cell & molecular neurobiology | kinesin, dynein, slow transport and neurodegeneration | preferably one molecule at a time | my opinions | she/her
Pinned
Ali Twelvetrees
@dozenoaks.bsky.social
· Dec 21
a red air dancer with a face and the word dhl on it
Alt: a red air dancer with a face
media.tenor.com
Still have energy for science in the dark end of the year? Our new preprint is up. The tl;dr - we took a deep dive on kinesin-1 conformational dynamics and came up with a model that is basically “it’s really floppy”. Evie who led the work compared it to the air dancer gifs, and now I can’t unsee it.
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
Asked if UKRI is failing to take the research community with it on reforms, Chapman said:
"We have not done our communications in the right way over the last month or so"
"We have not done a good enough job of engagement...that happened because of information security not being good enough"
"We have not done our communications in the right way over the last month or so"
"We have not done a good enough job of engagement...that happened because of information security not being good enough"
February 3, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Asked if UKRI is failing to take the research community with it on reforms, Chapman said:
"We have not done our communications in the right way over the last month or so"
"We have not done a good enough job of engagement...that happened because of information security not being good enough"
"We have not done our communications in the right way over the last month or so"
"We have not done a good enough job of engagement...that happened because of information security not being good enough"
Context - Ian Chapman is in front of the Parliamentary Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee this morning.
Ian Chapman: no move away from applicant-led funding at UKRI. BBSRC funding pause is a temporary - 'a matter of a few weeks' before they move to an always-open system (as at e.g. EPSRC, AHRC).
MRC pause will extend to early summer, and then will open again.
MRC pause will extend to early summer, and then will open again.
February 3, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Context - Ian Chapman is in front of the Parliamentary Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee this morning.
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
Next, @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social writes that researchers have warned that changes to applicant-led funding opportunities at the MRC and the BBSRC are hitting morale and could put jobs at risk.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
MRC and BBSRC grant uncertainty ‘deeply demoralising’ - Research Professional News
Researchers fear job losses, more bid competition and greater pain for smaller universities
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Next, @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social writes that researchers have warned that changes to applicant-led funding opportunities at the MRC and the BBSRC are hitting morale and could put jobs at risk.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
Oh great
Further cuts to UK science initiatives will be announced in the next few months, UK Research and Innovation’s chief executive has warned, adding that there are “tough decisions” ahead for the funding agency www.timeshighereducation.com/news/more-to... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
More ‘tough decisions’ on science spending ahead, warns UKRI head
Further funding cuts will be announced in coming months after STFC savings and research council funding pauses, says Ian Chapman
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Oh great
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
Leaks everywhere and finally we get an official statement, one that somehow manages to say a lot while; No timelines. No clarity. No acknowledgement of impact on ECRs whose careers depend UKRI funding.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Leaks everywhere and finally we get an official statement, one that somehow manages to say a lot while; No timelines. No clarity. No acknowledgement of impact on ECRs whose careers depend UKRI funding.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
Pushing this out on a Sunday night is something of an acknowledgment of the epic failure in communication over the past week. There’s no apology though and not much in the way of explanation.
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Pushing this out on a Sunday night is something of an acknowledgment of the epic failure in communication over the past week. There’s no apology though and not much in the way of explanation.
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
At a time when the UK should be capitalising on its global reputation as a great place to do science, this is an enormous own goal. I am so sorry for all those who jobs are going to be impacted.
Both MRC and BBSRC responsive modes now withdrawn until further notice. Existing applications unlikely to succeed (late 2025 round expecting 1-5% success rate).
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:07 PM
At a time when the UK should be capitalising on its global reputation as a great place to do science, this is an enormous own goal. I am so sorry for all those who jobs are going to be impacted.
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
First BBSRC and MRC; now EPSRC.
'EPSRC has announced that applications to its programme grant scheme have been paused in the areas of energy and decarbonisation (clean growth), manufacturing and circular economy and quantum technologies.'
'EPSRC has announced that applications to its programme grant scheme have been paused in the areas of energy and decarbonisation (clean growth), manufacturing and circular economy and quantum technologies.'
Three UK research councils suspend funding opportunities
Temporary block on grant applications by MRC, BBSRC and EPSRC heightens concerns over funding cuts
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:13 PM
First BBSRC and MRC; now EPSRC.
'EPSRC has announced that applications to its programme grant scheme have been paused in the areas of energy and decarbonisation (clean growth), manufacturing and circular economy and quantum technologies.'
'EPSRC has announced that applications to its programme grant scheme have been paused in the areas of energy and decarbonisation (clean growth), manufacturing and circular economy and quantum technologies.'
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
For God's sake, it's bad enough kicking us when we're down, you doesn't have to laugh at us as well. How on Earth are we supposed to do 'world leading' work under these circumstances. I'm downing tools for the week, this is all a load of 💩
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/three-u...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/three-u...
Three UK research councils suspend funding opportunities
Temporary block on grant applications by MRC, BBSRC and EPSRC heightens concerns over funding cuts
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:03 PM
For God's sake, it's bad enough kicking us when we're down, you doesn't have to laugh at us as well. How on Earth are we supposed to do 'world leading' work under these circumstances. I'm downing tools for the week, this is all a load of 💩
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/three-u...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/three-u...
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
On a personal level, I think one of the hardest things is the implicit statement that the work that so many 1000's of us do, and the significant expertise that we've spent entire careers developing and making sacrifices for, is just not valued at all, on any level, by #UKRI and by the government.
January 30, 2026 at 4:26 PM
On a personal level, I think one of the hardest things is the implicit statement that the work that so many 1000's of us do, and the significant expertise that we've spent entire careers developing and making sacrifices for, is just not valued at all, on any level, by #UKRI and by the government.
And now it's obvious why our research leaders aren't speaking up, they are protected. From Liz Kendall’s speech last night - "I’m delighted to announce that the MRC Lab for Molecular Biology, in Cambridge…will receive 10-years of guaranteed funding."
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
January 30, 2026 at 2:05 PM
And now it's obvious why our research leaders aren't speaking up, they are protected. From Liz Kendall’s speech last night - "I’m delighted to announce that the MRC Lab for Molecular Biology, in Cambridge…will receive 10-years of guaranteed funding."
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
Startling that this is being broadcast in the absence of any public communications by @ukri.org
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Startling that this is being broadcast in the absence of any public communications by @ukri.org
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
The MRC has asked each of its grant review boards to recommend no more than 3 applications for funding, RPN has heard from multiple sources
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
January 30, 2026 at 7:59 AM
The MRC has asked each of its grant review boards to recommend no more than 3 applications for funding, RPN has heard from multiple sources
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
Absolutely brutal news in the research world to kick off the day. How we're making such a mess of this I have no idea.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Absolutely brutal news in the research world to kick off the day. How we're making such a mess of this I have no idea.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
Some impact is unavoidable. Fewer grants = less overheads, a direct relationship. Severity will depend on the length of the "pause" (aka cancellation). Bad for all, but worst for those with lowest net liquidity, some of which have barely enough to pay next month's salaries.
Key Financial Indicators (KFIs) | HESA
KFIs are a set of ratio calculations based on data from the Finance record. On this page: Key Financial Indicators
www.hesa.ac.uk
January 30, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Some impact is unavoidable. Fewer grants = less overheads, a direct relationship. Severity will depend on the length of the "pause" (aka cancellation). Bad for all, but worst for those with lowest net liquidity, some of which have barely enough to pay next month's salaries.
At least the physicists are standing up for themselves. Still waiting for the senior leaders of biological sciences to say anything at all about MRC/BBSRC actions.
Nobel winner and senior scientists slam cuts to UK physics
“These cuts are the inevitable consequence of the government’s choices,” Nobel winner Andre Geim tells me
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
“These cuts are the inevitable consequence of the government’s choices,” Nobel winner Andre Geim tells me
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Nobel winner and senior scientists slam cuts to UK physics - Research Professional News
Science and Technology Facilities Council’s £162 million cost-saving measures “will have catastrophic consequences”, government warned
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:00 PM
At least the physicists are standing up for themselves. Still waiting for the senior leaders of biological sciences to say anything at all about MRC/BBSRC actions.
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
My leader column looked at how ministers' push for research budget to deliver more on economic growth will mean pain for some researchers.
Already signs of squeeze on curiosity-driven research, as UKRI puts more weight on "national priorities".
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Already signs of squeeze on curiosity-driven research, as UKRI puts more weight on "national priorities".
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Ministers’ push for growth will mean pain for some researchers - Research Professional News
Early signs of UKRI squeeze on some curiosity-driven funds may herald bigger battles to come
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:34 AM
My leader column looked at how ministers' push for research budget to deliver more on economic growth will mean pain for some researchers.
Already signs of squeeze on curiosity-driven research, as UKRI puts more weight on "national priorities".
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Already signs of squeeze on curiosity-driven research, as UKRI puts more weight on "national priorities".
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
There's a free text box in this online survey if anyone would like to vent their frustration at the complete absence of information about funding 'pauses'
Do you use the UKRI website?
Help shape how thousands of researchers and innovators access funding, news and resources. Take our 3-minute survey: engagementhub.ukri.org/ukri-communi...
⏰Closes 27 February
Help shape how thousands of researchers and innovators access funding, news and resources. Take our 3-minute survey: engagementhub.ukri.org/ukri-communi...
⏰Closes 27 February
UKRI website user satisfaction survey 2026
- UK Research and Innovation
- Citizen Space
Find and participate in activities run by UK Research and Innovation
engagementhub.ukri.org
January 29, 2026 at 11:54 AM
There's a free text box in this online survey if anyone would like to vent their frustration at the complete absence of information about funding 'pauses'
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
There was a claim last year from anon RP sources that the STFC cuts stem from 'an oversight due to a lack of institutional memory within UKRI around STFC budget requirements'. What?They just forgot various fixed costs and costs of international projects already committed. Really?
January 29, 2026 at 10:09 AM
There was a claim last year from anon RP sources that the STFC cuts stem from 'an oversight due to a lack of institutional memory within UKRI around STFC budget requirements'. What?They just forgot various fixed costs and costs of international projects already committed. Really?
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
Big development with some major consequences for British physics research
STFC is asking asking leaders of projects it funds "to identify how their project would respond to flat cash and reductions of 20 per cent, 40 per cent and 60 per cent"
Major UK science facilities are also facing cuts
STFC is asking asking leaders of projects it funds "to identify how their project would respond to flat cash and reductions of 20 per cent, 40 per cent and 60 per cent"
Major UK science facilities are also facing cuts
BREAKING: UK physics research and science facilities face ‘substantial’ cuts
Science and Technology Facilities Council seeks £162m cost savings, with existing projects facing axe
Scoop by @francesjones.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Science and Technology Facilities Council seeks £162m cost savings, with existing projects facing axe
Scoop by @francesjones.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UK physics research and science facilities face ‘substantial’ cuts - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Science and Technology Facilities Council seeks £162m cost savings, with existing projects facing axe
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Big development with some major consequences for British physics research
STFC is asking asking leaders of projects it funds "to identify how their project would respond to flat cash and reductions of 20 per cent, 40 per cent and 60 per cent"
Major UK science facilities are also facing cuts
STFC is asking asking leaders of projects it funds "to identify how their project would respond to flat cash and reductions of 20 per cent, 40 per cent and 60 per cent"
Major UK science facilities are also facing cuts
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
Quite timely that Sir Ian Chapman, UKRI CEO, will be in front of the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on Tuesday next week… 👀
BREAKING: UK physics research and science facilities face ‘substantial’ cuts
Science and Technology Facilities Council seeks £162m cost savings, with existing projects facing axe
Scoop by @francesjones.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Science and Technology Facilities Council seeks £162m cost savings, with existing projects facing axe
Scoop by @francesjones.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UK physics research and science facilities face ‘substantial’ cuts - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Science and Technology Facilities Council seeks £162m cost savings, with existing projects facing axe
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Quite timely that Sir Ian Chapman, UKRI CEO, will be in front of the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on Tuesday next week… 👀
Reposted by Ali Twelvetrees
The reforms to UKRI under Ian Chapman are only just starting, but there are already worries about what they mean for the bread and butter, applicant-led funding calls at research councils
While UKRI insists comparisons with previous years are impossible, figures from December suggest...
While UKRI insists comparisons with previous years are impossible, figures from December suggest...
January 28, 2026 at 8:56 AM
The reforms to UKRI under Ian Chapman are only just starting, but there are already worries about what they mean for the bread and butter, applicant-led funding calls at research councils
While UKRI insists comparisons with previous years are impossible, figures from December suggest...
While UKRI insists comparisons with previous years are impossible, figures from December suggest...
I am completely baffled by the total lack of any action or any evidence of speaking out from our scientific ‘leaders’. We’re in a void of information and the consequences are potentially catastrophic- especially as it looks like BBSRC are following suit.
Has the MRC research funding ‘pause’ been covered by any major news network?
It feels like it should be a major news story
It feels like it should be a major news story
January 28, 2026 at 7:54 AM
I am completely baffled by the total lack of any action or any evidence of speaking out from our scientific ‘leaders’. We’re in a void of information and the consequences are potentially catastrophic- especially as it looks like BBSRC are following suit.
Cute. Nice to know they have time for this while torching university based research.
Spent the day behind the scenes at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences @mrc-lms.bsky.social
We met researchers who grow fat cells, study ageing hearts, and yes, we tried the MRI bike.
Some of the reels from this day are now live on Instagram.
Watch them here: www.instagram.com/weareukri/
We met researchers who grow fat cells, study ageing hearts, and yes, we tried the MRI bike.
Some of the reels from this day are now live on Instagram.
Watch them here: www.instagram.com/weareukri/
January 27, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Cute. Nice to know they have time for this while torching university based research.