James Wilsdon
@jameswilsdon.bsky.social
undisciplined metascientist | executive director, Research on Research Institute @RoRInstitute.bsky.social | professor of research policy, UCL
Now Lord Vallance is back on his ‘three buckets’ theory of R&D funding
Here’s @ersatzben.com on the ‘3-bucket problem’ www.ersatzben.com/p/the-three-...
Bucketism now the frontier of R&I policy. “We must defend the first bucket” says the Minister.
A rallying cry to echo down the ages #REF2029
Here’s @ersatzben.com on the ‘3-bucket problem’ www.ersatzben.com/p/the-three-...
Bucketism now the frontier of R&I policy. “We must defend the first bucket” says the Minister.
A rallying cry to echo down the ages #REF2029
December 10, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Now Lord Vallance is back on his ‘three buckets’ theory of R&D funding
Here’s @ersatzben.com on the ‘3-bucket problem’ www.ersatzben.com/p/the-three-...
Bucketism now the frontier of R&I policy. “We must defend the first bucket” says the Minister.
A rallying cry to echo down the ages #REF2029
Here’s @ersatzben.com on the ‘3-bucket problem’ www.ersatzben.com/p/the-three-...
Bucketism now the frontier of R&I policy. “We must defend the first bucket” says the Minister.
A rallying cry to echo down the ages #REF2029
“We’re out of the pause. It’s back to business as usual. We’re moving forward with #REF2029” concludes Jessica Corner.
And indeed, it’s a classic REF compromise!
And indeed, it’s a classic REF compromise!
December 10, 2025 at 10:14 AM
“We’re out of the pause. It’s back to business as usual. We’re moving forward with #REF2029” concludes Jessica Corner.
And indeed, it’s a classic REF compromise!
And indeed, it’s a classic REF compromise!
So farewell ‘People, Culture & Environment’…
And hello ‘Strategy, People & Research Environment’, or SPRE to her friends.
25% more words; 5% less weight… #REF2029
And hello ‘Strategy, People & Research Environment’, or SPRE to her friends.
25% more words; 5% less weight… #REF2029
December 10, 2025 at 10:12 AM
So farewell ‘People, Culture & Environment’…
And hello ‘Strategy, People & Research Environment’, or SPRE to her friends.
25% more words; 5% less weight… #REF2029
And hello ‘Strategy, People & Research Environment’, or SPRE to her friends.
25% more words; 5% less weight… #REF2029
At @universities-uk.bsky.social where Dame Jessica Corner is gearing up for the big REF reveal! #REF2029
December 10, 2025 at 10:02 AM
At @universities-uk.bsky.social where Dame Jessica Corner is gearing up for the big REF reveal! #REF2029
Reposted by James Wilsdon
🇬🇧 Big news for UK metascience: the government is trebling the UK Metascience Unit’s budget to £49m.
"This represents a resounding vote of confidence in the value and opportunities of metascience to improve the way the UK funds, manages and evaluates research", says RoRI's @jameswilsdon.bsky.social
"This represents a resounding vote of confidence in the value and opportunities of metascience to improve the way the UK funds, manages and evaluates research", says RoRI's @jameswilsdon.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 1:35 PM
🇬🇧 Big news for UK metascience: the government is trebling the UK Metascience Unit’s budget to £49m.
"This represents a resounding vote of confidence in the value and opportunities of metascience to improve the way the UK funds, manages and evaluates research", says RoRI's @jameswilsdon.bsky.social
"This represents a resounding vote of confidence in the value and opportunities of metascience to improve the way the UK funds, manages and evaluates research", says RoRI's @jameswilsdon.bsky.social
Reposted by James Wilsdon
UCL’s @geoffmulgan.bsky.social kicks off tonight’s seminar on ‘Science in a populist age’ at @wellcometrust.bsky.social, with a stellar line-up inc @helenpearson.bsky.social @senseaboutsci.bsky.social @alokjha.bsky.social. We’ll post the video online soon. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/science-ad...
December 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
UCL’s @geoffmulgan.bsky.social kicks off tonight’s seminar on ‘Science in a populist age’ at @wellcometrust.bsky.social, with a stellar line-up inc @helenpearson.bsky.social @senseaboutsci.bsky.social @alokjha.bsky.social. We’ll post the video online soon. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/science-ad...
Reposted by James Wilsdon
👀Interesting to see the budget earlier this week confirming funding for @ukri.org trial of #DistributedPeerReview, we featured a post from @rorinstitute.bsky.social discussing their recent work on the subject back in September 👇
Distributed Peer Review – How the wisdom of the crowd can allocate grant funding - Impact of Social Sciences
New research shows engaging the applicants in funding review processes can resolve and reframe many issues facing peer review.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 28, 2025 at 9:54 AM
👀Interesting to see the budget earlier this week confirming funding for @ukri.org trial of #DistributedPeerReview, we featured a post from @rorinstitute.bsky.social discussing their recent work on the subject back in September 👇
Huge congratulations to @sarahderijcke.nl on her appointment as Rector Magnificus @unileiden.bsky.social! Sarah is a brilliant scholar, a visionary & compassionate leader. I’m excited to see her channel her experience, wisdom & insight into this vital role www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2025...
Sarah de Rijcke appointed Rector Magnificus of Leiden University
Professor Sarah de Rijcke will become the new Rector Magnificus on the Executive Board of Leiden University on 15 January 2026. She will succeed Professor Hester Bijl, who will become Rector Magnificu...
www.universiteitleiden.nl
November 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Huge congratulations to @sarahderijcke.nl on her appointment as Rector Magnificus @unileiden.bsky.social! Sarah is a brilliant scholar, a visionary & compassionate leader. I’m excited to see her channel her experience, wisdom & insight into this vital role www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2025...
Reposted by James Wilsdon
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk 🎤
If you’ve read this far and still need convincing, please check out our preprint arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820 and this infographic: doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
10/10
If you’ve read this far and still need convincing, please check out our preprint arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820 and this infographic: doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
10/10
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk 🎤
If you’ve read this far and still need convincing, please check out our preprint arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820 and this infographic: doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
10/10
If you’ve read this far and still need convincing, please check out our preprint arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820 and this infographic: doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
10/10
Reposted by James Wilsdon
Join RoRI Co-Chair @ludowaltman.bsky.social in Cambridge on 3 Dec, where he'll be a keynote at a forum exploring the Publish, Review, Curate model.
The event will showcase initiatives and discuss how this model can shape the future of scholarly communication: coar-repositories.org/news-updates...
The event will showcase initiatives and discuss how this model can shape the future of scholarly communication: coar-repositories.org/news-updates...
November 12, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Join RoRI Co-Chair @ludowaltman.bsky.social in Cambridge on 3 Dec, where he'll be a keynote at a forum exploring the Publish, Review, Curate model.
The event will showcase initiatives and discuss how this model can shape the future of scholarly communication: coar-repositories.org/news-updates...
The event will showcase initiatives and discuss how this model can shape the future of scholarly communication: coar-repositories.org/news-updates...
Research assessment: a round-up
Excellent survey of the assessment landscape by @hollyelse.bsky.social in @nature.com, including our recent work @rorinstitute.bsky.social with the Global Research Council.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
@alexrushforth.bsky.social @prussianhippie.bsky.social
Excellent survey of the assessment landscape by @hollyelse.bsky.social in @nature.com, including our recent work @rorinstitute.bsky.social with the Global Research Council.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
@alexrushforth.bsky.social @prussianhippie.bsky.social
Research assessment: a round-up for early-career researchers
Confused by research evaluation and its potential impact on career progression? Here are some pointers as to how things work in different parts of the world.
www.nature.com
October 4, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Research assessment: a round-up
Excellent survey of the assessment landscape by @hollyelse.bsky.social in @nature.com, including our recent work @rorinstitute.bsky.social with the Global Research Council.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
@alexrushforth.bsky.social @prussianhippie.bsky.social
Excellent survey of the assessment landscape by @hollyelse.bsky.social in @nature.com, including our recent work @rorinstitute.bsky.social with the Global Research Council.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
@alexrushforth.bsky.social @prussianhippie.bsky.social
Reposted by James Wilsdon
New in @nature.com: Funding the Frontier, an AI tool to map & predict research impacts.
The piece cites RoRI's @jameswilsdon.bsky.social, who warns such algorithms risk reinforcing past successes over future potential: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The piece cites RoRI's @jameswilsdon.bsky.social, who warns such algorithms risk reinforcing past successes over future potential: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
October 2, 2025 at 10:29 AM
New in @nature.com: Funding the Frontier, an AI tool to map & predict research impacts.
The piece cites RoRI's @jameswilsdon.bsky.social, who warns such algorithms risk reinforcing past successes over future potential: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The piece cites RoRI's @jameswilsdon.bsky.social, who warns such algorithms risk reinforcing past successes over future potential: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by James Wilsdon
🧠 Does STI policy need a strategic brain?
Join us next Tuesday at UCL for a talk by @stianwestlake.bsky.social (Executive Chair, @ukri.org ESRC) on the future of UK R&D, with responses from @britishacademy.bsky.social's Molly Morgan Jones & UCL’s Sarah Chaytor: tinyurl.com/vekzka23
Join us next Tuesday at UCL for a talk by @stianwestlake.bsky.social (Executive Chair, @ukri.org ESRC) on the future of UK R&D, with responses from @britishacademy.bsky.social's Molly Morgan Jones & UCL’s Sarah Chaytor: tinyurl.com/vekzka23
September 23, 2025 at 8:15 AM
🧠 Does STI policy need a strategic brain?
Join us next Tuesday at UCL for a talk by @stianwestlake.bsky.social (Executive Chair, @ukri.org ESRC) on the future of UK R&D, with responses from @britishacademy.bsky.social's Molly Morgan Jones & UCL’s Sarah Chaytor: tinyurl.com/vekzka23
Join us next Tuesday at UCL for a talk by @stianwestlake.bsky.social (Executive Chair, @ukri.org ESRC) on the future of UK R&D, with responses from @britishacademy.bsky.social's Molly Morgan Jones & UCL’s Sarah Chaytor: tinyurl.com/vekzka23
Does STI policy need a strategic brain?
Join us at 5pm on 30 Sept for a talk by @stianwestlake.bsky.social, Executive Chair, ESRC @ukri
Hosted by STEaPP-UCL & RoRI, w/ responses by @britishacademy.bsky.social’s Molly Morgan-Jones & UCL’s Sarah Chaytor
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/does-sti-p...
Join us at 5pm on 30 Sept for a talk by @stianwestlake.bsky.social, Executive Chair, ESRC @ukri
Hosted by STEaPP-UCL & RoRI, w/ responses by @britishacademy.bsky.social’s Molly Morgan-Jones & UCL’s Sarah Chaytor
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/does-sti-p...
Does STI policy need a strategic brain?
A seminar on how metascience might sharpen investment decisions across the UK’s research system
www.eventbrite.co.uk
September 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Does STI policy need a strategic brain?
Join us at 5pm on 30 Sept for a talk by @stianwestlake.bsky.social, Executive Chair, ESRC @ukri
Hosted by STEaPP-UCL & RoRI, w/ responses by @britishacademy.bsky.social’s Molly Morgan-Jones & UCL’s Sarah Chaytor
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/does-sti-p...
Join us at 5pm on 30 Sept for a talk by @stianwestlake.bsky.social, Executive Chair, ESRC @ukri
Hosted by STEaPP-UCL & RoRI, w/ responses by @britishacademy.bsky.social’s Molly Morgan-Jones & UCL’s Sarah Chaytor
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/does-sti-p...
Reposted by James Wilsdon
Very happy to announce a partnership between PLOS Biology and @metaror.bsky.social.
Metaresearchers can submit their work to MetaROR, where it will be peer reviewed openly, and can then submit to PLOS Biology, which will evaluate their work based on MetaROR's peer review reports.
Metaresearchers can submit their work to MetaROR, where it will be peer reviewed openly, and can then submit to PLOS Biology, which will evaluate their work based on MetaROR's peer review reports.
We are proud to announce a new agreement with @rorinstitute.bsky.social and @aimosinc.bsky.social to become a partner journal with MetaResearch Open Review (MetaRoR) @metaror.bsky.social
#metaresearch #openscience 🧪
Learn more: plos.io/45wPZB9
#metaresearch #openscience 🧪
Learn more: plos.io/45wPZB9
PLOS Biology announces agreement to become a MetaROR partner journal - The Official PLOS Blog
Note: PLOS issued the following press release on Thursday, August 14th. SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Today, PLOS Biology announced a new agreement…
plos.io
August 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Very happy to announce a partnership between PLOS Biology and @metaror.bsky.social.
Metaresearchers can submit their work to MetaROR, where it will be peer reviewed openly, and can then submit to PLOS Biology, which will evaluate their work based on MetaROR's peer review reports.
Metaresearchers can submit their work to MetaROR, where it will be peer reviewed openly, and can then submit to PLOS Biology, which will evaluate their work based on MetaROR's peer review reports.
Reposted by James Wilsdon
Excellent news piece in @nature.com providing an overview of ongoing discussions about the organization of peer review in funding allocation and scientific publishing doi.org/10.1038/d415....
@rorinstitute.bsky.social @cwts.nl
@rorinstitute.bsky.social @cwts.nl
The peer-review crisis: how to fix an overloaded system
Journals and funders are trying to boost the speed and effectiveness of review processes that are under strain.
doi.org
August 7, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Excellent news piece in @nature.com providing an overview of ongoing discussions about the organization of peer review in funding allocation and scientific publishing doi.org/10.1038/d415....
@rorinstitute.bsky.social @cwts.nl
@rorinstitute.bsky.social @cwts.nl
Reposted by James Wilsdon
The life sciences sector plan is now out, part of the wider industrial strategy. Lots in there, but I think interesting to see how it illustrates how the Science Minister’s “three buckets” doctrine of science and innovation policy might play out...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Life Sciences Sector Plan
The Life Sciences Sector Plan sets out a vision and an action plan to drive growth, innovation, and better health outcomes.
www.gov.uk
July 17, 2025 at 7:58 AM
The life sciences sector plan is now out, part of the wider industrial strategy. Lots in there, but I think interesting to see how it illustrates how the Science Minister’s “three buckets” doctrine of science and innovation policy might play out...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by James Wilsdon
Science of science has been used to improve research integrity and assessment.
Last week I spoke at #metascience2025 calling on the community to look further, to improve interdisciplinarity, trust in science & more
Our editorial adds more 🧪
@jameswilsdon.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Last week I spoke at #metascience2025 calling on the community to look further, to improve interdisciplinarity, trust in science & more
Our editorial adds more 🧪
@jameswilsdon.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Metascience can improve science — but it must be useful to society, too
Researchers studying research must avoid the temptation to get too stuck in the academic weeds.
www.nature.com
July 10, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Science of science has been used to improve research integrity and assessment.
Last week I spoke at #metascience2025 calling on the community to look further, to improve interdisciplinarity, trust in science & more
Our editorial adds more 🧪
@jameswilsdon.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Last week I spoke at #metascience2025 calling on the community to look further, to improve interdisciplinarity, trust in science & more
Our editorial adds more 🧪
@jameswilsdon.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by James Wilsdon
Metascience’s big tent 🏕️
Some reflections from @scurry.bsky.social and @jameswilsdon.bsky.social after hosting #Metascience2025 last week - as we all continue digesting the insights and engaging with the interesting post-conference discussions: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-poli...
Some reflections from @scurry.bsky.social and @jameswilsdon.bsky.social after hosting #Metascience2025 last week - as we all continue digesting the insights and engaging with the interesting post-conference discussions: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-poli...
July 10, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Metascience’s big tent 🏕️
Some reflections from @scurry.bsky.social and @jameswilsdon.bsky.social after hosting #Metascience2025 last week - as we all continue digesting the insights and engaging with the interesting post-conference discussions: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-poli...
Some reflections from @scurry.bsky.social and @jameswilsdon.bsky.social after hosting #Metascience2025 last week - as we all continue digesting the insights and engaging with the interesting post-conference discussions: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-poli...
Reposted by James Wilsdon
Metascience’s big tent. Some initial post-conference reflections from me & @jameswilsdon.bsky.social on lessons from #metascience2025, though there’s much still to digest.
Free to read link: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-poli...
Free to read link: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-poli...
Research Professional Sign-in
www.researchprofessional.com
July 9, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Metascience’s big tent. Some initial post-conference reflections from me & @jameswilsdon.bsky.social on lessons from #metascience2025, though there’s much still to digest.
Free to read link: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-poli...
Free to read link: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-poli...
Reposted by James Wilsdon
Nature editorial on the launch of the Metascience Alliance and the need to meet the moment: "Metascience is coming of age [during] phenomenal change: AI is transforming science rapidly; research budgets are being squeezed..science is being politicized and attacked."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Metascience can improve science — but it must be useful to society, too
Researchers studying research must avoid the temptation to get too stuck in the academic weeds.
www.nature.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Nature editorial on the launch of the Metascience Alliance and the need to meet the moment: "Metascience is coming of age [during] phenomenal change: AI is transforming science rapidly; research budgets are being squeezed..science is being politicized and attacked."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Metascience’s challenge is to keep its big tent intact: a few final reflections on #Metascience2025 by
@scurry.bsky.social & me in @resprofnews.bsky.social
www.researchprofessional.com/0/rr/news/po...
@briannosek.bsky.social
@scurry.bsky.social & me in @resprofnews.bsky.social
www.researchprofessional.com/0/rr/news/po...
@briannosek.bsky.social
Research Professional Sign-in
www.researchprofessional.com
July 9, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Metascience’s challenge is to keep its big tent intact: a few final reflections on #Metascience2025 by
@scurry.bsky.social & me in @resprofnews.bsky.social
www.researchprofessional.com/0/rr/news/po...
@briannosek.bsky.social
@scurry.bsky.social & me in @resprofnews.bsky.social
www.researchprofessional.com/0/rr/news/po...
@briannosek.bsky.social