John Morgan
@johnmorgan3.bsky.social
Editor (acting), @resprofnews.bsky.social
With England's system of tuition fees and student loans under fierce criticism, @chrisjparr.bsky.social speaks to the creator of that system, David Willetts.
Willetts points out Labour govt has not found an alternative model (though I don't think it has really tried to look for one).
Willetts points out Labour govt has not found an alternative model (though I don't think it has really tried to look for one).
February 13, 2026 at 11:48 AM
With England's system of tuition fees and student loans under fierce criticism, @chrisjparr.bsky.social speaks to the creator of that system, David Willetts.
Willetts points out Labour govt has not found an alternative model (though I don't think it has really tried to look for one).
Willetts points out Labour govt has not found an alternative model (though I don't think it has really tried to look for one).
Former UKRI leader Ottoline Leyser talks to @francesjones.bsky.social about the "horrible" funding problems facing Science and Technology Facilities Council.
STFC funds major facilities and labs, along with grants for physics and astronomy.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
STFC funds major facilities and labs, along with grants for physics and astronomy.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
February 13, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Former UKRI leader Ottoline Leyser talks to @francesjones.bsky.social about the "horrible" funding problems facing Science and Technology Facilities Council.
STFC funds major facilities and labs, along with grants for physics and astronomy.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
STFC funds major facilities and labs, along with grants for physics and astronomy.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by John Morgan
It's been a busy couple of weeks covering the funding changes at UKRI, to put it mildly
Here are my thoughts on how it's played out
TL;DR...the message that curiosity-driven research is protected is not going to reassure those who are seeing their funding streams disrupted
Here are my thoughts on how it's played out
TL;DR...the message that curiosity-driven research is protected is not going to reassure those who are seeing their funding streams disrupted
Rhetoric on UKRI’s funding reforms offers cold comfort - Research Professional News
Messaging that curiosity-driven research is protected is hard to square with funding reductions and pauses
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:03 PM
It's been a busy couple of weeks covering the funding changes at UKRI, to put it mildly
Here are my thoughts on how it's played out
TL;DR...the message that curiosity-driven research is protected is not going to reassure those who are seeing their funding streams disrupted
Here are my thoughts on how it's played out
TL;DR...the message that curiosity-driven research is protected is not going to reassure those who are seeing their funding streams disrupted
Reposted by John Morgan
🧵 New Research Fortnight out today!
In this issue, we put the spotlight on the impact and implications of major changes to funding being introduced by UK Research and Innovation.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
In this issue, we put the spotlight on the impact and implications of major changes to funding being introduced by UK Research and Innovation.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Research Fortnight – 11 February 2026 - Research Professional News
In issue 692: Special Issue on UKRI funding reforms
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:37 AM
🧵 New Research Fortnight out today!
In this issue, we put the spotlight on the impact and implications of major changes to funding being introduced by UK Research and Innovation.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
In this issue, we put the spotlight on the impact and implications of major changes to funding being introduced by UK Research and Innovation.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Warnings that UKRI funding changes are pushing some early career researchers to move abroad.
STFC-funded research groups already "haemorrhaging", this researcher tells @resprofnews.bsky.social.
STFC-funded research groups already "haemorrhaging", this researcher tells @resprofnews.bsky.social.
February 11, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Warnings that UKRI funding changes are pushing some early career researchers to move abroad.
STFC-funded research groups already "haemorrhaging", this researcher tells @resprofnews.bsky.social.
STFC-funded research groups already "haemorrhaging", this researcher tells @resprofnews.bsky.social.
Reposted by John Morgan
Breaking: Research Excellence Framework director to step down in April.
Former director Kim Hackett returning to oversee strategy while successor to Rebecca Fairbairn is found.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Former director Kim Hackett returning to oversee strategy while successor to Rebecca Fairbairn is found.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Research Excellence Framework director to step down in April - Research Professional News
Former director Kim Hackett returning to oversee strategy while successor to Rebecca Fairbairn is found
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Breaking: Research Excellence Framework director to step down in April.
Former director Kim Hackett returning to oversee strategy while successor to Rebecca Fairbairn is found.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Former director Kim Hackett returning to oversee strategy while successor to Rebecca Fairbairn is found.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Powerful opinion piece about impact of UKRI pulling UK funds from Electron-Ion Collider project - US-based international facility for research into structure of matter - by Daria Sokhan, principal investigator on EIC-UK.
February 10, 2026 at 11:23 AM
Powerful opinion piece about impact of UKRI pulling UK funds from Electron-Ion Collider project - US-based international facility for research into structure of matter - by Daria Sokhan, principal investigator on EIC-UK.
Unusual to hear a Russell Group v-c talking in the terms Manchester's Duncan Ivison does in interview with @chrisjparr.bsky.social.
He thinks scrapping the "massive, bureaucratic" REF should be on the table.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
He thinks scrapping the "massive, bureaucratic" REF should be on the table.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
February 10, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Unusual to hear a Russell Group v-c talking in the terms Manchester's Duncan Ivison does in interview with @chrisjparr.bsky.social.
He thinks scrapping the "massive, bureaucratic" REF should be on the table.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
He thinks scrapping the "massive, bureaucratic" REF should be on the table.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Fierce criticism of UKRI's decision to pull funding from upgrade of a detector on Cern's Large Hadron Collider.
Tim Gershon, leader on the experiment, warns it will "collapse" the project and international partners could "end up just wasting their money".
Tim Gershon, leader on the experiment, warns it will "collapse" the project and international partners could "end up just wasting their money".
February 9, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Fierce criticism of UKRI's decision to pull funding from upgrade of a detector on Cern's Large Hadron Collider.
Tim Gershon, leader on the experiment, warns it will "collapse" the project and international partners could "end up just wasting their money".
Tim Gershon, leader on the experiment, warns it will "collapse" the project and international partners could "end up just wasting their money".
UKRI's chief executive said recently that the UK "may wish to explore" paring back its association to the EU's research programme, to make it partial.
That would be a "profound strategic error", critics now warn.
By @clanicholson.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
That would be a "profound strategic error", critics now warn.
By @clanicholson.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Any UK plan for partial Horizon association ‘a profound error’ - Research Professional News
Academic leaders warn against UK abandoning participation in collaborative part of EU R&I programme
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:39 PM
UKRI's chief executive said recently that the UK "may wish to explore" paring back its association to the EU's research programme, to make it partial.
That would be a "profound strategic error", critics now warn.
By @clanicholson.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
That would be a "profound strategic error", critics now warn.
By @clanicholson.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
STFC's science board was told of "long-term cut" to grants for physics and astronomy researchers, former member claims.
STFC, which funds both major facilities and grants, plans cuts of £162m by 29-20, as @resprofnews.bsky.social has revealed.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
STFC, which funds both major facilities and grants, plans cuts of £162m by 29-20, as @resprofnews.bsky.social has revealed.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
STFC ‘has chosen facilities over saving grants’, claims ex-adviser - Research Professional News
Cambridge astrophysicist says science board was told of “long-term cut” to external grants programme
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:32 PM
STFC's science board was told of "long-term cut" to grants for physics and astronomy researchers, former member claims.
STFC, which funds both major facilities and grants, plans cuts of £162m by 29-20, as @resprofnews.bsky.social has revealed.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
STFC, which funds both major facilities and grants, plans cuts of £162m by 29-20, as @resprofnews.bsky.social has revealed.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
More on the impact of UKRI pulling funding from a major experiment at Cern's Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator.
Experiment's leader tells @francesjones.bsky.social upgrade of LHCb detector is "essential" to maximising upgrade of LHC itself.
Experiment's leader tells @francesjones.bsky.social upgrade of LHCb detector is "essential" to maximising upgrade of LHC itself.
February 6, 2026 at 4:25 PM
More on the impact of UKRI pulling funding from a major experiment at Cern's Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator.
Experiment's leader tells @francesjones.bsky.social upgrade of LHCb detector is "essential" to maximising upgrade of LHC itself.
Experiment's leader tells @francesjones.bsky.social upgrade of LHCb detector is "essential" to maximising upgrade of LHC itself.
Nature sums up 3 elements of UKRI funding changes: MRC/BBSRC grant pauses; STFC cuts; infrastructure deprioritised.
Shame there's no credit for @resprofnews.bsky.social which first revealed all three!
Stellar work by @francesjones.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social
Shame there's no credit for @resprofnews.bsky.social which first revealed all three!
Stellar work by @francesjones.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social
February 6, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Nature sums up 3 elements of UKRI funding changes: MRC/BBSRC grant pauses; STFC cuts; infrastructure deprioritised.
Shame there's no credit for @resprofnews.bsky.social which first revealed all three!
Stellar work by @francesjones.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social
Shame there's no credit for @resprofnews.bsky.social which first revealed all three!
Stellar work by @francesjones.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social
Is notion of a reproducibility crisis in science "exaggerated"?
After ERC's Maria Leptin suggests just that, @fionamcintyre.bsky.social talks to those studying the issue.
To judge whether there's a crisis, we would need to know "normal" level of reproducibility, says @martmichaelis.bsky.social
After ERC's Maria Leptin suggests just that, @fionamcintyre.bsky.social talks to those studying the issue.
To judge whether there's a crisis, we would need to know "normal" level of reproducibility, says @martmichaelis.bsky.social
February 6, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Is notion of a reproducibility crisis in science "exaggerated"?
After ERC's Maria Leptin suggests just that, @fionamcintyre.bsky.social talks to those studying the issue.
To judge whether there's a crisis, we would need to know "normal" level of reproducibility, says @martmichaelis.bsky.social
After ERC's Maria Leptin suggests just that, @fionamcintyre.bsky.social talks to those studying the issue.
To judge whether there's a crisis, we would need to know "normal" level of reproducibility, says @martmichaelis.bsky.social
UK is pulling its funding for Cern's Large Hadron Collider upgrade, STFC leader Michele Dougherty confirms, after news first revealed by @francesjones.bsky.social @resprofnews.bsky.social
"We simply don’t have the money to do everything."
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
"We simply don’t have the money to do everything."
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
‘Difficult’ two years ahead for physics, warns STFC boss - Research Professional News
Michele Dougherty confirms withdrawal from LHC upgrade and indicates scant money for new projects
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:14 PM
UK is pulling its funding for Cern's Large Hadron Collider upgrade, STFC leader Michele Dougherty confirms, after news first revealed by @francesjones.bsky.social @resprofnews.bsky.social
"We simply don’t have the money to do everything."
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
"We simply don’t have the money to do everything."
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by John Morgan
Last week, RPN broke a string of stories on significant changes to funding across a number of research councils (see thread below)
This morning, UKRI chief executive is appearing at the Commons science committee, where he is being asked about them by MPs
Here are some key moments so far 🧵
This morning, UKRI chief executive is appearing at the Commons science committee, where he is being asked about them by MPs
Here are some key moments so far 🧵
On Friday we revealed that the heads of four large-scale physics infrastructure projects have been informed that they’ve “not been prioritised” for funding.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UKRI shelves physics infrastructure projects worth £280m - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Major international collaborations with Cern and US Department of Energy in jeopardy
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Last week, RPN broke a string of stories on significant changes to funding across a number of research councils (see thread below)
This morning, UKRI chief executive is appearing at the Commons science committee, where he is being asked about them by MPs
Here are some key moments so far 🧵
This morning, UKRI chief executive is appearing at the Commons science committee, where he is being asked about them by MPs
Here are some key moments so far 🧵
Reposted by John Morgan
The leaders of four major physics infrastructure projects due to receive over £280m from UKRI were told in December they have “not been prioritised” for funding
The projects include an upgrade to the LHC at Cern and a new US particle accelerator
...
The projects include an upgrade to the LHC at Cern and a new US particle accelerator
...
January 31, 2026 at 10:12 AM
The leaders of four major physics infrastructure projects due to receive over £280m from UKRI were told in December they have “not been prioritised” for funding
The projects include an upgrade to the LHC at Cern and a new US particle accelerator
...
The projects include an upgrade to the LHC at Cern and a new US particle accelerator
...
Another big story on changes to UK research funding - UK shelving £280m funding for physics infrastructure.
Source tells @resprofnews.bsky.social if UK contribution to upgrade Cern's LHC is cut, project cannot go ahead
By @francesjones.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Source tells @resprofnews.bsky.social if UK contribution to upgrade Cern's LHC is cut, project cannot go ahead
By @francesjones.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UKRI shelves physics infrastructure projects worth £280m - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Major international collaborations with Cern and US Department of Energy in jeopardy
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Another big story on changes to UK research funding - UK shelving £280m funding for physics infrastructure.
Source tells @resprofnews.bsky.social if UK contribution to upgrade Cern's LHC is cut, project cannot go ahead
By @francesjones.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Source tells @resprofnews.bsky.social if UK contribution to upgrade Cern's LHC is cut, project cannot go ahead
By @francesjones.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Awkward timing for Michele Dougherty's Desert Island Discs to be broadcast, given scientists' concerns over cuts set out by STFC, which she leads.
She was asked about keeping Musk in Royal Society: "I think it was the right decision...He's done a lot for improving our ability to get into space."
She was asked about keeping Musk in Royal Society: "I think it was the right decision...He's done a lot for improving our ability to get into space."
February 1, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Awkward timing for Michele Dougherty's Desert Island Discs to be broadcast, given scientists' concerns over cuts set out by STFC, which she leads.
She was asked about keeping Musk in Royal Society: "I think it was the right decision...He's done a lot for improving our ability to get into space."
She was asked about keeping Musk in Royal Society: "I think it was the right decision...He's done a lot for improving our ability to get into space."
UKRI shelves physics infrastructure projects worth £280m, @resprofnews.bsky.social reveals. Projects affected include a collaboration with Cern to upgrade the Large Hadron Collider.
Another big story from @francesjones.bsky.social.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Another big story from @francesjones.bsky.social.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UKRI shelves physics infrastructure projects worth £280m - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Major international collaborations with Cern and US Department of Energy in jeopardy
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:34 PM
UKRI shelves physics infrastructure projects worth £280m, @resprofnews.bsky.social reveals. Projects affected include a collaboration with Cern to upgrade the Large Hadron Collider.
Another big story from @francesjones.bsky.social.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Another big story from @francesjones.bsky.social.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Further impacts from UKRI "period of transition" as it shifts more to "national priorities" after spending review.
MRC tells grant boards to cut funding rates; BBSRC pauses applicant-led calls
By @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
MRC tells grant boards to cut funding rates; BBSRC pauses applicant-led calls
By @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social
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 1:17 PM
Further impacts from UKRI "period of transition" as it shifts more to "national priorities" after spending review.
MRC tells grant boards to cut funding rates; BBSRC pauses applicant-led calls
By @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
MRC tells grant boards to cut funding rates; BBSRC pauses applicant-led calls
By @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by John Morgan
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 John Morgan
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 2:53 PM
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...
UK Research and Innovation secured a strong four-year budget settlement following the spending review last year.
But it's becoming clear that a govt-driven shift in UKRI funding towards research linked to "national priorities" will have big impact for UK research and researchers...
But it's becoming clear that a govt-driven shift in UKRI funding towards research linked to "national priorities" will have big impact for UK research and researchers...
January 29, 2026 at 8:21 AM
UK Research and Innovation secured a strong four-year budget settlement following the spending review last year.
But it's becoming clear that a govt-driven shift in UKRI funding towards research linked to "national priorities" will have big impact for UK research and researchers...
But it's becoming clear that a govt-driven shift in UKRI funding towards research linked to "national priorities" will have big impact for UK research and researchers...
Science and Technology Facilities Council told staff yesterday it aims to cut £162m by 29-30 and "challenge we are facing is by far the biggest in STFC’s history", @resprofnews.bsky.social reveals.
Project leaders asked to model cuts of up to 60%.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Project leaders asked to model cuts of up to 60%.
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 29, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Science and Technology Facilities Council told staff yesterday it aims to cut £162m by 29-30 and "challenge we are facing is by far the biggest in STFC’s history", @resprofnews.bsky.social reveals.
Project leaders asked to model cuts of up to 60%.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Project leaders asked to model cuts of up to 60%.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...