Ken Rice
@kenrice.bsky.social
Interested in #scicomm, in particular about astronomy and climate change. Professor of Computational Astrophysics and Head of Institute for Astronomy, Univ. of Edinburgh. Views own, of course.
Reposted by Ken Rice
UK Solar Physics early career researchers rightly deeply concerned at the savage cuts to #STFC science (and I'd add apparent contempt for their plight by #UKRI). They have an open letter... uksolphys.org/general-news...
Early Career Researchers Response to UKRI Investment Approach
Dear PhD students, PDRAs and early career researchers, You may be aware of a recent UKRI funding restructure announcement (there is a discussion here: . In STFC-funded science, particle physics, …
uksolphys.org
February 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
UK Solar Physics early career researchers rightly deeply concerned at the savage cuts to #STFC science (and I'd add apparent contempt for their plight by #UKRI). They have an open letter... uksolphys.org/general-news...
Reposted by Ken Rice
The future of fundamental physics research in the UK is under serious threat because of the massive government cuts to STFC funding. Please read this open letter by advanced fellows.
advancedfellows-openletter-stfc.github.io/index.html
advancedfellows-openletter-stfc.github.io/index.html
Advanced Fellows Response to UKRI Investment Approach
advancedfellows-openletter-stfc.github.io
February 10, 2026 at 6:34 AM
The future of fundamental physics research in the UK is under serious threat because of the massive government cuts to STFC funding. Please read this open letter by advanced fellows.
advancedfellows-openletter-stfc.github.io/index.html
advancedfellows-openletter-stfc.github.io/index.html
Very interesting to see this laid out by someone who was, until very recently, on STFC's Science Board.
And incase you missed it, here is George Efstathiou (recently retired STFC Science Board member) going on the record about why it's come to this...
telescoper.blog/2026/02/06/t...
telescoper.blog/2026/02/06/t...
The STFC Funding Crisis – Guest Post by George Efstathiou
The following guest post by George Efstathiou is a response to the current STFC funding crisis I blogged about here, and specifically to a letter by the Executive Chair of STFC, Professor Michele D…
telescoper.blog
February 8, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Very interesting to see this laid out by someone who was, until very recently, on STFC's Science Board.
Reposted by Ken Rice
Thanks to @iansample.bsky.social at the Guardian for covering the devastating funding cuts that are being proposed for UK (astro)physics, and the dire impact these would have on young researchers. Will UKRI/STFC reconsider? Will the UKGov step in?🤞👩🔬🧪⚛️🔭
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
February 7, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Thanks to @iansample.bsky.social at the Guardian for covering the devastating funding cuts that are being proposed for UK (astro)physics, and the dire impact these would have on young researchers. Will UKRI/STFC reconsider? Will the UKGov step in?🤞👩🔬🧪⚛️🔭
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
I wrote something .... andthentheresphysics.wordpress.com/2026/02/08/s...
STFC funding crisis ….. again!
When I first came to work in the UK, Astronomy research was mostly funded through the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC). In 2007, PPARC was merged with the Council for the Cen…
andthentheresphysics.wordpress.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:36 PM
I wrote something .... andthentheresphysics.wordpress.com/2026/02/08/s...
Reposted by Ken Rice
Some commentary on Koonin's ridiculous statements at this event: www.realclimate.org/index.php/ar...
February 7, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Some commentary on Koonin's ridiculous statements at this event: www.realclimate.org/index.php/ar...
Reposted by Ken Rice
Draconian cuts to physics by the UK government are unacceptable.
They damage the UK's science base and threaten our reputation as a reliable international scientific partner.
Prof @johnwomersley.bsky.social explains how *you* can stand up for physics.
Full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=hOSReagyPDg
⚛️🧪
They damage the UK's science base and threaten our reputation as a reliable international scientific partner.
Prof @johnwomersley.bsky.social explains how *you* can stand up for physics.
Full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=hOSReagyPDg
⚛️🧪
February 6, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Draconian cuts to physics by the UK government are unacceptable.
They damage the UK's science base and threaten our reputation as a reliable international scientific partner.
Prof @johnwomersley.bsky.social explains how *you* can stand up for physics.
Full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=hOSReagyPDg
⚛️🧪
They damage the UK's science base and threaten our reputation as a reliable international scientific partner.
Prof @johnwomersley.bsky.social explains how *you* can stand up for physics.
Full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=hOSReagyPDg
⚛️🧪
"....essential that the mechanisms by which re-prioritisation is implemented do not unintentionally concentrate risk onto people-based research and early-career pathways, particularly where facilities, infrastructure, and long-term operational commitments are funded alongside staffing and training."
🔊 Calling UK early career researches in astro, particle & nuclear physics. Please sign this open response to the proposed cuts at STFC ⚛️🧪🔭
"Protecting the UK's reputation as a science superpower requires not only investment, but continuity, confidence, and people"
✍️ ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
"Protecting the UK's reputation as a science superpower requires not only investment, but continuity, confidence, and people"
✍️ ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
An excellent open-letter enumerating the dangers to early career researchers and then wider society of proposed changes to UK science funding
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
Early-career researchers may like to add their signatures
🧪⚛️🔭 #AcademicSky #UKpol
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
Early-career researchers may like to add their signatures
🧪⚛️🔭 #AcademicSky #UKpol
February 6, 2026 at 3:51 PM
"....essential that the mechanisms by which re-prioritisation is implemented do not unintentionally concentrate risk onto people-based research and early-career pathways, particularly where facilities, infrastructure, and long-term operational commitments are funded alongside staffing and training."
Reposted by Ken Rice
🔊 Calling UK early career researches in astro, particle & nuclear physics. Please sign this open response to the proposed cuts at STFC ⚛️🧪🔭
"Protecting the UK's reputation as a science superpower requires not only investment, but continuity, confidence, and people"
✍️ ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
"Protecting the UK's reputation as a science superpower requires not only investment, but continuity, confidence, and people"
✍️ ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
An excellent open-letter enumerating the dangers to early career researchers and then wider society of proposed changes to UK science funding
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
Early-career researchers may like to add their signatures
🧪⚛️🔭 #AcademicSky #UKpol
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
Early-career researchers may like to add their signatures
🧪⚛️🔭 #AcademicSky #UKpol
Early Career Researchers Response to UKRI Investment Approach
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
February 6, 2026 at 10:25 AM
🔊 Calling UK early career researches in astro, particle & nuclear physics. Please sign this open response to the proposed cuts at STFC ⚛️🧪🔭
"Protecting the UK's reputation as a science superpower requires not only investment, but continuity, confidence, and people"
✍️ ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
"Protecting the UK's reputation as a science superpower requires not only investment, but continuity, confidence, and people"
✍️ ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
Reposted by Ken Rice
Also on BBC radio 4 yesterday: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
BBC Inside Science - Where do forever chemicals come from? - BBC Sounds
New research on how forever chemicals get into our environment.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Also on BBC radio 4 yesterday: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
.......Because our science happens to sit within STFC, it is being uniquely targeted for cuts. It amounts to damage that will last for a generation, being made because of a bureaucratic coincidence."
February 6, 2026 at 10:56 AM
.......Because our science happens to sit within STFC, it is being uniquely targeted for cuts. It amounts to damage that will last for a generation, being made because of a bureaucratic coincidence."
I think this is a key point: "What this means is that cuts to fundamental research in astrophysics, particle physics and nuclear physics - the areas which sit within STFC’s remit - are being made because of the rising costs of the rest of STFC’s program. ........
February 6, 2026 at 10:55 AM
I think this is a key point: "What this means is that cuts to fundamental research in astrophysics, particle physics and nuclear physics - the areas which sit within STFC’s remit - are being made because of the rising costs of the rest of STFC’s program. ........
Good letter by @chrislintott.bsky.social. www.ox.ac.uk/news/2026-02...
Expert Comment: Cuts to fundamental research will hurt the UK’s
Chris Lintott, Professor of Astrophysics at Oxford’s Department of Physics, responds to the news that University funding for astronomy and physics research will be cut by almost a third.
www.ox.ac.uk
February 6, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Good letter by @chrislintott.bsky.social. www.ox.ac.uk/news/2026-02...
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the four authors have well-known Climateball players
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About this paper: as I show in The Language of Climate Politics—and as @noahqkaufman.bsky.social explained broadly in The Atlantic a few weeks ago—there is NO EVIDENCE that economic growth will continue at past rates (or even at all) if the planet heats up to unprecedented temperatures.
So...
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So...
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February 6, 2026 at 10:07 AM
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Reposted by Ken Rice
Listeners to Radio 4’s Inside Science today get an essay from me in defence of astronomy as pure research. Please listen in and let me know what you think.
Show starts 4.30pm GMT here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Show starts 4.30pm GMT here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
BBC Radio 4 - BBC Inside Science
A weekly programme looking at the science that's changing our world.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Listeners to Radio 4’s Inside Science today get an essay from me in defence of astronomy as pure research. Please listen in and let me know what you think.
Show starts 4.30pm GMT here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Show starts 4.30pm GMT here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
👇
"The #climate scientists we surveyed were unambiguous: current economic models can’t capture what matters most – the cascading failures & compounding shocks that define climate risk in a warmer world – & could undermine the foundations of economic growth” - Dr Jesse Abrams, @gsiexeter.bsky.social
Flawed economic models mean climate crisis could crash global economy, experts warn
States and financial bodies using modelling that ignores shocks from extreme weather and climate tipping points
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:49 AM
👇
Okay, I think the numbers next to the ellipses are CO2eq concentrations from simple climate models used in WGIII. See Table 1 of this. www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/...
www.ipcc.ch
February 4, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Okay, I think the numbers next to the ellipses are CO2eq concentrations from simple climate models used in WGIII. See Table 1 of this. www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/...
You are, so I'm slightly confused. I've also checked the IPCC Synthesis Report and it says the same.
February 4, 2026 at 11:03 PM
You are, so I'm slightly confused. I've also checked the IPCC Synthesis Report and it says the same.
The units on the x-axis is cumulative emissions, but what are the numbers next to the ellipses?
February 4, 2026 at 10:57 PM
The units on the x-axis is cumulative emissions, but what are the numbers next to the ellipses?
The left panel of the Figure here shows the linear relationship between cumulative emissions and warming, and also shows estimates of the associated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. www.nature.com/articles/nge...
Figure 1: Warming as a function of cumulative CO2 emissions in the CMIP5 ensemble. | Nature Geoscience
www.nature.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:45 PM
The left panel of the Figure here shows the linear relationship between cumulative emissions and warming, and also shows estimates of the associated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. www.nature.com/articles/nge...
This article would seem to suggest that the ambitions that may not be realised are not solely associated with PPAN science areas. 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 4, 2026 at 12:48 PM
This article would seem to suggest that the ambitions that may not be realised are not solely associated with PPAN science areas. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Exactly, or at least some kind of deeper justification for why it seems that STFC alone has find ways to manage these higher then expected costs. If it's all associated with PPAN, maybe it is justified. If not, why is the burden not being shared more broadly?
February 4, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Exactly, or at least some kind of deeper justification for why it seems that STFC alone has find ways to manage these higher then expected costs. If it's all associated with PPAN, maybe it is justified. If not, why is the burden not being shared more broadly?
But what also seems to be missing is an acknowledgement that STFC is providing facilities for researchers across almost all areas of research. Hence, why is the pain not being shared more equally, or why is there not some protection for the grants line in STFC?
February 3, 2026 at 2:55 PM
But what also seems to be missing is an acknowledgement that STFC is providing facilities for researchers across almost all areas of research. Hence, why is the pain not being shared more equally, or why is there not some protection for the grants line in STFC?
Yes, I heard that. A politically clever way to frame this, to put it politely. I've haven't listened to all of it yet, but I haven't yet heard any acknowledgment that STFC provides facilities for researchers across multiple research councils.
February 3, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Yes, I heard that. A politically clever way to frame this, to put it politely. I've haven't listened to all of it yet, but I haven't yet heard any acknowledgment that STFC provides facilities for researchers across multiple research councils.
Reposted by Ken Rice
Recent assessments have found the last glacial maximum implies a climate sensitivity of 2.4C (1.4C to 5.0C): www.science.org/doi/...
And the Pliocene implies a sensitivity of 3.1C (2.3C to 4.7C): www.pnas.org/doi/10....
Paleoclimate evidence generally provides the strongest constraint on high ECS.
And the Pliocene implies a sensitivity of 3.1C (2.3C to 4.7C): www.pnas.org/doi/10....
Paleoclimate evidence generally provides the strongest constraint on high ECS.
February 2, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Recent assessments have found the last glacial maximum implies a climate sensitivity of 2.4C (1.4C to 5.0C): www.science.org/doi/...
And the Pliocene implies a sensitivity of 3.1C (2.3C to 4.7C): www.pnas.org/doi/10....
Paleoclimate evidence generally provides the strongest constraint on high ECS.
And the Pliocene implies a sensitivity of 3.1C (2.3C to 4.7C): www.pnas.org/doi/10....
Paleoclimate evidence generally provides the strongest constraint on high ECS.