Martin J. Smith | Lightnews

Martin Smith

@martinrsmith.bsky.social

850 followers 250 following 230 posts

Head of Policy Lab, Wellcome. Science policy things, puns, cats

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Political science 83%

Education 4%

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Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Jul 14

NEW WELLCOME REPORT

R&D is a driver of domestic economic growth, but there's so much more that strength in science can do for the UK and the world.

Our report sets out a wider narrative for UK R&D, and why the UK needs to move on from 'science superpower'

wellcome.org/reports/uk-g...

The Global Partner of Choice for R&D | Report | Wellcome

This report outlines the importance of research and development (R&D) for the UK, emphasising its role in economic growth, global reputation and national security amidst changing geopolitical landscap...

wellcome.org

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 1h

Public support for R&D is ‘broad but shallow’, report warns.

Highlight personal connections and local links to protect investment from political shifts, Case advises.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Horizon Europe @horizoneu.bsky.social · 18h

It’s official!

Switzerland joins #HorizonEU & #Euratom Research & Training, the EU’s programmes for R&I!

Swiss researchers & organisations can now fully collaborate on research, innovation & digital transformation, driving solutions across Europe.

🔗 link.europa.eu/G4Jfjw

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 1d

Players from Patcham Silver Band supporting the Salvation Army today in Brighton for Remembrance Sunday.

Bram (in the SA hat) has played the Last Post here since 1967

Four brass band players dressed in smart dark clothes and wearing poppies, standing in a line. A sunny day at a war memorial. They are holding shiny silver brass instruments - two cornets, a flugelhorn and a euphonium

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 1d

Fat toast for jam?

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 4d

Opinion: “This year something has changed. More than 100 MPs’ offices signed up to January’s Evidence Week 2024, many of them immediately...MPs asked a host of questions on topics such as health data, post-Covid school attendance, pollution and transport.”

🖊️ Tracey Brown https://ow.ly/SuUe50XnJ5W

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 4d

Wait, there’s more! Data has Spot! 😻

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 4d

The Riker minifig comes with a lil’ trombone 😍

www.lego.com/en-gb/produc...

Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D™ 10356 | LEGO® Icons | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop GB

LEGO® Icons Star Trek model kit for adults

www.lego.com

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 4d

'Nottingham put part of the blame for the continued financial uncertainty on the proposed international student fee levy, pointing out that it will “wipe out any benefits” that will come from the Westminster government’s recent decision to link fees to inflation.' 3/3

Reposted by Martin J. Smith, Catriona Seth, Annette Yoshiko Reed

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 4d

'Music and modern foreign languages degrees are among courses being suspended at the University of Nottingham, with the institution saying it “cannot rely on additional income” from the coming tuition fee rises.' 1/3

Nottingham suspends music, language and nursing courses

University says financial uncertainties continue as government’s proposed student levy will ‘wipe out any benefits’ from rising tuition fees

www.timeshighereducation.com

Reposted by Martin J. Smith, Christina Pagel

John Burn-Murdoch @jburnmurdoch.ft.com · 10d

With more and more countries pursuing policies aimed at attracting the most highly skilled workers, the UK and US need to realise that perceptions also matter, and — in the UK’s case — that this is just one more area where a bit of economic growth would help.

My column: www.ft.com/content/d70c...

Are Britain and the US losing their allure for top talent?

Open hostility and high visa fees are a risky bet amid intensifying competition for the world’s brightest and best

www.ft.com

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Ben H. Ansell, Nick Couldry , and 12 more Jonathan Portes, Ben H. Ansell, Nick Couldry, Will Jennings, Maarten Vink, Leigh Sparks, Dirk Pilat, Ian Hall, Martin Tomko, Martin J. Smith, Joshua Goodman, Miles Corak, Robert Wolfe, Margot C. Finn, Graham Dutfield

John Burn-Murdoch @jburnmurdoch.ft.com · 10d

NEW from me:

Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.

That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 10d

"Dsit’s assessment is that every £1 of civil public R&D investment generates £8 in economic benefits. This rather raises the question of why we don’t just bosh it another £3bn and wipe out the budget deficit, but we’re probably oversimplifying things"
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-he-govern...

Silver linings - Research Professional News

Reports consider the economic value of research and problems with Global Talent visas

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Martin J. Smith, Tom Griffin , and 1 more Ben H. Ansell, Martin J. Smith, Tom Griffin, Catriona Seth

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 11d

‘The CBI and Universities UK… said universities already subsidised research by £5.4 billion a year, largely through international student income. A levy would "accelerate contraction" in research and innovation, they warned.’
www.thetimes.com/article/95f2...

Tax on international students would be crippling, universities say

The Confederation of British Industry and Universities UK warn plans for a 6% levy will also affect the wider economy

www.thetimes.com

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Luke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · 11d

But while Brits see research as a core role of universities, awareness is fairly low: less than half of non-graduates say they are “fully aware” of the research that universities do, while a fifth say they are “not at all” aware. In focus groups research was often an afterthought

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Luke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · 11d

Asked about the most important roles of universities, their wider national (and international) contributions are the top: training professionals and researching new medicines are main reasons, followed by the benefits they provide to students.

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d

bsky.app/profile/heta...

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 11d

Whilst there has been much to criticise about policymaking in recent years, it should be noted that governments of both stripes have continued to invest in R&D at a time of tight budgets when it would have been easy to cut back on it. This has been a quiet area of consensus politics

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 11d

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d

I should add that I definitely don’t begrudge Govt comms from squeezing as much excitement as possible from the announcement of the allocations - I think it reflects a strong interest in science, which I thoroughly applaud. But I’ll always want to dig into the figures for a sober analysis.

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d

Some interesting details in the footnotes - #6 notes how next year’s Horizon bill is expected to be lower because of financial correction mechanisms corresponding to 2024 (the first year of proper association).

Planning figures are included for joining FP10 in 2028, which is the right thing to do

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d

There is encouraging recognition in the press release of the role of fundamental or discovery research, and in the power of R&D to generate economic growth. But in which case why not double down on that? The SR could have been more ambitious here.

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d

Why do we describe as status quo? It looks like UKRI’s budget next year is real terms flat - some extra lines have been included which makes it look bigger cf 25/26. So things will continue to feel tight at UKRI for a while yet - with increases backloaded in the Spending Review Period.

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d

“But looking ahead we need to raise the national ambition, such as by setting a target to lead the G7 in research intensity. This would galvanise private sector confidence and investment, create real economic growth and make breakthroughs that benefit our lives and health."

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d

Beth Thompson, Executive Director of Policy & Partnerships, commenting for Wellcome:

“This status-quo settlement will keep R&D in the UK on a steady footing. This is important and shouldn't be underestimated, and the recognition of the role of fundamental science is particularly encouraging” […]

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 12d

More info on UKRI allocations published today (more, but not full - Council-by-Council to be published in Dec).

Also note that footnote 5 confirms that the 25/26 figure isn’t comparable with 26/27 - sigh

www.gov.uk/government/p...

DSIT Research and Development (R&D) plans to 2029/2030

www.gov.uk

Reposted by Martin J. Smith, Margot C. Finn

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 12d

🚨Breaking Dsit funding news🚨

UKRI allocated £39bn budget over next four years.

National funder will receive around £9.2 billion next year, as Dsit plans “more agile” R&D funding.

More details: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

UKRI allocated £39bn budget over next four years - Research Professional News

National funder will receive around £9.2 billion next year, as Dsit plans “more agile” R&D funding

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 12d

It’s taken me several minutes to realise it’s meant to be balkanisation - good spot! 😄

Reposted by Martin Paul Eve, Martin J. Smith

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 14d

'When the White Paper suggests that the government can “incentivise specialisation and collaboration through research funding reform”, it is worth asking what – if any – links there currently are between research funding and teaching provision.'

Well worth a read.

The white paper is wrong - changing research funding won't change teaching

Changing research funding isn't enough to bring about sector specialisation. James Coe has the politics and DK has the stats in a correlational look at the white paper.

wonkhe.com

Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Martin J. Smith

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 21d

Another report on how our high visa costs deter top R&D talent
on.ft.com/4oyDMnB

Scientists charged too much to immigrate to UK, says Royal Society

Combined upfront cost of the five-year Global Talent Visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge stands at £5,941

on.ft.com

Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 21d

I think she was saying ‘debt trap’ - although death trap does sound more dramatic

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

Wonkhe @wonkhe.bsky.social · 25d

NEW on Wonkhe: Ben Tatler and Neil Jacobs believe REF should be central to solving the collective action problems around openness, transparency, and accountability in research. buff.ly/F0zitRY

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