Martin Smith
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martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith
@martinrsmith.bsky.social
880 followers 260 following 250 posts

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

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Political science 83%
Education 4%
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Reposted by Martin J. Smith

robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 3d
Kanishka Narayan said that STFC is “currently consulting with the scientific community about spending priorities within their settlement ahead of determining final allocation”

And DSIT is in “active dialogue with UKRI to ensure that any implications from funding decisions are fully understood”

...

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 3d
It would be "Irresponsible" not to cut costs at STFC, says UKRI chief Ian Chapman.

Funder would “have to hit all the other communities” to bail out physics, he says.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
‘Irresponsible’ not to cut costs at STFC, says UKRI chief - Research Professional News
Funder would “have to hit all the other communities” to bail out physics, says Chapman
www.researchprofessionalnews.com

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 5d
The emphasis today needs to be on getting maximum value out of the current programme, and using that as part of making the case for reassociation.

It was 'priced in' to the original decision that it would take time to build up Pillar II rates

The official govt FP10 position is actually quite clear

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 5d
There's a risk UK participation rates in Horizon Pillar II becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy - the more we create fresh uncertainty about future participation because of low success, the more we disrupt potential collaboration.

So maybe... let's not do that?

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 5d
And Craig Nicholson (@clanicholson.bsky.social) tells us that a suggestion from the head of UK Research and Innovation that the UK might want to only partially associate to the next EU R&I programme has provoked warnings from academic leaders.

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

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 9d
Interesting! Thanks

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 9d
Thanks. Might include all kinds of things. Hopefully the follow up note for the sel cttee will shed some light.

The only (UKRI level) figures I’ve found are £0.8bn in 24/25 responsive mode, cf for £815m applicant led 26/27. But the former is spend and the latter is budget, so also not right 🤷

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 9d
What’s your source for the £200m figure for MRC applicant-led for previous years? I’ve only found UKRI-level numbers for responsive mode as a comparator

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d
Chi Onwurah notes a strong alignment between the UK's three 'buckets' for R&D investments and the three 'pillars' of Horizon Europe.

On the balance between the buckets - Ian Chapman highlights the contirbution that other govt depts make to Bucket 2 if you were to look beyond UKRI

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d
The first acknowledgement I've seen of the change - thanks for sharing!

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d
Cabinet Committees:

Before and after Nov 2025, with closest equivalent now being Digital and Technology.

Previous Committee was set up to 'consider matters related to science and tech, to drive the UK's economic growth and national security', with wide x-govt attendance.

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d
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.

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 11d
.@georgefreemanmp.bsky.social asks Ian Chapman whether the National Science and Technology Council - a UK Cabinet Cttee - is still meeting & if he presents to it?

Ian can't answer - but that's because the NSTC was quietly scrapped in November, and no-one has noticed yet www.gov.uk/government/p...
List of Cabinet Committees and their membership
www.gov.uk

Reposted by Dave O’Brien, Martin J. Smith

kirstygrainger.bsky.social
Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 13d
Some initial reactions to the 'published on a Sunday afternoon' letter from the CEO of UKRI. 🧵

www.ukri.org/news/open-le...

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 17d
CaSE: “UKRI need to explain how the cuts detailed in this letter are consistent with the commitment to protect curiosity-led research […]

“The information we have had so far is a failure in communication and transparency”

www.sciencecampaign.org.uk/press/detail...
Significant cuts could damage the foundations of UK research - CaSE
CaSE’s response to a letter sent by Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Executive Chair Professor Michele Dougherty detailing major cuts to research funding.
www.sciencecampaign.org.uk

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 17d
Institute of Physics statement www.iop.org/about/news/v...
Vital science cut in "devastating blow"
Cutting edge science cut by up to 60% as Institute of Physics warns of “devastating blow” to physics.
www.iop.org

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · 17d
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 Martin J. Smith

resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 17d
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...
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

Reposted by Richard Kay, Martin J. Smith, Kathleen Kennedy , and 1 more

spavel.bsky.social
Pavel @spavel.bsky.social · 28d
If you're looking for a sign to switch careers: this is the sign.
Wikipedia sections of an article. 1: early life and career as a pirate. 2: archbishop of York.

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Jan 15
Who could fail to enjoy Wikipedia’s ‘List of lists of lists’, which of course includes the article itself on the list, goven that it is a list of lists en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

Reposted by Martin J. Smith, Margot C. Finn

ukrio.bsky.social
UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) @ukrio.bsky.social · Jan 15
After a period of inactivity, we are reactivating this account as a primary channel for connecting with the research community.

We'll be sharing new outputs, our latest guidance, and commentary on all things research integrity. Give us a follow and join the conversation💬

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Jan 14
Hard to pick out the worst part, but the quote “I’m afraid there’s many bad people around, but they have made scientific advances” is extraordinarily depressing to read.

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Jan 14
I’m also not convinced that splitting UKRI up helps protect from being attacked by a future government - if anything it isolates fundamental research further

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Jan 14
Interesting article. Splitting UKRI into three completely separate orgs would require primary legislation - but altering the structure of UKRI itself to reflect the 3 buckets (ie ditching the research council structure) can be done by secondary legislation…
eicathomefinn.bsky.social Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Jan 14
Womersley suggests UKRI's 3 buckets 'would probably be delivered simplest and best by splitting UKRI itself into three separate agencies, which could then be given these three roles as distinct, clear and non-overlapping missions'.

Interesting, but does not address impact of HEFCE's demise. 1/2
resprofnews.bsky.social Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Jan 14
What is UKRI for, and do the people in charge know?

Breaking up UK Research and Innovation could be the way forward, says John Womersley.

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

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

eicathomefinn.bsky.social
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Jan 14
Womersley suggests UKRI's 3 buckets 'would probably be delivered simplest and best by splitting UKRI itself into three separate agencies, which could then be given these three roles as distinct, clear and non-overlapping missions'.

Interesting, but does not address impact of HEFCE's demise. 1/2

Reposted by Martin J. Smith

bhfpolicy.bsky.social
BHF Policy @bhfpolicy.bsky.social · Jan 13
📢 Applications for our Policy Officer role are still open!

If you're passionate about driving change in government, and ensuring people have access to the heart care they need, we want to hear from you ❤️

Click the link below for more information and to apply 🔗

jobs.bhf.org.uk/vacancies/19...
Policy Officer (Healthcare) in Hybrid - London office & home | British Heart Foundation
View details and apply for this Policy Officer (Healthcare) vacancy in Hybrid - London office & home . Are you passionate about driving change in government, promoting British Heart Foundation's (BHF...
jobs.bhf.org.uk

Reposted by Martin J. Smith, Richard Shaw, Paul Nightingale

eicathomefinn.bsky.social
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Jan 5
'The UK is now between a rock and a hard place: how can it support the volume and focus of research needed to grow the knowledge-based economy of our UK industrial strategy, while also addressing the financial deficits that even the existing levels of research create?'
A more focused research system does not by itself solve structural deficits
Anton Muscatelli and Miles Padgett think through the deeper issues in UK research – from cost recovery and dual support to doctoral training and organisational structure – that won’t be solved by simp...
wonkhe.com

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Jan 1
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiprime
Semiprime - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Dec 31
Possible restaurant names:

Prawn Hundred and Eighty
Double Fourtune Cookie
Rice to the Challenge
You Dim Sum, You Lose Some
Panda to the Crowd
The Hong Kong Oche Club

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/...
Justin Hood close to 'dream' goal of opening Chinese restaurant after PDC World Championship run
Justin Hood has enjoyed a stunning run on his debut at the PDC World Championship and he is closing in on his dream of opening a Chinese restaurant as a result.
www.bbc.co.uk

martinrsmith.bsky.social
Martin Smith @martinrsmith.bsky.social · Dec 17
I don’t know a vast amount about all the different bits of Erasmus+ or how they work in practice - but to your point about benefitting younger kids there’s also a schools part… op.europa.eu/o/opportal-s...
op.europa.eu