Chris Stokes
LightNews LightNews
banner
nisaccom.bsky.social
Chris Stokes
@nisaccom.bsky.social
170 followers 310 following 2.4K posts
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Chris Stokes
gavmaclean.bsky.social
trending checks out
1 Groundhog Day 2 Mandelson Scandal
February 2, 2026 at 1:40 PM
nisaccom.bsky.social
From a comparison in 2024 of the pre- & post-election job ads for UKRI CEO: 'Does Labour have big plans for changing how UKRI operates? … Under role responsibilities, we now have added “ensure that UKRI can support new forms of funding bodies.” Where did that come from?'
wonkhe.com/blogs/labour...
Labour tweaks the job ad for the next UKRI chief executive
The search for a new head of UKRI is back underway – but there are some subtle differences post-election. Michael Salmon goes line-by-line
wonkhe.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
ncdominie.bsky.social
The Simple Sabotage Field Manual (1944) invents Sharepoint.
February 2, 2026 at 1:36 PM
nisaccom.bsky.social
Ian Chapman was interviewed by techUK's director of technology and innovation Sue Daley in November. Worth a watch alongside his open letter. From the off, he says the policy backdrop is really clear. The government has identified that economic ... 🧵

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQm7...
1/9
kirstygrainger.bsky.social Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 2d
Some initial reactions to the 'published on a Sunday afternoon' letter from the CEO of UKRI. 🧵

www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
February 2, 2026 at 1:32 PM
nisaccom.bsky.social
Must be the mother-in-law.
Snippet from the online Oxford English Dictionary entry for spanner. It reads: 'Additional sense (2020) '*colloquial (chiefly British). a bag (also box) of spanners and variants: used as the type of a thing which or person who is extremely unattractive, useless, stupid, etc. Frequently in similative use, esp. in to have a face like a bag of spanners: to be extremely unattractive. 'The phrase was popularized by the British comedian Les Dawson (1931-93): see quots. 1976, 1981. '1976 That love of words was born in his [sc. Les Dawson's] childhood in the North of England... I asked him for an example. "How about this for a description of someone? He had a face like a bagful of spanners". 'Press & Journal (Aberdeen) 25 November 14/5'
February 2, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
drjorhodes.com
The open letter from UKRI last night was basically a word soup with no new information or clarity on the situation, and even more concerningly, no sincere apology for how it’s been handled and communicated to the U.K. academic community.
February 2, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
kirstygrainger.bsky.social
Some initial reactions to the 'published on a Sunday afternoon' letter from the CEO of UKRI. 🧵

www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
February 1, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
ianduhig.bsky.social
This reminded me of when I went to London to read for the Irish Literary Society and called in at the wrong super-posh hotel. The manager looked at me and rushed out to check what I was up to: I told him and he replied. "I can assure you, sir, there will be no poetry reading in THIS hotel tonight!"
February 1, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
katjathieme.bsky.social
Academics vying for a spot in Epstein‘s world. There are so many. I feel the need to make a thread, so I don’t keep confusing them. 1/
January 31, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
kmcn13.bsky.social
Pale ontologist. Describes every metaphysician I've met.
February 1, 2026 at 5:17 AM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
resprofnews.bsky.social
BREAKING: UKRI shelves physics infrastructure projects worth £280m

Major international collaborations with Cern and US Department of Energy in jeopardy, as agency pulls back funds

Scoop 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
January 30, 2026 at 5:57 PM
nisaccom.bsky.social
Researchmackerel?
January 30, 2026 at 4:45 PM
nisaccom.bsky.social
One of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.
January 29, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
kirstygrainger.bsky.social
Amongst other things, this is deeply disingenuous wording. The letter states (as positive framing?) that "curiosity-driven research will be the largest component of UKRI's portfolio over the SR period"

Yet the majority of that bucket (61%) is QR funding. This is really conflating two very 1/2
stephenserjeant.bsky.social Prof Stephen Serjeant @stephenserjeant.bsky.social · 6d
In UK astro news, the Executive Chair of our funding council #STFC, Prof Michele Dougherty, has written to the community. TL;DR: skint. Bad times ahead for UK astro, particle physics, facilities etc 🧪🔭
extract (too long for complete alt text): This shift to a strategic, outcome-focused approach is the most significant change since UKRI’s creation and is in line with what was envisaged when UKRI was first created. This involves focusing investment across three priority buckets: Curiosity-driven research (investigator led and determined by scientists alone); Government and societal priorities; and supporting innovative companies; while also enabling and strengthening UK R&D – including talent, infrastructure, institutes and facilities. To meet these ambitions, a period of transition is underway across UKRI. In response to STFC’s indicative allocation, UKRI will need to ensure that investments across the portfolio are aligned to a sustainable level over the Spending Review period. For STFC this means striking the right balance between long-term discovery science, our major national facilities, and applied research and innovation. To achieve this, we will need to focus our efforts on a more concentrated set of priorities, funded at a level that can be maintained over time. As part of this, STFC is reviewing its entire portfolio, including facilities and laboratories, to understand how best to deliver a sustainable programme for the future. Within the PPAN programme – now operating fully within STFC’s curiosity-driven research portfolio – we will need to model further adjustments, building on last year’s 15% reduction in new grants, to bring the programme into long-term balance. This prioritisation process will inevitably require some difficult choices. A more sustainable level for STFC's PPAN budget is likely to be around 70% of what this budget grew to in 24/25 off the back of steep inflation and rises in cost of operations in the last Spending Review. extract (too long for complete alt text): Next Steps: Preparing for Portfolio Adjustments To manage the challenges ahead, we will need to make difficult choices between scientifically excellent projects, this will include ceasing or reducing investments in many of the projects that STFC currently supports in order to continue funding others at a sustainable level. To support a comprehensive appraisal of options, we will be asking individual projects within our PPAN portfolio to identify how their project would respond to flat cash and reductions of 20%, 40% and 60%, and also identify the funding point at which the project becomes non-viable. This will enable Science Board to advise on redistribution and optimise returns. A separate proforma will be sent to Projects PIs shortly for completion by Tuesday 10 March 2026. Where major changes to scope or schedule are proposed, we understand full plans may not be possible. Please work closely with colleagues in STFC National Labs departments where relevant to ensure joined-up planning and the most accurate possible estimates. As always, your STFC Programmes Directorate team will try to help with any detailed questions that may emerge. I recognise this news comes after tough decisions on Infrastructure Fund projects before Christmas, which adds to concern. These decisions were the outcome of a structured UKRI-wide prioritisation process, which was heavily over-subscribed, informed by independent committee assessment and supported by DSIT. We would deeply appreciate your support and input as we navigate this difficult process to ensure that public R&D investment is sustainable, delivers long-term value, and continues to underpin the UK’s world-leading research and innovation system. I hope that you can work with us to emerge from these challenges with a positive and future-proofed vision for STFC and the PPAN disciplines.
January 28, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
simongosden.bsky.social
Early reviews are in:
‘Even if they showed this on a plane, people would still walk out’
January 28, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
nemoloris.bsky.social
What would it take for Robert Lowell to find Ted Hughes ‘Parisian’? Meeting Tony Harrison.
January 27, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
arnie.bsky.social
creasy voted for refugees to wait 20 yrs before applying for perm. residency in the uk, status being more regularly reviewed & halved in time, easier for returns forced returns, loss of fam reunification rights, removal of support for asylum seekers, fast tracking removals & cutting appeals process
stellacreasy.bsky.social Stella Creasy MP @stellacreasy.bsky.social · 7d
Shout all you want - I will never stop fighting for dignity and decency for the people of Walthamstow whatever their home nation.

Please also consider donating towards the Forest Emergency night shelter that helped him using the link below too: 2/2 www.forestnightshelter.org.uk/donation/
Donate – Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter ( FCENS )
www.forestnightshelter.org.uk
January 27, 2026 at 8:00 AM
nisaccom.bsky.social
According, that is, to the Tony Blair Institute's director of science and technology policy. Gasp.
January 26, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
waltydunlop.bsky.social
The boy Presley, backstage at dress rehearsals for The Ed Sullivan Show, 28th October 1956. Yes, that IS Joyce Grenfell standing just behind him.

"Elvis... don't do that"
Elvis Presley backstage at the Ed Sullivan show, signing autographs for fans. Standing behind him is Joyce Grenfell.
January 26, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
editoratlarge.bsky.social
Omg, guys, I found the headquarters 🤔 #ResearchIntegrity #ScientificPublishing What should we do next?
Front of a East London building with a sign reading "Papermill Wharf" above the entrance.
January 25, 2026 at 1:29 PM
nisaccom.bsky.social
"'Can 'ear a few birds. Like a said I'm not that grert at identifying their chirpings but I'm learning, like, yuh knuh. I knuh blackbirds and uhm woodpeckers..."

Didn't have Sean Bean pegged for a professional Yorkshireman selling birdwatching to us, but here he is.
youtu.be/m9aroePaO90?...
Get Birding with Sean Bean | Episode 1: The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch | Birdwatching Podcast
YouTube video by Get Birding
youtu.be
January 24, 2026 at 11:31 PM
nisaccom.bsky.social
At least it doesn't say 'This is my statement'.
Photo of a blank page among the front endpapers of a copy of The Catcher in the Rye on which someone has inscribed: 'TO [underlined] John, Hope you enjoy this book, don't [I think] go and assassinate anyone after reading !!! lots of love Louise xxx April 2021' Underneath, Louise has drawn a heart.
January 24, 2026 at 4:57 PM
nisaccom.bsky.social
What's happening to the pronunciation of the word footballer? It used to be something close to this: ˈfʊtbɔːlə. Now more and more speakers are giving us this instead: ˈfʊtbələ. The middle syllable gets squeezed tight and its vowel turned into a schwa. Radio 5 Live is alive with it.
January 22, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Reposted by Chris Stokes
levparikian.bsky.social
Red Kite

The kite, with the fork in its tail,
Catches the eye without fail.
Just don’t be too naughty
When you’re on the M40:
Watch the road, or you’ll soon kick the pail.
January 22, 2026 at 2:46 PM