Richard Alexander
@richardalexander.bsky.social
Astrophysicist at the University of Leicester | Dad | Cyclist | Exiled Scot
https://rdalexander.github.io
https://rdalexander.github.io
Reposted by Richard Alexander
These cuts to physics research will be a disaster for UK scientists – and for our standing in the world
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
These cuts to physics research will be a disaster for UK scientists – and for our standing in the world | Jon Butterworth
If plans by the UK’s science funding body go ahead, we won’t be able to benefit from Britain’s membership of Cern and other large international projects, says Jon Butterworth, professor of physics at ...
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:29 AM
These cuts to physics research will be a disaster for UK scientists – and for our standing in the world
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Richard Alexander
The PPAN budget gets a 30% cut, and Harwell gets an expansion plan.
The Harwell Campus has announced a 25-year expansion plan, with better connections to Didcot and Wantage, a “walking first” campus, greater public accessibility, and new research buildings – including a brand new postgraduate Harwell Institute of Technology.
February 16, 2026 at 11:41 AM
The PPAN budget gets a 30% cut, and Harwell gets an expansion plan.
NASA ADS is still down? That's several days of patchy or no service now - starting to become a worry. 😬
February 11, 2026 at 8:27 AM
NASA ADS is still down? That's several days of patchy or no service now - starting to become a worry. 😬
Reposted by Richard Alexander
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 Dougherty. I include the letter here for…
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 Dougherty. I include the letter here for…
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 Dougherty. I include the letter here for completeness: George's post continues: --o-- I am glad that Michele Dougherty has finally communicated the position of STFC to the community.
telescoper.blog
February 6, 2026 at 10:15 AM
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 Dougherty. I include the letter here for…
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 Dougherty. I include the letter here for…
Reposted by Richard Alexander
Open letter from Early Career Researchers to the UKRI investment plan.
We can't let young people pay the price of "outcome-driven strategies". #stfc #ukri
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
If you are a postdoc or PhD, read and sign! 🧬🔭🔬⚗️🧪📡🛰️
We can't let young people pay the price of "outcome-driven strategies". #stfc #ukri
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
If you are a postdoc or PhD, read and sign! 🧬🔭🔬⚗️🧪📡🛰️
Early Career Researchers Response to UKRI Investment Approach
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
February 4, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Open letter from Early Career Researchers to the UKRI investment plan.
We can't let young people pay the price of "outcome-driven strategies". #stfc #ukri
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
If you are a postdoc or PhD, read and sign! 🧬🔭🔬⚗️🧪📡🛰️
We can't let young people pay the price of "outcome-driven strategies". #stfc #ukri
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
If you are a postdoc or PhD, read and sign! 🧬🔭🔬⚗️🧪📡🛰️
Reposted by Richard Alexander
The Star Formation Newsletter is back! 🔭☄️
In this first issue after our hiatus, we rounded up 83 abstracts from the past three months on star & planet formation.
In this first issue after our hiatus, we rounded up 83 abstracts from the past three months on star & planet formation.
Star Formation Newsletter #397 - The Star Formation Newsletter
Since 1992, The Star Formation Newsletter has been the premier destination for keeping up with news from the star formation community. This is its 397th edition, covering new research postings in Janu...
starformationnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 8:04 AM
The Star Formation Newsletter is back! 🔭☄️
In this first issue after our hiatus, we rounded up 83 abstracts from the past three months on star & planet formation.
In this first issue after our hiatus, we rounded up 83 abstracts from the past three months on star & planet formation.
Reposted by Richard Alexander
When people talk about the idea that some universities must go under, there’s a certain tendency to behave as if these smaller local campuses are negligible- regrettable casualties perhaps but not ‘real’ universities. This report does a great job of illustrating why that’s wrong.
Everything in this report reflects on what we value, for communities, for peripheral places, for young people, for education, for the future - and it looks like we’ve got it all wrong.
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:07 AM
When people talk about the idea that some universities must go under, there’s a certain tendency to behave as if these smaller local campuses are negligible- regrettable casualties perhaps but not ‘real’ universities. This report does a great job of illustrating why that’s wrong.
Reposted by Richard Alexander
There were some very specific measures put in place after 2008, to separate STFC’s budget into three partitions and protect any of them from being raided to address problems in another. At some point this measure was abandoned, in pursuit of greater flexibility. Predictably things went wrong.
February 3, 2026 at 7:26 PM
There were some very specific measures put in place after 2008, to separate STFC’s budget into three partitions and protect any of them from being raided to address problems in another. At some point this measure was abandoned, in pursuit of greater flexibility. Predictably things went wrong.
Reposted by Richard Alexander
A rather grim read from the head of UKRI. Basically, the facilities run by STFC that support research across the UKRI's remit have become too expensive.
Rather than cut those costs or spread the pain across research areas, the astro and particle physics unlucky enough to be in STFC gets slashed
Rather than cut those costs or spread the pain across research areas, the astro and particle physics unlucky enough to be in STFC gets slashed
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 2, 2026 at 3:46 PM
A rather grim read from the head of UKRI. Basically, the facilities run by STFC that support research across the UKRI's remit have become too expensive.
Rather than cut those costs or spread the pain across research areas, the astro and particle physics unlucky enough to be in STFC gets slashed
Rather than cut those costs or spread the pain across research areas, the astro and particle physics unlucky enough to be in STFC gets slashed
A few thoughts...
I moved back to the UK in 2009/10, during the first STFC funding crisis. That was the result of a botched reorganisation of the research councils, which created a huge budget shortfall. The resulting chaos saw projects cancelled, facilities closed, and grants slashed. (1/3) 🔭 🧪
I moved back to the UK in 2009/10, during the first STFC funding crisis. That was the result of a botched reorganisation of the research councils, which created a huge budget shortfall. The resulting chaos saw projects cancelled, facilities closed, and grants slashed. (1/3) 🔭 🧪
The Royal Astronomical Society is gravely concerned at the drastic cuts to support for UK astronomy outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Proposed budget cuts a catastrophe for UK astronomy
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is gravely concerned at the drastic cuts to support for UK astronomy outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (...
ras.ac.uk
January 29, 2026 at 4:30 PM
A few thoughts...
I moved back to the UK in 2009/10, during the first STFC funding crisis. That was the result of a botched reorganisation of the research councils, which created a huge budget shortfall. The resulting chaos saw projects cancelled, facilities closed, and grants slashed. (1/3) 🔭 🧪
I moved back to the UK in 2009/10, during the first STFC funding crisis. That was the result of a botched reorganisation of the research councils, which created a huge budget shortfall. The resulting chaos saw projects cancelled, facilities closed, and grants slashed. (1/3) 🔭 🧪
Reposted by Richard Alexander
New Science Technology & Facilities Council (STFC) letters confirm major funding reductions to areas including particle, nuclear and astrophysics, with a similar process expected for national facilities and labs. While investment in quantum, AI and green tech is welcome, the IOP warns cutting (1/3)
January 29, 2026 at 11:57 AM
New Science Technology & Facilities Council (STFC) letters confirm major funding reductions to areas including particle, nuclear and astrophysics, with a similar process expected for national facilities and labs. While investment in quantum, AI and green tech is welcome, the IOP warns cutting (1/3)
Many thoughts about this, but the doublespeak of the phrase "building on last year’s 15% reduction" is mind-boggling. 🔭🧪
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 🧪🔭
January 29, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Many thoughts about this, but the doublespeak of the phrase "building on last year’s 15% reduction" is mind-boggling. 🔭🧪
Reposted by Richard Alexander
The Royal Astronomical Society is gravely concerned at the drastic cuts to support for UK astronomy outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Proposed budget cuts a catastrophe for UK astronomy
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is gravely concerned at the drastic cuts to support for UK astronomy outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (...
ras.ac.uk
January 28, 2026 at 9:07 PM
The Royal Astronomical Society is gravely concerned at the drastic cuts to support for UK astronomy outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Reposted by Richard Alexander
Published in #MNRAS: "Turbulence and dust fragility in protoplanetary discs", Tong et al. This is Fig. 3: for the caption & to read the paper please visit academic.oup.com/mnras/articl... @royalastrosoc.bsky.social @academic.oup.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Published in #MNRAS: "Turbulence and dust fragility in protoplanetary discs", Tong et al. This is Fig. 3: for the caption & to read the paper please visit academic.oup.com/mnras/articl... @royalastrosoc.bsky.social @academic.oup.com
Noticed this new addition to NASA ADS. Looks like the move to SciX as the only interface is going to happen later this year. 🔭
January 7, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Noticed this new addition to NASA ADS. Looks like the move to SciX as the only interface is going to happen later this year. 🔭
10/10 to the UK university sending out PhD admissions reference requests with a submission deadline of 27 December. That’s next Saturday, and said institution is closed from 23 Dec to 5 Jan. 🙄
December 17, 2025 at 7:33 PM
10/10 to the UK university sending out PhD admissions reference requests with a submission deadline of 27 December. That’s next Saturday, and said institution is closed from 23 Dec to 5 Jan. 🙄
Reposted by Richard Alexander
I'm happy to report that "Scenario 2" won't be necessary, as NASA has just communicated to us that SciX funding will continue in 2026 (albeit at a reduced level). Therefore, we will not be forcing astronomers to leave ADS, but rather develop a plan that allows a longer transition.
December 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I'm happy to report that "Scenario 2" won't be necessary, as NASA has just communicated to us that SciX funding will continue in 2026 (albeit at a reduced level). Therefore, we will not be forcing astronomers to leave ADS, but rather develop a plan that allows a longer transition.
Reposted by Richard Alexander
Well this is worrying. NASA has maintained funding for ADS but not SciX (a broader database). In response, management is planning to *close* ADS in Feb 2026, forcing all users to switch to SciX. ☄️🔭
Funding info: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
Transition plan: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
Funding info: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
Transition plan: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
December 9, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Well this is worrying. NASA has maintained funding for ADS but not SciX (a broader database). In response, management is planning to *close* ADS in Feb 2026, forcing all users to switch to SciX. ☄️🔭
Funding info: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
Transition plan: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
Funding info: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
Transition plan: ads.harvard.edu/adsug/2025/0...
Reposted by Richard Alexander
I'm very excited and honoured to announce my new position 🧪🔭 in the UK, starting in January! See here for more info:
www.ast.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
www.ast.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
Professor Sera Markoff appointed Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at University of Cambridge | Institute of Astronomy
Professor Sera Markoff has been appointed Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at the University of Cambridge.
www.ast.cam.ac.uk
December 8, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I'm very excited and honoured to announce my new position 🧪🔭 in the UK, starting in January! See here for more info:
www.ast.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
www.ast.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
Reposted by Richard Alexander
. @profsera.bsky.social (UvA) benoemd tot Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy in Cambridge
www.astronomie.nl/nieuws/sera-...
www.astronomie.nl/nieuws/sera-...
Sera Markoff (UvA) benoemd tot Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy in Cambridge
www.astronomie.nl
December 8, 2025 at 11:45 AM
. @profsera.bsky.social (UvA) benoemd tot Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy in Cambridge
www.astronomie.nl/nieuws/sera-...
www.astronomie.nl/nieuws/sera-...
First time I saw it was when I lived in the US. I was the only person in the entire cinema who laughed at the “fridge magnate” joke. 😂
December 8, 2025 at 7:46 AM
First time I saw it was when I lived in the US. I was the only person in the entire cinema who laughed at the “fridge magnate” joke. 😂
Peak World Cup that they just kept on drawing for Brazil's group over and over again until it came up Scotland. 🙄
December 5, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Peak World Cup that they just kept on drawing for Brazil's group over and over again until it came up Scotland. 🙄
Reposted by Richard Alexander
Interesting journal club with the Exoplanets group at @physicsuol.bsky.social, looking at the transition from giant planets to brown dwarfs (arxiv.org/abs/2511.11818). They don't mention it, but is the gap at 2-3 MJ & [Fe/H]~0.2 called anything?
If not, I'm calling it the Leicester doughnut hole 🔭
If not, I'm calling it the Leicester doughnut hole 🔭
![Plot of companion mass vs [Fe/H] from the linked paper. There's a hole around 2 Jupiter masses and 0.2 dex.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ruytv26vgniv4gshs37toqeu/bafkreiauxafy7bfpn6jz6tueunbqovvayj4n3kra4qjfusid64ntxljeke@jpeg)
December 2, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Interesting journal club with the Exoplanets group at @physicsuol.bsky.social, looking at the transition from giant planets to brown dwarfs (arxiv.org/abs/2511.11818). They don't mention it, but is the gap at 2-3 MJ & [Fe/H]~0.2 called anything?
If not, I'm calling it the Leicester doughnut hole 🔭
If not, I'm calling it the Leicester doughnut hole 🔭
Rugby World Cup draw keeps with tradition: Scotland play Ireland, as always, and get a brutal path through the knockouts. England get the easiest group (and very nearly the weakest group possible), and a knockout draw that avoids any of the big teams until the semi-finals. 🙄
December 3, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Rugby World Cup draw keeps with tradition: Scotland play Ireland, as always, and get a brutal path through the knockouts. England get the easiest group (and very nearly the weakest group possible), and a knockout draw that avoids any of the big teams until the semi-finals. 🙄