Prof Stephen Serjeant
@stephenserjeant.bsky.social
Astronomy Prof at Open University. 26.2. #RejoinEU. Views not OU’s and often not even mine. He/him
🐘 https://mas.to/@stephenserjeant
🧵 https://www.threads.net/@prof.stephen.serjeant
ORCID 0000-0002-0517-7943 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0517-7943
🐘 https://mas.to/@stephenserjeant
🧵 https://www.threads.net/@prof.stephen.serjeant
ORCID 0000-0002-0517-7943 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0517-7943
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
The RAS was saddened to hear of the passing of our former President, Professor Mike Cruise, who has died aged 78.
"Kind, thoughtful and honourable", Mike was a "stalwart of the RAS". Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who had the privilege to know him.
ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
"Kind, thoughtful and honourable", Mike was a "stalwart of the RAS". Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who had the privilege to know him.
ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
February 11, 2026 at 1:16 PM
The RAS was saddened to hear of the passing of our former President, Professor Mike Cruise, who has died aged 78.
"Kind, thoughtful and honourable", Mike was a "stalwart of the RAS". Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who had the privilege to know him.
ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
"Kind, thoughtful and honourable", Mike was a "stalwart of the RAS". Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who had the privilege to know him.
ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
Threatening to cut funding to someone because they disagree is a *real* threat to academic freedom of the kind frequently seen under fascist and authoritarian regimes.
This is also confected bullshit. There is no obligation whatsoever for a society or institution to invite a speaker.
This is also confected bullshit. There is no obligation whatsoever for a society or institution to invite a speaker.
The law on universities and free speech prevents speakers from being *disinvited after they have been invited*. It does not require universities to provide a platform to whoever demands one.
Let's not mince words: the threat to cut funding to every university who disagrees with them is fascist.
Let's not mince words: the threat to cut funding to every university who disagrees with them is fascist.
This is pretty menacing.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
February 10, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Threatening to cut funding to someone because they disagree is a *real* threat to academic freedom of the kind frequently seen under fascist and authoritarian regimes.
This is also confected bullshit. There is no obligation whatsoever for a society or institution to invite a speaker.
This is also confected bullshit. There is no obligation whatsoever for a society or institution to invite a speaker.
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
The law on universities and free speech prevents speakers from being *disinvited after they have been invited*. It does not require universities to provide a platform to whoever demands one.
Let's not mince words: the threat to cut funding to every university who disagrees with them is fascist.
Let's not mince words: the threat to cut funding to every university who disagrees with them is fascist.
This is pretty menacing.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
February 10, 2026 at 10:31 AM
The law on universities and free speech prevents speakers from being *disinvited after they have been invited*. It does not require universities to provide a platform to whoever demands one.
Let's not mince words: the threat to cut funding to every university who disagrees with them is fascist.
Let's not mince words: the threat to cut funding to every university who disagrees with them is fascist.
Reminder to colleagues to clean up the LaTeX comments before sending to arXiv. Or at least remove names 🧪
If your first draft of an academic paper is free of profanity and rudeness, you're doing it wrong and the final version will be affected. This new trend of professors watching the process from start to finish in an futile effort to thwart AI is going to ruin everything.
February 8, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Reminder to colleagues to clean up the LaTeX comments before sending to arXiv. Or at least remove names 🧪
And fund universities the way they used to be funded: from direct taxation. Everyone benefits from living in a society with graduates, not just degree-holders themselves, so this is both just and fair. There is no magic money tree; putting all the burden on our most talented youth is self defeating.
£99987 and counting: graduates trapped by student loans.
Govt froze repayment threshold. By 2030, be at minimum wage.
At the margin grads pay 20% inc tax + 8%NIC +9% repayment. Insane.
Loan increases, if not repaid.
Grads can't buy home, start family/business.
Abolish Uni fees. Write-off debt.
Govt froze repayment threshold. By 2030, be at minimum wage.
At the margin grads pay 20% inc tax + 8%NIC +9% repayment. Insane.
Loan increases, if not repaid.
Grads can't buy home, start family/business.
Abolish Uni fees. Write-off debt.
£99,987 and counting: graduates trapped by ballooning student loans
As their debts rise, graduates reveal how loans are reshaping careers, finances and faith in the system
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:29 PM
And fund universities the way they used to be funded: from direct taxation. Everyone benefits from living in a society with graduates, not just degree-holders themselves, so this is both just and fair. There is no magic money tree; putting all the burden on our most talented youth is self defeating.
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
🔊 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 Prof Stephen Serjeant
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposting to the astronomy and science feeds 🔭🧪
GPE's conclusion on STFC's savage cuts to astro/particle/nuclear physics research:
GPE's conclusion on STFC's savage cuts to astro/particle/nuclear physics research:
February 6, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Reposting to the astronomy and science feeds 🔭🧪
GPE's conclusion on STFC's savage cuts to astro/particle/nuclear physics research:
GPE's conclusion on STFC's savage cuts to astro/particle/nuclear physics research:
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
Remember the controversy when Obama was accused of intervening in UK politics? This is the current US government openly seeking to undermine liberal democracy in Europe.
February 6, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Remember the controversy when Obama was accused of intervening in UK politics? This is the current US government openly seeking to undermine liberal democracy in Europe.
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
We won’t take instruction on freedom of expression from a regime that censors research, attacks universities, deploys lawfare against the media and kills protestors in broad daylight.
FT exclusive:
“The US state department is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities across Europe to disseminate Washington’s policy positions and challenge perceived threats to free speech.”
via @annasophiegross.bsky.social and colleagues
“The US state department is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities across Europe to disseminate Washington’s policy positions and challenge perceived threats to free speech.”
via @annasophiegross.bsky.social and colleagues
February 6, 2026 at 9:01 AM
We won’t take instruction on freedom of expression from a regime that censors research, attacks universities, deploys lawfare against the media and kills protestors in broad daylight.
Very good defence of blue skies science in the face of @ukri.org's cuts to STFC by @chrislintott.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4's Inside Science (which I just spotted is also an @openuniversity.bsky.social coproduction!) 🧪🔭 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 5, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Very good defence of blue skies science in the face of @ukri.org's cuts to STFC by @chrislintott.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4's Inside Science (which I just spotted is also an @openuniversity.bsky.social coproduction!) 🧪🔭 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
Popcorn at the ready: the UKGov Science, Innovation & Technology Committee is about to quiz Sir Ian Chapman about UKRI’s new strategic objectives.
Will they ask him about the devastating cuts planned for UK astronomy? Let's hope so. 🔭🧪
📺 Watch live from 9:30am: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
Will they ask him about the devastating cuts planned for UK astronomy? Let's hope so. 🔭🧪
📺 Watch live from 9:30am: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
Me, on astronomy funding crisis, on the @ox.ac.uk website: 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 3, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Popcorn at the ready: the UKGov Science, Innovation & Technology Committee is about to quiz Sir Ian Chapman about UKRI’s new strategic objectives.
Will they ask him about the devastating cuts planned for UK astronomy? Let's hope so. 🔭🧪
📺 Watch live from 9:30am: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
Will they ask him about the devastating cuts planned for UK astronomy? Let's hope so. 🔭🧪
📺 Watch live from 9:30am: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
Not only is STFC research unjustly getting all of the damage from rising facility costs, but it's directly harming STFC's industry impact, eg: data intensive CDTs now stopped with no STFC "Focal Awards" to replace. Our DISCnet CDT alone led to >50 industry placements and 2 startup companies. 🧪🔭
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
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 10:54 AM
Not only is STFC research unjustly getting all of the damage from rising facility costs, but it's directly harming STFC's industry impact, eg: data intensive CDTs now stopped with no STFC "Focal Awards" to replace. Our DISCnet CDT alone led to >50 industry placements and 2 startup companies. 🧪🔭
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
I've updated my post on the funding crisis heading for British astronomy: docs.google.com/document/d/1.... UKRI made clear that astro and particle physics are being subject to unique cuts due to rising costs elsewhere. This looks like a deliberate decision not to fund fundamental physics. 🔭 🧪
Funding piece
Modern astronomy is full of marvels. In recent years we have rejoiced in the success of the James Webb Space Telescope, and been puzzled by the surprisingly vibrant early Universe it is showing us. We...
docs.google.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:32 AM
I've updated my post on the funding crisis heading for British astronomy: docs.google.com/document/d/1.... UKRI made clear that astro and particle physics are being subject to unique cuts due to rising costs elsewhere. This looks like a deliberate decision not to fund fundamental physics. 🔭 🧪
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
Take me down to the Parallax city where the far moves slow and the near moves quickly
February 1, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Take me down to the Parallax city where the far moves slow and the near moves quickly
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
This letter more or less confirms that once again the need to fund the ‘fixed’ costs of STFC - essentially the labs - those of us who work in areas funded by the council can go swivel. So stupid and shortsighted.
I am sorry. We all knew the three buckets were coming. We are all prepared for a shift in priority. But this message does nothing for all the UK scientists dependent on project grant funding. It doesn’t actually give any information
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
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 1, 2026 at 7:29 PM
This letter more or less confirms that once again the need to fund the ‘fixed’ costs of STFC - essentially the labs - those of us who work in areas funded by the council can go swivel. So stupid and shortsighted.
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
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...
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 28, 2026 at 4:19 PM
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 🧪🔭
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
January 25, 2026 at 12:28 PM
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
PSA for anyone who needs it.
bsky.app/profile/dran...
bsky.app/profile/dran...
Settings > Content and Media > Autoplay Video and GIFs
Turn it off, now.
Turn it off, now.
January 24, 2026 at 4:24 PM
PSA for anyone who needs it.
bsky.app/profile/dran...
bsky.app/profile/dran...
Milton Keynes councillor wants a f2f MK university. But: it's been tried by Buckingham, De Montfort and Cranfield. The @openuniversity.bsky.social looked into it too. All 👎. IMO the bottleneck is lack of cheap, abundant public transport, but that needs council £ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Why does Milton Keynes need a city centre university?
A councillor is hoping to revitalise the drive for a city centre residential university.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Milton Keynes councillor wants a f2f MK university. But: it's been tried by Buckingham, De Montfort and Cranfield. The @openuniversity.bsky.social looked into it too. All 👎. IMO the bottleneck is lack of cheap, abundant public transport, but that needs council £ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
Paper day!! Very nice ELSA @ec-euclid.bsky.social result by Fabrizio Gentile and team, using Euclid's huge dataset to unpick how galaxies' star formation, environment and morphology are connected. Just accepted by A&A 🧪🔭 arxiv.org/abs/2511.02964
January 16, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Paper day!! Very nice ELSA @ec-euclid.bsky.social result by Fabrizio Gentile and team, using Euclid's huge dataset to unpick how galaxies' star formation, environment and morphology are connected. Just accepted by A&A 🧪🔭 arxiv.org/abs/2511.02964
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
This is very important and very moving. Shahmir’s story cuts to the very heart of our current, ongoing malaise. (It also chronicles the tragic collapse of BBC credibility.) He is an incredibly brave man.
Wrote something. open.substack.com/pub/shahmirs...
How to kill a whistleblower.
In the middle of March 2018, I came forward about breaches of campaign financing laws during the 2016 Brexit referendum, facilitated by a sister branch of a global Data Analytics company, AIQ, formall...
open.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:15 AM
This is very important and very moving. Shahmir’s story cuts to the very heart of our current, ongoing malaise. (It also chronicles the tragic collapse of BBC credibility.) He is an incredibly brave man.
Reposted by Prof Stephen Serjeant
Interesting 🧪 🔭 arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
Former Google CEO plans to singlehandedly fund a Hubble telescope replacement
“This is a very significant contribution to the astronomical community."
arstechnica.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Interesting 🧪 🔭 arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
Genuinely first thought these were Comet 67P hats, now wondering how much I’d pay for one and when I’d wear it 🧪🔭
Those wing hats you often see people wearing? They cost EIGHTY FIVE DOLLARS
January 4, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Genuinely first thought these were Comet 67P hats, now wondering how much I’d pay for one and when I’d wear it 🧪🔭