Chris Parr
@chrisjparr.bsky.social
Award-winning education journalist. Senior editor, Research Professional News. Formerly Times Higher Education.
Non-award-winning musician.
Non-award-winning musician.
Curious little story this one. REF Team telling everyone they can't use REF 2029 logo any more. Seems to contradict previous years' guidance, and could make work for people.
REF 2029 branding ban baffles research offices.
Instruction to remove Research Excellence Framework logo from university materials prompts confusion.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Instruction to remove Research Excellence Framework logo from university materials prompts confusion.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029 branding ban baffles research offices - Research Professional News
Instruction to remove Research Excellence Framework logo from university materials prompts confusion
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Curious little story this one. REF Team telling everyone they can't use REF 2029 logo any more. Seems to contradict previous years' guidance, and could make work for people.
Reposted by Chris Parr
OfS issues warning after finding evidence of grade inflation.
Investigation finds two universities breached regulations with their assessment algorithm, with three at risk of future breaches.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Investigation finds two universities breached regulations with their assessment algorithm, with three at risk of future breaches.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
OfS issues warning after finding evidence of grade inflation - Research Professional News
Investigation finds two universities breached assessment regulations, with three at risk of future breaches
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
OfS issues warning after finding evidence of grade inflation.
Investigation finds two universities breached regulations with their assessment algorithm, with three at risk of future breaches.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Investigation finds two universities breached regulations with their assessment algorithm, with three at risk of future breaches.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Experts have welcomed plans for “a new, more agile approach” to how the UK science department manages R&D funding, but one has warned about its implications for long-term funding decisions. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
‘Agile’ R&D funding approach welcome but risky, experts say - Research Professional News
Researchers also question “bold” doubling of Advanced Research and Invention Agency spending
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Experts have welcomed plans for “a new, more agile approach” to how the UK science department manages R&D funding, but one has warned about its implications for long-term funding decisions. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Chris Parr
Universities will fail without radical reform, warns former VC.
White paper “shies away” from solutions to HE funding crisis, says erstwhile Leeds Met chief in Policy Exchange report.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
White paper “shies away” from solutions to HE funding crisis, says erstwhile Leeds Met chief in Policy Exchange report.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Universities will fail without radical reform, warns former VC - Research Professional News
White paper “shies away” from solutions to HE funding crisis, says erstwhile Leeds Met chief
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Universities will fail without radical reform, warns former VC.
White paper “shies away” from solutions to HE funding crisis, says erstwhile Leeds Met chief in Policy Exchange report.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
White paper “shies away” from solutions to HE funding crisis, says erstwhile Leeds Met chief in Policy Exchange report.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Reposted by Chris Parr
Dsit allocations: ‘Agile’ R&D funding approach welcome but risky, experts say.
R&D experts also question “bold” doubling of Advanced Research and Invention Agency spending.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
R&D experts also question “bold” doubling of Advanced Research and Invention Agency spending.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
‘Agile’ R&D funding approach welcome but risky, experts say - Research Professional News
R&D experts also question “bold” doubling of Advanced Research and Invention Agency spending
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Dsit allocations: ‘Agile’ R&D funding approach welcome but risky, experts say.
R&D experts also question “bold” doubling of Advanced Research and Invention Agency spending.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
R&D experts also question “bold” doubling of Advanced Research and Invention Agency spending.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
"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...
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
October 31, 2025 at 10:55 AM
"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...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-he-govern...
Johnson: “Policy around international education isn't owned by a single department, it’s subject to a tug-of-war...the tensions lead to great policy volatility & a whipsaw effect that's extremely unsettling for the families of international students.” www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
‘Big four’ international student nations ‘throwing away’ eminence - Research Professional News
Domestic policies in Australia, Canada, UK and US jeopardise their global standing, says former minister
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Johnson: “Policy around international education isn't owned by a single department, it’s subject to a tug-of-war...the tensions lead to great policy volatility & a whipsaw effect that's extremely unsettling for the families of international students.” www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
New today from Dsit: UKRI’s budget will total £38.6bn over the four years from 2026 to 2030.
In 2026-27, UKRI has been allocated a budget of around £9.2bn, up from around £8.8bn in 2025-26, a 4.6 per cent rise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
In 2026-27, UKRI has been allocated a budget of around £9.2bn, up from around £8.8bn in 2025-26, a 4.6 per cent rise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
UKRI allocated £39bn budget over next four years - Research Professional News
Agency will receive around £9.2 billion next year, as Dsit plans “more agile” R&D funding
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:36 AM
New today from Dsit: UKRI’s budget will total £38.6bn over the four years from 2026 to 2030.
In 2026-27, UKRI has been allocated a budget of around £9.2bn, up from around £8.8bn in 2025-26, a 4.6 per cent rise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
In 2026-27, UKRI has been allocated a budget of around £9.2bn, up from around £8.8bn in 2025-26, a 4.6 per cent rise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Reposted by Chris Parr
'On 30 October, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (Dsit) set out how it will spend its £58.5bn R&D budget over four years from April 2026, following on from allocations to departments made in the spending review in June.' 1/2
🚨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.
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
October 30, 2025 at 8:12 AM
'On 30 October, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (Dsit) set out how it will spend its £58.5bn R&D budget over four years from April 2026, following on from allocations to departments made in the spending review in June.' 1/2
Reposted by Chris Parr
🚨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.
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
October 30, 2025 at 12:08 AM
🚨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.
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...
Former universities and science minister also criticises university governance and regulation.
The “big four” countries in terms of international student recruitment—Australia, Canada, the UK and the US—are “throwing away” their strategic advantage by pursuing globally unpopular domestic policies, according to Jo Johnson. #GoingGlobal2025
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
Big four ‘throwing away’ their international student eminence - Research Professional News
Domestic policies in Australia, Canada, UK and US jeopardise their global standing, says former minister
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Former universities and science minister also criticises university governance and regulation.
Jo Johnson, former uni/sci minister at #GoingGlobal2025: Politicians in so-called 'big 4' countries for international students (UK, US, Can, Aus) "in the process of throwing away what is perhaps one of their greatest strategic assets, that's the ability to attract talent from all around the world."
October 28, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Jo Johnson, former uni/sci minister at #GoingGlobal2025: Politicians in so-called 'big 4' countries for international students (UK, US, Can, Aus) "in the process of throwing away what is perhaps one of their greatest strategic assets, that's the ability to attract talent from all around the world."
Reposted by Chris Parr
Vallance: US deal key to restoring UK life sciences confidence.
Science minister says drug-pricing agreement will shape investment and spending.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Science minister says drug-pricing agreement will shape investment and spending.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Vallance: US deal key to restoring UK life sciences confidence - Research Professional News
Science minister says drug-pricing agreement will shape investment and spending
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Vallance: US deal key to restoring UK life sciences confidence.
Science minister says drug-pricing agreement will shape investment and spending.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Science minister says drug-pricing agreement will shape investment and spending.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Reposted by Chris Parr
REF must ditch focus on individuals, says Ottoline Leyser.
Former UKRI head also echoes previous calls for universities to do less research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Former UKRI head also echoes previous calls for universities to do less research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF must ditch focus on individuals, says Ottoline Leyser - Research Professional News
Former UKRI head also echoes previous calls for universities to do less research
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:41 PM
REF must ditch focus on individuals, says Ottoline Leyser.
Former UKRI head also echoes previous calls for universities to do less research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Former UKRI head also echoes previous calls for universities to do less research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Chris Parr
"The war-readiness of modern democracies depends just as much on universities...and civil institutions as it does on the fearsomeness of our weaponry."
@chrisjparr.bsky.social looks at what Europe's defence spending boom could mean for research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
@chrisjparr.bsky.social looks at what Europe's defence spending boom could mean for research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
How Europe’s defence boom could transform research - Research Professional News
If security “depends on advances in science”, increased defence spending will bring risks and rewards
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:57 AM
"The war-readiness of modern democracies depends just as much on universities...and civil institutions as it does on the fearsomeness of our weaponry."
@chrisjparr.bsky.social looks at what Europe's defence spending boom could mean for research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
@chrisjparr.bsky.social looks at what Europe's defence spending boom could mean for research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Malcolm Press, Man Met VC and UUK president at #GoingGlobal2025: "Transactional education [represents] a growing opportunity to strengthen what we can do [as universities]."
October 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Malcolm Press, Man Met VC and UUK president at #GoingGlobal2025: "Transactional education [represents] a growing opportunity to strengthen what we can do [as universities]."
Universities minister Jacqui Smith at #GoingGlobal2025: Resources are “finite”, so we need to deliver education in the “most sustainable and effective way”.
"We are proud of our world class universities...we will provide new income" at a time of financial challenge. A reference to fee rise.
"We are proud of our world class universities...we will provide new income" at a time of financial challenge. A reference to fee rise.
October 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Universities minister Jacqui Smith at #GoingGlobal2025: Resources are “finite”, so we need to deliver education in the “most sustainable and effective way”.
"We are proud of our world class universities...we will provide new income" at a time of financial challenge. A reference to fee rise.
"We are proud of our world class universities...we will provide new income" at a time of financial challenge. A reference to fee rise.
Scott McDonald, British Council ceo, speaking at #GoingGlobal2025. "HE without the freedom to question, research and debate is not really HE," he says.
He's recently back from Kyiv, Ukraine, where the BC's office was damaged by Russian missiles.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
He's recently back from Kyiv, Ukraine, where the BC's office was damaged by Russian missiles.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
October 28, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Scott McDonald, British Council ceo, speaking at #GoingGlobal2025. "HE without the freedom to question, research and debate is not really HE," he says.
He's recently back from Kyiv, Ukraine, where the BC's office was damaged by Russian missiles.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
He's recently back from Kyiv, Ukraine, where the BC's office was damaged by Russian missiles.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Now free to access.
Just like libraries.
Just like libraries.
‘Suffering’ British Library staff take to picket lines.
Library “operating reduced service” as PCS members demand better pay, two years on from cyberattack.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Library “operating reduced service” as PCS members demand better pay, two years on from cyberattack.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
‘Suffering’ British Library staff take to picket lines - Research Professional News
Library “operating reduced service” as PCS members demand better pay, two years on from cyberattack
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Now free to access.
Just like libraries.
Just like libraries.
Reposted by Chris Parr
Concentration of Aria funding in south-east England increases, despite the agency setting out plans earlier this year to widen the spread of its spending.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
October 27, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Concentration of Aria funding in south-east England increases, despite the agency setting out plans earlier this year to widen the spread of its spending.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Another delay in the REF 2029 process.
The PCE pilot results have now been pushed back for a second time. Suggests to me that PCE is at the heart of the discussions taking place behind the scenes while the whole exercise is on pause.
Story from @robinbisson.bsky.social 👇
The PCE pilot results have now been pushed back for a second time. Suggests to me that PCE is at the heart of the discussions taking place behind the scenes while the whole exercise is on pause.
Story from @robinbisson.bsky.social 👇
Breaking: REF team delays research culture pilot results ahead of ‘reset’.
Pilot report pushed to December “to avoid pre-empting decisions”, with Research Excellence Framework on pause.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Pilot report pushed to December “to avoid pre-empting decisions”, with Research Excellence Framework on pause.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF team delays research culture pilot results ahead of ‘reset’ - Research Professional News
Pilot report pushed to December “to avoid pre-empting decisions”, with Research Excellence Framework on pause
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Another delay in the REF 2029 process.
The PCE pilot results have now been pushed back for a second time. Suggests to me that PCE is at the heart of the discussions taking place behind the scenes while the whole exercise is on pause.
Story from @robinbisson.bsky.social 👇
The PCE pilot results have now been pushed back for a second time. Suggests to me that PCE is at the heart of the discussions taking place behind the scenes while the whole exercise is on pause.
Story from @robinbisson.bsky.social 👇
If security depends on advances in science, increased defence spending brings risks & rewards.
Interesting time for debates about dual use research globally, but especially so in Europe.
My feature on how the EU’s defence boom could transform R&D.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Interesting time for debates about dual use research globally, but especially so in Europe.
My feature on how the EU’s defence boom could transform R&D.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
How Europe’s defence boom could transform research - Research Professional News
If security “depends on advances in science”, increased defence spending will bring risks and rewards
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:42 AM
If security depends on advances in science, increased defence spending brings risks & rewards.
Interesting time for debates about dual use research globally, but especially so in Europe.
My feature on how the EU’s defence boom could transform R&D.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Interesting time for debates about dual use research globally, but especially so in Europe.
My feature on how the EU’s defence boom could transform R&D.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Reposted by Chris Parr
How could Europe’s defence boom transform research? Via @chrisjparr.bsky.social www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
How Europe’s defence boom could transform research - Research Professional News
If security “depends on advances in science”, increased defence spending will bring risks and rewards
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:01 PM
How could Europe’s defence boom transform research? Via @chrisjparr.bsky.social www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Was a pleasure to speak at length with erstwhile long-serving Glasgow VC for this morning's 8am Playbook.
Here's a short news write-up (full interview in replies for Playbook subscribers).
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Here's a short news write-up (full interview in replies for Playbook subscribers).
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Universities ‘must avoid same traps as Dundee’, says former VC - Research Professional News
Anton Muscatelli urges institutions to take governance failings that led to bailout “very seriously indeed”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Was a pleasure to speak at length with erstwhile long-serving Glasgow VC for this morning's 8am Playbook.
Here's a short news write-up (full interview in replies for Playbook subscribers).
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Here's a short news write-up (full interview in replies for Playbook subscribers).
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Reposted by Chris Parr
Research funding and REF reforms ‘will drive specialisation’
Government says plans for university sector in its post-16 skills and education white paper could result in “more focused volume of research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Government says plans for university sector in its post-16 skills and education white paper could result in “more focused volume of research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Research funding and REF reforms ‘will drive specialisation’ - Research Professional News
Government says white paper plans for universities could result in “more focused volume of research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Research funding and REF reforms ‘will drive specialisation’
Government says plans for university sector in its post-16 skills and education white paper could result in “more focused volume of research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Government says plans for university sector in its post-16 skills and education white paper could result in “more focused volume of research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...