Fintan Burke
LightNews LightNews
banner
fintanburke.com
Fintan Burke
@fintanburke.com
1.9K followers 690 following 500 posts
Irish science journalist in Hamburg | Outreach for @esci.eu | Board member @eusja.org
Sé/é. Big fan of the en-dash.
Signal: fintanburke.01
Posts Replies Media Videos
fintanburke.com
"Otter is down, but will be back online shortly"

Every journalist:
Sad Pablo Escobar mem - a series of three-panel image macros featuring the character Pablo Escobar (played by Wagner Moura) from the Netflix series Narcos staring blankly in three different screen-captures from the series.
November 13, 2025 at 4:07 PM
fintanburke.com
Back at work after two weeks off. Today’s commute.
A view of an 18th century alleyway in Hamburg’s Speicherstadt A modern bridge between old buildings in Hamburg’s Speicherstadt A street view of old buildings in Hamburg’s Speicherstadt A view of the canals in Hamburg’s Speicherstadt
August 11, 2025 at 8:07 AM
fintanburke.com
Today’s commute.
A photograph of Hamburg’s port in the background, with trees and park benches in the foreground.
June 19, 2025 at 7:08 AM
fintanburke.com
Cutting puns from your draft to meet the wordcount
Wesley Snipes in a scene from New Jack City tearfully pointing a gun at someone offscreen
April 16, 2025 at 9:40 AM
fintanburke.com
A bit late posting but really enjoying #ijf25 in Perugia. Lots of big-picture stuff on journalism, mixed with more practical stuff. Views aren’t bad either.
Panorama view of Perugia, Italy.
April 11, 2025 at 8:27 AM
fintanburke.com
Headline made me think this was another article about Lowry
A newsletter piece about a new dinosaur discovery. It explains the dinosaur type has two fingers instead of three. The headline reads 'New dino gives two fingers to the norm'
March 27, 2025 at 1:03 PM
fintanburke.com
Looking forward to the next Jo Nesbø
An academic journal called 'Scandinavian Journal of Pain'
February 12, 2025 at 8:03 AM
fintanburke.com
Eyy, look at Ireland leading the way in research gender equality in our corner of Europe. (Pay, conditions may vary). #irishresearch
Map of Europe showing the proportion of female researchers and engineers. Ireland has 48.6%. In 2023, women made up 52% of of the 78.3 million people employed in science and technology in the EU, only 41% of scientists and engineers are female. Denmark has the highest representation of female scientists and engineers with 50.8%, while Hungary has the lowest at 30.7%. Map from European Parliament.
February 11, 2025 at 8:59 PM
fintanburke.com
Today’s commute
Multiple intersecting Tain lines below a bridge. It’s frosty weather.
January 21, 2025 at 11:37 AM
fintanburke.com
Nearly there - the Soc Dems focus on innovation economics:
💶bring R&D funding to 2.5% of GNI
💶a Research and Innovation fund to help Tech Unis meet research growth targets
💶increase innovation voucher value to €10k for SMEs
📄simplify paperwork for the R&D tax credit
🐈ban most animal testing
Following years of underfunding, Ireland is under-resourced relative to our ambitions in further and higher education and innovation. Funding for Research & Development (R&D) in this country has not recovered since the financial crash. There is a clear need for a larger role for the State in ensuring that a sufficient amount of the R&D that is vital to maintaining an innovation ecosystem is conducted. Higher Education institutions will be vital in delivering on this. How we structure and fund our higher and further education system will have a huge impact on how we fare in tackling the many challenges we face. In Government, the Social Democrats will: Increase total investment in R&D to 2.5 per cent of national income and increase investment in ‘basic’ research to balance applied research. ➢ Invest in a Research & Innovation transformation fund so that Technological Universities can meet research growth targets as set out in the TU Act. ➢ Introduce specific funding to support Technological Universities (TUs) as regional drivers of innovation and to engage with SMEs, MNCs and start-ups on innovation training and strategy development. ➢ Begin the process of creating a full university in the southeast of the country via the upgrading of the South East Technological University. ➢ Introduce targeted supports to enable SMEs to invest in innovation and productivity, including through the expansion of the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher Scheme with a supportive mentoring programme. ➢ Increase funding for apprenticeships through the National Training Fund. ➢ Resource the National Apprenticeship Office to drive the delivery of the Apprenticeship Action Plan, to bring strong alignment between training schemes and employment need. ➢ Make multi-annual investment in community education the norm, and reform financial supports aimed at – and develop more robust wraparound supports for – adult learners.
November 28, 2024 at 10:08 AM
fintanburke.com
Labour however have in-depth plans:
💶a dedicated fund for Research Ireland
🔬a new capital programme for rx infrastructure/lab equipment
💶R&D tax credit & a new national R&D fund from future windfall gains
⚖️PhDs get promises on a living wage, better working conditions and employment contracts
Despite commitments under Funding the Future and new funding from the NTF, the higher education sector has not been properly funded for the cost of public sector pay agreements and rising student numbers. Labour will allocate the proposed €150m a year from the NTF by 2030 earlier than planned. We will close the overall funding gap while ensuring that the costs of public service pay agreements are provided separately in annual funding and do not fall on HEIs as at present. We will also: » Bring spending per student up to the average of peer countries and align staffing ratios to best international practice, including the removal of the employment control framework to provide more local f lexibility. » Introduce a sectoral engagement forum and stronger dialogue between trade unions and HEIs to address terms and conditions including precarious employment and workforce planning. » Address the scourge of precarious employment and casualisation, which threatens to undermine the quality and stability of the sector, support pathways to permanent contracts, ensure fair and equitable working conditions and address gender inequalities within the academic workforce. » Allow Technological Universities to borrow to fund student accommodation. Create a new capital programme to invest in research infrastructure and laboratory equipment to replace PRTLI and increase funding for Research Ireland including grant allocations for the humanities and applied sciences. » Increase funding for blue sky research and seek to establish a long-term research endowment fund with any future unexpected windfall tax receipts.
November 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM
fintanburke.com
The Greens don't have many specifics, except for €200m (from the Climate & Nature Fund) for clean tech research, plus research into sustainable farming programmes
• €1.2 billion on the retrofit of public buildings. • €200 million on energy efficiency measures for businesses. • €250 million to support the development of district heating. • €300 million to support a new biomethane industry. • €200 million for a programme of research and innovation for clean technologies. • €100 million for new infrastructure required for offshore wind and microgeneration.
November 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM
fintanburke.com
Sinn Féin are focusing on academics:
📄fighting against precarious contracts
⚖️extra employment rights for early career researchers (maternity leave, WRC access)
💶plus an extra €8m/year for the North South Research Programme
🏭reviewing the R&D Tax Credit to help support SMEs more
According to a report published by the CSO in 2022, Ireland has one of the highest levels of third or tertiary level education qualifications amongst 25-34 year olds in the European Union (62% vs 41% EU average). However, the sector is currently facing significant challenges. Sinn Féin priorities Include: v The Free Fee scheme now exists in name only, with the Student Contribution Charge at €3,000 v The increasing cost of third level education for parents and students v The crisis of student accommodation, which is forcing students into long commutes, requiring individuals to often pay substantial sums on rent, and forcing others to decline or drop out of courses v The sector’s core funding deficit and recruitment restrictions (Employment Control Framework) The use of precarious employment contracts in the sector and the lack of a viable career path for many academic researchers v The need to increase the numbers of people training in certain professions - doctors and qualified tradespeople to deal with the health and housing crises, for example
November 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM
fintanburke.com
Next up is Fine Gael - they had the previous research minister:
💶Raise research funding to 2.5% GNI
🏭boost academia collabs with industry
🧪a Research Infrastructure fund

Bonus points from me for mentioning the new funding body Taighde Éireann, which they aim to 'promote and fund.'
Advancing Research, Innovation, and Science Fine Gael is committed to driving Ireland's global competitiveness, economic growth, and innovation through strategic investment in research, innovation, and science. Fine Gael will: • Establish a Research Infrastructure & Talent Fund This fund will maintain Ireland's g Obal competitiveness and stimulate growth across regions. • Invest in Irish Research with Taighde Éireann: We will promote and fund Taighde Éireann to support outstanding Irish research and innovation at home, In Europe, and global y • Raise Research Investment towards 2.5% of GNI: Increasing research funding will drive economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen Ireland's competitive edge, focusing on sectors like healthcare, climate, agri-food, digital innovation, and advanced manufacturing. • Strengthen Academia-Industry Partnerships: We will foster closer collaboration between educational Institutions and industry, formalising postdoctoral employment structures and funding graduate research programs to sustain economic growth We will prioritise funding for inclusive research and ensure institutions have the necessary supports for faculty and researchers with disabilities • Fund Interdisciplinary Research: We will support groundbreaking research that bridges academia, industry, and government, leveraging Ireland's tertiary sector expertise. • Create a Pathway for Research Impact: We will establish a formal pathway for third level researchers to inform government policy on critical issues based on internationally recognised research. Expand Hubs of Excellence. We will fund centres of research excellence across Irish universities and promote the Shared Island scheme to boost collaboration. Revise Second-Level STEM Curriculum. We will encourage greater STEM uptake at 3rd level by enhancing the curriculum at second level to stimulate interest. Support the Office of the Government Science Advisor: We will continue to back the role of the Government Science Advisor in shaping science policy. Fine Gael's commitment to research and innovation will fuel Ireland's economic and social progress, supporting jobs, technological advancement, and solutions to future challenges. • Extend Tax Relief for Targeted Skills Courses. We will provide extended tax relief for short-term skills courses in high-demand areas like green energy, Al, life sciences, and data analytics. This will help workers upskill without changing careers, keeping Ireland competitive in evolving industries. Add Healthcare Apprenticeships: We will expand apprenticeship options to include more healthcare disciplines, ensuring the healthcare sector has the skilled workers it needs Modernise Apprenticeship Curriculums. Working with the National Skills Council, we will update apprenticeship curriculums across al fields, ensuring they meet today's industry standards Develop Green Skills Courses: We will fund new courses in Green Skills, including the offshore wind energy sector, to support Ireland's transition to a green economy.
November 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM
fintanburke.com
Fianna Fáil has pretty extensive plans:
🟢more RoI/NI research collaboration including 100m for cross-border R&I hubs
💶hit a EUR1.5bn Horizon Europe funding target
🌊'position Ireland as a leader in marine research'
Increase funding for research and development in each budget based solely on excellence criteria and independent review. • Ensure that distinct funding programmes for research in the Humanities and Social Sciences are maintained. • Publish annual details of research funding - providing transparency on the areas funded, the division between basic and applied research and the number of researchers supported. target. • Strengthen all-island R&I collaborations and increase Co Centres Programme funding to €100 million for all-island R&I hubs. • Facilitate international researcher mobility through targeted visa programmes for non-EU countries to broaden expertise. • Scale up exchange programmes and secondments between academia and Government, to enhance policymaking. • Expand EU Research and Innovation Partnerships with Small and Medium sized businesses. • Maximise Horizon Europe engagement with a €1.5bn funding • Increase third-level places in the blue bioeconomy, renewable energy, and marine science to position Ireland as a leader in marine research
November 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM
fintanburke.com
Today’s commute
November 25, 2024 at 6:53 AM
fintanburke.com
Today’s commute. A big grey Guten Morgen from Hamburg.
A wide shot of the Alster lake with a statue of thee boatmen to the right. It’s is grey and overcast.
November 18, 2024 at 8:11 AM
fintanburke.com
What a 24 hours for us following US, Irish and German politics.
An anthropomorphic taxidermied fox sitting on a chair with a thousand-yard stare.
November 7, 2024 at 2:03 PM
fintanburke.com
Today’s high-speed commute
November 5, 2024 at 7:25 AM
fintanburke.com
Today’s commute
An autumnal park with old trees and leaves on the ground
October 24, 2024 at 6:49 AM
fintanburke.com
Aim your camera at just the right angle, and Hamburg can be as classically beautiful as any other German city
A view of leafy Janhannes Brahms Platz in Hamburg, showing an equestrian statue and come classical/neoclassical buildings. In the far background a massive radio tower is just visible behind the clouds.
October 20, 2024 at 10:49 AM
fintanburke.com
The vaccines, meeting at the torso:
Two characters from ‘The Umbrella Academy’ are in separate vehicles, driving past each other. Both look out their respective windows with surprised and slightly annoyed expressions, as if unexpectedly meeting someone they know but didn’t want to see.
October 10, 2024 at 8:50 AM
fintanburke.com
There's a new online tool that measures the walkability of hundreds (if not thousands) of cities across the world: whatif.sonycsl.it/15mincity/in...

I checked for Dublin and it's... surprisingly good? Most areas you can walk to necessities below 15 minutes.

🧪 #irishresearch
Map of Dublin in the 15min-city platform, showing most areas of the city clouded in positive blue, with some peripheral areas coloured in red.
October 1, 2024 at 5:29 PM
fintanburke.com
Where your email finds me.
A peak from the Picos de Europa national park Shot from the top of a funicular looking down to the valley
September 20, 2024 at 9:42 AM
fintanburke.com
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #414,376!
September 17, 2024 at 9:49 AM