Nick Jones
@nickhuwjones.bsky.social
Research policy @ Cancer Research UK. Trying to unlock the potential of science and data to transform cancer outcomes.
Baroness Blackwood appointed Chair of the Government's new Health Data Research Service. Extensive experience as Chair of Genomics England and Oxford Uni Innovation, and as a Minister - seems like a canny appointment for a role that will require both technical expertise and political nous.
November 25, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Baroness Blackwood appointed Chair of the Government's new Health Data Research Service. Extensive experience as Chair of Genomics England and Oxford Uni Innovation, and as a Minister - seems like a canny appointment for a role that will require both technical expertise and political nous.
Reposted by Nick Jones
📢 Ahead of the Budget next week, we've published a paper calling for the Government to both invest in and reform the Charity Research Support Fund (CRSF) – a critical funding stream that enables vital charity-funded research in universities.
Read our paper (PDF download) ⤵️
ICR.ac.uk/CRSF
Read our paper (PDF download) ⤵️
ICR.ac.uk/CRSF
November 20, 2025 at 10:15 AM
📢 Ahead of the Budget next week, we've published a paper calling for the Government to both invest in and reform the Charity Research Support Fund (CRSF) – a critical funding stream that enables vital charity-funded research in universities.
Read our paper (PDF download) ⤵️
ICR.ac.uk/CRSF
Read our paper (PDF download) ⤵️
ICR.ac.uk/CRSF
Maintenance grants for those who need it is great, but the international students levy is a terrible way to fund it. This income is already subsidising lifesaving research and domestic students, so you can't just siphon it off without an impact. A few immediate questions:
Now with more details, including confirmation that the grants are to be funded by a levy on international student fees.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
September 29, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Maintenance grants for those who need it is great, but the international students levy is a terrible way to fund it. This income is already subsidising lifesaving research and domestic students, so you can't just siphon it off without an impact. A few immediate questions:
Useful from @hepi-news.bsky.social showing the impact of the proposed international student levy.
While Govt attention focuses on institutions in crisis, this shows the damage this would do to some of our most successful universities, likely leading to a general reduction in the UK's R&D capacity.
While Govt attention focuses on institutions in crisis, this shows the damage this would do to some of our most successful universities, likely leading to a general reduction in the UK's R&D capacity.
The true cost of the Government’s proposed levy on international students - HEPI
The UK Government’s Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper (May 2025) proposes a 6% levy on international students’ tuition fees to invest in ‘the higher education and skills system...
www.hepi.ac.uk
August 19, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Useful from @hepi-news.bsky.social showing the impact of the proposed international student levy.
While Govt attention focuses on institutions in crisis, this shows the damage this would do to some of our most successful universities, likely leading to a general reduction in the UK's R&D capacity.
While Govt attention focuses on institutions in crisis, this shows the damage this would do to some of our most successful universities, likely leading to a general reduction in the UK's R&D capacity.
Steve Bates, prev CEO of BIA, appointed in new role as Exec Chair of OLS, hot on the heals of various pledges in the LSSP seeking to bolster OLS and Life Sciences Council.
Clearer assertion of OLS's role across the three depts it straddles and greater transparency in the LSC essential first steps.
Clearer assertion of OLS's role across the three depts it straddles and greater transparency in the LSC essential first steps.
New Executive Chair to strengthen government’s plan to unleash life sciences for a healthier, wealthier Britain
Steve Bates OBE appointed to help champion research and innovation and the use of technology to transform health and grow the UK economy.
www.gov.uk
July 22, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Steve Bates, prev CEO of BIA, appointed in new role as Exec Chair of OLS, hot on the heals of various pledges in the LSSP seeking to bolster OLS and Life Sciences Council.
Clearer assertion of OLS's role across the three depts it straddles and greater transparency in the LSC essential first steps.
Clearer assertion of OLS's role across the three depts it straddles and greater transparency in the LSC essential first steps.
Reposted by Nick Jones
Delighted to release BFPG’s 2025 Annual Public Opinion Survey. The survey highlights a watershed moment in UK foreign policy, as Britons turn their back on the ‘Special Relationship’ and pivot dramatically back to Europe. Here are 10 key findings. Full report here - bfpg.co.uk/2025/07/2025...
BFPG's 2025 Annual Survey of UK Public Opinion on Foreign Policy and Global Affairs - British Foreign Policy Group
BFPG's 2025 Annual Survey of Public Opinion on Foreign Policy finds that public trust in the US has plummeted, as Britons turn back towards Europe.
bfpg.co.uk
July 17, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Delighted to release BFPG’s 2025 Annual Public Opinion Survey. The survey highlights a watershed moment in UK foreign policy, as Britons turn their back on the ‘Special Relationship’ and pivot dramatically back to Europe. Here are 10 key findings. Full report here - bfpg.co.uk/2025/07/2025...
Reposted by Nick Jones
📢 NEW: BFPG’s 2025 Annual Survey on UK public opinion on foreign policy finds Britons’ support for the special relationship is collapsing as Britons instead turn towards Europe. Read the full report here: bfpg.co.uk/2025/07/2025... (1/6)
2025 Annual Survey of UK Public Opinion on Foreign Policy - British Foreign Policy Group
BFPG's 2025 Annual Survey of Public Opinion on Foreign Policy finds that public trust in the US has plummeted, as Britons turn back towards Europe.
bfpg.co.uk
July 17, 2025 at 7:32 AM
📢 NEW: BFPG’s 2025 Annual Survey on UK public opinion on foreign policy finds Britons’ support for the special relationship is collapsing as Britons instead turn towards Europe. Read the full report here: bfpg.co.uk/2025/07/2025... (1/6)
A cursory look into any major medical research funders portfolio/pipeline shows how detached from reality it is. Huge part of it, imo, is the inability to separate LLMs from wider developments, alongside views of LLMs that were shaped several models ago and by Google's horrendous summary function.
Bluesky's near-consensus that AI doesn't work and won't be a technology that has major knock-on effects on society is…not grounded in reality. No mater how loudly and repetitively people say it.
I’m just a tech critic, standing in front of other tech critics, asking them to please stop insisting that the AI hype bubble is totally gonna collapse any minute now.
Your confidence is making it harder for the rest of us. It may be what your audience wants to hear, but that doesn’t make it true.
Your confidence is making it harder for the rest of us. It may be what your audience wants to hear, but that doesn’t make it true.
July 2, 2025 at 8:51 AM
A cursory look into any major medical research funders portfolio/pipeline shows how detached from reality it is. Huge part of it, imo, is the inability to separate LLMs from wider developments, alongside views of LLMs that were shaped several models ago and by Google's horrendous summary function.
New DSIT Perm Sec announced. Currently DG for Digital Tech and Telecoms, with previous experience spanning DLUHC, DfE and the Social Market Foundation. www.gov.uk/government/p...
Emran Mian
Emran Mian is the Director General for Digital Technologies and Telecoms at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology ( DSIT ). Emran was Director General for Regeneration at the Departmen...
www.gov.uk
June 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
New DSIT Perm Sec announced. Currently DG for Digital Tech and Telecoms, with previous experience spanning DLUHC, DfE and the Social Market Foundation. www.gov.uk/government/p...
Inconsiderate not to wait for me to finish my morning coffee, but we have an Industrial Strategy: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/685854...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
June 23, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Inconsiderate not to wait for me to finish my morning coffee, but we have an Industrial Strategy: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/685854...
Since DSIT was established, I've been really impressed with their comms - clearer and more creative than any other department I've seen.
Today's DSIT Download, summarising the Spending Review and London Tech Week announcements case in point: www.linkedin.com/pulse/dsit-d...
Today's DSIT Download, summarising the Spending Review and London Tech Week announcements case in point: www.linkedin.com/pulse/dsit-d...
DSIT Download - June 2025
Welcome to the DSIT Download featuring the latest news from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. In this edition you will find updates on: Spending Review 2025 London Tech Week and a...
www.linkedin.com
June 20, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Since DSIT was established, I've been really impressed with their comms - clearer and more creative than any other department I've seen.
Today's DSIT Download, summarising the Spending Review and London Tech Week announcements case in point: www.linkedin.com/pulse/dsit-d...
Today's DSIT Download, summarising the Spending Review and London Tech Week announcements case in point: www.linkedin.com/pulse/dsit-d...
The complex, non-linear process of translating scientific breakthroughs into patient impact is much discussed but often misunderstood. See below a new explainer from @crukpolicy.bsky.social setting this process out, outlining where the key barriers are, and looking at how we can tackle them.
Today, we are launching our Innovation Roadmap!🔬 This easy-to-read tool explains how an innovation moves from bench to bedside to make a difference to people affected by cancer across the UK
Explore the roadmap: cancer-research-uk.shorthandstories.com/innovation-r...
Explore the roadmap: cancer-research-uk.shorthandstories.com/innovation-r...
Innovation Roadmap
From discovery and development to adoption and spread.
cancer-research-uk.shorthandstories.com
June 18, 2025 at 8:12 AM
The complex, non-linear process of translating scientific breakthroughs into patient impact is much discussed but often misunderstood. See below a new explainer from @crukpolicy.bsky.social setting this process out, outlining where the key barriers are, and looking at how we can tackle them.
This was my biggest eyebrow raise so far - virtually the only mention of universities in the doc, and does not sound like the money is staying in the system.
International student levy talk in the spending review document: Treasury mentions "intention to explore introducing" a levy on international student fees. Which would support "upskilling the domestic workforce". Ie. sounding like the money could be taken from universities, then go elsewhere.
June 11, 2025 at 12:53 PM
This was my biggest eyebrow raise so far - virtually the only mention of universities in the doc, and does not sound like the money is staying in the system.
Reposted by Nick Jones
This is a pivotal moment for cancer research and the wider UK R&D environment.
Today, building on insights from our research community, we have outlined 5 steps Govt must take to strengthen cancer research and continue delivering life-saving discoveries.
news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/06/05/5...
Today, building on insights from our research community, we have outlined 5 steps Govt must take to strengthen cancer research and continue delivering life-saving discoveries.
news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/06/05/5...
Seizing the moment – 5 steps the Government must take to help UK cancer research thrive - Cancer Research UK - Cancer News
Here's what we need to see from the Spending Review, NHS 10 Year Plan, Cancer Plan, Industrial Strategy, and Life Sciences Sector Plan.
news.cancerresearchuk.org
June 6, 2025 at 9:15 AM
This is a pivotal moment for cancer research and the wider UK R&D environment.
Today, building on insights from our research community, we have outlined 5 steps Govt must take to strengthen cancer research and continue delivering life-saving discoveries.
news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/06/05/5...
Today, building on insights from our research community, we have outlined 5 steps Govt must take to strengthen cancer research and continue delivering life-saving discoveries.
news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/06/05/5...
Great new report from @britishacademy.bsky.social.
In recent years, there's been a broad consensus (in UK policy circles) of R&I investment benefits, but the US shows this can be fragile. Better data/evidence, stable industrial policy and a focus on system enablers are needed to futureproof this.
In recent years, there's been a broad consensus (in UK policy circles) of R&I investment benefits, but the US shows this can be fragile. Better data/evidence, stable industrial policy and a focus on system enablers are needed to futureproof this.
Generating coherent and effective R&D and innovation policies
Given the important role innovation plays in productivity growth, policies to support R&D, technology and innovation are vital components of any effective economic strategy. This paper outlines five c...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
June 4, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Great new report from @britishacademy.bsky.social.
In recent years, there's been a broad consensus (in UK policy circles) of R&I investment benefits, but the US shows this can be fragile. Better data/evidence, stable industrial policy and a focus on system enablers are needed to futureproof this.
In recent years, there's been a broad consensus (in UK policy circles) of R&I investment benefits, but the US shows this can be fragile. Better data/evidence, stable industrial policy and a focus on system enablers are needed to futureproof this.
Exciting new study, with the UK arm funded by CRUK, on the implications of exercise on cancer recurrence:
Exercise ‘better than drugs’ to stop cancer returning after treatment, trial finds
First clear evidence that structured exercise regime reduces risk of dying by a third, can stop tumours coming back or a new cancer developing
www.theguardian.com
June 2, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Exciting new study, with the UK arm funded by CRUK, on the implications of exercise on cancer recurrence:
If it saved the Graduate Visa, then it might be a price worth paying, but you have to hope that 'we will explore' gives them an off ramp for when they realise the money they're trying to levy doesn't exist/is already being invested into domestic skills by stopping many Uni's from going bust.
On universities the white paper only reduces the graduate visa from two years to 18 months (which is a win for the DfE).
The bigger thing universities will be worrying about is this little timebomb.
The bigger thing universities will be worrying about is this little timebomb.
May 12, 2025 at 9:36 AM
If it saved the Graduate Visa, then it might be a price worth paying, but you have to hope that 'we will explore' gives them an off ramp for when they realise the money they're trying to levy doesn't exist/is already being invested into domestic skills by stopping many Uni's from going bust.
Reposted by Nick Jones
NEW: BFPG is delighted to release the UKSPG’s latest report - ‘Strengthening UK Soft Power: Strategic Recommendations’ - which explores how the UK can better leverage its soft power in support of its international ambitions. bfpg.co.uk/2025/05/stre...
Strengthening UK Soft Power: Strategic Recommendations
The UK Soft Power Group's new report explores the urgent need for the UK to better leverage its soft power, to maintain and strengthen its global position.
bfpg.co.uk
May 8, 2025 at 8:20 AM
NEW: BFPG is delighted to release the UKSPG’s latest report - ‘Strengthening UK Soft Power: Strategic Recommendations’ - which explores how the UK can better leverage its soft power in support of its international ambitions. bfpg.co.uk/2025/05/stre...
New version of the S&T Framework published by DSIT today. Content/focus broadly similar, if pretty substantially stripped back and aligned with ongoing Govt activity and priorities.
Science and Technology Framework
www.gov.uk
April 28, 2025 at 4:19 PM
New version of the S&T Framework published by DSIT today. Content/focus broadly similar, if pretty substantially stripped back and aligned with ongoing Govt activity and priorities.
Reposted by Nick Jones
#InTheNews: Read in @reuters.com about how high UK visa fees for scientists are impacting our research institutes and our mission to beat cancer 👇 www.reuters.com/world/uk/hig...
High UK visa costs deter international scientists and engineers
It took Ed Roberts over a year to find a senior scientist to work at his cancer research laboratory in Scotland, a delay he blames on high UK visa costs that made it harder to attract international workers.
www.reuters.com
April 15, 2025 at 3:58 PM
#InTheNews: Read in @reuters.com about how high UK visa fees for scientists are impacting our research institutes and our mission to beat cancer 👇 www.reuters.com/world/uk/hig...
Excellent news today, with the announcement of £500m from Govt and £100m from Wellcome to develop a new Health Data Research Service.
Wonderful to see the scale of ambition and funding match the opportunity presented by health data research.
Wonderful to see the scale of ambition and funding match the opportunity presented by health data research.
[1/5] We welcome today’s Government announcement of the creation of a Health Data Research Service. This is a vital step towards enabling cancer researchers to access the right data at the right time, improving outcomes for patients ⏱️🔍 www.gov.uk/government/n...
Prime Minister turbocharges medical research
Better and faster access to NHS data for researchers with gold standard security and privacy measures.
www.gov.uk
April 7, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Excellent news today, with the announcement of £500m from Govt and £100m from Wellcome to develop a new Health Data Research Service.
Wonderful to see the scale of ambition and funding match the opportunity presented by health data research.
Wonderful to see the scale of ambition and funding match the opportunity presented by health data research.
See our new report on how industrial strategy can help identify and strengthen UK life sciences clusters.
With public finances stretched, the criteria we have developed can help R&I funding deliver maximum X-govt impact. I would particularly encourage people to read the impactful case studies.
With public finances stretched, the criteria we have developed can help R&I funding deliver maximum X-govt impact. I would particularly encourage people to read the impactful case studies.
Clusters are key to boosting UK R&D activity, driving growth and most importantly helping us reach our mission of beating cancer sooner.
Our latest report highlights how UK, devolved and local governments can develop more world-class research clusters. bit.ly/4kKS2Ix%E2%A...
Our latest report highlights how UK, devolved and local governments can develop more world-class research clusters. bit.ly/4kKS2Ix%E2%A...
https://bit.ly/4kKS2Ix⬇️
March 12, 2025 at 2:54 PM
See our new report on how industrial strategy can help identify and strengthen UK life sciences clusters.
With public finances stretched, the criteria we have developed can help R&I funding deliver maximum X-govt impact. I would particularly encourage people to read the impactful case studies.
With public finances stretched, the criteria we have developed can help R&I funding deliver maximum X-govt impact. I would particularly encourage people to read the impactful case studies.
Reposted by Nick Jones
Clusters are key to boosting UK R&D activity, driving growth and most importantly helping us reach our mission of beating cancer sooner.
Our latest report highlights how UK, devolved and local governments can develop more world-class research clusters. bit.ly/4kKS2Ix%E2%A...
Our latest report highlights how UK, devolved and local governments can develop more world-class research clusters. bit.ly/4kKS2Ix%E2%A...
https://bit.ly/4kKS2Ix⬇️
March 12, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Clusters are key to boosting UK R&D activity, driving growth and most importantly helping us reach our mission of beating cancer sooner.
Our latest report highlights how UK, devolved and local governments can develop more world-class research clusters. bit.ly/4kKS2Ix%E2%A...
Our latest report highlights how UK, devolved and local governments can develop more world-class research clusters. bit.ly/4kKS2Ix%E2%A...
Lovely to be sharing the work we’ve done to deliver a thriving life sciences system on another channel. With the industrial strategy and NHS 10 Year Plan coming, the work continues!
[1/5] Today, we’re spotlighting our science policy work. 🧬 Science is at the heart of everything we do and we work to influence government policy to build a world-leading science ecosystem—moving the most exciting discoveries from bench to bedside!
March 3, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Lovely to be sharing the work we’ve done to deliver a thriving life sciences system on another channel. With the industrial strategy and NHS 10 Year Plan coming, the work continues!
Reposted by Nick Jones
[1/5] Today, we’re spotlighting our science policy work. 🧬 Science is at the heart of everything we do and we work to influence government policy to build a world-leading science ecosystem—moving the most exciting discoveries from bench to bedside!
March 3, 2025 at 4:48 PM
[1/5] Today, we’re spotlighting our science policy work. 🧬 Science is at the heart of everything we do and we work to influence government policy to build a world-leading science ecosystem—moving the most exciting discoveries from bench to bedside!