Robin Bisson
@robinbisson.bsky.social
UK News Editor, @resprofnews.bsky.social.
Mostly #researchpolicy, #researchfunding, #highered.
British Journalism Awards finalist.
Once likened to Tintin.
Also into rivers.
Tip? robin.bisson@clarivate.com
Mostly #researchpolicy, #researchfunding, #highered.
British Journalism Awards finalist.
Once likened to Tintin.
Also into rivers.
Tip? robin.bisson@clarivate.com
Reposted by Robin Bisson
When getting your money back is a bad thing: UK expecting a rebate on £2bn paid to EU to join its research programme in 2024, @resprofnews.bsky.social reveals.
UK fared worse than expected in winning Horizon Europe grants.
By @annamckie.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
UK fared worse than expected in winning Horizon Europe grants.
By @annamckie.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
UK expects Horizon Europe rebate after limited winnings - Research Professional News
Clawback in prospect after UK’s sluggish EU research programme start, with losses capped at £330m
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:27 AM
When getting your money back is a bad thing: UK expecting a rebate on £2bn paid to EU to join its research programme in 2024, @resprofnews.bsky.social reveals.
UK fared worse than expected in winning Horizon Europe grants.
By @annamckie.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
UK fared worse than expected in winning Horizon Europe grants.
By @annamckie.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
This was extremely prescient
Michael Prescott and Sir Robbie Gibb both bailed out of journalism years ago, and enjoy lucrative careers in corporate PR. And now they are the arbiters of BBC editorial standards. Go figure www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
The BBC has bigger impartiality problems than its coverage of Trump
It is the BBC’s entire governance structure–rather than individual stories–that should cause most concern
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM
This was extremely prescient
Reposted by Robin Bisson
In an interview with Research Europe, Austria's research minister @eviholz.bsky.social warned that some EU politicians want to copy Trump in taking a "chainsaw" to university funding
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Trump ‘chainsaw’ on universities ‘could be copied in Europe’ - Research Professional News
Austrian research minister tells Research Europe some politicians want to emulate US president’s anti-science stance
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
In an interview with Research Europe, Austria's research minister @eviholz.bsky.social warned that some EU politicians want to copy Trump in taking a "chainsaw" to university funding
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Not sure this is very public info, but the head of Goalhanger (which produces The Rest Is History/Politics/Entertainment etc) told the Media Confidential podcast that in November they are launching The Rest Is Science
Wonder who the presenters will be...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/podcasts/med...
Wonder who the presenters will be...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/podcasts/med...
Goalhanger co-founder: ‘I’ve stepped in to stop Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart arguing’
Tony Pastor on the drama behind ‘The Rest is Politics’ and the secrets to the podcast’s success
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Not sure this is very public info, but the head of Goalhanger (which produces The Rest Is History/Politics/Entertainment etc) told the Media Confidential podcast that in November they are launching The Rest Is Science
Wonder who the presenters will be...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/podcasts/med...
Wonder who the presenters will be...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/podcasts/med...
Looks like a scaling back of the people, culture and environment element part of the REF is all but guaranteed, the question is really what it will look like after the pause
If it's a radical departure from previous plans, that's pretty tough to swallow for anyone who spent time on the pilot
If it's a radical departure from previous plans, that's pretty tough to swallow for anyone who spent time on the pilot
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 3:02 PM
Looks like a scaling back of the people, culture and environment element part of the REF is all but guaranteed, the question is really what it will look like after the pause
If it's a radical departure from previous plans, that's pretty tough to swallow for anyone who spent time on the pilot
If it's a radical departure from previous plans, that's pretty tough to swallow for anyone who spent time on the pilot
Reposted by Robin Bisson
Another delay to the research culture metric planned for next REF - may raise more questions on its future.
PCE pilot results were due for publication by end of October - now not coming until REF pause ends in December.
By @robinbisson.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
PCE pilot results were due for publication by end of October - now not coming until REF pause ends in December.
By @robinbisson.bsky.social
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 1:15 PM
Another delay to the research culture metric planned for next REF - may raise more questions on its future.
PCE pilot results were due for publication by end of October - now not coming until REF pause ends in December.
By @robinbisson.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
PCE pilot results were due for publication by end of October - now not coming until REF pause ends in December.
By @robinbisson.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
£10bn over a decade is a huge sum by any standard - half the UK's entire annual public R&D budget...at one (new) institute
Oxford uni had a research income of £778.9m in 23/24. Not directly comparable, but shows what scale the Ellison is aiming for
Oxford uni had a research income of £778.9m in 23/24. Not directly comparable, but shows what scale the Ellison is aiming for
Ellison Institute to spend £10bn on ‘talent and science’
Billionaire’s Oxford-based institute announces 10-year plan, as government unveils £500 million Oxford-Cambridge corridor investment
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...
Billionaire’s Oxford-based institute announces 10-year plan, as government unveils £500 million Oxford-Cambridge corridor investment
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...
Ellison Institute to spend £10bn on ‘talent and science’ - Research Professional News
Billionaire’s Oxford-based institute announces 10-year plan, as government unveils £500 million Oxford-Cambridge corridor investment
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:42 AM
£10bn over a decade is a huge sum by any standard - half the UK's entire annual public R&D budget...at one (new) institute
Oxford uni had a research income of £778.9m in 23/24. Not directly comparable, but shows what scale the Ellison is aiming for
Oxford uni had a research income of £778.9m in 23/24. Not directly comparable, but shows what scale the Ellison is aiming for
The numbers are pretty ludicrous
If the UK didn't insist on the immigration health surcharge being paid upfront it would be a very different picture
If the UK didn't insist on the immigration health surcharge being paid upfront it would be a very different picture
October 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The numbers are pretty ludicrous
If the UK didn't insist on the immigration health surcharge being paid upfront it would be a very different picture
If the UK didn't insist on the immigration health surcharge being paid upfront it would be a very different picture
Reposted by Robin Bisson
Levy would undermine inflation boost to tuition fees, MPs told
Taxing international student fees would “waste” efforts to “stop boiling the frog”, says UUK head
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Taxing international student fees would “waste” efforts to “stop boiling the frog”, says UUK head
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Levy would undermine inflation boost to tuition fees, MPs told - Research Professional News
Taxing international student fees would “waste” efforts to “stop boiling the frog”, says UUK head
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Levy would undermine inflation boost to tuition fees, MPs told
Taxing international student fees would “waste” efforts to “stop boiling the frog”, says UUK head
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Taxing international student fees would “waste” efforts to “stop boiling the frog”, says UUK head
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Reposted by Robin Bisson
Push for specialisation in university research; potential for a “more focused volume of research"; REF reforms to "better incentivise excellence" - @robinbisson.bsky.social pulls out key parts of govt's research plan in post-16 education white paper
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
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 10:00 AM
Push for specialisation in university research; potential for a “more focused volume of research"; REF reforms to "better incentivise excellence" - @robinbisson.bsky.social pulls out key parts of govt's research plan in post-16 education white paper
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Reposted by Robin Bisson
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...
Occasionally you get reminded that what's going on in the US is not normal
Since when have UK institutions offered "sanctuary" to US researchers?
Erica Nelson from @ids.ac.uk told @sophieatrpn.bsky.social that for health equity scholars “it’s likely to be a pretty scary time”
Since when have UK institutions offered "sanctuary" to US researchers?
Erica Nelson from @ids.ac.uk told @sophieatrpn.bsky.social that for health equity scholars “it’s likely to be a pretty scary time”
US health equity researchers offered ‘safe space’ in UK - Research Professional News
Institute of Development Studies launches “sanctuary” initiative for researchers facing “existential challenges” under Trump
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Occasionally you get reminded that what's going on in the US is not normal
Since when have UK institutions offered "sanctuary" to US researchers?
Erica Nelson from @ids.ac.uk told @sophieatrpn.bsky.social that for health equity scholars “it’s likely to be a pretty scary time”
Since when have UK institutions offered "sanctuary" to US researchers?
Erica Nelson from @ids.ac.uk told @sophieatrpn.bsky.social that for health equity scholars “it’s likely to be a pretty scary time”
“On the one hand, universities are being urged quietly to see if we can get US talent…but at the same time, it’s getting more difficult,” UEA deputy vice-chancellor Steven McGuire tells @sophieatrpn.bsky.social
Someone else called 10-year qualifying time for settled status simply..."bonkers"
Someone else called 10-year qualifying time for settled status simply..."bonkers"
UK ‘lacks coherence’ on foreign talent as settled status tightens.
Tougher conditions and higher costs raise fears of deterrent for overseas researchers prized by ministers.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Tougher conditions and higher costs raise fears of deterrent for overseas researchers prized by ministers.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
UK ‘lacks coherence’ on foreign talent as settled status tightens - Research Professional News
Tougher conditions and higher costs raise fears of deterrent for overseas researchers prized by ministers
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:05 AM
“On the one hand, universities are being urged quietly to see if we can get US talent…but at the same time, it’s getting more difficult,” UEA deputy vice-chancellor Steven McGuire tells @sophieatrpn.bsky.social
Someone else called 10-year qualifying time for settled status simply..."bonkers"
Someone else called 10-year qualifying time for settled status simply..."bonkers"
Intriguing result in the 'should AI be used in the REF' debate: GenAI tools outperform citation data on matching expert quality assessments
@mikethelwall.bsky.social says his research gets “very strongly positive reactions and also a very strong negative reaction”
Quelle suprise!
@mikethelwall.bsky.social says his research gets “very strongly positive reactions and also a very strong negative reaction”
Quelle suprise!
Generative AI ‘better than citation data’ for judging research quality - Research Professional News
Research yet to be peer reviewed suggests role for tools like ChatGPT in REF processes
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Intriguing result in the 'should AI be used in the REF' debate: GenAI tools outperform citation data on matching expert quality assessments
@mikethelwall.bsky.social says his research gets “very strongly positive reactions and also a very strong negative reaction”
Quelle suprise!
@mikethelwall.bsky.social says his research gets “very strongly positive reactions and also a very strong negative reaction”
Quelle suprise!
The ministerial migration to AI companies continues...Rishi Sunak, no less, has taken roles with Anthropic and Microsoft
Former PM joins a bunch of ex-DSIT ministers and officials in AI-land, as we reported last week
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Former PM joins a bunch of ex-DSIT ministers and officials in AI-land, as we reported last week
www.gov.uk/government/p...
October 10, 2025 at 12:04 PM
The ministerial migration to AI companies continues...Rishi Sunak, no less, has taken roles with Anthropic and Microsoft
Former PM joins a bunch of ex-DSIT ministers and officials in AI-land, as we reported last week
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Former PM joins a bunch of ex-DSIT ministers and officials in AI-land, as we reported last week
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The govt is making much of the promise of AI-powered science (there's a strategy incoming) but will it primarily benefit the most research-intensive universities?
Great piece from @sophieatrpn.bsky.social
Great piece from @sophieatrpn.bsky.social
‘Golden triangle’ institutions snap up 80% of AI supercomputer time.
Exclusive: Oxbridge and London dominate early stages of government programme to expand AI-powered research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Exclusive: Oxbridge and London dominate early stages of government programme to expand AI-powered research.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
‘Golden triangle’ institutions snap up 80% of AI supercomputer time - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Oxbridge and London dominate early stages of government programme to expand AI-powered research
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:58 AM
The govt is making much of the promise of AI-powered science (there's a strategy incoming) but will it primarily benefit the most research-intensive universities?
Great piece from @sophieatrpn.bsky.social
Great piece from @sophieatrpn.bsky.social
Brilliant piece by @fionamcintyre.bsky.social
Not just university leaders worried about the fee levy, the CBI thinks it's a bad idea too
Even the NUS, which is "ecstatic" about the return of maintenance grants doesn't support it
Not just university leaders worried about the fee levy, the CBI thinks it's a bad idea too
Even the NUS, which is "ecstatic" about the return of maintenance grants doesn't support it
‘It’s bananas’: why student fee levy spells trouble for research.
Funding maintenance grants through money raised from international fees leaves universities facing “awkward questions”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Funding maintenance grants through money raised from international fees leaves universities facing “awkward questions”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
‘It’s bananas’: why student fee levy spells trouble for research - Research Professional News
Funding maintenance grants through money raised from international fees leaves universities facing “awkward questions”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Brilliant piece by @fionamcintyre.bsky.social
Not just university leaders worried about the fee levy, the CBI thinks it's a bad idea too
Even the NUS, which is "ecstatic" about the return of maintenance grants doesn't support it
Not just university leaders worried about the fee levy, the CBI thinks it's a bad idea too
Even the NUS, which is "ecstatic" about the return of maintenance grants doesn't support it
Reposted by Robin Bisson
Groundhog day
BREAKING: Royal Society rules out expelling Elon Musk after rally speech
Society president criticises billionaire’s “language of violence” but says organisation should not “police political opinions”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Society president criticises billionaire’s “language of violence” but says organisation should not “police political opinions”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Royal Society rules out expelling Elon Musk after rally speech - Research Professional News
Society president criticises billionaire’s “language of violence” but says organisation should not “police political opinions”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Groundhog day
Groundhog day
BREAKING: Royal Society rules out expelling Elon Musk after rally speech
Society president criticises billionaire’s “language of violence” but says organisation should not “police political opinions”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Society president criticises billionaire’s “language of violence” but says organisation should not “police political opinions”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Royal Society rules out expelling Elon Musk after rally speech - Research Professional News
Society president criticises billionaire’s “language of violence” but says organisation should not “police political opinions”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Groundhog day
Reposted by Robin Bisson
Rocketing visa costs ‘squeeze university research budgets’.
Research-intensive institutions forced to hike spending on immigration fees, freedom of information requests show.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Research-intensive institutions forced to hike spending on immigration fees, freedom of information requests show.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
October 1, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Rocketing visa costs ‘squeeze university research budgets’.
Research-intensive institutions forced to hike spending on immigration fees, freedom of information requests show.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Research-intensive institutions forced to hike spending on immigration fees, freedom of information requests show.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Reposted by Robin Bisson
Labour MP Alex Sobel describes government fee levy plan as “stupid”, and also says ministers should never have implemented free speech act.
Meanwhile, Russell Group VC describes fee levy as “utterly bonkers”.
Lively session at #Lab25.
Full story:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Meanwhile, Russell Group VC describes fee levy as “utterly bonkers”.
Lively session at #Lab25.
Full story:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Labour MP describes government fee levy plan as ‘stupid’ - Research Professional News
Labour 2025: Alex Sobel also says ministers “should never should have implemented free speech act”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Labour MP Alex Sobel describes government fee levy plan as “stupid”, and also says ministers should never have implemented free speech act.
Meanwhile, Russell Group VC describes fee levy as “utterly bonkers”.
Lively session at #Lab25.
Full story:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Meanwhile, Russell Group VC describes fee levy as “utterly bonkers”.
Lively session at #Lab25.
Full story:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Strong argument from @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social for basic research funding
"As a doctor, I meet patients whose diabetes management has been completely transformed by drugs such as the weight-loss medication Ozempic. This has only been possible thanks to curiosity-driven research on lizard venom"
"As a doctor, I meet patients whose diabetes management has been completely transformed by drugs such as the weight-loss medication Ozempic. This has only been possible thanks to curiosity-driven research on lizard venom"
Research team - Research Professional News
Sanjush Dalmia suggests Labour Party conference discussion points around Britain’s R&D future
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Strong argument from @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social for basic research funding
"As a doctor, I meet patients whose diabetes management has been completely transformed by drugs such as the weight-loss medication Ozempic. This has only been possible thanks to curiosity-driven research on lizard venom"
"As a doctor, I meet patients whose diabetes management has been completely transformed by drugs such as the weight-loss medication Ozempic. This has only been possible thanks to curiosity-driven research on lizard venom"
Anthony Finkelstein, president of City St. Georges, told me he's worried about universities cutting back on academics' research time
“Don’t expect that you’re just going to see an incremental drop—you might see that you tip over a threshold and you just lose the capacity to do world-class research”
“Don’t expect that you’re just going to see an incremental drop—you might see that you tip over a threshold and you just lose the capacity to do world-class research”
‘World-class research capacity at risk from cuts to staff time’ - Research Professional News
University leader warns institutions rowing back on research time could lead to “tipping points”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Anthony Finkelstein, president of City St. Georges, told me he's worried about universities cutting back on academics' research time
“Don’t expect that you’re just going to see an incremental drop—you might see that you tip over a threshold and you just lose the capacity to do world-class research”
“Don’t expect that you’re just going to see an incremental drop—you might see that you tip over a threshold and you just lose the capacity to do world-class research”
Patrick Vallance has made it clear the Turing is a "an independent legal entity" so any legal challenges to a swathe of cancelled research partnerships "are being handled internally within the institute"
The Turing abruptly shut down over 20 projects, so plenty of scope for unhappy partners
The Turing abruptly shut down over 20 projects, so plenty of scope for unhappy partners
Alan Turing Institute ‘must deliver value for money’, says Vallance.
Minister asked about claims universities are threatening legal action over cancelled partnerships with AI institute.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Minister asked about claims universities are threatening legal action over cancelled partnerships with AI institute.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
September 24, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Patrick Vallance has made it clear the Turing is a "an independent legal entity" so any legal challenges to a swathe of cancelled research partnerships "are being handled internally within the institute"
The Turing abruptly shut down over 20 projects, so plenty of scope for unhappy partners
The Turing abruptly shut down over 20 projects, so plenty of scope for unhappy partners
Reposted by Robin Bisson
Liz Kendall promises ‘clear set of science priorities’ for UK
New science secretary looks for input from academia but warns some areas will be “deprioritised”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
New science secretary looks for input from academia but warns some areas will be “deprioritised”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Liz Kendall promises ‘clear set of science priorities’ for UK - Research Professional News
New science secretary looks for input from academia but warns some areas will be “deprioritised”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Liz Kendall promises ‘clear set of science priorities’ for UK
New science secretary looks for input from academia but warns some areas will be “deprioritised”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
New science secretary looks for input from academia but warns some areas will be “deprioritised”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...