Christopher Berry
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cplberry.bsky.social
Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social
4.1K followers 580 following 4.3K posts
Gravitational-wave astrophysicist. University of Glasgow Senior Lecturer. Science, education, LEGO & cake. May contain traces of nuts

🐘 https://mastodon.online/@cplberry
🐦 https://twitter.com/cplberry
📚 https://cplberry.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Christopher Berry
jim-wild.bsky.social
If you are an early-career researcher worried about the threats to funding in Astronomy, nuclear and particle physics, you should consider signing this open letter👇
cplberry.bsky.social Christopher Berry @cplberry.bsky.social · 2d
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
Early Career Researchers Response to UKRI Investment Approach
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
February 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Thanks to @iansample.bsky.social at the Guardian for covering the devastating funding cuts that are being proposed for UK (astro)physics, and the dire impact these would have on young researchers. Will UKRI/STFC reconsider? Will the UKGov step in?🤞👩‍🔬🧪⚛️🔭

www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
February 7, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
astromartin.bsky.social
I, along with many other UKRI, STFC and RS fellows are signing this open letter on the STFC cuts. The proposed reductions will devastate UK astronomy and the researchers who make it possible. Please read, share, and, if a fellow, sign.

advancedfellows-openletter-stfc.github.io/index.html

#astro
Advanced Fellows Response to UKRI Investment Approach
advancedfellows-openletter-stfc.github.io
February 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
dieworkwear.bsky.social
if you took my advice last year and bought used leather pants, wore those leather pants, and then resold them on eBay, you would have made more money than if you invested in bitcoin
A man wearing a brown leather jacket with black leather pants, black boots, and a black shirt. A man wearing a brown shearling bomber with a cream colored turtleneck and tan colored suede pants. Jim Morrison in a black leather jacket, black t-shirt, black leather pants, and suede boots. A chart shows that Bitcoin has fallen 34% in the last year. At its peak within this period, it was about $125k. Today, it's $64k.
February 6, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
peaseroland.bsky.social
More on the UKRI/STFC funding squeeze.
Significant quote: “It is clear that no UK university will want to open lecturer positions in curiosity-driven research if such lecturers would not be able to attract much national funding." KCL's Lucien Heurtier.

www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
UK ‘could lose generation of scientists’ with cuts to projects and research facilities
UK’s research funding body says best scientists are taking posts overseas due to lack of job stability at home
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:39 PM
cplberry.bsky.social
The president of the Royal Astronomical Society urged the government to prevent a “catastrophe” in science. “You lose a whole generation,” he said. “As a nation, we can’t afford for that to happen.”

www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

🔭🛰️🧪⚛️🎢
UK ‘could lose generation of scientists’ with cuts to projects and research facilities
UK’s research funding body says best scientists are taking posts overseas due to lack of job stability at home
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
🔊 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
cplberry.bsky.social Christopher Berry @cplberry.bsky.social · 2d
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
Early Career Researchers Response to UKRI Investment Approach
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
February 6, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
lucienheurtier.bsky.social
Open letter from Early Career Researchers to the UKRI investment plan.

We can't let young people pay the price of "outcome-driven strategies". #stfc #ukri

ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io

If you are a postdoc or PhD, read and sign! 🧬🔭🔬⚗️🧪📡🛰️
Early Career Researchers Response to UKRI Investment Approach
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
February 4, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
cplberry.bsky.social
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
Early Career Researchers Response to UKRI Investment Approach
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
February 5, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
astroprofhoff.bsky.social
Super interesting 🧵 on darkness and how we conceive of it (both legally and culturally). 🔭🧪
joshuasokol.bsky.social Joshua Sokol @joshuasokol.bsky.social · 1d
There’s an interesting lawsuit out of Connecticut I’ve been following that rests on the question of whether darkness — yes, darkness, the primordial Erebus himself— is a natural resource. Here’s why that’s potentially a big deal.
February 5, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
iop.org
"Physics isn't a luxury we can afford to throw away through confusion and cuts."

Following our response to STFC's funding reductions yesterday, it's great to see this news covered in @thetimes.com. (1/4)

www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
UK’s science superpower hopes hit as Labour slashes physics funding
University funding for astronomy and physics research cut by almost a third as government seeks to concentrate budget on areas that prioritise economic growth
www.thetimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:48 PM
cplberry.bsky.social
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
Early Career Researchers Response to UKRI Investment Approach
ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io
February 5, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
hetanshah.bsky.social
The university funding crisis finally starting to make it into newspaper editorials
www.ft.com/content/82f5...
With universities making a loss on teaching domestic graduates, and almost half of universities in England facing deficits this year, student loans need to be reviewed as part of a much broader, and urgent, rethink of how UK universities are funded.
February 5, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
lrpearson.bsky.social
When people talk about the idea that some universities must go under, there’s a certain tendency to behave as if these smaller local campuses are negligible- regrettable casualties perhaps but not ‘real’ universities. This report does a great job of illustrating why that’s wrong.
February 4, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
diamondashiagbor.bsky.social
Devastatingly sad.
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
February 4, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
davidhendy.bsky.social
“Having the university here was a big part of the city’s feeling of youthfulness, and the idea that you can be here and learn and grow.”

What happens when a city loses its university?

(A question that will soon be answered in several other places across the UK, sadly…)
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
jocelynanderson.bsky.social
A Black-capped Chickadee showcasing winter fashion by donning a snowflake accessory.
January 31, 2026 at 11:12 PM
cplberry.bsky.social
Honestly quite shocking that the Head of UKRI does not even know the order of magnitude for Future Leader Fellowships. The UK has a real problem in providing career paths for early career researchers, and it seems higher ups are not even aware of the magnitude of the problem

#UKRI 🧪 #AcademicSky
astroroyalscot.bsky.social Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 4d
Now talking about whether the UK is as competitive for early career researchers as other countries, and the issue of career breaks. Boss couldn't answer how many FLF's we offer each year or the gender breakdown. @chionwurah.bsky.social pushing on the urgency here and importance of diversity.
February 3, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
astroroyalscot.bsky.social
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/...
February 3, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
presentcorrect.bsky.social
Every Lego catalogue, in full, from 1966-2015. At the link brickset.com/library/cata...
February 2, 2026 at 4:52 PM
cplberry.bsky.social
Constituents of Newcastle Central/West, Milton Keynes Central, Mid Norfolk, Stoke-on-Trent South, North West Hamphsire, South Derbyshire, Gravesham, Erewash, Henley & Thame, Newton Abbot, and Cambridge, please ask your MPs about the drastic cuts to UK astronomy and the impact on UK universities

🔭⚛️🧪
chrislintott.bsky.social Chris Lintott @chrislintott.bsky.social · 4d
Interesting. The head of UKRI is talking to the Commons Science, Innovation and Tech. Committee tomorrow: hope one of the MPs asks about his dramatic cuts to the astronomy budget.
robertmassey.bsky.social Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 4d
Re the disastrous cuts to astronomy confirmed by Ian Chapman's letter, the Commons SIT Committee is questioning him tomorrow. I very much hope this is covered... One for
@chionwurah.bsky.social to consider.
February 2, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
lauraillustrates.bsky.social
stargazers
illustration of two, cute, small brown bears on a gingham picnic blanket looking up at the stars. one bear looks in a telescope while the other is on their back pointing things out. there is a tray of cookies, fruit, and vegetables on the blanket with them. you can see falling stars and made-up constellations overhead of them. the perspective is incorrect and wonky but cute, and everything is colored in pinks, purples, yellows, and oranges.
February 2, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
robertmassey.bsky.social
MPs for Cambridge and Milton Keynes Central represent institutions (Cambridge and OU) with astronomy groups. If you're in those please email Emily Darlington and Daniel Zeichner ASAP.
February 2, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
louisearchaeology.bsky.social
The British Museum posted Al slop and quietly deleted it. Here's what it was and why it matters.

#archaeology🏺#musuem #culture #heritage #history
February 1, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
theroyalparks.bsky.social
It's National Hedgehog Day! 🦔

When not hibernating they feast on invertebrates that inhabit parks. They also rely on hedgerows and woodlands for food and shelter 🌳

We've been supporting central London's only breeding population in The Regent's Park since 2014.
A poster with a hedgehog in the background and the words 'Hedgehogs' and 'Learn about wildlife to #HelpNatureThrive' in the foreground. © Huge Clarke
February 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM