Christopher Berry
@cplberry.bsky.social
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
🐘 https://mastodon.online/@cplberry
🐦 https://twitter.com/cplberry
📚 https://cplberry.com
Reposted by Christopher Berry
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.
Everything in this report reflects on what we value, for communities, for peripheral places, for young people, for education, for the future - and it looks like we’ve got it all wrong.
‘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 9:07 AM
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.
Reposted by Christopher Berry
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
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
'When it opened, the campus housed a GP surgery and a new dental clinic offering free treatment to local people. This was followed later by the forum – a library and art gallery shared by the university and local people.' 1/2
‘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 8:06 AM
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
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
Reposted by Christopher Berry
“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…)
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
“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…)
What happens when a city loses its university?
(A question that will soon be answered in several other places across the UK, sadly…)
Reposted by Christopher Berry
A Black-capped Chickadee showcasing winter fashion by donning a snowflake accessory.
January 31, 2026 at 11:12 PM
A Black-capped Chickadee showcasing winter fashion by donning a snowflake accessory.
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
#UKRI 🧪 #AcademicSky
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
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
#UKRI 🧪 #AcademicSky
Reposted by Christopher Berry
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/...
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/...
Me, on astronomy funding crisis, on the @ox.ac.uk website: www.ox.ac.uk/news/2026-02... 🔭🧪
Expert Comment: Cuts to fundamental research will hurt the UK’s
Chris Lintott, Professor of Astrophysics at Oxford’s Department of Physics, responds to the news that University funding for astronomy and physics research will be cut by almost a third.
www.ox.ac.uk
February 3, 2026 at 9:19 AM
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/...
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/...
Reposted by Christopher Berry
Every Lego catalogue, in full, from 1966-2015. At the link brickset.com/library/cata...
February 2, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Every Lego catalogue, in full, from 1966-2015. At the link brickset.com/library/cata...
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
🔭⚛️🧪
🔭⚛️🧪
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.
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.
@chionwurah.bsky.social to consider.
February 2, 2026 at 8:23 PM
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
🔭⚛️🧪
🔭⚛️🧪
Reposted by Christopher Berry
Reposted by Christopher Berry
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.
You can check the list of MPs here: committees.parliament.uk/committee/13... and use www.writetothem.com to send a message. We want to ask them to ask Ian Chapman tomorrow about cuts to STFC's research areas, particularly astrophysics.
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee - Membership - Committees - UK Parliament
Committee membership for the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.
committees.parliament.uk
February 2, 2026 at 12:42 PM
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.
Reposted by Christopher Berry
The British Museum posted Al slop and quietly deleted it. Here's what it was and why it matters.
#archaeology🏺#musuem #culture #heritage #history
#archaeology🏺#musuem #culture #heritage #history
February 1, 2026 at 3:19 PM
The British Museum posted Al slop and quietly deleted it. Here's what it was and why it matters.
#archaeology🏺#musuem #culture #heritage #history
#archaeology🏺#musuem #culture #heritage #history
Reposted by Christopher Berry
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.
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.
February 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM
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.
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.
Reposted by Christopher Berry
How do you capture evaluation data?
What should you ask?
How do you use it for reporting?
I've trained over 50,000 researcher and I'm running a free webinar exploring these issues. Organised by CDICE. Open to UK research staff and PhD students.
20th Feb 1-2pm
www.cdice.ac.uk/events/evalu...
What should you ask?
How do you use it for reporting?
I've trained over 50,000 researcher and I'm running a free webinar exploring these issues. Organised by CDICE. Open to UK research staff and PhD students.
20th Feb 1-2pm
www.cdice.ac.uk/events/evalu...
February 2, 2026 at 9:30 AM
How do you capture evaluation data?
What should you ask?
How do you use it for reporting?
I've trained over 50,000 researcher and I'm running a free webinar exploring these issues. Organised by CDICE. Open to UK research staff and PhD students.
20th Feb 1-2pm
www.cdice.ac.uk/events/evalu...
What should you ask?
How do you use it for reporting?
I've trained over 50,000 researcher and I'm running a free webinar exploring these issues. Organised by CDICE. Open to UK research staff and PhD students.
20th Feb 1-2pm
www.cdice.ac.uk/events/evalu...
STFC (funding council for particle physics & astronomy) funds national labs unlike other councils. When there are budget cuts, it cannot respond as easily. It may make sense to protect expertise in the labs by cutting grants, but that means fewer early career jobs. We lose a generation
🧪⚛️🔭
🧪⚛️🔭
This letter more or less confirms that once again the need to fund the ‘fixed’ costs of STFC - essentially the labs - those of us who work in areas funded by the council can go swivel. So stupid and shortsighted.
I am sorry. We all knew the three buckets were coming. We are all prepared for a shift in priority. But this message does nothing for all the UK scientists dependent on project grant funding. It doesn’t actually give any information
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
February 2, 2026 at 9:12 AM
STFC (funding council for particle physics & astronomy) funds national labs unlike other councils. When there are budget cuts, it cannot respond as easily. It may make sense to protect expertise in the labs by cutting grants, but that means fewer early career jobs. We lose a generation
🧪⚛️🔭
🧪⚛️🔭
Reposted by Christopher Berry
People involved told @francesjones.bsky.social that pulling funding will severely damage the UK’s reputation as a reliable international collaborator and put hundreds of potential jobs in doubt
Another two projects were planned national facilities for electron diffraction and mass spectrometry
...
Another two projects were planned national facilities for electron diffraction and mass spectrometry
...
January 31, 2026 at 10:12 AM
People involved told @francesjones.bsky.social that pulling funding will severely damage the UK’s reputation as a reliable international collaborator and put hundreds of potential jobs in doubt
Another two projects were planned national facilities for electron diffraction and mass spectrometry
...
Another two projects were planned national facilities for electron diffraction and mass spectrometry
...
Reposted by Christopher Berry
This letter more or less confirms that once again the need to fund the ‘fixed’ costs of STFC - essentially the labs - those of us who work in areas funded by the council can go swivel. So stupid and shortsighted.
I am sorry. We all knew the three buckets were coming. We are all prepared for a shift in priority. But this message does nothing for all the UK scientists dependent on project grant funding. It doesn’t actually give any information
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 7:29 PM
This letter more or less confirms that once again the need to fund the ‘fixed’ costs of STFC - essentially the labs - those of us who work in areas funded by the council can go swivel. So stupid and shortsighted.
Reposted by Christopher Berry
Judge Biery signed the order with a photo of Liam and two bible verses: The first is "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The second is simply "Jesus wept."
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
![Philadelphia, September 17, 1787: "Well, Dr. Franklin, what do we have?" "A republic, if you
can keep it."
With a judicial finger in the constitutional dike,
It is so ORDERED.
SIGNED this 31st day of February, 2026.
_________________________________________________
FRED BIERY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
[photo of Liam]
Credit: Bystander
Matthew 19:14
John 11:35](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:73t3muu2pudsajp7a2fj3aly/bafkreigfz6fzbu65haq7nfqgaoe7m42gsaonpinpmaaptuzd5atkqvya4i@jpeg)
January 31, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Judge Biery signed the order with a photo of Liam and two bible verses: The first is "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The second is simply "Jesus wept."
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
Reposted by Christopher Berry
January 31, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Reposted by Christopher Berry
Beavers are back in London 🦫
Here's how (and why) we did it ⬇️
Here's how (and why) we did it ⬇️
January 21, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Beavers are back in London 🦫
Here's how (and why) we did it ⬇️
Here's how (and why) we did it ⬇️
Reposted by Christopher Berry
I’m worried how this will affect so many things — from career choices in the near future for last year PhDs like me to mega-projects like the SKA. And impact on the existing research communities.
For many of us, the UK was an important next step option, esp. since US research has taken a hammering.
For many of us, the UK was an important next step option, esp. since US research has taken a hammering.
Or not. This has been removed for review by the University. (Who asked me to write it in the first place). You can find it here while they sort themselves out: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Funding piece
Modern astronomy is full of marvels. In recent years we have rejoiced in the success of the James Webb Space Telescope, and been puzzled by the surprisingly vibrant early Universe it is showing us. We...
docs.google.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:29 PM
I’m worried how this will affect so many things — from career choices in the near future for last year PhDs like me to mega-projects like the SKA. And impact on the existing research communities.
For many of us, the UK was an important next step option, esp. since US research has taken a hammering.
For many of us, the UK was an important next step option, esp. since US research has taken a hammering.
Wonderful writing on the proposed catastrophic cuts to UK curiosity-led research. This type of research is one thing the UK is currently genuinely excellent at
I hope the government can be convinced that knowing the price of everything doesn't mean you know the value of anything
🧪🔭⚛️
I hope the government can be convinced that knowing the price of everything doesn't mean you know the value of anything
🧪🔭⚛️
Or not. This has been removed for review by the University. (Who asked me to write it in the first place). You can find it here while they sort themselves out: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Funding piece
Modern astronomy is full of marvels. In recent years we have rejoiced in the success of the James Webb Space Telescope, and been puzzled by the surprisingly vibrant early Universe it is showing us. We...
docs.google.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Wonderful writing on the proposed catastrophic cuts to UK curiosity-led research. This type of research is one thing the UK is currently genuinely excellent at
I hope the government can be convinced that knowing the price of everything doesn't mean you know the value of anything
🧪🔭⚛️
I hope the government can be convinced that knowing the price of everything doesn't mean you know the value of anything
🧪🔭⚛️
As a society, we make the decision to invest in supporting those in need—we're happy to pay for cancer treatment, pensioners' bus passes, school meals… This is the right thing to do
Increasingly, it is those starting out in life who are vulnerable—students and new graduates need help
Increasingly, it is those starting out in life who are vulnerable—students and new graduates need help
On this basis we would stop paying for free school meals for children and free bus passes for pensioners.
I don’t use it/don’t benefit is literally the direct opposite reason why we have taxation to fund pubic goods.
Education is a public good. Fund it!
I don’t use it/don’t benefit is literally the direct opposite reason why we have taxation to fund pubic goods.
Education is a public good. Fund it!
2026: Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, "It is not right that people who don't go to university bear the cost for others to"
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
January 30, 2026 at 2:01 PM
As a society, we make the decision to invest in supporting those in need—we're happy to pay for cancer treatment, pensioners' bus passes, school meals… This is the right thing to do
Increasingly, it is those starting out in life who are vulnerable—students and new graduates need help
Increasingly, it is those starting out in life who are vulnerable—students and new graduates need help
Reposted by Christopher Berry
The spending review moved >40% of all UKRI funding away from basic research, and into "strategic government and societal priorities" or "innovative companies". The budgets for all the research councils have been slashed. Clear message from govt is that bright young scientists should leave the UK.
January 30, 2026 at 10:27 AM
The spending review moved >40% of all UKRI funding away from basic research, and into "strategic government and societal priorities" or "innovative companies". The budgets for all the research councils have been slashed. Clear message from govt is that bright young scientists should leave the UK.
STFC is the funding council for particle physics and astronomy, so the proposed cuts here are wider than just astrophysics. I am very concerned what this will mean for those looking to start out in scientific research. The UK will lose lots of talent and expertise
⚛️🔭
⚛️🔭
We have had to make people—highly qualified and dedicated scientists—redundant following cuts to the budget in our last round of grants. Seeing that further cuts are on the cards is a scary thought for the UK astronomy community.
🔭
🔭
The Royal Astronomical Society is gravely concerned at the drastic cuts to support for UK astronomy outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
January 29, 2026 at 1:41 PM
STFC is the funding council for particle physics and astronomy, so the proposed cuts here are wider than just astrophysics. I am very concerned what this will mean for those looking to start out in scientific research. The UK will lose lots of talent and expertise
⚛️🔭
⚛️🔭
Reposted by Christopher Berry
2 of my last 5 PhD students who did astrophysics with me are now working in cutting edge AI research. Many more from our GRTL code collaboration working on solving Einstein's equations computationally are now working with google Deepmind (almost an in-joke).
New Science Technology & Facilities Council (STFC) letters confirm major funding reductions to areas including particle, nuclear and astrophysics, with a similar process expected for national facilities and labs. While investment in quantum, AI and green tech is welcome, the IOP warns cutting (1/3)
January 29, 2026 at 12:54 PM
2 of my last 5 PhD students who did astrophysics with me are now working in cutting edge AI research. Many more from our GRTL code collaboration working on solving Einstein's equations computationally are now working with google Deepmind (almost an in-joke).