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? [email protected]
Mostly #researchpolicy, #researchfunding, #highered.
British Journalism Awards finalist.
Once likened to Tintin.
Also into rivers.
Tip? [email protected]
Hang on, I got this wrong (catching up with being off yesterday)
Breakdown of UKRI budget from 2026 is:
- £14bn curiosity-driven R&D
- £8bn national priorities
- £7bn business
- £7bn skills and infrastructure
So actually appears curiosity-driven will account for a smaller share than before
Breakdown of UKRI budget from 2026 is:
- £14bn curiosity-driven R&D
- £8bn national priorities
- £7bn business
- £7bn skills and infrastructure
So actually appears curiosity-driven will account for a smaller share than before
Only half of UKRI's future budget going to curiosity-driven research could sound worrying to some, but it's not actually a change of tack
Back in June, Patrick Vallance said that's how UKRI's budget already breaks down
What's different is limiting the non-curiosity-driven part to named priorities
Back in June, Patrick Vallance said that's how UKRI's budget already breaks down
What's different is limiting the non-curiosity-driven part to named priorities
November 25, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Hang on, I got this wrong (catching up with being off yesterday)
Breakdown of UKRI budget from 2026 is:
- £14bn curiosity-driven R&D
- £8bn national priorities
- £7bn business
- £7bn skills and infrastructure
So actually appears curiosity-driven will account for a smaller share than before
Breakdown of UKRI budget from 2026 is:
- £14bn curiosity-driven R&D
- £8bn national priorities
- £7bn business
- £7bn skills and infrastructure
So actually appears curiosity-driven will account for a smaller share than before
Only half of UKRI's future budget going to curiosity-driven research could sound worrying to some, but it's not actually a change of tack
Back in June, Patrick Vallance said that's how UKRI's budget already breaks down
What's different is limiting the non-curiosity-driven part to named priorities
Back in June, Patrick Vallance said that's how UKRI's budget already breaks down
What's different is limiting the non-curiosity-driven part to named priorities
November 25, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Only half of UKRI's future budget going to curiosity-driven research could sound worrying to some, but it's not actually a change of tack
Back in June, Patrick Vallance said that's how UKRI's budget already breaks down
What's different is limiting the non-curiosity-driven part to named priorities
Back in June, Patrick Vallance said that's how UKRI's budget already breaks down
What's different is limiting the non-curiosity-driven part to named priorities
UK productivity looks set to tick up after 10am. Crazy start to the ashes
November 21, 2025 at 8:30 AM
UK productivity looks set to tick up after 10am. Crazy start to the ashes
Reposted by Robin Bisson
Breaking: British Library staff reject improved pay offer after strike.
Union members unanimously dismiss 3.8 per cent pay increase and threaten to escalate industrial action.
Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Union members unanimously dismiss 3.8 per cent pay increase and threaten to escalate industrial action.
Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
British Library staff reject improved pay offer after strike - Research Professional News
Union members unanimously dismiss 3.8 per cent pay increase and threaten to escalate industrial action
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Breaking: British Library staff reject improved pay offer after strike.
Union members unanimously dismiss 3.8 per cent pay increase and threaten to escalate industrial action.
Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Union members unanimously dismiss 3.8 per cent pay increase and threaten to escalate industrial action.
Free to read.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Research-intensive universities in the UK and Germany are calling for "bilateral initiatives" which can "boost both countries’ participation in Horizon Europe"
Germany doesn't need that (it's the biggest participant in Horizon), but the UK definitely does given it is currently over-paying to be in
Germany doesn't need that (it's the biggest participant in Horizon), but the UK definitely does given it is currently over-paying to be in
November 19, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Research-intensive universities in the UK and Germany are calling for "bilateral initiatives" which can "boost both countries’ participation in Horizon Europe"
Germany doesn't need that (it's the biggest participant in Horizon), but the UK definitely does given it is currently over-paying to be in
Germany doesn't need that (it's the biggest participant in Horizon), but the UK definitely does given it is currently over-paying to be in
UKRI gave PhD stipends a big 8% boost earlier this year, but the London weighting has stayed at £2k - where it's been since 2006
Student unions are saying this doesn't reflect the "economic reality" of living in the capital, and living costs mean the weighting should be £4.5k
Student unions are saying this doesn't reflect the "economic reality" of living in the capital, and living costs mean the weighting should be £4.5k
Student unions call on UKRI to increase PhD stipends in London.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Student unions call on UKRI to increase PhD stipends in London - Research Professional News
Survey of doctoral students in capital finds high numbers living in “constant financial anxiety”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:54 AM
UKRI gave PhD stipends a big 8% boost earlier this year, but the London weighting has stayed at £2k - where it's been since 2006
Student unions are saying this doesn't reflect the "economic reality" of living in the capital, and living costs mean the weighting should be £4.5k
Student unions are saying this doesn't reflect the "economic reality" of living in the capital, and living costs mean the weighting should be £4.5k
Kathleen Fisher is the 2nd (of 2) Americans chosen to lead ARIA
Both her and Ilan Gur were previously at US variations of the ARPA model which ARIA follows (Fisher at DARPA, the OG, Gur at ARPA-E)
Interestingly, the original pick for ARIA was Peter Highnam, was also at DARPA but born in the UK
Both her and Ilan Gur were previously at US variations of the ARPA model which ARIA follows (Fisher at DARPA, the OG, Gur at ARPA-E)
Interestingly, the original pick for ARIA was Peter Highnam, was also at DARPA but born in the UK
Former senior Darpa official picked as new Aria chief executive.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
November 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Kathleen Fisher is the 2nd (of 2) Americans chosen to lead ARIA
Both her and Ilan Gur were previously at US variations of the ARPA model which ARIA follows (Fisher at DARPA, the OG, Gur at ARPA-E)
Interestingly, the original pick for ARIA was Peter Highnam, was also at DARPA but born in the UK
Both her and Ilan Gur were previously at US variations of the ARPA model which ARIA follows (Fisher at DARPA, the OG, Gur at ARPA-E)
Interestingly, the original pick for ARIA was Peter Highnam, was also at DARPA but born in the UK
Reposted by Robin Bisson
Oxford v-c Irene Tracey with some carefully phrased caution/criticism around REF people, culture and environment metric, plus govt's international student fee levy, in interview with @resprofnews.bsky.social @francesjones.bsky.social.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Oxford VC says REF ‘must do what it says on the can’ - Research Professional News
Irene Tracey also warns of “unintended consequences” from government’s planned international student fee levy
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Oxford v-c Irene Tracey with some carefully phrased caution/criticism around REF people, culture and environment metric, plus govt's international student fee levy, in interview with @resprofnews.bsky.social @francesjones.bsky.social.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
“Silicon Valley has a particular attitude that is growing here [in the UK], but that’s still in its initial stages,” Lisa Flashner from the Ellison Institute said.
“One of the things that I think is important, as an American…from the West Coast, is to have this go big, fail fast attitude.”
“One of the things that I think is important, as an American…from the West Coast, is to have this go big, fail fast attitude.”
Tech tycoon’s Oxford institute ‘importing Silicon Valley attitude’.
Chief operating officer Lisa Flashner says billionaire behind Ellison Institute of Technology is “close to the scientists”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...
Chief operating officer Lisa Flashner says billionaire behind Ellison Institute of Technology is “close to the scientists”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...
Tech tycoon’s Oxford institute ‘importing Silicon Valley attitude’ - Research Professional News
Chief operating officer says billionaire behind Ellison Institute of Technology is “close to the scientists”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:29 PM
“Silicon Valley has a particular attitude that is growing here [in the UK], but that’s still in its initial stages,” Lisa Flashner from the Ellison Institute said.
“One of the things that I think is important, as an American…from the West Coast, is to have this go big, fail fast attitude.”
“One of the things that I think is important, as an American…from the West Coast, is to have this go big, fail fast attitude.”
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