francesjones.bsky.social
Frances Jones
@francesjones.bsky.social
520 followers 570 following 160 posts
Senior reporter @resprofnews.bsky.social. Tips? [email protected]. Shortlisted for Newcomer of the Year 2025 @absw.bsky.social. All views my own.
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 2d
‘US anti-science stance poses global existential threat’.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 2d
UKRI chief: funding processes hinder ‘wacky’ ideas.

Ian Chapman wants UK Research and Innovation to have more “strategic” relationship with universities.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UKRI chief: funding processes hinder ‘wacky’ ideas - Research Professional News
Ian Chapman wants UK Research and Innovation to have more “strategic” relationship with universities
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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francesjones.bsky.social
Frances Jones @francesjones.bsky.social · 2d
Good to get the opportunity to ask Ian Chapman (UKRI's new CEO) a couple Qs alongside other science journalists this morning !

UKRI chief: funding processes hinder ‘wacky’ ideas
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UKRI chief: funding processes hinder ‘wacky’ ideas - Research Professional News
Ian Chapman wants UK Research and Innovation to have more “strategic” relationship with universities
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 6d
‘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...
‘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
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Reposted by Frances Jones
chrisjparr.bsky.social
Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 6d
Rising UK visa fees have forced research-intensive universities into spending hundreds of thousands of pounds extra to recruit international staff over the last two years—with costs at individual institutions reaching as high as £2 million a year.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 6d
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...
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
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francesjones.bsky.social
Frances Jones @francesjones.bsky.social · 8d
Good to hear @laurensullivanmp.bsky.social engage with the recently established ResearchPlus group at a Labour conference Fringe event.

Member & Sussex v-c says group wanted to “find a better way... of HE than the current broken market-based system that is causing enormous damage”.
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 8d
Universities urged to get more political by scientist-turned-MP.

A Labour MP who was a scientist before entering parliament has urged universities to have a “strong lobbying position” on the sector’s financial concerns. #Lab25

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Universities urged to get more political by scientist-turned-MP - Research Professional News
Labour 2025: Lauren Sullivan tells institutions they need a “strong lobbying position” on financial sustainability
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
dieworkwear.bsky.social
derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 17d
unusually big armhole
Trump in a dinner suit, white formal shirt, and black bow tie. His arms are raised parallel to the ground. The dinner jacket has a very big armhole. James Cagney dancing. His arm is also raised, which reveals a small armhole.
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Reposted by Frances Jones
scurry.bsky.social
Stephen Curry @scurry.bsky.social · 19d
An interesting perspective, arguing that reliance is a better way to think about science than trust.
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 19d
Why trusting in science is ‘a bit naive’.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...
Why trusting in science is ‘a bit naive’, according to a philosopher - Research Professional News
Pittsburgh professor argues for a more nuanced view of ‘reliance’ on science
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 14d
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...
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 15d
‘Complex’ visa policy poses ‘significant barrier’ to research.

Major research organisations warn of high costs and lack of flexibility, in Case report.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
‘Complex’ visa policy poses ‘significant barrier’ to research - Research Professional News
Major research organisations warn of high costs and lack of flexibility, in Case report
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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francesjones.bsky.social
Frances Jones @francesjones.bsky.social · 21d
Breaking story by me: The Royal Society’s governing council will debate Elon Musk’s fellowship on 1 October

Is Musk’s violent speech at an anti-immigration rally in London a step too far for the UK’s science academy?
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 21d
BREAKING: Royal Society to reconsider expelling Elon Musk

Violent rhetoric in address to anti-immigration rally pushes science academy to reassess billionaire’s fellowship

(Free to read)

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Royal Society to reconsider expelling Elon Musk - Research Professional News
Violent rhetoric in address to anti-immigration rally pushes science academy to reassess billionaire’s fellowship
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
johnmorgan3.bsky.social
John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · 21d
Royal Society's governing council will meet on 1 October to consider expelling Elon Musk.

Adrian Smith, its president, taking a new stance in light of Musk address to far-right rally in London last week.

@francesjones.bsky.social with the latest.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Royal Society to reconsider expelling Elon Musk - Research Professional News
Violent rhetoric in address to anti-immigration rally pushes science academy to reassess billionaire’s fellowship
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 21d
BREAKING: Royal Society to reconsider expelling Elon Musk

Violent rhetoric in address to anti-immigration rally pushes science academy to reassess billionaire’s fellowship

(Free to read)

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Royal Society to reconsider expelling Elon Musk - Research Professional News
Violent rhetoric in address to anti-immigration rally pushes science academy to reassess billionaire’s fellowship
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 21d
Looks like Musk's speech at the far-right march in London could be the last straw for the Royal Society

Adrian Smith has written to fellows saying the governing council will discuss on 1 October

Great reporting by @francesjones.bsky.social
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 21d
BREAKING: Royal Society to reconsider expelling Elon Musk

Violent rhetoric in address to anti-immigration rally pushes science academy to reassess billionaire’s fellowship

(Free to read)

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Royal Society to reconsider expelling Elon Musk - Research Professional News
Violent rhetoric in address to anti-immigration rally pushes science academy to reassess billionaire’s fellowship
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
1 1
francesjones.bsky.social
Frances Jones @francesjones.bsky.social · 26d
Nice to interview Royal Society Faraday fellowship winner
@katiefield4.bsky.social who tells me that "fungi is having a bit of a moment"
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 26d
My winning proposal: Faraday fellowships need long-term vision.

Why focusing on the 10-year duration rather than the £8 million available paid off.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-funding-i...
My winning proposal: Faraday fellowships need long-term vision - Research Professional News
Why focusing on the 10-year duration rather than the £8 million available paid off
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
johnmorgan3.bsky.social
John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · 26d
Peter Kyle’s exit as science secretary not going to halt plans for the Alan Turing Institute to refocus on defence, the institute’s chair has told an all-staff meeting.

@francesjones.bsky.social with inside track again on Turing developments.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Peter Kyle’s exit ‘will not change defence pivot at Turing’ - Research Professional News
Chair of national AI institute addresses staff after government reshuffle raises questions over minister-led reforms
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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francesjones.bsky.social
Frances Jones @francesjones.bsky.social · 27d
Gaza conflict: should Israel face more academic boycotts?

Good to have the opportunity to explore this Q in-depth. I spoke with boycott supporters, an Israel science academy head & looked at what happened to Russia when Western academia cut links
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Gaza conflict: should Israel face more academic boycotts? - Research Professional News
As Europe-Israel research links fray, scholars clash on whether boycott movement applies meaningful pressure
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 28d
AI could be used for REF, says Royal Society president.

The president of the Royal Society has suggested that artificial intelligence could ease the burden placed on academics by the Research Excellence Framework and peer review.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
AI could be used for REF, says Royal Society president - Research Professional News
Research Excellence Framework is “not best use of human brainpower”, Adrian Smith tells Lords committee
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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francesjones.bsky.social
Frances Jones @francesjones.bsky.social · Sep 5
Interview from my visit to the UK's laser facility in Didcot (aka the big doughnut)- was impressed by the breadth of what they can do there for scientific research !
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Sep 5
UK missions approach ‘baked in’ to Diamond Light Source research.

Physical sciences director at laser facility spotlights increased focus on real-world benefits

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Frances Jones
francesjones.bsky.social
Frances Jones @francesjones.bsky.social · Sep 3
Exclusive by me: US research agency upheaval costs UK universities millions

Scale of disruption to British medical research caused by Trump’s science cuts revealed

Been working on this (intermittently) for months

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
US research agency upheaval costs UK universities millions - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Scale of disruption to British medical research caused by Trump’s science cuts revealed
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Sep 4
🚨BREAKING🚨

Patrick Vallance announces three-month pause in REF.

Science minister announces hiatus but says results for next Research Excellence Framework still on track for 2029.

Free to read:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Vallance announces three-month pause in REF - Research Professional News
Science minister announces hiatus but says results still on track for 2029
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Sep 4
CDC turmoil under RFK Jr ‘unlike anything US has seen’.

Nine ex-heads of agency condemn firing of director, as Democrat attacks “anti-science” agenda under Trump.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-usa-...
CDC turmoil under RFK Jr ‘unlike anything US has seen’ - Research Professional News
Nine ex-heads of agency condemn firing of director, as Democrat attacks “anti-science” agenda under Trump
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Sep 4
Head of Turing institute to step down after political pressure.

Jean Innes is to step down following pressure from the science secretary for new leadership at the UK’s national institute for artificial intelligence and data science.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Head of Turing institute to step down after political pressure - Research Professional News
National AI institute looks for new chief executive to “step up its work on defence”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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Reposted by Frances Jones
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Sep 4
The Times has this morning picked up on our investigation showing that universities in the UK stand to lose millions in funding for vital health research due to the Trump administration's upheavals at US research agencies.

Here is the original:

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
US research agency upheaval costs UK universities millions - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Scale of disruption to British medical research caused by Trump’s science cuts revealed
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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