Graeme Beale
@midfyffe.bsky.social
Works in @RESAS in the Scottish Government. Head of the Strategic Research Programme - Rural/Environment. Quaker. Writer of sub-par cat poems and other things.
Yeah it was an MRC spin out originally. It’ll be interesting to see who jumps in to fill the space.
January 30, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Yeah it was an MRC spin out originally. It’ll be interesting to see who jumps in to fill the space.
Yes it’s not till 2027. But in planning/procurement terms that’s basically next few months- the UKRI contracts are likely to be in the 10s of millions I would guesstimate, so no quick replacement. Probably a 6 month job if there were a replacement contractor (which there isn’t afaik).
January 30, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Yes it’s not till 2027. But in planning/procurement terms that’s basically next few months- the UKRI contracts are likely to be in the 10s of millions I would guesstimate, so no quick replacement. Probably a 6 month job if there were a replacement contractor (which there isn’t afaik).
And... funders will continue to want academics to demonstrate what they do with research funding. In some form those questions are going to continue. So if your hope (and I've seen a few folks on here hoping), was that people will stop wanting that, I can't see it happening.
January 30, 2026 at 3:34 PM
And... funders will continue to want academics to demonstrate what they do with research funding. In some form those questions are going to continue. So if your hope (and I've seen a few folks on here hoping), was that people will stop wanting that, I can't see it happening.
What does that mean? Well I'm sure we (and other, bigger funders), will be looking for a replacement service. Ideally something that we can all use for the link up and standardisation benefits. Difficult to see exactly what now, but nature abhors a vacuum.
January 30, 2026 at 3:34 PM
What does that mean? Well I'm sure we (and other, bigger funders), will be looking for a replacement service. Ideally something that we can all use for the link up and standardisation benefits. Difficult to see exactly what now, but nature abhors a vacuum.
The kinds of data RF collects are wanted by public sector funders, because we have to justify why this money which came from tax was spent on that; and the benefits that came from it were XXX. Different if you're privately funded, but state-funded #academics that's the world your funders swim in.
January 30, 2026 at 3:34 PM
The kinds of data RF collects are wanted by public sector funders, because we have to justify why this money which came from tax was spent on that; and the benefits that came from it were XXX. Different if you're privately funded, but state-funded #academics that's the world your funders swim in.
Before RF we did all of that type of reporting manually, with enormous spreadsheets, which had to be checked, entered and uploaded manually. Enormously time intensive. There was lots of opportunities for double counting, missing things etc. Building everything from scratch every programme.
January 30, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Before RF we did all of that type of reporting manually, with enormous spreadsheets, which had to be checked, entered and uploaded manually. Enormously time intensive. There was lots of opportunities for double counting, missing things etc. Building everything from scratch every programme.
Two particularly struck me- that one about removing privileges feeling like removing rights, which I think of often.
The other one on how we teach boys to shrink their souls and alienate themselves from their emotions. Profound.
The other one on how we teach boys to shrink their souls and alienate themselves from their emotions. Profound.
January 25, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Two particularly struck me- that one about removing privileges feeling like removing rights, which I think of often.
The other one on how we teach boys to shrink their souls and alienate themselves from their emotions. Profound.
The other one on how we teach boys to shrink their souls and alienate themselves from their emotions. Profound.