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robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson
@robinbisson.bsky.social
710 followers 740 following 370 posts
UK News Editor, @resprofnews.bsky.social. Mostly #researchpolicy, #researchfunding, #highered. British Journalism Awards finalist. Once likened to Tintin. Also into rivers. Tip? [email protected]
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robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 6d
Brilliant piece by @fionamcintyre.bsky.social

Not just university leaders worried about the fee levy, the CBI thinks it's a bad idea too

Even the NUS, which is "ecstatic" about the return of maintenance grants doesn't support it
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
4 6
Reposted by Robin Bisson
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 7d
Groundhog day
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 7d
BREAKING: 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
2 3
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 7d
Groundhog day
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 7d
BREAKING: 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
2 3
Reposted by Robin Bisson
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 7d
Rocketing visa costs ‘squeeze university research budgets’.

Research-intensive institutions forced to hike spending on immigration fees, freedom of information requests show.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
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Reposted by Robin Bisson
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 9d
Labour MP Alex Sobel describes government fee levy plan as “stupid”, and also says ministers should never have implemented free speech act.

Meanwhile, Russell Group VC describes fee levy as “utterly bonkers”.

Lively session at #Lab25.

Full story:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Labour MP describes government fee levy plan as ‘stupid’ - Research Professional News
Labour 2025: Alex Sobel also says ministers “should never should have implemented free speech act”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
10 12
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 10d
Strong argument from @sanjushdalmia.bsky.social for basic research funding

"As a doctor, I meet patients whose diabetes management has been completely transformed by drugs such as the weight-loss medication Ozempic. This has only been possible thanks to curiosity-driven research on lizard venom"
Research team - Research Professional News
Sanjush Dalmia suggests Labour Party conference discussion points around Britain’s R&D future
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
3 4
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 12d
Anthony Finkelstein, president of City St. Georges, told me he's worried about universities cutting back on academics' research time

“Don’t expect that you’re just going to see an incremental drop—you might see that you tip over a threshold and you just lose the capacity to do world-class research”
‘World-class research capacity at risk from cuts to staff time’ - Research Professional News
University leader warns institutions rowing back on research time could lead to “tipping points”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
1
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 14d
Patrick Vallance has made it clear the Turing is a "an independent legal entity" so any legal challenges to a swathe of cancelled research partnerships "are being handled internally within the institute"

The Turing abruptly shut down over 20 projects, so plenty of scope for unhappy partners
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 Robin Bisson
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 19d
Liz Kendall promises ‘clear set of science priorities’ for UK

New science secretary looks for input from academia but warns some areas will be “deprioritised”

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Liz Kendall promises ‘clear set of science priorities’ for UK - Research Professional News
New science secretary looks for input from academia but warns some areas will be “deprioritised”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
2
Reposted by Robin Bisson
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 20d
International student fee levy would push 14 more universities into deficit, MPs told.

Sector slams international student fee proposal as education department promises further details in autumn budget.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Fee levy would push 14 more universities into deficit, MPs told - Research Professional News
Sector slams international student fee proposal as education department promises further details in autumn budget
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
1
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
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Reposted by Robin Bisson
johnmorgan3.bsky.social
John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · 21d
Nice to have Ian Chapman, UKRI's new chief exec, writing exclusively for @resprofnews.bsky.social.

Here's analysis of his comments on UK research "trying to do too many things", calling for focus on world-leading areas, by @robinbisson.bsky.social.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UK research ‘trying to do too many things’, warns new UKRI leader - Research Professional News
Ian Chapman wants funding emphasis on world-leading areas, but experts warn of system “inertia”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 21d
Absolutely baffled by the guy who busks outside Liverpool Street station with a violin, whose hand movements are a total mismatch with the music coming out of his amp

If you listen carefully you can hear a load of cronky notes underneath the loud Bach

Maybe it's an art piece
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 21d
Some R&D policy watchers think it won't be easy tho

Chapman "may not realise how tough the internal inertia in the current system is” says @johnwomersley.bsky.social

“People follow the money but they follow the money whilst managing to do what they wanted to do," says @kieronflanagan.bsky.social
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 21d
Ian Chapman, the new CEO of UKRI, telegraphs his intention to make the national funder more strategic (as Patrick Vallance has long pushed for)

“We need to assess...where the UK can really lead globally, and then fund these areas with critical mass so that we give them the best chance for success”
UK research ‘trying to do too many things’, warns new UKRI leader - Research Professional News
Ian Chapman wants funding emphasis on world-leading areas, but experts warn of system “inertia”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
1 1 1
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 21d
Ian Chapman, the new CEO of UKRI, telegraphs his intention to make the national funder more strategic (as Patrick Vallance has long pushed for)

“We need to assess...where the UK can really lead globally, and then fund these areas with critical mass so that we give them the best chance for success”
UK research ‘trying to do too many things’, warns new UKRI leader - Research Professional News
Ian Chapman wants funding emphasis on world-leading areas, but experts warn of system “inertia”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
1 2 3
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 22d
“This deal is likely to help create new opportunities for cutting-edge research, matching American AI and investment with the UK’s highly capable talent and education system, especially in fields such as healthcare and the life sciences,” says Keegan McBride of the TBI

Trump touchdown imminent
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 22d
Google invests £5bn on eve of major US-UK tech partnership.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
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robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 26d
Peter Kyle's exit as science secretary might have raised doubts on whether his directive to the Alan Turing Institute to refocus on defence would be seen through

Not so. The institute's chair Doug Gurr told staff on Monday it would plough on, reports @francesjones.bsky.social
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
1
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 26d
Ministers "don’t want to be investing in areas of research where we don’t have the quality and we don’t have the scale", Malcolm Press, president of @universities-uk.bsky.social tells @harrietswain.bsky.social

Significant when Research England is asking unis to detail how they use QR funding?
Ministers ‘want to shift funds away from low-quality research’ - Research Professional News
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
Reposted by Robin Bisson
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 27d
Visa applications to study in UK slump over summer.

Recovery in student visas falters during crucial months, potentially spelling further trouble for university finances.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Visa applications to study in UK slump over summer - Research Professional News
Recovery in student visas falters during crucial months, potentially spelling further trouble for university finances
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
4 2
Reposted by Robin Bisson
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 27d
Calls to protect QR grow ahead of crunch budget decisions.

Spending limits and high inflation weaken prospect of real-terms rise for university research funds.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Calls to protect QR grow ahead of crunch budget decisions - Research Professional News
Spending limits and high inflation weaken prospect of real-terms rise for university research funds
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
3
Reposted by Robin Bisson
johnmorgan3.bsky.social
John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · Sep 5
Liz Kendall to replace Peter Kyle as science secretary.

Skills moved from DfE to Department of Work and Pensions, under its new secretary Pat McFadden.

By @robinbisson.bsky.social

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Liz Kendall to replace Peter Kyle as science secretary in reshuffle - Research Professional News
Kyle goes to business while skills brief taken out of Department for Education, reports suggest
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · Sep 5
Big changes afoot after REF pause

Explicit from Research England that the pause is to “ensure alignment with the UK government’s priorities and vision for higher education”

Changes may include RE rewarding collaboration and specialisation - exactly direction of HE reforms expected in white paper
resprofnews.bsky.social
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Sep 5
🚨Breaking REF news🚨

REF team exploring ‘two-track’ approach to research assessment.

Research England says approach could offer light-touch assessment for some universities.

Free to read:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF team exploring ‘two-track’ approach to research assessment - Research Professional News
Research England says approach could offer light-touch assessment for some universities
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
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robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · Sep 5
7. Labour MPs in university constituencies are unhappy about the proposed levy on international student fees, which they say will "further squeeze finances [and] limit investment in research and teaching for UK students"

Skills minister Jacqui Smith met them this week

Will the govt see it through?
Labour MPs pressure ministers on fee levy ‘damage to science’ - Research Professional News
Jacqui Smith meets backbenchers concerned that proposal would harm research at universities in their constituencies
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · Sep 5
6. Cracking exclusive by @francesjones.bsky.social on top UK universities losing £millions from science cuts in the US

Medical researchers expecting tranches of NIH funding in August have been left scrambling to cover costs and keep their projects running

Good to see the Times pick this one up
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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robinbisson.bsky.social
Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · Sep 5
5. ARIA's top brass have defended the pace of its spending, after RPN reported £600m of the agency's initial £800m budget will be left over

Matt Clifford said long notice periods for new senior staff have caused delays, and is “one of the single biggest issues for the R&D ecosystem in the UK”
Aria chiefs defend agency spending fraction of budget - Research Professional News
Chief executive moves to calm concerns while chair says employment rules “slowed us down”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com