Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Sophie Hogan

@sophieatrpn.bsky.social

270 followers 320 following 25 posts

Senior reporter at Research Professional News. Got a story on UK or Europe research policy? Get in touch at [email protected].

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · 3h

The next Horizon Europe is set to open up to fund projects with both civil and military potential.

Could that undermine civilian nature of the EU's research and innovation programme?

@sophieatrpn.bsky.social hears views on key dual-use questions.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

Call for dual-use clarity to avoid ‘undermining civilian nature’ of FP10 - Research Professional News

Sector leaders urge Commission to define how R&I programme will fund civil and military projects

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Sophie Hogan @sophieatrpn.bsky.social · 6d

Revisiting this story I wrote yesterday for @resprofnews.bsky.social - a key announcement on visas for researchers and scientists buried in a press release about funding for primary schools.

Mind-boggling...

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 7d

Government promises to double key visa routes for researchers.

Expansion will boost intake of ‘talented scientists’ from next year, Treasury says.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

Government promises to double key visa routes for researchers - Research Professional News

Expansion will boost intake of ‘talented scientists’ from next year, Treasury says

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · 20d

Yet more warnings to govt on its plan for a levy on universities' international student fees.

Levy would push further 14 universities into deficit, including three Russell Group members, MPs on education committee told.

By @sophieatrpn.bsky.social

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

Sophie Hogan @sophieatrpn.bsky.social · 27d

Prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk is shot dead at a Utah university campus; institution remains closed until Monday.

There have been 24 shootings at college campuses in the US so far this year.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-usa-...

Charlie Kirk shot dead at Utah university - Research Professional News

Utah Valley University suspends classes after prominent conservative activist killed on campus

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

Craig Nicholson @clanicholson.bsky.social · 27d

Academic leaders welcome ‘strong’ State of the Union speech

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

Sophie Hogan @sophieatrpn.bsky.social · Aug 19

You've heard of paper mills - what about "reviewer" mills? I spoke to the woman who coined the term as publishers are urged to act on the growing problem

For @resprofnews.bsky.social

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...

Publishers urged to act on bad faith peer reviewers - Research Professional News

Researcher who identified “reviewer mill” malpractice calls for greater awareness

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Aug 14

'According to data from the Home Office released on 14 August, there were 73,500 applications for study visas in July 2025, 4,000 more than July 2024, when there were 69,500 applications.' 1/2

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Aug 14

Gradual recovery in UK student visa applications continues.

Statistics show 4,000 more study visa applications in July compared with same month in 2024.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

Gradual recovery in UK student visa applications continues - Research Professional News

Statistics show 4,000 more study visa applications in July compared with same month in 2024

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

Fiona McIntyre @fionamcintyre.bsky.social · Aug 12

Our Research Offices of the Future survey is closing soon! Take 10 minutes to share your thoughts 👇

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Jul 8

📣Have your say! We would love to hear from those working in research services roles for our Research Offices of the Future study.

The anonymous survey takes under 10 minutes. We’d be grateful if you could share your views:

proquest.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Sophie Hogan @sophieatrpn.bsky.social · Aug 12

My exclusive for @resprofnews.bsky.social - Dsit has given back a third of its ISPF money to the Treasury

Good to hear it will continue with the ODA element, but not the best sign that it can't spend all the money it was given in three years...

Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · Aug 11

ICYMI @sophieatrpn.bsky.social revealed on Friday that DSIT has returned £128m of its £337m global R&D fund to the Treasury, having failed to spend it in time

Against expectations, though, the International Science Partnerships Fund will keep its ODA element, despite the govt cutting aid spending

Science department returns third of global R&D fund to Treasury - Research Professional News

Exclusive: Over £128m in unspent budget returned as International Science Partnerships Fund enters “new phase”

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Sophie Hogan @sophieatrpn.bsky.social · Aug 5

Interesting one to do about Aria's lofty geoengineering plans...

For @resprofnews.bsky.social

Fiona McIntyre @fionamcintyre.bsky.social · Aug 5

Geoengineering: should the UK be more cautious?

As MPs voice geoengineering research fears, some experts back concerns—while others want to change perceptions. Via @sophieatrpn.bsky.social. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Geoengineering: should the UK be more cautious? - Research Professional News

As MPs voice geoengineering research fears, some experts back concerns—others want to change perceptions

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Sophie Hogan @sophieatrpn.bsky.social · Jul 31

The Academy of Medical Sciences has found its new CEO in a top government official - the Office for Life Sciences director Rosalind Campion, with Patrick Vallance singing her praises
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...

For @resprofnews.bsky.social

Academy of Medical Sciences appoints next chief executive - Research Professional News

Current director of government’s Office for Life Sciences will take up role in October

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Sophie Hogan @sophieatrpn.bsky.social · Jul 30

Chi Onwurah asking some important questions about the new Global Talent Fund - including why no English universities north of Birmingham were selected as participating institutions. For @resprofnews.bsky.social

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

Onwurah questions absence of northern universities in talent fund - Research Professional News

Science committee chair voices concern over omissions from £54 million scheme in letter to Vallance

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · Jul 30

Lots of changes for REF 2029, with research culture metrics yet to be finalised, and all coming in a university funding crisis.

Should the next REF just run on old rules?

@sophieatrpn.bsky.social and @chrisjparr.bsky.social hear differing views.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Calls to run REF 2029 on old rules intensify - Research Professional News

“Uncertainty” prompts simplification push, but critics warn against dropping research culture metrics

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · Jul 29

European Commission aims to suspend Israel's participation in part of Horizon Europe.

Relates to review of section of EU-Israel agreement saying relations "shall be based on respect for human rights", Commission says.

By @sophieatrpn.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

Commission seeks to freeze Israel out of EU R&I scheme - Research Professional News

Proposal regarding EIC Accelerator, which the Commission wants to fund military work, needs governmental approval

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Sophie Hogan @sophieatrpn.bsky.social · Jul 23

John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · Jul 23

Alan Mak is no longer shadow science secretary (just in case anyone notices the difference). Julia Lopez replaces him, as Kemi Badenoch reshuffles.

By @sophieatrpn.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

Julia Lopez replaces Alan Mak as shadow science secretary - Research Professional News

“Hope has always been found in scientific and technological innovation,” says Lopez

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Sophie Hogan @sophieatrpn.bsky.social · Jul 17

While the government is "actively exploring" how it can help universities as concerns rise for certain disciplines, it seems for now, they're left to their own devices:

"Any strategy for diversification should be led by universities themselves,” Kyle told the Commons SciTech committee chair

John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · Jul 17

Peter Kyle letter answers @chionwurah.bsky.social on how Dsit will support universities.

Kyle "committed" to "transition towards more sustainable research funding models". But unis may need to "make difficult choices".

By @sophieatrpn.bsky.social
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

Peter Kyle warns UK universities must ‘make difficult choices’ - Research Professional News

But science secretary says he is “committed” to helping sector reach more sustainable research funding

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Sophie Hogan @sophieatrpn.bsky.social · Jul 17

Action stations in Europe...

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Jul 17

EU: Commission proposes to double Horizon budget for 2028-34.

Ursula von der Leyen also sets out planned 50 per cent increase for Erasmus+ scheme.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

Commission proposes to double Horizon budget for 2028-34 - Research Professional News

Ursula von der Leyen also sets out planned 50 per cent increase for Erasmus+ scheme

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · Jul 17

UKRI's annual report shows a big jump in exit packages last year

In 2023-24, there were 38 departures, with exit packages worth £830,000

In 2024-25, there were 141 departures, with exit packages worth nearly £6.6 million

Of the 141 departures, 77 left through a voluntary exit scheme

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Jul 16

UKRI faces ‘challenging prioritisation choices’, warns chair.

The chair of UK Research and Innovation has said the national funder faces “challenging prioritisation choices” and will continue to make “significant” changes in the coming years.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

UKRI faces ‘challenging prioritisation choices’, warns chair - Research Professional News

Annual report shows agency wrestling with staffing levels and rollout of new technology platform

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Sophie Hogan @sophieatrpn.bsky.social · Jul 17

Great to attend the Royal Society's Future of Scientific Publishing conference this week, where @jisc.bsky.social's Liam Earney warned the economic model of open access publishing is "fundamentally broken"

By me for @resprofnews.bsky.social

Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · Jul 17

Quite a blunt statement on where things stand on open access agreements with big publishers from Liam Earney, the guy leading negotiations from @jisc.bsky.social

“At the highest level, for the majority of universities that we work on behalf of, the economic model is viewed as fundamentally broken”

Open access economic model branded ‘fundamentally broken’ - Research Professional News

Lead negotiator on UK university publishing deals says agreements “neither sustainable nor fit for purpose”

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · Jun 19

Two senior @ukri.org figures this week have suggested unis could reduce how much research they do

“Concentrating on unique and high contributions & concentrating on less research, has the potential to bring the amount of activity into balance with research funding,” Steven Hill told #ARMA25

(1/2)

Research England official: universities could do ‘less’ R&D - Research Professional News

Arma 2025: Director of research asks whether system should provide “disincentives for lower-quality research”

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

Sarah Richardson @sarahr100.bsky.social · Jun 18

Happy to be in beautiful Edinburgh for #ARMA2025, where @resprofnews.bsky.social is media partner. Follow our coverage at www.researchprofessionalnews.com/category/arm... - all free to read, with thanks to our team here @sophieatrpn.bsky.social @francesjones.bsky.social @johnmorgan3.bsky.social

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · Jun 11

Universities ‘not getting politics right’ on funding, Birmingham VC warns

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

The Guild @guildeu.bsky.social · May 28

“FP10 must be built on excellence, with a predictable, ringfenced budget. It must build on its proven strengths to invest in bottom-up, curiosity-driven research, coupled with effective instruments to benefit society,” said @palmowski.bsky.social - Read @sophieatrpn.bsky.social's piece below ⤵️

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

Sarah Richardson @sarahr100.bsky.social · May 19

Huge congrats to @francesjones.bsky.social , who has been shortlisted as Newcomer of the Year in this year's Association of British Science Writers' Awards 🌟 Frances has made a fantastic impact with her reporting since joining @resprofnews.bsky.social - it's wonderful to see that recognised

ABSW @absw.bsky.social · May 17

#ABSWawards
The moment you've been waiting for...
👇 Stay tuned!
📅 Monday at noon
www.absw.org.uk/pages/18-awa...

Reposted by Sophie Hogan

John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · May 16

After UK and other countries associated to EU's Horizon say they can't join to next R&I programme if subsumed in a competitiveness fund, EU source tells @sophieatrpn.bsky.social they are "confident" of "clear path" for associated countries to join. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

EU ‘confident of clear path’ for associated countries to join FP10 - Research Professional News

Source offers reassurance ahead of EU-UK summit, amid uncertainty over next R&I programme’s independence

www.researchprofessionalnews.com