Great results from LHCb reviewed by @harrycliff.bsky.social Harry Victor Cliff at #APPHEPP26! A good way to show STFC and UKRI that they should think twice before de-prioritising it... 🧪🔭

Excellent summary of the cuts to grant funding that the PPAN community is now facing at the @ioppublishing.bsky.social APP and HEPP meeting, and how we should respond to it as a community. 🧪🔭 #UKRI #PPAN #ScienceFunding #APPHEPP26

Another great slide from @astroroyalscot.bsky.social : what are we doing wrong? Talking about science geniuses all the time makes children feel like to become a scientist they need to be the smartest person in the room. Let's make science accessible. 🧪🔭 #APPHEPP26

Beautiful argument from @astroroyalscot.bsky.social to argue against cuts to fundamental science: one question that makes all children interested in science, regardless of their genders and origins, is whether there is life outside of Earth! 🧪🔭 #APPHEPP26

Fundamental research in particle, astronomy & nuclear physics doesn’t just produce knowledge — it produces people🧪🔭 Highly trained scientists who go on to power UK industry. Cutting funding means fewer of them. 👉 industry-openletter-stfc.github.io/index.html #UKRI #ScienceFunding #Innovation

Opening of the Annual APP and HEPP Conference #APPHEPP26 in Edinburgh 🧪🔭 Astroparticles, astronomy, astrophysics, high energy physics, particle physics experiments... lots of fun to come! 🤗

PPAN research doesn’t just produce papers — it trains the people powering UK industry. From astrophysics → biotech, AI, data science. 🧪🔭 Cutting this pipeline has consequences. 👉 industry-openletter-stfc.github.io/index.html #PPAN #UKRI #ScienceFunding #Innovation

"We need a credible plan for science funding in the UK" Excellent letters in @theguardian.com from Prof Ruben Saakyan and Prof Sheila Rowan on the cuts to @ukri.org - STFC PPAN science www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

Fair concern. Space research often helped improve healthcare though. Sensor tech developed for NASA space telescopes is now used in digital X-rays and cancer imaging, allowing earlier detection & lower radiation doses, so cheaper healthcare. It’s not “moon vs healthcare.” One can help the other.

“My research experience gave me the skills to build a company.” — Dr Michael Curtis, CTO & Cofounder at Multiply AI PPAN is not just research—it’s a pipeline for innovation and startups. 🧪🔭 👉 industry-openletter-stfc.github.io #PPAN #Innovation #AI

Here is what it costs to apply for a visa, indefinite leave to remain, and citizenship in the UK. Such prices increased significantly last year, and will again this April. For people who have lived legally in the UK for years, working, paying taxes, raising children, it's real financial pressure.

This open letter now has nearly 190 signatories from UK industry.🧪🔭 We will send it to policymakers tomorrow — it would be great to reach 🎉 200 before then! If you trained in particle physics, astronomy or nuclear and now work in UK industry, consider signing: 👉 industry-openletter-stfc.github.io

In a letter to @chionwurah.bsky.social the Science Minister states: "~20 particle physics theory post-doctoral researchers [are] funded by UKRI each year." That’s not typical; that’s the post-cut baseline from 2026. The previous cycle supported ~60. Framing this as “normal” obscures a ~70% cut.

Pour mes collègues francophones. Le Royaume Uni fait face à d'énormes coupes en physique des particules, astronomie, & physique nucléaire.🧪 Big bang budgétaire dans la physique : les chercheurs britanniques aux abois, la communauté scientifique mondiale se mobilise — www.rtbf.be/article/big-...

No failure. The new punchline of the gov and #UKRI on science funding🔭🧪 Yet 70% of particle theory postdocs will have to go abroad this year. Lord Patrick Vallance, you need to choose: hurt your country very badly or propose serious solutions. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

If even with that, the UK government keeps ignoring the alarms, I think fundamental research can start packing... ✔️To read absolutely. www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

📢 “Most of my astrophysics PhD students now work in medical imaging, clean energy, and AI.” 🧪🔭 — Prof Romeel Dave, University of Edinburgh PPAN is a pipeline into UK industry. Cutting it has consequences far beyond academia. 👉 industry-openletter-stfc.github.io #UKRI

A system that cuts ~2/3 of postdoc support in fundamental physics while prioritising “commercialisation” is not investing in innovation — it is selling off its own discovery pipeline. Discovery 🧪🔭 → understanding 📌 → innovation💡 → impact 💰 Remove the first step, and the rest collapses. #UKRI

Here we are.

R&I funding for Scotland’s universities to rise by 8 per cent @scotfundcouncil.bsky.social announces £27 million boost for the 2026-27 academic year www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

“PPAN trained scientists have enabled us to create industry leading AI technology.” 🧪🔭🤖 — Dr David Evans, Head of Data Engineering @FreeAgent Developments in #UKRI funding are being watched “with alarm.” 👉 industry-openletter-stfc.github.io #PPAN #AI #ScienceFunding

Fantastic long read from @francesjones.bsky.social on why the physics cuts ‘could hurt government’s dash for growth’. Shrinking the UK's pool of experts, particularly early career researchers, will 'hurt UK industry over the long term'. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Excellent article from @jgro-the.bsky.social on the current "carnage" that theoretical physics and PPAN science in general are facing. #UKRI must react and propose a solution. If not, the government and the SITC must step in.

NEW: Feature by me on Physics cuts ‘could hurt government’s dash for growth’ Letters last March were sent to project leaders informing them that their funding would not be renewed. “We’re losing people”, including postdoctoral researchers. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

NEW: Crick boss worries about ‘shift from funding basic research’ My interview with Edith Heard, the second chief executive of the Francis Crick Insititute. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...

Double-take detail in this interview with Edith Heard, head of the Crick Her French husband decided against getting a spouse visa because of the UK's "intrusive" immigration rules If that's happening with one of the UK's most senior scientists, how many others are being put off completely?

Great article from @francesjones.bsky.social on the dramatic impact of physics cuts on early career researchers, and on economic growth and innovation in the UK. "Whether #UKRI, #STFC and ministers can act to stop that attrition remains to be seen." www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Yet another open letter against UKRI new funding strategy. Sign and share!

#UKRI virtual townhall meeting today🧪 Another demonstration that UKRI doesn't care AT ALL about PPAN science being cut by 30%. No contradiction allowed. Questions can be submitted, but they pick the ones they like. The ones on STFC were vague enough that they could avoid acknowledging the damage..

Postdoctoral support in UK theoretical particle physics has dropped from 58.33 to 19.5 PDRA years per year — a ~67% reduction. 🧪🔭 These positions are central to research, training, and the skills pipeline into industry. The impact will extend well beyond academia. #PPAN #ScienceFunding #UKRI

📢 Industry voices on PPAN science: "My particle physics PhD and subsequent postdoctoral work have provided growth opportunities and skills that I have been able to apply directly to healthcare and industry." — Dr Sean Benson, Assistant Professor at Amsterdam UMC, ex Lead Data Scientist at KPMG 🧪🔭

They should have titled that picture "UKRI is crushing theoretical physics down by 70%". It would have been appropriate while it's trying to fit a whole field of research into a pothole (while repeating that they are not cutting anybody)... 🧪🔭

That's where we are. Despite all the very nice narrative developed by UKRI in the last few months arguing that there is no cut and that they are being fair to everyone, theoretical physics was officially cut yesterday by about... 70%. Wholly unacceptable.

Great to see politicians defending PPAN research from the #UKRI new strategy's threat. 🧪🔭 #ScienceFunding #PPAN

@malcfairbairn.bsky.social explaining why the current proposed cuts is not just potentially devastating -- even if money is restored it has already done untold damage as UK PPAN community has already missed the international window for hiring this cycle. www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/stfc...

I wrote a piece for the Times Higher about the current crisis in UK funding for particle physics, astrophysics and nuclear physics in the UK.

Nice one! #FunScience

📢“Analytical methods developed in gravitational wave research have far-reaching applications beyond physics—underpinning statistical analysis, accelerating computation, and driving more efficient algorithms and machine learning pipelines.” 🧪🔭 — Dr Charles Badger, Faculty AI, Data Scientist #UKRI

If you want to help oppose the current cuts to research in particle physics, astronomy, and nuclear physics in the UK, write to your local MP about it! 🧪🔭 I wrote basic instructions and a template that you can adjust to your specific situation and constituency 👉 lheurtier.github.io/MPletter.html

Industry open letter against cuts to blue-sky research🧪 Signed by more than 100 scientists now working in the UK industry, it reflects how research in particle physics, astronomy, and nuclear physics underpins innovation and growth beyond academia. industry-openletter-stfc.github.io #PPAN #UKRI

I can't count the number of letters of distress that the government must be receiving these days from the physics community. 👉Another striking letter from the Royal Astronomical Society president and president-elect. 🧪🔭 #UKRI #ScienceFunding #PPAN

“Our detector technology grew out of sustained research in physics over many years. That research capability evolved into technology now used in healthcare, defence, nuclear power and security markets.” 🧪🔭 — Dr Arnab Basu, Kromek Group plc #UKRI 👉 industry-openletter-stfc.github.io/index.html

Viability of top particle physics group put in doubt by STFC cuts Group at Cambridge’s world-famous Cavendish Laboratory may be “unable to continue to operate”, says @cambridgephysics.bsky.social professor www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

📢New cohort of physicists alerts the Science, Innovation, and Technology committee: "If the measures go ahead, they will 'de facto imply the end of UK international leadership in fundamental science' and 'destroy the Hawking and Higgs legacy'". 🧪 www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

Excellent letter from my colleague Dr Simon Williams @si-wills.bsky.social regarding the paradoxal attitude of #UKRI investing in quantum bit cutting fundamental research. 🧪 Worth reading. Lack of funding is stifling scientific research | Letter www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

PPAN-trained scientists drive innovation across the UK industry. Cutting this pipeline is short-sighted. If you’ve moved from PPAN into industry in the UK, add your voice 👇 industry-openletter-stfc.github.io/index.html #PPAN #UKRI #ScienceFunding 🧪🔭

"The UK risks moving in two directions at once: announcing major investments in future technologies such as quantum computing while simultaneously weakening parts of the fundamental research ecosystem that produce the relevant expertise" 🧪🔭 #UKRI www.nature.com/articles/d41...

.⁦‪@UKRI_News‬⁩ says physics cuts needed because of poor financial planning by the previous management. Previous management flatly deny this to me saying that money must have been diverted.🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

"This is not straightforward... and the STFC thing is particularly difficult" Understatement 😬 A thread with quotes from Lord Vallance and his thoughts on the "STFC thing"

Today's UKRI tweet on UKRI funding reforms and the financial position of STFC paints an incomplete and, in some areas, misleading picture. STFCs own council minutes set the record straight: www.ukri.org/publications...