University physics heads warn Vallance of STFC cuts impact. Cuts “inconsistent” with government plan for growth, says open letter urging science minister to act. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Fears over STFC cost-savings plan aired since September 2025. Oversight body repeatedly raised concerns over “lack of transparency” with research community. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

If you are a physics teacher in the uk, or know one, please consider signing this open letter on the impact of cuts to the funding for astronomy research: ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...

Yes. Interesting to see a VC say this.

UK soft power latest

I understand the angle here, but I wouldn't want people to think that all this furore is just about LHCb. STFC plans to cut particle physics and astronomy research in the UK by 30%. That means one in three researchers risk losing their jobs. One in three university groups may close. Serious shit.

STFC ‘has chosen facilities over saving grants’, claims ex-adviser. Cambridge astrophysicist says science board was told of “long-term cut” to external grants programme. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Full discussion of the ins and outs here: youtube.com/watch?v=hOSReagyPDg ⚛️🧪

Draconian cuts to physics by the UK government are unacceptable. They damage the UK's science base and threaten our reputation as a reliable international scientific partner. Prof @johnwomersley.bsky.social explains how *you* can stand up for physics. Full talk: youtube.com/watch?v=hOSReagyPDg ⚛️🧪

🔊 Calling UK early career researches in astro, particle & nuclear physics. Please sign this open response to the proposed cuts at STFC ⚛️🧪🔭 "Protecting the UK's reputation as a science superpower requires not only investment, but continuity, confidence, and people" ✍️ ecr-openletter-stfc.github.io

I think a lot of the physicists here had written popular books on fundamental physics. They enjoyed outreach and presenting science. I imagine the chance to share one's ideas and present them to people like Bill Gates was attractive in itself

The motivation for a new Future Circular Collider at @cern.bsky.social is scientific curiosity not creating a "universal basic income for physicists", as some might contend. Pooling resources is taxpayer friendly! Prof @johnwomersley.bsky.social explains! Link: www.youtube.com/shorts/WtOuz... 🧪⚛️

Should @cern.bsky.social accept private donations to help fund its core scientific mission? There is clearly an economic incentive, but also challenges around perception, undue influence etc Prof @johnwomersley.bsky.social and Prof Jon Butterwoth discuss! Link: www.youtube.com/shorts/zXimw... 🧪⚛️

@cern.bsky.social 's Future Circular Collider program is scientifically well motivated. However, concerns remain regarding financing, tech development and locking the community into a long term vision. Prof @johnwomersley.bsky.social explains! Link: www.youtube.com/shorts/Uojh2... ⚛️🧪

Speaking of UKRI, this was a really interesting analysis by @johnwomersley.bsky.social of the political factors that have shaped the agency and its new direction. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...

Fantastic episode of the Nu's Night Podcast discussing the future of European particle physics and CERN with Prof @johnwomersley.bsky.social and Prof Jon Butterworth. What might European particle physics look like in the coming decades and why? Full discussion: youtube.com/watch?v=4ipN... 🧪⚛️

What is UKRI for, and do the people in charge know? www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...

“The reality must be that this work stream had drifted really far off course for this kind of dramatic action to be felt necessary so late in the process,” says @johnwomersley.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/last-mi... via @jgro-the.bsky.social

My thoughts on how UKRI might use the REF (QR funding) and grants to drive universities to specialise more - via @timeshighered.bsky.social @jgro-the.bsky.social

Public backing for research is “broad but shallow”, with less than a third of Britons able to list how it helps the UK, their region or their family, suggests new polling https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/broad-shallow-support-leaves-public-unsure-rd-benefits

This is just another version of that blue or gold dress meme, isn't it?

John Womersley on what the future holds for UK R&D "In this new world, expect big shifts in funding towards research needed to underpin new defence capabilities, basic industrial capacity, food security, medicines manufacturing, data centres and national artificial intelligence capabilities"