Martin Smith
@martinrsmith.bsky.social
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Head of Policy Lab, Wellcome. Science policy things, puns, cats
reposted by
Martin Smith
Hetan Shah
about 17 hours ago
Here are some of the things we are doing at
@britishacademy.bsky.social
to boost UK participation in Horizon Europe
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/two-yea...
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Two years on from the UKās association to Horizon Europe, we are playing our part to boost participation for UK-based researchers
It has been over two years since the UK became an associated country to Horizon Europe ā a long sought after outcome for the sector in order to unlock the opportunities and collaboration possible in t...
https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/two-years-on-from-the-uks-association-to-horizon-europe-we-are-playing-our-part-to-boost-participation-for-uk-based-researchers/
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I'm featured on a podcast (a first for me, slowly catching everyone else up), talking about my work at Wellcome on creative methods for policy work from the last couple of years. Come for the policy chat, stay for the clip of my local Brass Band playing an Oasis cover...
pod.link/meettheinflu...
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What circus arts can teach policymakers - Martin Smith
Listen to What circus arts can teach policymakers - Martin Smith from Meet the Influectuals wherever you get your podcasts!
https://pod.link/meettheinfluectuals/episode/YmEwYjViZjktOTA2NS00YTE5LWFkM2EtMmRlYjM1YWViNDYw
about 17 hours ago
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Including comments from me - positive news for a sunny afternoon š
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5 days ago
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New official statistics just published on the UK's performance in Horizon Europe so far. The graph says it all. A familiar Brexit story - but with light at the end of the tunnel. Decline since the vote to leave in 2016. But the recovery journey has begun.
5 days ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Anon Opin
17 days ago
The most pompous academic word is 'praxis'.
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Cath Haddon
29 days ago
Re-upping this because i saw on the other place someone going down the 'but could they use a King's Speech defeat to oust him?'. Again, to reiterate, endlessly, a confidence defeat in the Commons means either the government *as a whole* is ousted. Not just the PM.
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Shoulda just used his Paypal account
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about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Hetan Shah
about 1 month ago
We are offering two great initiatives for humanities and social sciences researchers interested in applying to Horizon Europe. On 1st June we are holding an ERC Reading Day where you can read previously successful ERC grant proposals from a selection of 50
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/projects/eur...
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ERC Reading Day 2026
https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/projects/europe-futures-research-and-collaboration/erc-reading-day-2026/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=erc_international&utm_content=copy
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Itās a spiritual thing A body thing A soul thing
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about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Mehwaesh
about 2 months ago
New Policy Officer role at
@universities-uk.bsky.social
. Youāll work on research policy, UKRI changes, and the big questions like 'which bucket is this in?' with a straight face:
www.uukjobs.co.uk/Vacancy.aspx...
Deadline: 1 May
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Job Vacancy at Universities UK: Policy Officer
We are looking for a person that is passionate about making a difference to join the Universities UK policy team. We shape the future of higher education, which changes the lives of students, graduate...
https://www.uukjobs.co.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=UUK00926
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Ian Moss
about 2 months ago
I believe in the year 2026 that schools could offer their term/inset dates as calendar files and not PDFs on the website.
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Craig Nicholson
2 months ago
Wellcome calls for simpler and faster association to next EU research and innovation programme
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
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Wellcome calls for simpler and faster association to FP10 - Research Professional News
EU R&I programme must continue to provide value for money to associated countries, funder emphasises
https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-europe-horizon-2020-2026-4-wellcome-calls-for-simpler-and-faster-association-to-fp10/
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Realised today that my 8yo might not have heard the classic āDoyouthinkhesaurusā joke yet. She loved it. 100% dad joke heaven š¦
2 months ago
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Mood
2 months ago
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āThe scientists at the Wellcome Genome Campus are aiming to make healthcare breakthroughs ā but first they must grapple with how to get to the officeā
www.ft.com/content/3bf2...
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Wellcomeās flagship genetic campus seeks missing transport link
Facility near Cambridge is undergoing ambitious expansion ā but faces logistical challenges
https://www.ft.com/content/3bf21e49-9389-4f36-88a4-57a7f008e9f5?syn-25a6b1a6=1
3 months ago
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Today in political history: 25 March is the five year anniversary of Charles Walkerās āpint of milk protestā āFor the next few days I am going to walk around London with a pint of milk on my person, because that pint will represent my protestā
3 months ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Tom Freeman
3 months ago
This is my life now
100jumps.org
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100 Jumps
Hold to charge, release to jump. Land on 100 platforms to win ā but one miss and it's over. How many attempts will it take you?
https://100jumps.org/
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Just realised that the 3 Lions ā30 years of hurtā is 30 years ago this year. They were singing about something as recent as 1996 is now.
3 months ago
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Excellent example of select committee scrutiny through an incisive follow-up letter on cuts to particle physics and astronomy at STFC. A great set of questions here after last weekās session.
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
3 months ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Science|Business
3 months ago
As EU
#research
funding shifts toward
#competitiveness
, support for global challenges is tightening. A report from Centre for European Policy Studies argues that the next Horizon Europe should formally integrate philanthropy to help fill the gap:
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Explained: why the next Horizon Europe needs philanthropy
Complaints about Horizon Europe not having enough money are as old as the programme itself, with industry the first port of call when discussion turns to complementary funding. But what aboutā¦
https://buff.ly/ls1QQ5D
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans
3 months ago
And on how often Astronomer Royals go into battle - it does happen, most recently in the late 90's during the "Observatory Wars". They decided to close one of the Royal Observatory's (Greenwich vs Edinburgh). Edinburgh won the case and became the very wonderful UK Astronomy Technology Centre.
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Some good UK science policy select committee sessions to look forward to next week, in both the Commons and the Lords: šæ Tuesday 3 Mar - Lords S&T Committee quizzing Liz Kendall, Patrick Vallance and Emran Mian (DSIT Perm Sec). I imagine they'll be trying to get a handle on those buckets (ahem).
3 months ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Robin Bisson
4 months ago
Kanishka Narayan said that STFC is ācurrently consulting with the scientific community about spending priorities within their settlement ahead of determining final allocationā And DSIT is in āactive dialogue with UKRI to ensure that any implications from funding decisions are fully understoodā ...
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Robin Bisson
4 months ago
Ian Chapman makes the case that he would not be doing his job properly if he didn't deal with the cost overruns at STFC, which are causing so much grief to physicists Physics groups are calling on ministers to intervene (presumably with more cash) And there is now a response from a minister ...
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There's a risk UK participation rates in Horizon Pillar II becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy - the more we create fresh uncertainty about future participation because of low success, the more we disrupt potential collaboration. So maybe... let's not do that?
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4 months ago
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Chi Onwurah notes a strong alignment between the UK's three 'buckets' for R&D investments and the three 'pillars' of Horizon Europe. On the balance between the buckets - Ian Chapman highlights the contirbution that other govt depts make to Bucket 2 if you were to look beyond UKRI
4 months ago
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Ian Chapman: no move away from applicant-led funding at UKRI. BBSRC funding pause is a temporary - 'a matter of a few weeks' before they move to an always-open system (as at e.g. EPSRC, AHRC). MRC pause will extend to early summer, and then will open again.
4 months ago
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[email protected]
asks Ian Chapman whether the National Science and Technology Council - a UK Cabinet Cttee - is still meeting & if he presents to it? Ian can't answer - but that's because the NSTC was quietly scrapped in November, and no-one has noticed yet
www.gov.uk/government/p...
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List of Cabinet Committees and their membership
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-cabinet-committees-system-and-list-of-cabinet-committees/list-of-cabinet-committees-and-their-membership
4 months ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Kirsty Grainger
4 months ago
Some initial reactions to the 'published on a Sunday afternoon' letter from the CEO of UKRI. š§µ
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
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reposted by
Martin Smith
CaSE: āUKRI need to explain how the cuts detailed in this letter are consistent with the commitment to protect curiosity-led research [ā¦] āThe information we have had so far is a failure in communication and transparencyā
www.sciencecampaign.org.uk/press/detail...
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Significant cuts could damage the foundations of UK research - CaSE
CaSEās response to a letter sent by Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Executive Chair Professor Michele Dougherty detailing major cuts to research funding.
https://www.sciencecampaign.org.uk/press/detail/significant-cuts-could-damage-the-foundations-of-uk-research/
4 months ago
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Quite timely that Sir Ian Chapman, UKRI CEO, will be in front of the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on Tuesday next week⦠š
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4 months ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Robin Bisson
4 months ago
Big development with some major consequences for British physics research STFC is asking asking leaders of projects it funds "to identify how their project would respond to flat cash and reductions of 20 per cent, 40 per cent and 60 per cent" Major UK science facilities are also facing cuts
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Pavel
5 months ago
If you're looking for a sign to switch careers: this is the sign.
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Who could fail to enjoy Wikipediaās āList of lists of listsā, which of course includes the article itself on the list, goven that it is a list of lists
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
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5 months ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO)
5 months ago
After a period of inactivity, we are reactivating this account as a primary channel for connecting with the research community. We'll be sharing new outputs, our latest guidance, and commentary on all things research integrity. Give us a follow and join the conversationš¬
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Interesting article. Splitting UKRI into three completely separate orgs would require primary legislation - but altering the structure of UKRI itself to reflect the 3 buckets (ie ditching the research council structure) can be done by secondary legislationā¦
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5 months ago
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Martin Smith
BHF Policy
5 months ago
š¢ Applications for our Policy Officer role are still open! If you're passionate about driving change in government, and ensuring people have access to the heart care they need, we want to hear from you ā¤ļø Click the link below for more information and to apply š
jobs.bhf.org.uk/vacancies/19...
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Policy Officer (Healthcare) in Hybrid - London office & home | British Heart Foundation
View details and apply for this Policy Officer (Healthcare) vacancy in Hybrid - London office & home . Are you passionate about driving change in government, promoting British Heart Foundation's (BHF...
https://jobs.bhf.org.uk/vacancies/19663/policy-officer-healthcare.html
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Margot Finn
5 months ago
'The UK is now between a rock and a hard place: how can it support the volume and focus of research needed to grow the knowledge-based economy of our UK industrial strategy, while also addressing the financial deficits that even the existing levels of research create?'
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A more focused research system does not by itself solve structural deficits
Anton Muscatelli and Miles Padgett think through the deeper issues in UK research ā from cost recovery and dual support to doctoral training and organisational structure ā that wonāt be solved by simp...
https://wonkhe.com/blogs/a-more-focused-research-system-does-not-by-itself-solve-structural-deficits/
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Possible restaurant names: Prawn Hundred and Eighty Double Fourtune Cookie Rice to the Challenge You Dim Sum, You Lose Some Panda to the Crowd The Hong Kong Oche Club
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/...
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Justin Hood close to 'dream' goal of opening Chinese restaurant after PDC World Championship run
Justin Hood has enjoyed a stunning run on his debut at the PDC World Championship and he is closing in on his dream of opening a Chinese restaurant as a result.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/articles/c0lx8k95nplo
5 months ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
John Morgan
6 months ago
UKRI's allocation of budget up to 2030 just out. More about 'buckets' than just allocations for individual research councils this time round. Spending on curiosity-driven research flat, while budget linked to govt priorities, innovation will rise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
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Flat cash for curiosity-driven research at UKRI up to 2030 - Research Professional News
But spending on government priorities and innovation will increase as share of agencyās budget
https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-research-councils-2025-12-flat-cash-for-curiosity-driven-research-at-ukri-up-to-2030/
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Robin Bisson
6 months ago
Easy to miss, but Research England will now require "minimum standards" on research culture as a condition of funding Collecting baseline data was mooted as part of REF, but dropped "to keep REF focused on its core purpose" Instead RE will "establish rigorous standardsā on culture in 2026
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Research Professional News
6 months ago
REF 2029 will still move the needle on research culture. Despite word ācultureā disappearing from the environment element, its essence remains, write Karen Stroobants, Yolana Pringle and Elizabeth Gadd.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
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REF 2029 will still move the needle on research culture - Research Professional News
Despite word ācultureā disappearing, its essence remains, write Karen Stroobants, Yolana Pringle and Elizabeth Gadd
https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-views-of-the-uk-2025-december-ref-2029-will-still-move-the-needle-on-research-culture/
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šMeasures of research environments are now going to play a bigger part in the REF. Improving research culture is the foundation of future excellence - everyone involved in research culture should be pleased with today's Announcement. Brace yourself for my SPRE acronym quip...
#culture
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6 months ago
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AI accidentally manages to add another layer to this poem. A profound message for our times.
6 months ago
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āBig change sometimes results from small steps. Incorporating a supportive research culture into the REF is one such step. Bullying and harassment are serious problems, and excellence in research and a supportive environment are not mutually exclusiveā
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
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Donāt downplay problems of bullying and harassment in academia
The United Kingdom, like all countries, must prioritize a supportive research culture as an essential ingredient in research excellence.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03908-6
6 months ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Hetan Shah
6 months ago
āWe know this funding works. Every Ā£l spent on public R&D generates Ā£8 in benefits for the country over the long termā says Secretary of State for Science and Technology
@lizforleicester.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/article/c9e4...
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Stronger growth will be led by science, technology and innovation
The UK has committed Ā£38.6 billion to research and innovation projects. This investment aims to propel the nationās economic growth
https://www.thetimes.com/article/c9e4fca8-516e-45b9-95ec-d1e0060b2639?shareToken=773dad83da050e18ba1c467c2ffba328
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Martin Smith
Wellcome Trust
7 months ago
UK health research is getting a Ā£27 million boost. Weāre partnering with
@acmedsci.bsky.social
to support biomedical and health researchers across the UK. From cross-sector collaboration to support for clinical academics, this funding will address some of UK health researchās biggest challenges.
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Accurate AI summary of the entirety of Twitter
7 months ago
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Ian Kikuchi
12 months ago
Is it 'online training course'?
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reposted by
Martin Smith
Stephen Curry
7 months ago
The latest
@rorinstitute.bsky.social
/STEaPP seminar 'Science advice in a populist age' has a stellar line up to discuss this critical topic. Book now for 01 Dec to avoid disappointment. Free, but places are limited.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/science-ad...
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Science advice in a populist age
How should science advice adapt to an age of populism? A UCL-STEaPP Seminar in partnership with RoRI and hosted by Wellcome
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/science-advice-in-a-populist-age-tickets-1961733530799?aff=oddtdtcreator
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