iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 15h

Weasal word of the day: "streamlined"

Reposted by Adam Golberg

Met Office - weather and climate @metoffice.gov.uk · 17h

Today is the 117th consecutive day somewhere in the UK has recorded a temperature of 20°C or higher. The 11th of June was the last time we didn't reach this threshold. Fresher air comes in on Wednesday allowing temperatures to fall, and likely to stay just below 20°C.

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Most things about adoption and fostering system are underfunded and/or broken. Children moving to live with member of extended family is often least worst solution. But kinship carers need the same support/training as foster carers and adoptive parents. Some stories in this article are hair raising.

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Your all-purpose miserablist Burnham-sceptic 'hot take' template is below. You can thank me later. "Well, Burnham's speech was all very well and good, but he didn't address/go into sufficient detail/go as far as I wanted/completely ignored [delete as appropriate] the issue of [insert topic here]"

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Good summary article on mis/use of AI in research grant assessment from Research Agenda, a new venture from the WonkHe team. Bonus points for "Reviewer 2.0" headline... www.researchagenda.news/articles/rev...

researchagenda.news

Reviewer 2.0

To misquote Douglas Hofstadter: the backlash against AI in the research system will be bigger than you’re expecting, even once you take into account that it…

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Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Update on the "AI-based triage" which is getting lots of (negative) attention

In recent days, there have also been several reports on social media of applicants seemingly being rejected after “AI-based triage”. The funding, while originating from UKRI, was devolved to the Crane network, which is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to strengthen the UK’s cybersecurity research ecosystem.

UKRI confirmed it did not carry out the AI triage process. A spokesperson said: “UKRI policy does not allow the use of generative AI to conduct application assessment. We are following up with the Crane network to review this situation in detail and ensure compliance with our assessment conditions.”

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Can see a potential role for AI in flagging potential weak/uncompetitive/out of scope proposals if evidence shows they're capable. Flagged proposals could then be looked at by some combination of programme managers and a panel member or two. Bar for rejection at this stage needs to be high (1)

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Professor Peter Matthews @urbaneprofessor.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Kinda feel sorry for UKRI (probably minority of one). They're an underfunded agency, that's ended up becoming a focal point of our broken dual-funding system for research; governments' appalling higher education policies; and new technologies.

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Michael Salmon @michaelsalmon0.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This morning's edition of the Research Agenda briefing is now up on our site. Read it here: www.researchagenda.news/briefings/20... Or better yet, sign up so it arrives in your inbox first thing!

researchagenda.news

Research Agenda – the briefing · Tuesday 22 September 2026

Sovereign states – plus Sapna Marwaha on research security and geopolitical fracture, the European Innovation Act, a chair for the Welsh HE review, and the debate over the future of open access

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I am once again asking everyone to join your trade union. In the event of problems at work, you simply cannot rely on management/HR to treat you fairly. Especially if it's not in the interests of people with more power in the org than you. They will great you as badly as they can get away with.

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The British Academy @britishacademy.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Applications are now open for the Elevate Programme, a professional development programme supporting early career researchers across the UK. Activities are delivered through a mix of online and in-person sessions. Applications open until 28 October. Find out more: bit.ly/4wOVF5V

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Solidarity, folks. Hopefully the picket/strike signs and banners will be Free to Read/Open Access.

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Networking: Doing enough online (and no more, if you don’t want to). You don’t need to be an all-channels research-fluencer, but you do need an up-to-date presence, says @cash4questions.bsky.social. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-funding-k...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Networking: Doing enough online (and no more, if you don’t want to) - Research Professional News

You don’t need to be an all-channels research-fluencer, but you do need an up-to-date presence

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

First of three articles that I've written about networks & networking has been published today @resprofnews.bsky.social (£, prob). I've been awful at networking for most of my life, & I've perhaps scaled the peaks of adequecy. I'm either very well placed to write this series, or very poorly placed.

researchprofessional.com

Research Professional Sign-in

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

‘Systemic change’ needed to close research cost gap. UKRI efforts welcomed but experts flag culture of “Waitrose projects for Lidl prices”. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

researchprofessionalnews.com

‘Systemic change’ needed to close research cost gap - Research Professional News

UKRI efforts welcomed but experts flag culture of “Waitrose projects for Lidl prices”

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Mark Haselgrove @markhaselgrove.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

In a sufficiently large academic institution, there will be enough people who are dicks in slightly different ways, so that ultimately everyone else does nothing else with their time except attend training courses.

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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

We met with the new Science Minister Chris McDonald yesterday. He indicated his strong support across all R&D disciplines which was great to hear. He is keen to get to know the social science, humanities and arts, and has offered to meet with our community which we'll take forward

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Daniel C. Blight @danielcblight.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

***URGENT PLEASE SHARE*** University of Brighton management have announced today that they ‘give notice of termination of all collective agreements’. This is a fundamental erasure of workers' rights. Management have announced the termination of all contractual documents, which includes:

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Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The hospitality industry are back lobbying for a VAT cut They don't mention the cost: £12bn They don't mention who gets the £: ❌ The smallest most vulnerable businesses? Get nothing ❌ Consumers? Prices won't fall ✅ McDonald's gets £400m. Big chains are big winners 🧵:

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Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

New blog. Written before today's changes from UKRI. Full of lots of ideas (including an alternative to Distributed Peer Review). Publishing in a not quite finished form because I've sat on it too long - .I think it contains interesting thoughts anotherwayoflookingatit.substack.com/p/the-right-...

anotherwayoflookingatit.substack.com

The Right To Apply

Many thoughts on rising application numbers and peer review

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Lots to like abt this. Absolutely right on importance of (fostering) belonging. I'm fortunate I have my "tribe" internally (humane management, great team) & externally (you lot). But my morale is low b/c redundancy progs & constant change. And b/c of massive pay erosion, which never gets mentioned.

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Chris Hewson @chrishewson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This quote from the new Science Minister in today's RP 8am playbook was - to put it mildly - slightly concerning

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I've said this before, but voting in #UCU elections would be much easier if candidates could just please designate themselves as 'Sensible Party' or 'Silly Pary'. In the interests of plurality of opinion I'd be also willing to accept 'Slightly Silly' and in the interests of accuracy: 'Very Silly'.

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Matt Green @mattgreencomedy.com · 05/09/2026

Legitimate concerns

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Life tip: get yourself a dry bag or two. Intended to float and keep stuff dry in the event of a boat capsize, ideal for damp swin/ gym kit or a wash bag. Or holidays in general. No leaks, no seeping damp spreading through the rest of bag or car. Rolldown clip fastening keeps it secure.

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

This is absolutely damning. It's not entrapment, it's not technical breaches, it's blatant contempt for the law. Less taking back control, and more selling out to foreign donors. This ought to be the end of them. It won't, of course.

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Price of everything, value of nothing etc and so on. Problem is, financial pressures on the sector are such that even well-run institutions with enlightened leadership that understands the value of research (intrinsic & instrumental) are finding it hard to make that case and protect research time.

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

When someone knows the meaning of the word, but not the correct pronounication, it means that they've come across the word through reading, not through conversation. Which is a reasonable indicator that the educational capital exceeds their cultural capital. In other words....

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

British Academy Small Grants scheme is open. it has been using partial randomisation for a while. Researchers whose proposals meet the quality threshold for £££ but miss out in the draw are told this. Increasingly, I'm seeing these good-quality-bad-luck outcomes shared on LinkedIn. (1)

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Adam Rutherford @adamrutherford.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I've been revisiting my 2021 book How to Argue With a Racist, in light of the Cofnas situation - i didn't name him or the scientifically illiterati with who he breaks bread. But I thought these sections from the end might be of interest.

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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Do any of you know someone who would be a great new Director of Finance & Resources for @britishacademy.bsky.social? It's a fantastic role reporting directly to me and a part of the top team that helps steward the whole organisation. Please pass through your networks allenlane.co.uk/job/director...

allenlane.co.uk

Director of Finance & Resources

Allen Lane is helping The British Academy recruit for a new Director of Finance & Resources. Discover more and apply today.

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I've always found notions of academic freedom slightly fuzzy and unclear. Firstly, how is 'academic' freedom different from other kinds of freedom? How is theirs difference from (say) my 'academic-related' freedom? It must be something related to role and status as a researcher.

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

But wouldn't UAPs/UFOs fall into the EPSRC remit? #truthisoutthere

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Leverhulme Trust @leverhulme.ac.uk · 18/08/2026

Thank you for your patience as we move to a new grant management system. As part of this move, we have had to adjust a few opening dates slightly. Updates on the new system as well as upcoming scheme opening dates and current deadlines 👉️ www.leverhulme.ac.uk/leverhulme-g...

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I am (simultaneously) trying to extract a fee (and significant expenses) from one university for work I've done for them, and at the same time trying to persuade the adminisphere at my own university to pay fees to external speakers for work they've done at my behest. Why, why, why is this so hard?

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Anyone have any experience of/advice about self-publishing? I'm thinking about turning my various writings on research funding/policy and especially grant writing/capture advice into a single volume. Almost certainly an ebook.

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Prof. Pam Birtill @diervilla.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Much here that generalises to models of university professional services. People are not interchangeable, things work because of the relationships and mutual understanding built up whatever operating model you have. Changing that always brings cost.

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

This is really good. Slightly faster funding decisions wld be welcome, but not the most pressing issue. Universities often have "limited flexibility to mobilise new projects quickly" anyway. Like takeaway or restaurant food, there's such a thing as funding decisions being made *too* quickly.

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

"The message I’d received from society and the media was always the same: stammering was a defect to be cured, pitied, or overcome. I didn’t yet know that it was neurological – a speech difference rooted in brain function, impervious to willpower."

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Sarah Otner @sarahotner.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Re-posting in hope many of you are back from your holidays and ready to book your Autumn Term diaries. Please suggest terrific trainers. [@kirstygrainger.bsky.social or @annamgrey.bsky.social, do you know someone?]

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Prof Rachel Oliver @profrachelgan.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

From within the Cambridge ecosystem, I can state definitively that I have never seen any Cambridge professor receive anything like the amount of scrutiny that has fallen on Jason Arday. That is true even of a very small number of people whose behaviour I believe truly merits serious scrutiny.

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Nikita Bridgeman @nbridgeman.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Do you teach at a UK university? We're exploring academics' experiences of peer observation. Take a short survey and/or join a focus group. Your input will help develop guidance for more meaningful peer observations across the sector. eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...

eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com

Microsoft Forms

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

"Mos Eisteddfod Spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious."

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Duncan Exley @duncanexley.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Our incoming Prime Minister has a greater knowledge of English literature than his predecessor: Would Starmer have been able to name any of the key locations in Macbeth? Burnham would.

A screenshot of a !story on the Cambridge University website” Andy Burnham and his Cambridge English degree”

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Adam Golberg @cash4questions.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

At the risk of making myself unpopular, I'm not sure this kind of reaction is fair or appropriate. The news is the UoN is one of 35 UK universities selected to join 'Defence Universities Alliance'. This is because of research excellence at UoN, which is the work of actual (or potential) UCU members.

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