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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

@robinbisson.bsky.social caught up with science minister @chrismcdonaldmp.bsky.social in Liverpool. Article below.

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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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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

New evidence raises questions for UKRI on edited STFC minutes Funder insists amended minutes are “accurate summary”, despite differing with slide presented to council www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

researchprofessionalnews.com

New evidence raises questions for UKRI on edited STFC minutes - Research Professional News

Funder insists amended minutes are “accurate summary”, despite differing with slide presented to council

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

ResearchPlus chief says fewer, longer grants could ‘stifle’ system. Johnny Rich warns of over-concentrating funding “in a few places, and with a few individuals”. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

researchprofessionalnews.com

ResearchPlus chief says fewer, longer grants could ‘stifle’ system - Research Professional News

Johnny Rich warns of over-concentrating funding “in a few places, and with a few individuals”

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Research security: risks, benefits and ways forward. Institutions and researchers must navigate a security minefield—academic engagement and policy reforms are crucial, writes @harrietswain.bsky.social. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Research security: risks, benefits and ways forward - Research Professional News

Institutions and researchers must navigate a security minefield—academic engagement and policy reforms are crucial

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Public support for research falls sharply when it uses AI, study finds. Scepticism over artificial intelligence in taxpayer-funded research “demonstrates fragility” of support within UK. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Public support for research falls sharply when it uses AI, study finds - Research Professional News

Scepticism over artificial intelligence in taxpayer-funded research “demonstrates fragility” of support within UK

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Interesting side note on the REF and research security in Chatham House report. Full article, free to read, here: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

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

Turn to AI in research grant assessment ‘is inevitable’. UKRI becomes first mover to explore automation for processing applications, as other British funders hesitate. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

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Robin Bisson @robinbisson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

These are not a happy graphs for universities At the UUK conference, skills minister Jacqui Smith said the UK continues to be welcoming to international students, to groans in the room (HT @chrisjparr.bsky.social)

Home Office data released on 10 September show there were 99,500 applications in August, 17 per cent lower than in 2025 and 32 per cent lower than in 2023.

August is the eleventh month in a row in which visa applications have been lower than the same month in the previous year.

In the 12 months to August 2026, there were 360,700 applications, down from 493,200 applications in the 12 months to August 2023—a fall of 27 per cent.

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Chris McDonald: funding system ‘destroying’ value of research. New science minister wants fewer, longer-term grants and a “smoother and simpler system”, he tells Universities UK conference. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Chris McDonald: funding system ‘destroying’ value of research - Research Professional News

New science minister wants fewer, longer-term grants and a “smoother and simpler system”

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Chris McDonald: funding system ‘destroying’ value of research. New science minister wants fewer, longer-term grants and a “smoother and simpler system”. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Some groans in room at UUK 2026 when Jacqui Smith said the UK continues to be welcoming to international students. She responds by saying that universities need to “get out there and argue the case” for the UK as a destination, particularly compared to some other countries.

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Lots in speeches at UUK about STEM, but on arts and humanities Press asks the ministers “who is championing those”? Jacqui Smith says questions of “who we are…how we understand our history, which are crucial…depend on the research and the learning in the humanities, social sciences and arts”.

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Chris McDonald gets applause for questioning why there haven't been more engineers in government down the years. But "there shouldn't be any doubt about my commitment to scientific discovery" because of my background in industry, he says.

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Jacqui Smith and Chris McDonald now on stage at UUK26. "I want more young people to go to university and I want more people to take apprenticeships...it cannot be a case of 'either or'," says Smith.

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Malcolm Prese, UUK president, speaking at UUK annual conference. Jokes that Andy Burnham is not picking up the phone to him since becoming PM, unlike when he was Manchester mayor.

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Edward Peck (OfS chair): “We made mistakes in the University of Sussex case, and we regret this. We did not therefore appeal the judgment; instead, we promised to consider its findings with honesty and humility, so that they could inform our future approach to regulation.”

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Burnham commits to saving Jodrell Bank Observatory Demise of iconic astronomy facility “will not happen under my government” says prime minister www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Burnham commits to saving Jodrell Bank Observatory - Research Professional News

Demise of iconic astronomy facility “will not happen under my government” says prime minister

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Student visa numbers are down more than 40% in three years. All correct markets down (graph shows last year Vs this year). Free to read: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Student visa slump ‘raises serious questions’ on university funding. Number of student visas granted falls by more than 40 per cent in three years. China, India, Pakistan and Nigeria all down year-on-year. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Student visa slump ‘raises serious questions’ on university funding - Research Professional News

Number of student visas granted falls by more than 40 per cent in three years

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

University alliance ‘the right way’ to do defence research. University of Manchester vice-chancellor says Defence University Alliance is needed in tumultuous times. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

The (presumably brand new) advert on the pitch at the Toughsheet Stadium reads "University of Bolton", with the words "Greater Manchester" underneath. Following the departure of the VC, has there been a reversion?

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Engineering up, arts down as record numbers win university places. Results come as Home Office data shows downturn in international student visa applications accelerating. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Engineering up, arts down as record numbers win university places - Research Professional News

Results come as Home Office data shows downturn in international student visa applications accelerating

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

‘We’re on track’: REF director plots course for 2029. Helena Mills says REF 2029 is on course as guidance deadline looms. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

researchprofessionalnews.com

‘We’re on track’: REF director plots course for 2029 - Research Professional News

Helena Mills says REF 2029 is on course as guidance deadline looms

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

“This package of cuts hits areas of research where the UK has a hard-won international reputation and creates damaging uncertainty in UK science as well as regional job losses” - Paul Howarth, president of the Institute of Physics.

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Warning system piloted for peer reviewers using AI. Experts debate whether peer reviewers should be allowed to use generative AI as supportive tool. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-o...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Warning system piloted for peer reviewers using AI - Research Professional News

Experts debate whether peer reviewers should be allowed to use generative AI as supportive tool

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Chris McDonald is the frontrunner to become the next UK science minister after Patrick Vallance’s resignation earlier this week, Research Professional News understands. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Chris McDonald in frame to be UK science minister - Research Professional News

MP appointed to new business and science department has industrial research background

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John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Burnham's decision to abolish Dsit has taken some flak from science leaders. But big picture behind it is Burnham's vision on the economy - in particular on remedying the legacy of Thatcher-era deindustrialisation. This may mean controversial changes on balance and geography of research funding.

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

How the Teachers’ Pension Scheme crisis could hit research. One I've been working on for a while. A real clash point for staff, universities and the government. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

researchprofessionalnews.com

How the Teachers’ Pension Scheme crisis could hit research - Research Professional News

Employers say costs impede research investment—but could their solution hit the UK’s innovation capacity?

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Great journalism by @robinbisson.bsky.social. The shortfall in the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s budget compared with its forecast costs is more than four times the figure previously thought.

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

News emerging that Patrick Vallance has resigned as science minister. Last month we heard fears that a Vallance departure would hit science policy stability. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

researchprofessionalnews.com

‘Loss of Vallance as minister would hit science policy stability’ - Research Professional News

Birmingham vice-chancellor appeals for science minister to remain in post under an Andy Burnham government

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

‘Troubling’ PhD system ‘pushing perceptions of failure’. Higher Education Policy Institute report finds many doctoral students unhappy with careers advice beyond academia. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

researchprofessionalnews.com

‘Troubling’ PhD system ‘pushing perceptions of failure’ - Research Professional News

Higher Education Policy Institute report finds many doctoral students unhappy with careers advice beyond academia

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

BREAKING: UKRI pledges to cut grant processing time in half Funder’s new five-year strategy aims to boost national priority fields, while backing curiosity-driven research Free to read. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

researchprofessionalnews.com

UKRI pledges to cut grant processing time in half - Research Professional News

Funder’s new five-year strategy aims to boost national priority fields, while backing curiosity-driven research

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Breaking: Major science facilities to be scaled back, UKRI confirms Science and Technology Facilities Council will also reduce project spending, despite £135m of fresh money www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Major science facilities to be scaled back, UKRI confirms - Research Professional News

Science and Technology Facilities Council will also reduce project spending, despite £135m of fresh money

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Concentrating research in fewer UK universities splits vice-chancellors. Birmingham leader’s call to focus on 20-30 institutions amid surging applications contested by fellow VCs. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Breaking: Ministers confirm cut to Strategic Priorities Grant for universities. Teaching funding reduction will be sharply felt by some institutions, says Office for Students. Free to read. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Ministers confirm cut to Strategic Priorities Grant for universities - Research Professional News

Teaching funding reduction will be sharply felt by some institutions, says Office for Students

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Sneak peek at today's 8am Playbook email, heading to subscribers shortly. ⚽

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Time and again I think that THIS is the stat universities should shout, shout & shout again about. New education export data again show HE responsible for nearly three-quarters of a £37bn UK revenue source. Fund our universities! Source: explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statist...

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Food for thought on the charter announced today - the final observation in this morning's 8am Playbook (www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-he-govern...). It is of course welcome, but still a little way to go.

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John Morgan @johnmorgan3.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Andy Burnham set out ambitions to put universities "at the heart of local economies" and make the UK the world's leading "innovation nation", in a speech making those goals central to his vision for rolling out "Manchesterism" across the UK. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

researchprofessionalnews.com

Burnham: ‘UK can be world’s leading innovation nation’ - Research Professional News

PM-in-waiting wants universities “at heart of local economies” but pledges education shift beyond “university route”

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Burnham on reindustrialisation: Regions to set “clear & credible” ambitions, including “cross-UK partnership between places with complimentary industrial clusters, as Cambridge and Manchester have done on life sciences”. Says he will "back our scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs & creatives".

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Burnham on growth: “It can only be nurtured from the bottom up.…it comes from placing our universities at the heart of local economies as all the mayors do, & bringing the innovation led approach through start-ups & scale-ups.” More on Burnham & R&D: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

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