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Reposted by Chris Parr

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Government’s quantum facility bid fast-tracked at UKRI amid cutbacks. 🚨Exclusive🚨 ‘Wildcard’ proposal to Infrastructure Fund approved as projects including Cern experiment upgrade lost backing www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

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Government’s quantum facility bid fast-tracked at UKRI amid cutbacks - Research Professional News

Exclusive: ‘Wildcard’ proposal to Infrastructure Fund approved as projects including Cern experiment upgrade lost backing

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Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Research England leader trails ‘next era’ for university investment. Jessica Corner also says REF 2029 guidelines to be published in November include “tweaks” on localism. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

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Research England leader trails ‘next era’ for university investment - Research Professional News

Jessica Corner also says REF guidelines to be published in November include “tweaks” on localism

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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Confirmed today that the full REF 2029 Panel criteria and working methods will be released in "mid-November". REF director promised this in an interview with me a couple of months ago (free to read). 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 · 29/09/2026

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

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Reposted by Chris Parr

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...

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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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Reposted by Chris Parr

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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Reposted by Chris Parr

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

Some coverage of the remark here...along with this less than encouraging graph. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

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Reposted by Chris Parr

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...

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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

Earlier post (now deleted incorrectly) said there was £4bn from Research England focussed on shared facilities. Typo - should have been £4m.

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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

Chris McDonald says he will unashamddly make the case for science in his role, adding that he is the only fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering to be science minister, and says people from STEM sectors need to more often “consider putting themselves forward for public service".

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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

MCDonald talking about a funding “model for success”, with “fewer, longer [funding] awards”. UKRI to increase distributed peer review he says, adding he wants to bring back “face to face discussions” for the “largest, higher risk awards”. System should discourage “mass, low effort” submissions.

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

McDonald says he will build “directly on the work of my predecessor” Patrick Vallance and emphasises that “I strongly support” the post-16 white paper aims.

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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

Smith says in recent years it has been “hard for universities to take a long term strategic view”. She says increasing fee caps in line with inflation has provided more “financial certainty”.

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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

"The model where teaching and research are cross-subsidised by international student fee income is no longer sustainable. Major volatility in international recruitment is something that many of us are currently experiencing," Press said. More here: 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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Chris Parr @chrisjparr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

"UUK has designed a programme called Future Universities...to listen, to deliver change & to show that universities are responding to the expectations of the people we serve...its first major piece of work [is] Future Jobs." More in today's Playbook: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-he-govern...

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Uni party - Research Professional News

As UUK gathers for its annual meeting, is it on the job?

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

"Financial pressure can affect quality. Perceived declines in quality undermine public confidence. Reduced public confidence can weaken political support. And reduced political support makes financial sustainability harder," Press says.

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

"We also need to recognise shifts in the pattern of domestic student recruitment. Since the removal of student number controls there have been winners and losers," he adds. More here: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

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

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

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

"My view is that there is merit in revisiting the international student levy. It could weaken one of the UK's most successful exports, reduce international competitiveness, undermine regional growth, damage a significant source of inward investment, and negatively impact on soft power," Press says.

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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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Reposted by Chris Parr

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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Reposted by Chris Parr

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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Reposted by Chris Parr

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

When I looked into it a bit, it seemed like pretty much any factually accurate name change proposal would be approved, regardless of other institutions' concerns. Lancaster were worried about the Uclan change, Manchester livid about the Bolton one. But it seems they were never in doubt of approval.

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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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Reposted by Chris Parr

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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Reposted by Chris Parr

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...

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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...

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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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