iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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

Apparently it was my 100th run at my home course today! A massive shout out to run director Emma and all #parkrun volunteers. Thanks for getting me to this milestone 😀 And to the random accountability group formed on Twitter many years ago which got me to couch to 5km challenge and on to parkrun

1190

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

Parkrun update: home course. Gorgeous day. Uneventful and lovely, a gentle jog in a community of strangers (and my dad). #ThankYouMarshals

0150

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Still not dropped child off at university for his first year..... Potentially the last drop off on the whole of the UK? Happening tomorrow. Not delayed in anyway. Anyone dropping a child off later than tomorrow? We've spent hours together this morning watching the Grand Prix. Bonus time together 🥰

060

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Parkrun update: home course. Breaking in my new trainers. They are exactly the same as my old pair! Congratulations to the couple parkrunning who are off to get married at 3pm this afternoon. What a start to a wedding day. Parkrun community ❤️ #ThankyouMarshals

Yellow and orange craft running trainers. Paired with orange socks.

1181

Reposted by Kirsty Grainger

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Universities cannot expect researchers to take risks if they are repeatedly at risk of redundancy while losing professional services support, grappling with the gratuitous vagaries of home and international student number swings and both teaching and assessing in an age of unregulated AI.

520877

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

What's your minor brush with any of the current bunch of traitors? Mine? We went to watch the rehearsal of the Christmas Lectures and my son (now much older) solved Hannah Fry's Rubik's Cube for her (in less than ten seconds). #CelebrityTraitors

Hannah Fry being given a solved Rubik's Cube by a child in a blue coat (in the doorway behind them is a man, we don't know who that is)

080

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Grant holders frequently break terms and conditions of funding. Sometimes by accident, sometimes through ignorance and sometimes through malice. UKRI then respond accordingly. You don't normally get to hear about it, and there doesn't tend to be a backlash on UKRI. (read next post too)

120

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Weird to be back here as a visitor.

Exterior of a building with the words Polaris House (home of UKRI) in the sign about double glass doors.

270

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This was entirely predictable yet swept under the carpet seven months ago bsky.app/profile/kirs...

064

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The more I think about this the sadder I am. A benefit of announcement day was the publicity which always always led to new potential collaborators contacting fellows - strengthening the outcomes of the research. I think @ukri.org should promote new research programmes for this reason, esp ECR.

2101

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

"snowballing grant application numbers" Yet UKRI's published grant application figures show a drop in numbers which I cannot explain; more off system, closed invitation, demand management not accounted for? 24/25 - 24,775 25/26 - 21,637 Make it make sense. www.ukri.org/what-we-do/w...

ukri.org

UKRI investment and outputs publication

Explore the latest figures on UKRI funding and research outputs providing an 11-year overview of each financial year from April 2015 to March 2026, reviewing and updating all previously published figu...

441

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Sad to hear @ukri.org are not doing a collective announcement for Future Leaders Fellowships round 10 It's such a big achievement and the sense of joy and collective celebration on announcement day used to be incredible (in the good old days of Twitter) my CONGRATULATIONS to all round 10 fellows!

030

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Did something tonight that I've not done in decades. I rewatched the film that I watched last night because I wanted/needed to watch it again. The Life of Chuck Just wonderful. Based on a novella by @stephenking.bsky.social and featuring the marvellous @markhamillofficial.bsky.social Sublime.

000

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Parkrun update: home course. First time I've ever heard the hazard warning "wasps nests on the course" 🐝 volunteers had done a great job of signposting and keeping people clear! Doggo came to meet me at the end. I don't run with him because he's a complete lummox. #ThanksMarshalls

Spaniel (black and white) sat in autumn leaves looking up at the camera. He looks calm. He is not.

2100

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reducing peer review to the production of a score completely misses the point of what makes the process valuable. It is an integral part of the research process. It supports both the development of the research and of the reviewer. It is the wrong framing for addressing high application numbers.

0131

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Hilarious. My son was just offered an interview on radio 4 (Rubik's Cube related). He turned in down because he had band practice. Love this.

0151

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I'm prioritising asking 'stupid' questions (work & non-work). Saying "I don't understand." 9/10 times I'm not the only person in a meeting who doesn't. The 'stupid' question (not actually stupid) has never been met with contempt but has shown how often people feel they need to pretend to understand.

190

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Because the BBC featured a video on the fourth fastest solver of all time (fastest female) my son's two cubing videos on the BBC website have been on the most watched all day. And friends have been sending me links all day 😍 www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...

bbc.co.uk

Six-year-old girl from China breaks Rubik's Cube world record

Lian Yunzhi broke the women's world record twice in three days at World Cube Association competitions.

070

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I also grew this gnarly thing. Pumpkin musquee de maroc. Sadly only one from five plants! Looks like the glass corn has been colonated by shield bugs and may not be successful either. Gardening highs and lows.

Large granary skinned green Pumpkin musquee de maroc. It looks like a narrow pumpkin has pustules under its skin.

160

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Mangelwurzel have been fun to grow. Leaves fried up in butter have a sharp bitterness, the tuber has white flesh and is nice mashed or roasted (like swede) or added to a curry!

Mangelwurzel on the floor next to a 2p for scale. Large red tuber with green leafy top.

160

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

That anyone should be sacked via Teams in a UK University is utterly shocking. What is our sector if it is not the brilliant people that work in it. If you don't understand that, and don't treat people with a basic level of respect then you should not be in the sector.

23014

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I've diligently been adding the "teenagers refuse to eat them now they are too brown" bananas to the freezer to prevent food waste. I thought I'd be making enough banana flapjacks to make use of them. Optimism bias coming home to roost as we clear out the freezer 😂

230

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Parkrun update: a bit of volunteering at junior parkrun this morning; marshal number 5. Damp enough for the tambourine to be in the waterproof map bag!

Tambourine in a waterproof see through map bag lying on the grass next to a parkrun lanyard and map showing where marshal number 5 stands.

020

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Parkrun update: home course. Distracted by the conkers. As someone who's automatic reaction is to pocket them, running by is difficult. So I had to go back and get one after I finished. #ThankYouMarshalls

Conkers and broken open husk on the ground

0191

Reposted by Kirsty Grainger

EDI Caucus @edicaucus.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Well worth the long read. Touches on Demand Management, raises alternative ideas like Contributed Peer Review (each applying institute must put forward x number reviewers). But it's like a balloon. Squeeze in one place and workload shifts elsewhere in the system. 'Invest in your Research Offices.'

132

Reposted by Kirsty Grainger

Cathy Abbott @cathyabbott.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Really thoughtful and helpful reflections on the issues the sector is facing with peer review and demand management. And not the first time I have wished that @kirstygrainger.bsky.social was in charge of UKRI... ☺️

152

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

3124

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

Today, this is the technical term, has been a "shit-storm of systemic sexist bullshit" 3 separate incidents of bullshit from 3 different places Blokes - how often do you spend your time and energy fighting systemic sexism? Black/Brown/Disabled/LGBTQ+ ... colleagues - all my respect and solidarity

2111

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

At @universities-uk.bsky.social conference a speaker (not affiliated with UUK) just suggested that the best way to do business is in the pub on a Friday. I cannot believe I am having to say this in 2026 but THINK ABOUT WHO THAT EXCLUDES. Stop recreating old boys networks that reinforce privilege.

0142

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

Here is the details from UKRI (I've not yet read) www.ukri.org/news/ukri-mo...

056

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

Chris McDonald at UUK conference just announced UKRI will - increase grant decisions by internal UKRI expert teams (less to peer review) - fewer, larger awards - increase distributed peer review - more face to face decision making for high priority risky grants (to reduce AI peer review)

Chris McDonald talking to a lecture theatre

174

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

BBC News continues to use VoxPops to spread misinformation. "there are genuine people who are at peril at sea and the RNLI are probably not going to get to them". No challenge. No clarification when the clip returns to the news reader. [1.2% of callouts are to those in distress in the Channel]

people.in

59331

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Youngest, state school 6th form, starts A-Levels in both music & drama this week. Drama running for the first time in years with 5 pupils. I cannot tell you how much additional work (time and money) the music & drama teachers themselves put into supporting the pupils. A very uneven playing field.

040

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Parkrun update: bluesky and sunshine. Steady run round my home course. Lots of walkers today, which I love. Parkrun being fabulously inclusive and welcoming to all abilities and experiences. Thank you volunteers. Thank you tailwalkers. #ThankyouMarshall

0100

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

OMG. I've been playing the same starter word on wordle forever. Today it finally paid off!!!! Wordle 1,899 1/6 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

6301

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This report is well worth reading, but will come as no surprise to anyone in the sector. What continues to surprise me is why funders never moved to 100% as was originally intended when the initial move to confirm 80% fEC was made. When was this commitment lost? And why? I don't know. Do you? 1/2

230

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Well this is sad news. Alongside her music the Imagination Library was inspirational. (I'm bracing to hate the first Paddington pearly gates drawing). www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...

bbc.co.uk

Dolly Parton, legendary US country singer, dies aged 80

In a statement confirming her death, the singer's team says she will be remembered as an "inspiration" and for her "wit, warmth, and kindness".

050

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I just temporarily de-escalated an actual fight on the top floor of the night bus by the active standby training kicking in and asking a neutral question. I confused everyone (including myself) into temporarily stopping with the question "does anyone knows the lyrics to Sunshine on Leith?".

191

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Petition for news outlets to not only use sneer quotes for 'race realist' but to also have to explain that the term is just meaningless wordplay designed to hide 'real racism' under a pretend scientific cloak.

030

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The kid did good. Very happy for him.

3162

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Shout out to fellow parents currently also sat near phones, and in cars outside schools awaiting awaiting GCSE results in a couple of minutes!

230

Reposted by Kirsty Grainger

sophiacollins.bsky.social @sophiacollins.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Excellent post from @kirstygrainger.bsky.social on the issues with UKRI’s faster grant decision-making. A point she touches on, but doesn’t explore, is how it also privileges large institutions, and works against community-led research wonkhe.com/blogs/cost-a...

wonkhe.com

Cost and speed are not measures of quality grant making

Kirsty Grainger asks whether UKRI's commitment to faster grant making will improve the quality, fairness and effectiveness of research funding

261

Reposted by Kirsty Grainger

Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I hope those getting their BTecs, A and T Levels today have the results they want. And for those who don't, remember your college can support you and explain other options. Young Minds have some good advice for students, families and carers www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person...

youngminds.org.uk

Tips to Help You Prepare for Results Day | Blog

Rachel, 24, looks back on GCSE and A-level exams and results days, the impact on her mental health, and shares her tips to help you feel more prepared.

133

Reposted by Kirsty Grainger

Jo VanEvery @jovanevery.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

sending strength and cold lemonade to everyone working clearing in the UK on a brutally hot day.

2211

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Proud Parenting today. Very happy ALevel results - I need to warn former colleagues at @ox.ac.uk that they'll be a Grainger with you next term @oxfordphysics.bsky.social LMH 👏🥰🎉

0140

Reposted by Kirsty Grainger

Hazel Phillips @corylus.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Brilliant as ever from @kirstygrainger.bsky.social

121

Reposted by Kirsty Grainger

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.

293

Reposted by Kirsty Grainger

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

'I understand why the cost and speed of grant making are important but neither are a proxy for quality, and lessons from the 2007 RCUK Shared Service Centre experiment seem long forgotten.' Important read with great grasp of the longer history and thus the wider context. 1/4

wonkhe.com

Cost and speed are not measures of quality grant making

Kirsty Grainger asks whether UKRI's commitment to faster grant making will improve the quality, fairness and effectiveness of research funding

2128

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

One of the stark differences between working the public sector (like UKRI) and working in the University sector is around the freedom to be able to say stuff publicly. So here's me saying stuff. Thanks to @wonkhe.bsky.social for the platform. wonkhe.com/blogs/cost-a...

wonkhe.com

Cost and speed are not measures of quality grant making

Kirsty Grainger asks whether UKRI's commitment to faster grant making will improve the quality, fairness and effectiveness of research funding

3208

Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I wrote a piece for WonkHE, it's going to be published tomorrow and now I'm sat here nervous and wondering what this level of unexpected and unintentional self inflected stress is about. This isn't me pre-emptive compliment fishing, this is me asking "is this a normal"?!

570