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Geraint Rees

@profgeraintrees.bsky.social
442 followers 372 following 180 posts

I’m a neuroscientist, lapsed neurologist, university leader and runner. Not necessarily in that order.

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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Twenty-seventh book of 2026 finished on a wet Bank Holiday Saturday!
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Twenty-sixth book of 2026 finished - gloriously depressing novella of alienation and emptiness…though I did learn what a Hartwig chessboard is…
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Twenty-fifth book of 2026 finished - a great ending to a fabulously readable trilogy
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
A controversial Alzheimer’s surgery is said to reverse symptoms — here’s what scientists know www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
A controversial Alzheimer’s surgery is said to reverse symptoms — here’s what scientists know
Jaw-dropping patient videos and miraculous testimonials ignited a frenzy in China over a technique that aims to improve drainage from the brain. Now it is entering trials worldwide.
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
A controversial Alzheimer’s surgery is said to reverse symptoms — here’s what scientists know www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
A controversial Alzheimer’s surgery is said to reverse symptoms — here’s what scientists know
Jaw-dropping patient videos and miraculous testimonials ignited a frenzy in China over a technique that aims to improve drainage from the brain. Now it is entering trials worldwide.
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Really interesting…
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Twenty-fourth book of 2026 finished - great (French) revenge story with ingenious plot, second in the trilogy. On to the third!
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Twenty-third book of 2026 finished (can you tell I’m on vacation?) - wow, what a plot twist. And lyrical on the beauty of oceans and sea creatures. A great read.
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Twenty-second book of 2026 finished - an exceptionally readable translation, and just perfect if you’re on vacation in Corfu!
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Twenty-first book of 2026 finished - a fascinating read on many different levels
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Twentieth book of 2026 finished - extremely readable, perfect first book for the family vacation!
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Research on Research Institute (RoRI) @rorinstitute.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Churn, not crisis, for UK science | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... Editorial just out by @profgeraintrees.bsky.social & RoRI’s @jameswilsdon.bsky.social
science.org
Churn, not crisis, for UK science
When Andy Burnham became the United Kingdom’s prime minister last week, among his first acts was to abolish the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), folding it into a new supermin...
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James Wilsdon @jameswilsdon.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Churn, not crisis, for UK science @profgeraintrees.bsky.social & I have written the editorial in this week’s @science.org, reflecting on early moves by the Burnham government + scope for US-UK cooperation on scale-up finance & AI for science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... @rorinstitute.bsky.social
An extract from our editorial in this week’s Science on reforms to UK science & scope for US-UK cooperation
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Excellent piece
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James Wilsdon @jameswilsdon.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
DSIT is dead, but UK science will be fine. Keep your eyes on the AI prize. A few thoughts by me @theconversation.com on the reorganisation of Whitehall science theconversation.com/what-the-sud... @ersatzben.com @hetanshah.bsky.social @rorinstitute.bsky.social @profgeraintrees.bsky.social
theconversation.com
What the sudden demise of the UK’s department of science means for the future of research
If we want to be reminded what real damage to a science system looks like, we only need to glance across the Atlantic.
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Really interesting on how far we can engineer serendipity for science - eg in how buildings are designed. ‘“Just placing people from different disciplines together is often insufficient,” Krauss said. Researchers needed a common problem, not just a common space.’ observer.co.uk/news/science...
observer.co.uk
The science of serendipity | The Observer
Chance encounters have been behind some of science’s greatest discoveries, from penicillin to gene-editing tools. Could we create more?
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Nineteenth book of 2026 finished - very interesting analysis of military history and applicability of some of the lessons learnt to leadership more generally.
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Research on Research Institute (RoRI) @rorinstitute.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
RoRI’s @jameswilsdon.bsky.social and @profgeraintrees.bsky.social warn that autonomous AI agents pose an existential threat to research funding by driving grant application costs to zero. They argue assessment must urgently shift away from AI-optimized text to what technology cannot simulate.
youtube.com
LERU Talks - AI and research grants: is the system doomed to collapse?
YouTube video by The League of European Research Universities (LERU)
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Delighted to have signed this double degree programme between @ucl.ac.uk and @tohoku_univ marking another step forwards for our strategic partnership www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/news/univ...
tohoku.ac.jp
Trust and Friendship Underpin Landmark Tohoku University-UCL Double Degree Programme
The double degree agreement in disaster science is the first between Tohoku University and a British institution.
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Eighteenth book of 2026 finished (can you tell I just came off a very long flight HND-LHR!) - this is a deeply human and moving read, full of important ideas. Highly recommended.
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Seventeenth book of 2026 finished - great graphic novel retelling of the classic
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Sixteenth book of 2026 finished - a terrific story of the rise of the machines…
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UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
India is poised to lead the next wave of healthcare AI innovation, writes @profgeraintrees.bsky.social in ET Edge Insights. Alongside complementary UK–India collaboration, this creates a unique opportunity to shape inclusive AI for global health #UCLandIndia etedge-insights.com/industry/hea...
etedge-insights.com
Why the next wave of healthcare AI breakthroughs may come from India - ET Edge Insights
India’s healthcare challenges, talent, and scale are driving the next wave of AI innovation in global healthcare.
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Fifteenth book of 2025 finished. Just wonderful.
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Fourteenth book of 2026 finished. A cracking read and highly relevant to the state of the world today…
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UCL Global Engagement @ucl-global.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
@ucl.ac.uk met with the University of Cape Town to discuss strengthening and scaling our strategic partnership, with leadership discussions identifying new opportunities for collaboration #UCLandAfrica #UCLHealth @uct-fhs-research.bsky.social @profgeraintrees.bsky.social @iiabubakar.bsky.social
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James Wilsdon @jameswilsdon.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
‘AI-assisted grants: prioritize fairness with excellence.’ Thoughtful editorial in @nature.com sparked by the article @profgeraintrees.bsky.social & I wrote last week, plus ongoing debates at ERC about how to cope with volume/demand spikes www.nature.com/articles/d41... @rorinstitute.bsky.social
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UCL Global Engagement @ucl-global.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
In Johannesburg, Prof @profgeraintrees.bsky.social met Prof Brando Okolo, Head of Science, Technology and Innovation at AUDA‑NEPAD. Discussions focused on the African Union’s STISA 2034, including priorities in entrepreneurship, emerging technologies and capacity strengthening. #UCLandAfrica
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Thirteenth book of 2026 finished. Absolutely fascinating. And a bit depressing.
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James Wilsdon @jameswilsdon.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Could agentic AI topple grant-funding systems? New article in @nature.com by @profgeraintrees.bsky.social & me, with data from 12 funders showing a 57% increase in grant applications since 2022 (& the launch of LLMs) rdcu.be/ffApn @rorinstitute.bsky.social @magdalenaskipper.bsky.social
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Research on Research Institute (RoRI) @rorinstitute.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Is research funding facing an "agentic" collapse? In @nature.com today, RoRI’s @jameswilsdon.bsky.social & @profgeraintrees.bsky.social warn that AI agents are overwhelming a system built for a pre-AI world. We need AI-native funding, not unenforceable bans. Read the piece: tinyurl.com/mtxpcf7k
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John Williams @johnhuww.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
“Critics, meanwhile, have said Palantir’s tools are less capable than some existing systems and argue that British companies have for decades brought data together to improve patient care.” An objective independent review of the evidence is needed! giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
The tensions behind Palantir’s efforts to transform English healthcare
Senior NHS staff divided on practical benefits of US company’s ‘not terrible, not revolutionary’ software
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Delighted to share this piece where I highlight the crucial role of research-intensive universities like UCL in cultivating a culture of entrepreneurship in the UK... Universities are still where British entrepreneurship is born www.lbc.co.uk/article/univ...
lbc.co.uk
Universities are still where British entrepreneurship is born | LBC
Any campaign for enterprise needs to recognise that universities are more than spinout factories, writes Professor Geraint Rees
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Twelfth book of 2026 finished - what a read! The reviews aren’t wrong - it’s a masterpiece
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Eleventh book of 2026 finished. A beautiful, lyrical read and a great counterpoint to my recent diet of techno-utopian and science fiction books. There’s more to life than AI…
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Tenth book of 2026 finished - a really great read, and I was lucky enough to be there for some of it! Very thought provoking.
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Ninth book of 2026 finished - didn’t enjoy this as much as I had hoped…
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Eighth book of 2026 finished - a little disappointed given the rave reviews. Strong on diagnosis, weak on policy prescription…
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Seventh book of 2026 finished - slowly progressing the series!
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A Reader of the FT @a-reader-ft.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Silence is not golden when it comes to science and AI-The stakes are considerable. Science has been humanity’s most reliable engine of long-term prosperity, but its productivity depends on… www.ft.com/content/0c63... @profgeraintrees.bsky.social @financialtimes.com
ft.com
Silence is not golden when it comes to science and AI
The scope of scientific inquiry is contracting as research focuses on data-rich problems
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Sixth book of 2026 finished - gritty crime noir set in the city I’m just departing…
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Fifth book of 2026 finished. A little bit long….
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Cathy Abbott @cathyabbott.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Oh joy- mandatory in person interviews for applicants who get through all the (massive) initial hurdles. That's not going to have any EDI implications, is it, though I am sure it will help with demand management 😱 www.ukri.org/news/mrc-cur...
ukri.org
MRC curiosity-driven research reopens with new approach
The Medical Research Council (MRC) unpauses curiosity driven research funding and improves the funding process.
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Uta Staiger @ukstaiger.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Excellent by @profgeraintrees.bsky.social.
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UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
How can universities prepare students for a rapidly changing world? In an interview with India's BW Education, UCL's @profgeraintrees.bsky.social reflects on research led teaching, interdisciplinarity, and how AI-ready curricula will shape the future of education www.bweducation.com/article/univ...
bweducation.com
Universities Must Put Research At The Heart Of Learning - BW Education
As universities worldwide navigate rapid technological change and rising expectations around employability and societal impact, Professor Geraint Rees, Vice Provost (Research, Innovation & Global ...
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Third book of 2026 finished - a really interesting read about how knowledge diffuses over time and space
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Geraint Rees @profgeraintrees.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Third book of 2026 finished - a really interesting read about how knowledge diffuses over time and space
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John Williams @johnhuww.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
hard policy choices will only get harder “Like many other countries, the UK confronts insoluble long-term challenges: it has inescapable obligations that impose painful trade-offs” Neither the public nor the politician are prepared to make tough choices! giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Student loans show that hard policy choices will only get harder
The debate over university funding is a good example of the intractable challenges facing the UK government
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UCL Global Engagement @ucl-global.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Brussels last night: alongside @profgeraintrees.bsky.social, the @ucl.ac.uk delegation reconnected with alumni and took steps towards re-establishing a more formal UCL alumni group in the city. With #UCL200 approaching, it felt like an early celebration of our global community. #UCLEurope
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UCL Global Engagement @ucl-global.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
@profgeraintrees.bsky.social met partners at @univparissaclay.bsky.social, with a Letter of Intent signed to deepen doctoral collaboration. Discussions included a PhD co-supervision pathway building on work with @gustaveroussy.fr. #UCLEurope #WorldCancerDay ⬇️
ucl.ac.uk
UCL and Université Paris-Saclay strengthen partnership to accelerate breakthrough in cancer research
UCL and Université Paris-Saclay expanded discussions on doctoral training and research collaboration during a UCL senior delegation visit to mainland Europe this week, at a meeting hosted at CentraleS...
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