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Dr Robin Rumney

@rmhrumney.bsky.social
453 followers 1.6K following 37 posts

Lecturer in musculoskeletal biology and regenerative medicine. Into biomaterials and musculoskeletal diseases. orcid.org/0000-0002-4266-5962

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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
James O'Malley @jamesomalley.co.uk · 31/07/2026
Come to the visitor centre and learn about the science that doesn’t happen at Jodrell Bank!
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Started writing on Andy Burnham’s education proposal thinking “not sure about this”. Realised in writing “no, I am sure: it sucks!”
ft.com
Education is not to blame for England’s Neet crisis
Andy Burnham’s schools overhaul risks throwing babies out with the bathwater, as changes will probably require cuts elsewhere
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
The UK's whole science, research and universities 'strategy' is basically 'drive the country off a cliff'. Not even worth arguing about any more. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Jodrell Bank's Lovell telescope faces axe in science cuts, BBC understands
Astronomers warn it would tear the heart out of UK science, and leave a generation untrained.
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Duncan Weldon @duncanweldon.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Blair, 2001 to 2005, was the last PM to win a majority at a general election and serve a full Parliament.
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
www.cclg.org.uk/news-updates...
cclg.org.uk
Researchers discover how bone cancer beats the immune system
Little Princess Trust (LPT) researchers have discovered a new method that bone cancer can use to secretly fight the immune system
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Some nice coverage of my recently published research into Ewing Sarcoma www.littleprincesses.org.uk/news/researc...
littleprincesses.org.uk
How bone cancer beats the immune system
The Little Princess Trust funds research into Ewing sarcoma
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Latest paper on 'Methodological guidelines for P2X receptor assays and data interpretation' with 29 authors (!) in Memoriam of Professor Francesco Di Virgilio. A seminal publication that I am delighted to have been involved with. lnkd.in/eEUunVMf
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
You can't keep on just slashing and burning everything that makes it worthwhile living and creates a sense of place and belonging. In the end you have nothing real left. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
BBC to cut almost one in 10 staff in £500m savings
The BBC's interim director general says the cuts will require
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
My latest paper on Targeting Neuropeptide Y/DPP4 Signalling Suppresses Ewing Sarcoma Survival and Improves Monocyte Viability' with Darek Gorecki and funded by the CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association and The Little Princess Trust is now available
mdpi.com
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
This is good and worth a read. Here you can see why I've given up most commentary on British universities. Without a complete reboot from the beginning I can't see a sustainable way forward for most of it. Sad, tough but true. manchestermill.co.uk/why-the-hell...
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Three UK research councils suspend funding opportunities - yikes www.timeshighereducation.com/news/three-u...
timeshighereducation.com
Three UK research councils suspend funding opportunities
Temporary block on grant applications by MRC, BBSRC and EPSRC heightens concerns over funding cuts
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Absolutely brutal news in the research world to kick off the day. How we're making such a mess of this I have no idea. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
researchprofessionalnews.com
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Uh oh
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Oh 😱
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
So I've been reading the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. There's some good things in there. But when it comes to universities there's very little to cheer. The situation is very tough and will get worse. The last chance to preserve what we've got has passed. Let me explain why. (1/?)
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Liz Kendall is the new Science Minister.
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Lovely to hear Melvyn Bragg talking about the big idea behind "In Our Time": to get academics on the air, talking about the subjects they were most passionate & knowledgeable about, without worrying about whether they had "media training". It's remarkable that this was (& remains) such an odd idea!
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
What a shock! What a surprise! To absolutely nobody. Universities' austerity logic will always have the opposite effect of what they intend. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-aust...
researchprofessionalnews.com
University efficiency drives may have opposite effect, study finds - Research Professional News
Teaching and research staff say reforms mean more red tape for them, Australian survey reports
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 16/08/2025
Just in case there was any doubt, ChatGPT 5.0 still makes up completely random citations that don't exist and should not be used for literature search.
1. David Ackerly (UC Berkeley)

While his most-cited work is on leaf size and SLA, he also wrote explicitly about plasticity in leaf traits, including shape, in the context of ecological strategies.

Example: Ackerly (1997), “Allocation, leaf display, and growth in fluctuating light environments: A comparative study of deciduous and evergreen species” (Oecologia). This emphasizes how plasticity in leaf traits mediates adaptation to light.
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
www.theregister.com/2025/08/08/n... Scientists and academics are not generally well paid and this approach concentrates research around the areas of the country with the highest living costs. It will have negative consequences for those without additional financial support.
theregister.com
North of England snubbed by UK govt bag-a-boffin scheme
: Home of Manchester Baby can't bid for talent, baby
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
This is not normal. If Britain's universities had any cash we could steal a march on everyone. Unfortunately we're broke or worse.
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
A real shame to hear about the cancellation of the UKs medicines repurposing programme. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
thelancet.com
A geroscience response to cancellation of the UK’s Medicines Repurposing Programme: challenges and opportunities
After just 4 years of operation, the discontinuation of the UK’s Medicines Repurposing Programme in April, 2025,1 marks a concerning shift in drug development—particularly for geroscience. The program...
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Scott McGrath @smcgrath.phd · 11/07/2025
🧪 A new report reveals Trump's budget proposal aims to slash federal funding for basic scientific research by roughly one-third. This significant cut, totaling $15 billion, could jeopardize America's global leadership in science and innovation, impacting fields from AI to healthcare. #AcademicSky
nytimes.com
Trump Seeks to Cut Basic Scientific Research by Roughly One-Third, Report Shows (Gift Article)
An analysis by the American Association for the Advancement of Science shows the impact of the administration’s budget plan on the kind of studies that produce the most breakthroughs.
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
A good indicator of the university sector struggling to keep afloat: Sheffield says it's 'stabilised' things after 300 voluntary redundancies, a new redundancy scheme, a halt to work on its new labs and closing 28 courses. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
University of Sheffield finances stabilise after fall in students
The University of Sheffield still plans cuts to jobs and courses despite a better financial outlook.
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Thoughts with the people of Liverpool tonight. Awful scenes.
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
I mean, these kinds of cuts to basic uni science, you don't come back from these. (2/2) www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades (Gift Article)
The lag in funding extends far beyond D.E.I. initiatives, affecting almost every area of science: chemistry, computing, engineering, materials and more.
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Meanwhile, I think that US universities face a far worse threat than those in the UK. This is full-bore war on the sector by their own government. Harvard can just about stand up to this, but almost no-one else could. (1/2)
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Truly horrifying. A dark age mentality.
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Shaun Lintern @shaunlintern.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Spire Healthcare has announced plans to cut around 400 hospital-based jobs affecting both clinical and non-clinical roles. Equivalent to around 2.5% of its workforce.
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Dr Di Cook @visnut.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Monash University has made many positions available specifically for young and early career researchers who would like to take some time away from the USA. These are case by case, not advertised. So if you are interested or know anyone interested have them get in contact with someone at Monash.
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Thiago Carvalho @cyrilpedia.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
"Researchers recruited to work in the UK have to fund a £1,035 annual immigration health surcharge, which must be paid in full in advance, as well as up to £1,519 in visa fees. For a family of four, the upfront costs can total almost £30,000."
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Keele University says at least 100 academic jobs and 50 professional services roles could go in latest round of cost-cutting www.timeshighereducation.com/news/staff-d... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
Staff ‘deeply concerned’ as Keele confirms plans to cut 150 roles
Academic and professional services posts to go, with university blaming ‘unprecedented financial challenges’
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
The Crick is paying £800,000 in visa fees alone. Britain is choosing to turn inwards, away from the world, and to destroy its own future. That is not Britain. observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk
Is the UK paying the price for world’s most expensive visas? | The Observer
Competing political and economic goals on immigration are resulting in the loss of valuable skills and talent in the UK
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Melanoma Focus @melanomafocus.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
☀️ Here are some worrying statistics that have come out of our recent public survey. Melanoma skin cancer rates continue to climb in the UK, the implications of these findings are significant. You can read more here 👉 buff.ly/6eT6MkF #MelanomaAwarenessmonth
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Melanoma Focus @melanomafocus.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
📣Today marks the start of Melanoma Awareness Month 2025! There are a variety of ways that you can get involved throughout May 👉 buff.ly/3N8ELve Let’s reach as many people as possible and make a real difference.💙 #melanomaskincancer #melanomaawarenessmonth
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Dr Robin Rumney @rmhrumney.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Current vibes
media.tenor.com
a cartoon character is standing in front of a door and says everything 's coming up milhouse .
ALT: a cartoon character is standing in front of a door and says everything 's coming up milhouse .
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Joe Allen @joeallenjoe.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Map of economic impact of WH proposed cuts to research. Now searchable by House District. (eg, the impact on Rep Kat Cammack's district (R; Florida) is $85M) --> scienceimpacts.org
scienceimpacts.org
SCIMaP - Impacts of Federal Cuts to Science and Medical Research
Developed by an interdisciplinary research team, this website shows how funding cuts reduce economic activity and employment nationwide
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Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
The core trilma here remains the same - the govt needs to accept one of three things: high student migration, higher domestic student fees (or higher taxes to fund universities) or university bankruptcies. Those are the only options, given where we are. Pick one.
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Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
All universities should be actively planning for what they would do if they were forced to close, says English regulator www.timeshighereducation.com/news/all-uni... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
timeshighereducation.com
All universities should be assessing closure risks, says OfS
Institutions ‘not always aware of the scale of the challenges involved’, regulator warns, as financial crisis exacerbates likelihood of bankruptcies
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Britain's latest kick in the face of its universities is a reduction in science spend. Ridiculous. Good luck with your growth mission! There won't be any. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Ministers confirm UK Research and Innovation budget will fall - Research Professional News
Funding agency’s allocation drops by £300m for 2025-26, despite rising R&D spending at science department
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Solid Evidence @solidevidence.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
I posted this on 'the other site' but someone asked if I would post it here too, so here goes. I knew there were a lot of fake accounts on this platform, but they are usually obvious. I had no idea how intricate and complex the ruse could be. Get a load of this story. 1/
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Derek Thompson @dkthomp.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
People sometimes make fun of science that sounds stupid and random. Meanwhile, a study of lizard saliva turned into a peptide medication, which was turned into a diabetes medication, which was turned into a GLP1 weight loss drug, that just became the first therapy every approved for … sleep apnea
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Paul Lewis @paullewismoney.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Thames Water took out £195.8 million in dividends last year which broke the @Ofwat rules and could not be justified bit.ly/41FELdr regulator will (try to!) recover £131m of them. It is one of four suppliers saying yesterday’s 35% price rise deal not enough
bit.ly
Thames Water fined £18m by Ofwat for breaking dividend rules
The water regulator has ordered the company to claw back £131m in dividends and warned against taking money out of the business
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Tobias Kuemmerle @tkuemmerle.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
So sad to read this 😢 As someone working in 🇦🇷 for 10+ years I know that Argentine colleagues always had to face difficult and often unpredictable conditions. But the Milei government is dismantling Argentina's scientific system with unprecedented aggression - www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
‘There will be nothing left’: researchers fear collapse of science in Argentina
One year into Javier Milei’s presidency, scientists are exiting the country in the face of big budget cuts.
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Paul Lewis @paullewismoney.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Water bills to rise 20% (£86) plus inflation in April and then above inflation for the next four years. @Ofwat gives private water companies in England the go-ahead to make customers pay for the investment they have failed to do for 30 years while enriching shareholders and bosses
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Ardem Patapoutian @ardemp.bskyverified.social · 15/12/2024
And here is my condensed guide on how to science: top 5 Rules
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
Today's university in the Bad News column is the Open University, one of the greatest Labour success stories of all time that's been hammered again and again in recent years. It's trying fire and rehire on Associate Lecturers, some of whom are resisting. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Open University lecturers in contract row - union
More than 160 lecturers were asked to sign new contracts amid concerns over hours, a union says.
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TanentzapfLab @tanentzapflab.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
1. I feel like this is such obvious advice that it gets taken for granted & consequently no one says this to young scientists but READ PAPERS, read all the papers. As you move up in your career you will have less & less time to do this. Read everything that appeals to you not just in your field
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Science News @scinews.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
9. PhD Survival Guide bsky.app/profile/scin...
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Science News @scinews.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
8. How to Be a Graduate Advisee Thanks @cellularscale.bsky.social www.cell.com/neuron/fullt...
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