Conor Fitzpatrick

An interesting statement that “there is an element of funding for the defence package that we had to find from the former DSIT budget” & suggestion that this links to STFC. Definitely needs clarifying. How much? When? Reynolds is in front of the BIST Cttee on Tues, and McDonald at S&T on Weds… 👀

The repeated use of 'efficiencies' in this is incredibly gauche.

THE has covered our survey of ECRs across UK particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics. The results are stark: 89% are considering alternatives to a UK research career, and 69% plan to leave the UK for their next position. If nothing changes, the loss of talent abroad is inevitable.

If there was any doubt about the pressure govt can put on major research funding decisions, I think this story helps put that to bed There has been a lot of heat about the UK pulling funding for the LHCb at Cern. Brian Cox has been involved, and I hear govt was not expecting the level of backlash

Has anything happened since the prime minister vowed to save Jodrell Bank? I spoke to the University of Manchester to find out.

Incredible soft-power own-goal for UK science diplomacy. Our Chinese colleagues on @lhcb.bsky.social are doing amazing work on LHCb and the importance of the experiment is recognised by its rapid growth in membership. @francesjones.bsky.social with another bombshell in @timeshighered.bsky.social:

The FoI this article is based on has been put up today ukri.disclosurelog.co.uk/disclosures/... 👀

Back in the hadron mines this morning @lhcb.bsky.social

Predicting the economic impact of the #HiLumiLHC 📈 The upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider is expected to return nearly twice its cost to society. Read more: home.cern/predicting-t... 📸 Cédric Favero/CERN 2025 Photowalk

A bit of history of particle physics that takes an unexpected turn today. In 2003 the BaBar experiment at SLAC reported a particle decaying to a Ds meson and a neutral pion, with a mass of 2317 MeV. arxiv.org/abs/hep-ex/0...

...The @lhcb.bsky.social's governing body issued what it described as an “unprecedented” statement condemning the impact of the cuts. Commenting alongside the statement, @profbriancox.bsky.social said physics in the UK is facing a crisis “unlike any I have seen in both severity and cause”.

Excellent article about the crisis faced by physics research in the UK: Brian Cox: "I have no idea who mandated this shift or why they think it’s a good idea, but from my perspective it’s a disaster. I urge the new Burnham government to step in..." 🧪🔭 www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...

Last week, I got a chance to see LHCb for the first time (thanks, Dylan, Felicia, and Vava!). What a magnificent detector and what an innovative and groundbreaking experiment, both in terms of hardware and in terms of software / physics analysis.

Commit to Jodrell Bank, Burnham challenged, as its future is again called into question Fury over funding announcement just 10 days after the prime minister told parliament that the Cheshire telescope is not under threat of closure ✍️ Giles Whittell https://bit.ly/3SLRBot

'the Astronomer Royal for Scotland and a vocal critic of the cuts, called Burnham’s intervention “wonderful news” but said Jodrell Bank was a “high-profile casualty of a much larger funding crisis” that goes beyond particle physics and astronomy.'🧪⚛️🔭👩‍🔬 Vocal critic 🙋‍♀️ should print that on a ti-shirt👌

Jodrell Bank reprieve fuels hopes of STFC cuts rethink Experts urge Burnham government to scrutinise wider decisions on Science and Technology Facilities Council funding www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

Andy Burnham has committed to saving the important Jodrell Bank telescope, following an outcry from scientists and the public over the decision to pull research funding for the site. Frances Jones reports #highered #JodrellBank #research https://ow.ly/gSyC50ZIcMs

Jodrell may be the symbol, but it's not the whole story. Welcome as the PM's intervention on Jodrell Bank is, debate earlier today showed MPs have concerns over a wide range of facilities, experiments and capabilities underpinning UK research strength. Nevertheless, the politics seem to be shifting.

... I hope this also leads to a wider review of the STFC cuts affecting so much science across the UK.

@andyburnham.bsky.social is doing the right thing here! Now that it has been shown the @ukri.org process was flawed, the rest of the cuts to STFC facilities, labs and projects are in question. There is so much more damage to UK-led science that needs to be addressed urgently.

It's almost like someone has made an arbitrary decision based upon nothing but their gut feeling isn't it. Not very scientific.

That was a v fast-paced debate on the STFC funding cuts! Good things: * The minister did not trot out the infuriating "there are no cuts" line * Lots of MPs there passionately standing up for their constituents who are directly impacted * Everyone there seemed to genuinely love the work we do!

Parliament returns from summer recess today, and the second debate in the House (13:00-13:30) is about the STFC funding cuts to fundamental physics & astro! I'll be watching on parliament TV and live-posting any gems, so you don't have to (you're welcome). 🍿: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...

Great to meet with @marykfoymp.bsky.social to discuss the catastrophic cuts to UK PPAN Science and their impact on world-class institutes in the North East

🚨 Astronomy cuts update 🚨 Next Tuesday (1 September) a debate about the ongoing funding crisis will take place in Westminster Hall from 1-1.30pm. 🗣️🔭 The RAS welcomes the debate and is encouraging all Fellows to contact their MPs to urge them to attend. ✍️ Find out more 👉️ ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The Cuts to LHCb – Guest Post by William Barter The following is a guest post by William Barter, who recently finished a term as the 'physics coordinator' of LHCb-UK. --o-- The European particle physics community recently undertook a two-year process to update our strategy – setting out the things…

I hosted a piece by @wjbarter.bsky.social on what the UK risks losing by not prioritising further funding for #LHCb Upgrade II. 🧪🔭 It is UK leadership, international trust, detector expertise, AI/data skills, and a pipeline that has already trained 300+ PhD students. lheurtier.github.io/LHCb.html

A cross party group of MPs led by Olly Glover have urged the Secretary of State to intervene over £162m proposed cuts to the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), warning the cuts could seriously damage the UK's global leadership in science, innovation and space research.

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...

New UK science minister (finally confirmed!) urged to ‘protect curiosity-led research’ www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...