Robin Bisson
@robinbisson.bsky.social
UK News Editor, @resprofnews.bsky.social.
Mostly #researchpolicy, #researchfunding, #highered.
British Journalism Awards finalist.
Once likened to Tintin.
Also into rivers.
Tip? [email protected]
Mostly #researchpolicy, #researchfunding, #highered.
British Journalism Awards finalist.
Once likened to Tintin.
Also into rivers.
Tip? [email protected]
Looks like this message was heard and acted on pretty fast in the corridors of Bist
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
September 16, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Looks like this message was heard and acted on pretty fast in the corridors of Bist
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Of everything I've read this week, this nugget is by far the best
"Anyone who has worked in research funding for long enough will have seen applications that were never remotely competitive. My personal favourite was an application that consisted largely of a drawing of a shoe."
"Anyone who has worked in research funding for long enough will have seen applications that were never remotely competitive. My personal favourite was an application that consisted largely of a drawing of a shoe."
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-...
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-...
The Right To Apply
Many thoughts on rising application numbers and peer review
anotherwayoflookingatit.substack.com
September 11, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Of everything I've read this week, this nugget is by far the best
"Anyone who has worked in research funding for long enough will have seen applications that were never remotely competitive. My personal favourite was an application that consisted largely of a drawing of a shoe."
"Anyone who has worked in research funding for long enough will have seen applications that were never remotely competitive. My personal favourite was an application that consisted largely of a drawing of a shoe."
Reposted by Robin Bisson
UKRI ‘exploring’ use of AI in overhaul of grant assessment.
Funder announces raft of measures in push to halve processing times for funding.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Funder announces raft of measures in push to halve processing times for funding.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UKRI ‘exploring’ use of AI in overhaul of grant assessment - Research Professional News
Funder announces raft of measures in push to halve processing times for funding
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 10, 2026 at 2:24 PM
UKRI ‘exploring’ use of AI in overhaul of grant assessment.
Funder announces raft of measures in push to halve processing times for funding.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Funder announces raft of measures in push to halve processing times for funding.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
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)
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)
September 10, 2026 at 1:39 PM
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)
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)
Reposted by Robin Bisson
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...
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...
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”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 10, 2026 at 11:38 AM
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...
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...
Reposted by Robin Bisson
The subtext was turned up to 11 in Kathleen Fisher's appearance at the Lords science and tech committee earlier
Tory peer Kulveer Ranger said Matt Clifford’s appointment at Anthropic had raised “a lot of concern in the industry”.
“I understand the concern, and Aria was not consulted,” Fisher said.
Tory peer Kulveer Ranger said Matt Clifford’s appointment at Anthropic had raised “a lot of concern in the industry”.
“I understand the concern, and Aria was not consulted,” Fisher said.
Aria ‘not consulted’ over Matt Clifford’s controversial AI role.
“Essential” that chair avoids conflicts of interest that “impede the agency”, chief executive tells Lords committee.
It comes as Clifford steps down from his role at Aria.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
“Essential” that chair avoids conflicts of interest that “impede the agency”, chief executive tells Lords committee.
It comes as Clifford steps down from his role at Aria.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Aria ‘not consulted’ over Matt Clifford’s controversial AI role - Research Professional News
“Essential” chair avoids conflicts of interest that “impede the agency”, chief executive tells Lords committee
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 8, 2026 at 3:41 PM
The subtext was turned up to 11 in Kathleen Fisher's appearance at the Lords science and tech committee earlier
Tory peer Kulveer Ranger said Matt Clifford’s appointment at Anthropic had raised “a lot of concern in the industry”.
“I understand the concern, and Aria was not consulted,” Fisher said.
Tory peer Kulveer Ranger said Matt Clifford’s appointment at Anthropic had raised “a lot of concern in the industry”.
“I understand the concern, and Aria was not consulted,” Fisher said.
The subtext was turned up to 11 in Kathleen Fisher's appearance at the Lords science and tech committee earlier
Tory peer Kulveer Ranger said Matt Clifford’s appointment at Anthropic had raised “a lot of concern in the industry”.
“I understand the concern, and Aria was not consulted,” Fisher said.
Tory peer Kulveer Ranger said Matt Clifford’s appointment at Anthropic had raised “a lot of concern in the industry”.
“I understand the concern, and Aria was not consulted,” Fisher said.
Aria ‘not consulted’ over Matt Clifford’s controversial AI role.
“Essential” that chair avoids conflicts of interest that “impede the agency”, chief executive tells Lords committee.
It comes as Clifford steps down from his role at Aria.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
“Essential” that chair avoids conflicts of interest that “impede the agency”, chief executive tells Lords committee.
It comes as Clifford steps down from his role at Aria.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Aria ‘not consulted’ over Matt Clifford’s controversial AI role - Research Professional News
“Essential” chair avoids conflicts of interest that “impede the agency”, chief executive tells Lords committee
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 8, 2026 at 3:41 PM
The subtext was turned up to 11 in Kathleen Fisher's appearance at the Lords science and tech committee earlier
Tory peer Kulveer Ranger said Matt Clifford’s appointment at Anthropic had raised “a lot of concern in the industry”.
“I understand the concern, and Aria was not consulted,” Fisher said.
Tory peer Kulveer Ranger said Matt Clifford’s appointment at Anthropic had raised “a lot of concern in the industry”.
“I understand the concern, and Aria was not consulted,” Fisher said.
This announcement is all over the shop. The press release says the strategy ropes in £190m from UKRI...but the strategy itself says £421m from UKRI
Which one is correct? Who knows! (We're asking, obvs)
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9ed0...
Which one is correct? Who knows! (We're asking, obvs)
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9ed0...
Government to unveil £8bn space strategy.
Updated, with comment from the STFC.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Updated, with comment from the STFC.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Government to unveil £8bn space strategy - Research Professional News
Bist earmarks money until 2030 for intelligence, military tracking tech, communications and astronomy research
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 8, 2026 at 2:07 PM
This announcement is all over the shop. The press release says the strategy ropes in £190m from UKRI...but the strategy itself says £421m from UKRI
Which one is correct? Who knows! (We're asking, obvs)
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9ed0...
Which one is correct? Who knows! (We're asking, obvs)
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9ed0...
He's gone! On top of immediate pushback from MPs it was (reportedly) a pretty unpopular move with parts of the UK tech sector. Perhaps the combo made it untenable
lnkd.in/p/e3vFjFF2
lnkd.in/p/e3vFjFF2
September 7, 2026 at 3:00 PM
He's gone! On top of immediate pushback from MPs it was (reportedly) a pretty unpopular move with parts of the UK tech sector. Perhaps the combo made it untenable
lnkd.in/p/e3vFjFF2
lnkd.in/p/e3vFjFF2
It's unsurprising that the physics and astronomy community are hoping Burnham's pledge on Monday to "save" Jodrell Bank could open the door to a wider rethink at STFC
But it's also getting some traction in parliament. Yesterday Lord Eatwell urged the chancellor to reverse the cuts
But it's also getting some traction in parliament. Yesterday Lord Eatwell urged the chancellor to reverse the cuts
September 4, 2026 at 10:44 AM
It's unsurprising that the physics and astronomy community are hoping Burnham's pledge on Monday to "save" Jodrell Bank could open the door to a wider rethink at STFC
But it's also getting some traction in parliament. Yesterday Lord Eatwell urged the chancellor to reverse the cuts
But it's also getting some traction in parliament. Yesterday Lord Eatwell urged the chancellor to reverse the cuts
When the govt set out its R&D budget last year, it included ~£2bn for the EU's next Horizon programme in both 2028 and 2029 - the same as it spends on the current programme
The problem is the next programme (FP10) looks set to be far more expensive
So where would the money come from to pay for it?
The problem is the next programme (FP10) looks set to be far more expensive
So where would the money come from to pay for it?
UK ‘must face up to questions’ on EU research programme bill
Treasury unlikely to provide extra money to meet Horizon successor’s higher association costs, experts warn
Today's lead story in Research Fortnight
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Treasury unlikely to provide extra money to meet Horizon successor’s higher association costs, experts warn
Today's lead story in Research Fortnight
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
UK ‘must face up to questions’ on EU research programme bill - Research Professional News
Treasury unlikely to provide extra money to meet Horizon successor’s higher association costs, experts warn
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 2, 2026 at 10:27 AM
When the govt set out its R&D budget last year, it included ~£2bn for the EU's next Horizon programme in both 2028 and 2029 - the same as it spends on the current programme
The problem is the next programme (FP10) looks set to be far more expensive
So where would the money come from to pay for it?
The problem is the next programme (FP10) looks set to be far more expensive
So where would the money come from to pay for it?
Speaking to people before Jodrell Bank cuts were public, there was a high level of expectation that Burnham would reverse them as PM
First Commons speech and he commits to doing so
Definitely a Mancunian angle. He told MPs "“Every one of my generation went on a school trip to Jodrell Bank"
First Commons speech and he commits to doing so
Definitely a Mancunian angle. He told MPs "“Every one of my generation went on a school trip to Jodrell Bank"
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...
Demise of iconic astronomy facility “will not happen under my government” says prime minister
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Burnham commits to saving Jodrell Bank Observatory - Research Professional News
Demise of iconic astronomy facility “will not happen under my government” says prime minister
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 2, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Speaking to people before Jodrell Bank cuts were public, there was a high level of expectation that Burnham would reverse them as PM
First Commons speech and he commits to doing so
Definitely a Mancunian angle. He told MPs "“Every one of my generation went on a school trip to Jodrell Bank"
First Commons speech and he commits to doing so
Definitely a Mancunian angle. He told MPs "“Every one of my generation went on a school trip to Jodrell Bank"
Reposted by Robin Bisson
Science minister handed levers for growing British companies
Chris McDonald given oversight of the Office for Investment and the British Business Bank
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Chris McDonald given oversight of the Office for Investment and the British Business Bank
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Science minister handed levers for growing British companies - Research Professional News
Chris McDonald given oversight of the Office for Investment and the British Business Bank
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
August 21, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Science minister handed levers for growing British companies
Chris McDonald given oversight of the Office for Investment and the British Business Bank
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Chris McDonald given oversight of the Office for Investment and the British Business Bank
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
The government published full ministerial portfolios yesterday
Interesting that investment makes up a significant chunk of Chris McDonald's brief - a new move for the science minister - including responsibility for:
• scale-ups
• access to finance
• Office for Investment
• British Business Bank
Interesting that investment makes up a significant chunk of Chris McDonald's brief - a new move for the science minister - including responsibility for:
• scale-ups
• access to finance
• Office for Investment
• British Business Bank
Chris McDonald MP
Chris McDonald MP was appointed Minister of State (Minister for Science, Innovation and Investment) jointly in the Department for Health and Social Care ( DHSC ) on 23 July 2026 and the Department for...
www.gov.uk
August 21, 2026 at 10:20 AM
The government published full ministerial portfolios yesterday
Interesting that investment makes up a significant chunk of Chris McDonald's brief - a new move for the science minister - including responsibility for:
• scale-ups
• access to finance
• Office for Investment
• British Business Bank
Interesting that investment makes up a significant chunk of Chris McDonald's brief - a new move for the science minister - including responsibility for:
• scale-ups
• access to finance
• Office for Investment
• British Business Bank
Never have I been more disappointed in an FOI response
Props to UKRI for trying though: "To advise and assist you, I can confirm that any research conducted by NERC on life in extreme environments is already available in the public domain via our grant systems"
(Not my request btw!)
Props to UKRI for trying though: "To advise and assist you, I can confirm that any research conducted by NERC on life in extreme environments is already available in the public domain via our grant systems"
(Not my request btw!)
August 21, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Never have I been more disappointed in an FOI response
Props to UKRI for trying though: "To advise and assist you, I can confirm that any research conducted by NERC on life in extreme environments is already available in the public domain via our grant systems"
(Not my request btw!)
Props to UKRI for trying though: "To advise and assist you, I can confirm that any research conducted by NERC on life in extreme environments is already available in the public domain via our grant systems"
(Not my request btw!)
£6.3bn really is a huge gap for unis to fill on research each year
It's sometimes said that's what QR is for, but QR is part of the calculation: without it the gap would be close to £9bn
The biggest way that gap is filled is international student fees (yellow bar), but we all know how that's going
It's sometimes said that's what QR is for, but QR is part of the calculation: without it the gap would be close to £9bn
The biggest way that gap is filled is international student fees (yellow bar), but we all know how that's going
August 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM
£6.3bn really is a huge gap for unis to fill on research each year
It's sometimes said that's what QR is for, but QR is part of the calculation: without it the gap would be close to £9bn
The biggest way that gap is filled is international student fees (yellow bar), but we all know how that's going
It's sometimes said that's what QR is for, but QR is part of the calculation: without it the gap would be close to £9bn
The biggest way that gap is filled is international student fees (yellow bar), but we all know how that's going
Curious to see a quote from the new science minister Chris McDonald falling back on the old "science and technology superpower" rhetoric in an announcement about Royal Society fellowships
That was a boosterism hangover from the Tories which got quietly phased out
royalsociety.org/news/2026/08...
That was a boosterism hangover from the Tories which got quietly phased out
royalsociety.org/news/2026/08...
August 14, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Curious to see a quote from the new science minister Chris McDonald falling back on the old "science and technology superpower" rhetoric in an announcement about Royal Society fellowships
That was a boosterism hangover from the Tories which got quietly phased out
royalsociety.org/news/2026/08...
That was a boosterism hangover from the Tories which got quietly phased out
royalsociety.org/news/2026/08...
Great day for next year's university students today, but maybe less good for universities?
Latest Home Office stats show international student visa applications down again (and July is an important month)
Their fees prop up expensive courses like engineering, which saw a 14% uptick in enrolments
Latest Home Office stats show international student visa applications down again (and July is an important month)
Their fees prop up expensive courses like engineering, which saw a 14% uptick in enrolments
August 13, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Great day for next year's university students today, but maybe less good for universities?
Latest Home Office stats show international student visa applications down again (and July is an important month)
Their fees prop up expensive courses like engineering, which saw a 14% uptick in enrolments
Latest Home Office stats show international student visa applications down again (and July is an important month)
Their fees prop up expensive courses like engineering, which saw a 14% uptick in enrolments
As someone who first heard about the web on Newsround, and got a Facebook account in 2006 when that was only possible with an ac.uk address, the first half of this was mega nostalgic
The internet connects us to people, ideas and information – but it can also leave us overwhelmed, misled and endlessly scrolling.
Our latest film, made in partnership with BBC Ideas, asks what changed and how we can build a better digital future.
Watch here: www.bbc.co.uk/videos/c0qv0...
Our latest film, made in partnership with BBC Ideas, asks what changed and how we can build a better digital future.
Watch here: www.bbc.co.uk/videos/c0qv0...
Is the internet broken?
75% of the world is online, and in many ways it makes all our lives better. But faced with AI slop, misinformation and toxicity, many people are asking: Is there a better way?
www.bbc.co.uk
August 13, 2026 at 8:06 AM
As someone who first heard about the web on Newsround, and got a Facebook account in 2006 when that was only possible with an ac.uk address, the first half of this was mega nostalgic
Reposted by Robin Bisson
Google denies shift from UK as Deepmind founder steps back.
AI lab’s new leader is based in California, with Demis Hassabis remaining in London as chair.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...
AI lab’s new leader is based in California, with Demis Hassabis remaining in London as chair.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...
Google denies shift from UK as Deepmind founder steps back - Research Professional News
AI lab’s new leader based in California, with Demis Hassabis remaining in London as chair
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
August 11, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Google denies shift from UK as Deepmind founder steps back.
AI lab’s new leader is based in California, with Demis Hassabis remaining in London as chair.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...
AI lab’s new leader is based in California, with Demis Hassabis remaining in London as chair.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-i...
My last day before going on hols was firming up that Chris McDonald had been appointed as the new science minister
On my first day back, a mere 18 days later, it's official!
On my first day back, a mere 18 days later, it's official!
New UK science minister urged to ‘protect curiosity-led research’
Chris McDonald’s role officially confirmed, while James Frith becomes minister for health innovation
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Chris McDonald’s role officially confirmed, while James Frith becomes minister for health innovation
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
New UK science minister urged to ‘protect curiosity-led research’ - Research Professional News
Chris McDonald’s role officially confirmed, while James Frith becomes minister for health innovation
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
August 11, 2026 at 3:44 PM
My last day before going on hols was firming up that Chris McDonald had been appointed as the new science minister
On my first day back, a mere 18 days later, it's official!
On my first day back, a mere 18 days later, it's official!
Confirmation that Jodrell Bank Observatory has lost funding (via the e-Merlin project) under STFC cuts, as first reported by RPN in early July
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
July 27, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Confirmation that Jodrell Bank Observatory has lost funding (via the e-Merlin project) under STFC cuts, as first reported by RPN in early July
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Update #2
The Labour business relations team (part of Labour HQ) have said McDonald is the science minister
Somewhat bizarrely, DBT won't confirm
Nonetheless, seems pretty nailed on...
Story updated: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
The Labour business relations team (part of Labour HQ) have said McDonald is the science minister
Somewhat bizarrely, DBT won't confirm
Nonetheless, seems pretty nailed on...
Story updated: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
July 24, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Update #2
The Labour business relations team (part of Labour HQ) have said McDonald is the science minister
Somewhat bizarrely, DBT won't confirm
Nonetheless, seems pretty nailed on...
Story updated: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
The Labour business relations team (part of Labour HQ) have said McDonald is the science minister
Somewhat bizarrely, DBT won't confirm
Nonetheless, seems pretty nailed on...
Story updated: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Since the piece below was published, McDonald has been appointed as a minister of state in DHSC
Would seem plausible to combine the responsibility for research and innovation in both DBIST and DHSC. Preet Kaur Gill, who was previously health innovation minister in DHSC, has also left the government
Would seem plausible to combine the responsibility for research and innovation in both DBIST and DHSC. Preet Kaur Gill, who was previously health innovation minister in DHSC, has also left the government
Since Patrick Vallance resigned on Monday the question has been who will replace him as science minister
It looks like the answer is Chris McDonald
He has the chops:
- chemical engineering degree from Cambridge
- CEO of materials research institute
- industry adviser to unis
- Fellow of RAEng
It looks like the answer is Chris McDonald
He has the chops:
- chemical engineering degree from Cambridge
- CEO of materials research institute
- industry adviser to unis
- Fellow of RAEng
Chris McDonald in frame to be UK science minister - Research Professional News
MP appointed to new business and science department has industrial research background
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
July 24, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Since the piece below was published, McDonald has been appointed as a minister of state in DHSC
Would seem plausible to combine the responsibility for research and innovation in both DBIST and DHSC. Preet Kaur Gill, who was previously health innovation minister in DHSC, has also left the government
Would seem plausible to combine the responsibility for research and innovation in both DBIST and DHSC. Preet Kaur Gill, who was previously health innovation minister in DHSC, has also left the government
Since Patrick Vallance resigned on Monday the question has been who will replace him as science minister
It looks like the answer is Chris McDonald
He has the chops:
- chemical engineering degree from Cambridge
- CEO of materials research institute
- industry adviser to unis
- Fellow of RAEng
It looks like the answer is Chris McDonald
He has the chops:
- chemical engineering degree from Cambridge
- CEO of materials research institute
- industry adviser to unis
- Fellow of RAEng
Chris McDonald in frame to be UK science minister - Research Professional News
MP appointed to new business and science department has industrial research background
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
July 23, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Since Patrick Vallance resigned on Monday the question has been who will replace him as science minister
It looks like the answer is Chris McDonald
He has the chops:
- chemical engineering degree from Cambridge
- CEO of materials research institute
- industry adviser to unis
- Fellow of RAEng
It looks like the answer is Chris McDonald
He has the chops:
- chemical engineering degree from Cambridge
- CEO of materials research institute
- industry adviser to unis
- Fellow of RAEng