Simon Williams
@si-wills.bsky.social
Postdoctoral Research Associate | Quantum Computing Applications for Theoretical Physics
Excellent letters in the @theguardian.com calling out the cuts to research in STFC. Shout out to Paula Collins of @lhcb.bsky.social! www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
Science funding cuts will harm Britain’s global standing | Letters
Letters: Readers respond to an editorial about the threat to research funding, including plans to close the Jodrell Bank Observatory
theguardian.com
Proper sense in a FT editorial. Come on PM. Easy wins right here.
Financial Times@financialtimes.com · 2d agoTime for Andy Burnham to smile on UK science ft.trib.al/YaGOWfr | opinion
Time for Andy Burnham to smile on UK science ft.trib.al/YaGOWfr | opinion
Time for Andy Burnham to smile on UK science
Waning support for basic research threatens Britain’s technology ambitions
ft.trib.al
Proud to finally have one of these brilliant badges from the @royalastrosoc.bsky.social. The cuts to PPAN science are shortsighted and nonsensical. We have world-leading researchers, facilities and international collaborations. I hope the new government changes course before lasting damage is done.
"There are shades of the departed Starmer government in this saga: @ukri.org wants to tell a big story about science funding going up, but instead is mired in a row over a fairly minor sum.... One does not have to be an astronomer to know that optics matter." 👌🔭 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the Lovell telescope: budget cuts to physics are bad science and worse politics | Editorial
Editorial: Funders have picked a damaging fight with scientists and the public. They should reconsider their plans
theguardian.com
"UKRI wants to tell a big story about science funding going up, but instead is mired in a row over a fairly minor sum that has angered scientists and sections of the public. One does not have to be an astronomer to know that optics matter." 💯
The Guardian view on the Lovell telescope: budget cuts to physics are bad science and worse politics | Editorial
Editorial: Funders have picked a damaging fight with scientists and the public. They should reconsider their plans
theguardian.com
"A recent survey found that nearly 80% of early-career physicists were considering leaving the UK after the funding crisis. The loss of even a fraction of that would be a blow for UK science and also national growth. The task now is to persuade them to stay." www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
World-class Jodrell Bank is under threat and UK risks a physics brain drain
Funding crisis could lead to an exodus that would be a blow for British science and national growth
theguardian.com
Brilliant piece by @iansample.bsky.social in the Guardian today: "A recent survey found that nearly 80% of early-career physicists were considering leaving the UK after the funding crisis. The loss of even a fraction of that would be a blow for UK science and also national growth."
World-class Jodrell Bank is under threat and UK risks a physics brain drain
Funding crisis could lead to an exodus that would be a blow for British science and national growth
theguardian.com
Today, @ukri.org informed particle, astro and nuclear groups across the UKRI of the profound cuts they are laying on them. These cuts are at odds with the @ukri.org 2026-2031 strategy. www.ukri.org/publications... 1/n
ukri.org
This is very sad news. These reprioritisation decisions are being overseen by an STFC Executive Chair who is also the Astronomer Royal. Closing one of the UK’s most famous telescopes and a world-leading facility is deeply damaging to UK science. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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.
bbc.co.uk
I'm happy and honoured to say that I will be President Elect of the Institute of Physics from October this year. www.iop.org/about/news/2... It is a challenging, as well as exciting, time for physics right now, and the IOP is, and must remain, strong and clear voice for the whole community.
IOP 2026 Council election results announced
We are delighted to announce our three new trustees – one President-elect and two General Trustees – who will take up their posts from 1 October 2026.
iop.org
"It would be a mistake to interpret the (UKRI) announcement as evidence the crisis has passed" Following last week's update about proposed funding cuts to astronomy, our President Professor @jim-wild.bsky.social has written an Op-Ed for @resprofnews.bsky.social... Read it here 👇
Only long-term funding will save the UK’s fundamental science - Research Professional News
Jim Wild explains what the STFC settlement tells us about the future of UK research
researchprofessionalnews.com
A jaunt to Westminster to watch the Lords Science and Technology Committee question UKRI The governance issues and the framing of the catastrophic cuts to STFC are deeply concerning. Encouraging to see parliamentary scrutiny of these decisions Strong fundamental physics helps build a stronger UK
"Fundamental research should not be allowed to decline through attrition while public statements continue to suggest it is being protected." @jim-wild.bsky.social in @resprofnews.bsky.social today. Well worth a read. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Only long-term funding will save UK's fundamental science - Research Professional News
Jim Wild explains what the STFC settlement tells us about the future of fundamental research funding policy in the UK
researchprofessionalnews.com
Fundamental science needs long-term thinking! In my op-ed for RPN I argue that short-term funding cycles undermine discovery, skills development and the UK's future research capacity. If we want world-leading science, we must invest for the long haul.
Only long-term funding will save UK's fundamental science - Research Professional News
Jim Wild explains what the STFC settlement tells us about the future of fundamental research funding policy in the UK
researchprofessionalnews.com
Comment from SITC chair @chionwurah.bsky.social about the STFC funding cuts: "At a time of rising science spend and given the commitments made the committee regarding investment in curiosity driven research, these cuts shouldn’t be happening." committees.parliament.uk/committee/13...
UKRI Chair and STFC Chair write to Committee outlining science research funding cuts - Committees - UK Parliament
Correspondence: research funding cuts
committees.parliament.uk
Today's STFC announcement brings relief for many but not all in UK astronomy, but the headlines mask a great deal of uncertainty. The full consequences won't be clear for some time yet. My thoughts are with colleagues in parts of the research system facing much more difficult outcomes today.
Royal Astronomical Society@royalastrosoc.bsky.social · 4w ago📣 Astronomy funding update 📣 The RAS cautiously welcomes the decision by @ukri.org/STFC to largely protect UK astronomy from the catastrophic cuts previously under consideration. It follows months of campaigning amid fears UK astronomy would be hit by a budget reduction of around 30 per cent. ⤵️
"Extraordinary doctoring" of STFC council minutes over physics funding cuts a "lapse of governance", says @chionwurah.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/onwurah... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
Onwurah: ‘doctoring’ of STFC minutes raises governance concerns
Altered minutes surrounding reasons for cuts to physics funding should be investigated, says science committee chair
timeshighereducation.com
Always impressed by the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee chaired by @chionwurah.bsky.social This was true parliamentary scrutiny, and exactly what is needed for decisions that could be so damaging for UK science capability Brilliant highlights reel from @astroroyalscot.bsky.social
Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans@astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 4w agoOn display this morning, parliamentary scrutiny at its very best with @chionwurah.bsky.social and her committee questioning Secretary of State Liz Kendall about the STFC funding cuts. Worth watching in full, but here are some of the highlights! 1: Doctoring the minutes!
On display this morning, parliamentary scrutiny at its very best with @chionwurah.bsky.social and her committee questioning Secretary of State Liz Kendall about the STFC funding cuts. Worth watching in full, but here are some of the highlights! 1: Doctoring the minutes!
The SITC report on science diplomacy is now out: committees.parliament.uk/publications... and the need to incorporate science diplomacy considerations in decision-making about international science projects is already reported in RPN: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UKRI reforms ‘must consider international standing’, MPs warn - Research Professional News
Science committee says Cern project funding withdrawal reflects “lack of joined-up thinking” on science diplomacy
researchprofessionalnews.com
If this leaked info is to be trusted, we'll soon be adding #SaveJodrellBank to #SaveUKAstronomy🔭. I fear this is UKRI "rolling the pitch" to prepare us for the official announcement of unpleasant news😔 There is still a little glimmer hope though: A DSIT spokesperson said: "This is speculation".
Research Professional News@resprofnews.bsky.social · 4w agoUK research at Cern to shrink as government approves STFC cuts. 🚨Exclusive: Science department approves UKRI’s cost-saving proposal, with major UK facilities also facing cutbacks. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
While UKRI ponders our fate it was deeply disappointing to see the 🏴Royal Observatory MP responding to our concerns with "funding for STFC has not been cut". True, but flat-cash to cover rising UK facility electricity costs and inflation = cuts to physics and astronomy. #AnswerTheQuestion 😡🔭🧪
Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans@astroroyalscot.bsky.social · last mo.At today's UKRI board meeting, the fate of UK particle physics and astronomy will likely be decided. Have we done enough to convince the powers-that-be to halt the proposed funding cuts? 🤞 Read Prof. Hiranya Peiris in Nature today eloquently explaining why these cuts are wrong.🧪🔭⚛️ 📖: rdcu.be/friwM
At today's UKRI board meeting, the fate of UK particle physics and astronomy will likely be decided. Have we done enough to convince the powers-that-be to halt the proposed funding cuts? 🤞 Read Prof. Hiranya Peiris in Nature today eloquently explaining why these cuts are wrong.🧪🔭⚛️ 📖: rdcu.be/friwM
Royal Astronomical Society@royalastrosoc.bsky.social · 2mo agoStars of physics are in Westminster right now to call on the Government to halt funding cuts to astronomy and particle physics research. Professor Brian Cox called them "inexplicable", urging the Government to instead "trust, inspire and continue to invest in the next generation of scientists".
So long #LHC and thank you for all the collisions 👋 Today, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world’s most powerful particle accelerator, comes to the end of an extraordinary chapter in its scientific journey. Find out more: home.cern/cern-bids-fa...
The process of deciding how to cut costs at STFC by £162m is reaching its endgame The ball is now firmly in the government's court. As @francesjones.bsky.social reports in today's Research Fortnight, an impact assessment of the cuts has been sent to DSIT It appears not to make pretty reading 🧵
'A senior member of one of STFC’s advisory bodies told RPN that the..exercise represents “a major crisis for the UK"...all of the outcomes modelled are “shocking”....the government would be “committing an act of national self-harm by imposing these cuts”.' 🙏 @francesjones.bsky.social
Research Professional News@resprofnews.bsky.social · last mo.Exclusive: STFC evaluation lays bare ‘huge damage’ if cuts go ahead. Advisers warn of “major crisis” for UK research as impact assessment is sent to ministers. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Another excellent article from @francesjones.bsky.social . These cuts represent an enormous act of self harm and solutions that maintain PPAN science must be found.
Research Professional News@resprofnews.bsky.social · last mo.Exclusive: STFC evaluation lays bare ‘huge damage’ if cuts go ahead. Advisers warn of “major crisis” for UK research as impact assessment is sent to ministers. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Exclusive: STFC evaluation lays bare ‘huge damage’ if cuts go ahead. Advisers warn of “major crisis” for UK research as impact assessment is sent to ministers. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
STFC evaluation lays bare ‘huge damage’ if cuts go ahead - Research Professional News
Advisers warn of “major crisis” for UK research as impact assessment is sent to ministers
researchprofessionalnews.com
A sad week for a child of Sherwood Forest. The greatest tree has died. I’ll always remember the Major Oak from long dog walks and the Robin Hood Festival 🌳
