From the other site: "Best reaction ever to the #eclipse - she is so excited: “ I’m lost for words” - her Sky news partner responds by saying “you are literally here to speak” 😂 she has turned and is speaking but we all know she’d just rather be looking at the sun right now, she’s so excited. " 🤗🔭

What are the UK government's plans for science, innovation and tech policy? @chionwurah.bsky.social's select committee seeks explanation - Jodrell Bank closure is just one example "of where accountability is needed". LHCb Upgrade and the other cuts too! committees.parliament.uk/committee/13...

What are government’s plans for science, innovation and tech policy? Committee seeks explanation - Committees - UK Parliament

After the Government announced plans to break up the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and distribute its responsibilities amongst other departments, MPs have written to three S...

committees.parliament.uk

A few months back, I attended the STFC Partnership Summit which was captured via a life drawing. The drawing heavily features the Lovell telescope - in stark contrast to the newly published fact sheet, which pushes responsibility to the University of Manchester. www.ukri.org/publications... 1/n

donate.manchester.ac.uk/p/jodrellbank/

Help secure the future of Jodrell Bank

donate.manchester.ac.uk

A coalition of scientists and scientific community leaders including Prof Brian Cox and IOP President Prof Paul Howarth has voiced serious concern about the impact the latest funding cuts will have on UK science in this Research Professional article: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Jodrell Bank funding cut does ‘real damage’ to UK science - Research Professional News

Experts alarmed as science secretary says UK must invest in “next generation of scientific facilities”

researchprofessionalnews.com

The existential choice facing UK physics facilities: commercialize or close. Excellent paper by @lizziegibney.bsky.social on the current challenges faced by UK research facilities, like #Jodrell Bank, but also many other facilities under threat.🧪 #UKRI #STFC #Dbsit www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The existential choice facing UK physics facilities: commercialize or close

The national synchrotron source, a laser facility and a particle accelerator are under threat of closure unless cash is found.

nature.com

"the best scientists will go wherever the best science can be done. And on this the signs are ominous. A recent survey found that nearly 80% of early-career physicists were considering leaving the UK after the funding crisis." @iansample.bsky.social for the Guardian:

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

Earlier this year UKRI launched a funding call to invest £40M in ONE AI lab. www.ukri.org/opportunity/... For some unknown reason they decided to fund TWO AI labs at the cost of £60M. An extra £20M. Just found. That's the equivalent of 7 more years of Jodrell Bank. www.ukri.org/news/ukri-la...

UKRI launches two AI research labs to stay ahead in global race

Two new labs will back British researchers to develop next generation artificial intelligence (AI) systems, helping secure the UK’s position as a global leader.

ukri.org

Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans@astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I'm absolutely devastated for colleagues at Jodrell Bank who found out this morning that funding for the UK's e-MERLIN radio telescope array will be terminated. This is a short-sighted move, to save a tiny fraction of the overall UK science budget. #SaveJodrellBank 🔭🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The number one reason children are drawn to and inspired by a Jodrell Bank visit is THAT IT IS A WORKING TELESCOPE. They get to meet scientists (like me!) and we all come together to adore the majestic creature that is the Lovell Telescope. 1/2

Short-sighted, stupid cuts to the UKRI budget include shutting down Jodrell Bank, the icon of British astronomy. (Many other cuts too, including 20% to our brand new @vrubinobs.bsky.social). Interesting politically to shut down a major facility in...um..Manchester 🔭 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

“What will the Lovell Telescope discover/enable 20 yrs from now? I can’t tell you, and that’s the point. It will either be something extraordinary that none of us can yet predict, or we will defund it and leave Cheshire with a rusting monument to unfulfilled potential and discoveries never made.” 🔭🧪

Tim O'Brien@proftimob.bsky.social · 2mo ago

www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/2629113...

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 full-on week, fighting to #SaveUKAstronomy & PPAN from 30% funding cuts. There were highs (👇hanging out with fab-folk) & lows (@ukri.org trying to erase history in old Council minutes) but the amazing support & ❤️ from the wonderful wide astro-community makes it all worth it. Onwards and upwards 💪🔭

Stars 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".

Strong ‘As a father of daughters and son of a woman’ vibe in this statement…

Katie Mack@astrokatie.com · 3mo ago

NASA isn’t on Bluesky but they are on Threads and they put out a statement about the selection of an all-male #Artemis III crew.

“Chapman’s analogies are earthly and humorous.” “The heart of the book, though, is driven more by persuasive awe than overly rosy ideas, showing the reader the universe’s strange parts and the inventive humans who seek them out.” Thank you to @sarahscoles.bsky.social for a lovely review 📡 🥰 🔭

Book Review: How Radio Astronomy Made the Invisible Visible

Emma Chapman's "The Echoing Universe" is a vivid survey of the hidden parts of the cosmos and those who seek them out.

undark.org

to paraphrase Homer Simpson, 38% *so far*

Chris Newfield@cnewf.bsky.social · 4mo ago

the FT has two pieces on the slow-motion collapse of UK higher ed. 4/5ths of unis are doing voluntary layoffs; 38% are doing compulsory. Meanwhile Britain and its flatlined productivity growth sleepwalks through its unprecedented loss of advanced capabilities www.ft.com/content/8097...

"Someone, somewhere, has taken the decision to defund astrophysics research in the UK, but no-one seems quite sure who that was, or why." The latest on the impact of the catastrophic funding cuts to UK astrophysics, by me, in @natastron.nature.com 👩‍🔬🧪🔭 ✒️ www.nature.com/articles/s41...

📢More to come from the SITC on the STFC funding question.💰🧪🔭 Come watch it in person if you can. This deserves the highest scrutiny. committees.parliament.uk/event/27244/...

11 June 2026 - Investment in research infrastructure - Oral evidence - Committees - UK Parliament

09:30 - Physical

committees.parliament.uk

Alongside the majority of my colleagues in the School of Physics and Astronomy at Nottingham, I have received a letter telling me I am at risk of redundancy. To my physics friends - please sign this letter to help us save our amazing School nottinghamphysics.github.io/Open_Letter/

Women have played a crucial role in the development of astronomy, yet their contributions have often been overlooked or underrepresented. Our librarian Dr Sian Prosser will be exploring the stories of the women who helped shape our understanding of the universe at a talk at Jodrell Bank. ⤵️

At the #STFC Partnership Summit today, a live visual summary of the discussions was created in the room. It’s an interesting reflection of what was emphasised…and what wasn’t. Spot the PPAN science:

Applications are still open for this! Sign up if you’d like to come hang out at @perimeterinstitute.ca with an awesome group of physics/astronomy science communicators!

Katie Mack@astrokatie.com · 6mo ago

⚛️🔭 Hey physics/astronomy science communicators: apply to come to @perimeterinstitute.ca for a workshop in October on how to engage the public in science! Anyone can apply, working in any kind of scicomm (video, audio, text, live performance, whatever it is you do). Check the link for more details!

You know when people close their eyes and go to their happy place? 🤩 This is my happy place: The Lovell Telescope, @jodrellbank.bsky.social. Such an honour to stand at the feet of this legend, in front of a sold-out audience of 200, and share my love of the Radio Universe 📡✨

Today, our joint response to her 26 March letter has been published on the Committee's webpage. In the interest of openness and transparency UKRI is also publishing it here: www.ukri.org/publications...

9 April 2026: UKRI and DSIT respond to Select Committee letter

Professor Sir Ian Chapman and Lord Vallance respond to a letter from the Chair of the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.

ukri.org

WINNERS 🏆💜 We couldn’t be prouder of our incredible team for winning University Challenge! This win marks a special milestone. With five victories, we’re the most successful university in the history of the competition, joint with Imperial College London. Well done team 👏🏆

Your chance to help shape DORA's work to improve research assessment practices!

DORA@dorassessment.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Have you shared your thoughts yet? Only 15 days left 😱 Time to complete? Less than 10 minutes! Share what’s working, where change is hard, and how DORA can support you. The short survey is available in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese or Swahili! 👉 bit.ly/DORA-Survey-...

Cuts to UK Astronomy? It's all about the base(line). A short post on LinkedIn highlighting that the effective cuts to UK Astronomy funding are not some far off possibility - they have already started. www.linkedin.com/posts/profji...

Cuts to UK Astronomy? It’s all about the base(line). Responding to questions from the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, Lord Patrick Vallance (Science Minister) and Sir… ...

Cuts to UK Astronomy? It’s all about the base(line). Responding to questions from the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, Lord Patrick Vallance (Science Minister) and Sir I...

linkedin.com

Today is Transgender Day of Visibility. Solidarity today and everyday with trans and non-binary folk who claim space unapologetically. As governments turn trans visibility into a matter of “ideology,” we must refuse to see trans lives as a debate and instead nurture trans joy, safety, and belonging.

What is the impact of cuts to physics? Read more here ⬇️ www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

Brian Cox says UK physics funding cuts are ‘destruction of the future’

Grant cuts of nearly 70% may force university departments to close and ‘annihilate’ research, scientists say

theguardian.com