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Read more on REF halts panel announcements as rumours swirl over changes
Universities ordered to cease communication around Research Excellence Framework panel members
ViewUKRI application platform shift was ‘challenging’, leader admits
UKRI application platform shift was ‘challenging’, leader admits
But funder is “proud” of Simpler and Better Funding initiative, insists chief finance officer
ViewTuring Institute ‘failed’ on AI, says professional body
Turing Institute ‘failed’ on AI, says professional body
Result leaves UK lagging in artificial intelligence education, legislation and safety, spokesperson claims
ViewStudies excluding older people ‘unethical and bad for science’
Studies excluding older people ‘unethical and bad for science’
UK’s biggest public and charity funders commit to including more older adults in health research
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ViewBrian Cox appointed as first ‘Crick scholar’
Brian Cox appointed as first ‘Crick scholar’
New science promotion post will see Cox present science podcast
ViewUK advised to make ‘bold’ investment in AI chips
UK advised to make ‘bold’ investment in AI chips
Science council calls for universities to train more designers of advanced semiconductors
ViewTwo years on, how has the British Library cyberattack hit research?
Two years on, how has the British Library cyberattack hit research?
Scholars fear slow recovery could hurt PhD students and REF 2029 submissions
ViewLower business investment drives real-terms fall in UK R&D spend
Lower business investment drives real-terms fall in UK R&D spend
Science and industry groups urge government to reduce barriers for businesses putting money into research
ViewTuring Institute to ‘step up’ defence work and cut jobs
Turing Institute to ‘step up’ defence work and cut jobs
Senior leadership confirm redundancies and continuation of health and environment work
ViewConcern over plunging demand for arts and humanities A-levels
Concern over plunging demand for arts and humanities A-levels
Experts say “ridiculously narrow” UK post-16 education system is overweighting scientific courses
ViewTuring reforms have put almost half of staff at risk of redundancy
Turing reforms have put almost half of staff at risk of redundancy
Employees at national AI institute complain to Charity Commission as 50 more jobs at risk
ViewREF ‘4-star plus’ rating proposal raises concerns
REF ‘4-star plus’ rating proposal raises concerns
Research Excellence Framework team’s mulling of extra category prompts warning it could “exacerbate inequalities”
ViewShrinking of REF research culture metric ‘reflects political climate’
Shrinking of REF research culture metric ‘reflects political climate’
Moves to change Research Excellence Framework measures prompt warnings about impact on academics’ careers
ViewResearch culture element of REF 2029 set to be shrunk
Research culture element of REF 2029 set to be shrunk
New ‘4-star plus’ research rating also being considered by Research Excellence Framework team, briefings suggest
ViewRoyal Society ‘should take ethical and scientific stance’ on Musk
Royal Society ‘should take ethical and scientific stance’ on Musk
UCL professor urges society to oppose billionaire’s actions in science, after returning prize in protest
ViewGeoengineering: should the UK be more cautious?
Geoengineering: should the UK be more cautious?
As MPs voice geoengineering research fears, some experts back concerns—others want to change perceptions
ViewUKRI award rate halves in seven years as grant applications double
UKRI award rate halves in seven years as grant applications double
Trends across research councils prompt warning that system is “overstretched or broken”
ViewAcademy of Medical Sciences appoints next chief executive
Academy of Medical Sciences appoints next chief executive
Current director of government’s Office for Life Sciences will take up role in October
ViewMichele Dougherty named as UK’s first female astronomer royal
Michele Dougherty named as UK’s first female astronomer royal
Science and Technology Facilities Council executive chair appointed to honorary role
ViewCalls to run REF 2029 on old rules intensify
Calls to run REF 2029 on old rules intensify
“Uncertainty” prompts simplification push, but critics warn against dropping research culture metrics
ViewUK must fix ‘dire’ AI infrastructure, urges Tony Blair Institute
UK must fix ‘dire’ AI infrastructure, urges Tony Blair Institute
Government should launch “competitive compute-access programme for UK researchers”, says report
ViewTuring chair says sole defence focus would be ‘massive mistake’
Turing chair says sole defence focus would be ‘massive mistake’
Following science secretary’s call for overhaul, Doug Gurr says AI institute will remain “independent”
View‘Extreme concern’ over ‘veiled attack’ on ERC
‘Extreme concern’ over ‘veiled attack’ on ERC
Planned halving of European Research Council presidential term “unacceptable”, says group of research institutes
ViewUKRI renews contract with Researchfish
UKRI renews contract with Researchfish
Science department had previously urged funder to consider alternative options on impact tracking
ViewNuffield Foundation commits £150m to tackle social challenges
Nuffield Foundation commits £150m to tackle social challenges
UK charity will support research on inequality, climate policy, technology and institutional trust
ViewUKRI lacks accountability and drive to scale up, MPs warn
UKRI lacks accountability and drive to scale up, MPs warn
Funder faces “severe challenges” on boosting commercial gains from research, says Public Accounts Committee report
ViewGermany and UK adopt tech collaboration agreement
Germany and UK adopt tech collaboration agreement
Countries announce closer ties on artificial intelligence, quantum and clean tech
ViewBritish Academy president urges PM to act on university finances
British Academy president urges PM to act on university finances
Susan Smith starts in role by asking Keir Starmer to meet senior sector figures
ViewUKRI reviews research institutes to ‘identify efficiencies’
UKRI reviews research institutes to ‘identify efficiencies’
Assessment comes as agency looks to find flexibility in its budget
ViewThink tank calls for Alan Turing Institute to refocus on defence
Think tank calls for Alan Turing Institute to refocus on defence
Centre for British Progress backs science secretary’s call for overhaul of national AI institute
ViewJust 1% of UKRI peer review panellists are Black
Just 1% of UKRI peer review panellists are Black
Funder stresses “continued efforts to diversify panel membership” after first release of reviewer equalities data
ViewGovernment beefs up British supercomputer and AI resources
Government beefs up British supercomputer and AI resources
Bristol supercomputer switched on as science department promises strategy to harness AI for research
ViewUKRI faces ‘challenging prioritisation choices’, warns chair
UKRI faces ‘challenging prioritisation choices’, warns chair
Annual report shows agency wrestling with staffing levels and rollout of new technology platform
ViewNIHR to be overhauled as part of UK life sciences growth plan
NIHR to be overhauled as part of UK life sciences growth plan
Major research funders expected to support commercialisation and translational research push
ViewFrench-UK AI collaboration launched
French-UK AI collaboration launched
‘Entente CordIAle’ brings together five big-name institutions
ViewBritish Academy blasts proposed levy on overseas student fees
British Academy blasts proposed levy on overseas student fees
Immigration white paper response also raises concern over “uncertainty” for researchers on key visa routes
ViewChina ‘dominating’ AI research, study finds
China ‘dominating’ AI research, study finds
Chinese artificial intelligence research outputs reportedly exceed those of the US, EU and UK combined