Research Agenda.
Haldane
Politics, as it happens to the research system. Our column is anonymous by design; the hat is the only byline. Newest first.
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Stoking the north-south divideLast week saw business secretary Jonathan Reynolds say four times that decisions around science facilities and STFC spending must be “science-based”. Four…19 Oct 2026
Where to even begin?If this column had begun two years ago, it would likely have grown into a week-by-week exegesis of the Trump administration’s assault on the institutions and…13 Oct 2026
Two ways of understanding the government’s role in researchPhysicist Brian Cox is back in the news with further criticism of UKRI’s spending decisions, telling a Labour party conference fringe event that he has…6 Oct 2026
Reviewer 2.0To misquote Douglas Hofstadter: the backlash against AI in the research system will be bigger than you’re expecting, even once you take into account that it…28 Sep 2026
Mayors love innovation, but they might love the innovation budget moreWhat one issue is causing research policy people sleepless nights this autumn? There are quite a few candidates to pick from, for sure, but a decent bet is the…21 Sep 2026
ARIA can’t stay out of the political frayAndy Burnham has moved science “onto the frontline of politics,” the science minister has said, as if that was something to be excited about. Definitely the…14 Sep 2026
Research integrity concern? Call the Office for StudentsIt’s undeniably a good thing that UKRI is not bounced into commenting on every case of research security, integrity, controversy or malpractice which makes the…8 Sep 2026
Innovation, devolution, Andrea JenkynsWe won’t see the full extent of Andy Burnham’s devolution ambitions until later this autumn – but the Rewiring the State blueprint from earlier this summer is…21 Aug 2026
On tension and tensioningAn article in the Telegraph from the Conservatives’ shadow science secretary Julia Lopez boasts the headline “Labour could easily save iconic Jodrell Bank by…5 Aug 2026
The need for speedHow is UKRI going to cut grant processing times in half? This was the big rabbit in the hat of the funder’s five-year strategy: a pledge to cut median grant…29 Jul 2026