Head of Policy Lab @WellcomeTrust. Science and global health policy things. And cats. Amateur 2nd euphoniumer @PatchamBand. Also https://t.co/UqeEfB29eQ
Nov 22, 2023 • 12 tweets • 3 min read
The Government's response to Paul Nurse's review of the R&D landscape in the UK has just been published.
A few things that caught my eye on a first read through 🧵 assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/655db89c…
Worth noting that Nurse's report was *incredibly* broad - a big-picture overview of a huge number of issues, sometimes with some specific suggestions for actions but often not.
Jul 14, 2023 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
The UK is planning on massively increasing visa costs.
Currently a researcher looking at a 5-year Global Talent Visa, together with their partner and two children, needs to find £13.4k.
All up front. A big ask.
But that’s now slated to increase to…
**£20.9k**
As Wellcome, Universities UK and the Royal Society have argued for several years, visa costs are already far higher than other countries.
But the counterargument goes that ‘UK science (+NHS) is a Rolls Royce, so can command a high price’. Or something
💥Two important reports on UK science policy published today!
Here’s what you need to know (along with some GIFs, which you probably don’t need) 🧵
First, @LordsSTCom are saying that there isn’t really a coherent strategy yet for the UK’s science superpower ambitions.
“As things stand, the slogan has no credible definition or underpinning”
Sadly, we're having to prepare ourselves for the outcome on Horizon that the research community across the UK and Europe has worked hard to avoid.
My initial thoughts on the latest info on the transitional parts of 'Plan B'.
1/14 gov.uk/government/pub…2/ It's helpful to have this info published so that it can be properly scrutinised, in advance of any future decision to press the button on this plan.
There hasn't been a decision to walk away yet - and there won't be until there's a new PM - but association is "unlikely".
Oct 25, 2021 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
Lord Frost on delays to finalising UK participation in Horizon Europe:
"It was agreed at the end of last year... there's no reason why we shouldn't be fully part of Horizon. The EU has put in place arrangements for NOR, ISL, UKR, no reason why it shouldn't be the case for us"
Nevertheless, the reason for the delays appears to be the ongoing negotiations over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Today @wellcometrust publishes not one, but TWO policy papers on pandemics, both with important messages for #G20 countries, and coinciding with today's World Health Summit #WHS2021
Here's what you need to know, courtesy of our fabulous new-look Policy team
1/3
First up: the current Covid-19 pandemic is NOT over. There's so much more that needs to be done to bring the crisis to an end on a global scale.
Here's a 🧵 from @ChloeVWatson on what #G20 countries need to do right now to promote vaccine equity.
Next week I'm taking up an exciting new role at @wellcometrust as Head of Policy Lab
Time for a trademark thread...
Wellcome's staff structure has been redesigned to align with its new strategy, and we have a new policy team led by @Beth_Thompson as Associate Director, Policy.
(Watch this space for announcements from colleagues appointed as other Heads of Policy in our team...) 👀
Mar 17, 2021 • 11 tweets • 3 min read
.@DanielZeichner citing UUK's strong letter yesterday on R&D funding, in today's debate in parliament.
ODA cuts leading to R&D grant terminations are "breaking trust". "Quite frankly shocking that the Government is punching a hole in such important research"
Zeichner: "stopping funding like this shows a blatant disregard for our international partners" - "flies in the face of the aim of making the UK a scientific superpower"
Mar 17, 2021 • 12 tweets • 2 min read
Dominic Cummings: I was always clear that science shouldn't lose a penny from Brexit. Horizon and ODA funding shouldn't be subject to "Whitehall accounting gimmicks".
DC: The last conversation I had with the PM was about how to make sure science and technology is part of the PM's job - and for all future PMs
Mar 16, 2021 • 12 tweets • 4 min read
There's some brilliant rhetoric in today's Integrated Review about the UK's ambitions for science.
But there's a growing gulf between the rhetoric and reality on the ground when it comes to funding... 1/🧵
Press release w comments from @JeremyFarrar 👇 wellcome.org/news/science-s…2/ The Integrated Review says that science will be at the heart of alliances and partnerhips worldwide, and we will "continue to use ODA [aid spending] to support R&D partnerships with developing countries.
But...
Jan 8, 2021 • 25 tweets • 5 min read
Fantastic news over Christmas that the Brexit deal secures UK participation in Horizon Europe 🥳
@millie_dearman and I have been digging through the detail of the agreement text to find out more about how this all works.
Here's the 20+ tweet thread you've been waiting for! 🤓
First, a bit of guidance for anyone wanting to delve into this themselves.
The main Brexit deal has plenty of detail on how participation in programmes happens, including costs.
