Steve Griffin
@profstevegriffin.bsky.social
Professor of Cancer Virology, University of Leeds.
Co-Chair, Independent SAGE
Co-Chair, Independent SAGE
Reposted by Steve Griffin
RFKJr has cut ALL mRNA vax research in the USA where all the work discussed in this thread was developed. Other countries can step in. But the rhetoric about mRNA vax from the likes of him are HUGELY harming the trust in mRNA vaccine technology. We address common questions n myths here
independentsage.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:42 AM
RFKJr has cut ALL mRNA vax research in the USA where all the work discussed in this thread was developed. Other countries can step in. But the rhetoric about mRNA vax from the likes of him are HUGELY harming the trust in mRNA vaccine technology. We address common questions n myths here
Reposted by Steve Griffin
Two exciting phase two trials show incredible success of mrna vaccines for seasonal flu with infectious symptoms prevented in some healthy individuals. 🧪🧵
Experimental mRNA flu vaccine shows superior efficacy against symptomatic illness
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 26, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Two exciting phase two trials show incredible success of mrna vaccines for seasonal flu with infectious symptoms prevented in some healthy individuals. 🧪🧵
Reposted by Steve Griffin
The default pandemic strategy for many countries does now seem to be "Play it by ear then lockdown and wait for a vaccine"
November 24, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The default pandemic strategy for many countries does now seem to be "Play it by ear then lockdown and wait for a vaccine"
Reposted by Steve Griffin
The government:
Tough on immigration, tough on the causes of immigration.
Tough on immigration, tough on the causes of immigration.
November 24, 2025 at 8:31 AM
The government:
Tough on immigration, tough on the causes of immigration.
Tough on immigration, tough on the causes of immigration.
Reposted by Steve Griffin
This is the richest man in the world who was tasked with government efficiencies and in line for a trillion dollar package from Tesla and he sounds like a demented frat boy with his frat bud.
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
November 24, 2025 at 6:04 PM
This is the richest man in the world who was tasked with government efficiencies and in line for a trillion dollar package from Tesla and he sounds like a demented frat boy with his frat bud.
Reposted by Steve Griffin
Reposted by Steve Griffin
A recent UCL/More in Common 2025 study has similar findings to other studies on attitudes
23% would reduce international student numbers
24% would increase international student numbers
39% would maintain current levels
(June 2025 fieldwork, published Oct 2025)
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/s...
23% would reduce international student numbers
24% would increase international student numbers
39% would maintain current levels
(June 2025 fieldwork, published Oct 2025)
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/s...
November 23, 2025 at 10:59 PM
A recent UCL/More in Common 2025 study has similar findings to other studies on attitudes
23% would reduce international student numbers
24% would increase international student numbers
39% would maintain current levels
(June 2025 fieldwork, published Oct 2025)
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/s...
23% would reduce international student numbers
24% would increase international student numbers
39% would maintain current levels
(June 2025 fieldwork, published Oct 2025)
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/s...
Reposted by Steve Griffin
The UK gets something like 1/10th of international students. Numbers are down in the UK since peaking around 2022 - though also falling elsewhere, with more restrictive policies
November 23, 2025 at 10:51 PM
The UK gets something like 1/10th of international students. Numbers are down in the UK since peaking around 2022 - though also falling elsewhere, with more restrictive policies
Reposted by Steve Griffin
Commons Library research briefing paper
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
International students in UK higher education
The government met its 2030 international student recruitment target of 600,000 ten years early and numbers have continued to increase since 2020. This briefing looks at student numbers, government po...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
November 23, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Commons Library research briefing paper
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Steve Griffin
For context
- International fees across UK unis is £10.3 billlion
- About a fifth of total income of about £52 billion/year
(International fees 23% of total income in 2023/24 v 5% in 90s)
- A 6% levy on international fees about £620m: so a bit above 1% of total university income, but uneven impact
- International fees across UK unis is £10.3 billlion
- About a fifth of total income of about £52 billion/year
(International fees 23% of total income in 2023/24 v 5% in 90s)
- A 6% levy on international fees about £620m: so a bit above 1% of total university income, but uneven impact
November 23, 2025 at 10:47 PM
For context
- International fees across UK unis is £10.3 billlion
- About a fifth of total income of about £52 billion/year
(International fees 23% of total income in 2023/24 v 5% in 90s)
- A 6% levy on international fees about £620m: so a bit above 1% of total university income, but uneven impact
- International fees across UK unis is £10.3 billlion
- About a fifth of total income of about £52 billion/year
(International fees 23% of total income in 2023/24 v 5% in 90s)
- A 6% levy on international fees about £620m: so a bit above 1% of total university income, but uneven impact
Reposted by Steve Griffin
HEPI research (August 2025)
www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/08/08/t...
www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/08/08/t...
The true cost of the Government’s proposed levy on international students - HEPI
The UK Government’s Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper (May 2025) proposes a 6% levy on international students’ tuition fees to invest in ‘the higher education and skills system...
www.hepi.ac.uk
November 23, 2025 at 10:39 PM
HEPI research (August 2025)
www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/08/08/t...
www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/08/08/t...
Reposted by Steve Griffin
A 6% levy on international student fees was proposed in the Immigration White Paper. The impact is about £600 million, though very unevenly spread across institutions.
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 23, 2025 at 10:35 PM
A 6% levy on international student fees was proposed in the Immigration White Paper. The impact is about £600 million, though very unevenly spread across institutions.
Reposted by Steve Griffin
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
Reposted by Steve Griffin
“My NHS colleagues and I weren’t willing to let the bodies pile high in their thousands. Johnson no longer mentions them at all.”
Hard hitting and necessary on the government’s covid complacency from @drrachelclarke.com
observer.co.uk/news/...
Hard hitting and necessary on the government’s covid complacency from @drrachelclarke.com
observer.co.uk/news/...
November 23, 2025 at 9:40 AM
“My NHS colleagues and I weren’t willing to let the bodies pile high in their thousands. Johnson no longer mentions them at all.”
Hard hitting and necessary on the government’s covid complacency from @drrachelclarke.com
observer.co.uk/news/...
Hard hitting and necessary on the government’s covid complacency from @drrachelclarke.com
observer.co.uk/news/...
Reposted by Steve Griffin
Helluva week in America... here are 5 minutes breaking down some of the key things you should know!
All these actions and more available on www.trumpactiontracker.info
youtu.be/3xjl2U2QteY
All these actions and more available on www.trumpactiontracker.info
youtu.be/3xjl2U2QteY
Undermining democracy this week in America
YouTube video by Professor Christina Pagel
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Helluva week in America... here are 5 minutes breaking down some of the key things you should know!
All these actions and more available on www.trumpactiontracker.info
youtu.be/3xjl2U2QteY
All these actions and more available on www.trumpactiontracker.info
youtu.be/3xjl2U2QteY
Reposted by Steve Griffin
Time we faced this, UK.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rachel Reeves is studiously ignoring the cause of Britain’s woes: the Brexit-shaped hole in its roof | Jonathan Freedland
The autumn budget will mop up some damage, but the true source of the economic crisis is clear. The government should now fix it – tragically, it won’t, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Time we faced this, UK.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Steve Griffin
Pure evil.
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Pure evil.
Reposted by Steve Griffin
Suggesting that science is or has “orthodoxy” is a fundamental misunderstanding.
Orthodoxy implies unquestionable dogma.
Science doesn't work like that: it’s a method designed to question, test, and revise if necessary.
Orthodoxy implies unquestionable dogma.
Science doesn't work like that: it’s a method designed to question, test, and revise if necessary.
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Suggesting that science is or has “orthodoxy” is a fundamental misunderstanding.
Orthodoxy implies unquestionable dogma.
Science doesn't work like that: it’s a method designed to question, test, and revise if necessary.
Orthodoxy implies unquestionable dogma.
Science doesn't work like that: it’s a method designed to question, test, and revise if necessary.
Reposted by Steve Griffin
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
Reposted by Steve Griffin
I've heard about criticisms on Radio 4 re @ukcovid-19inquiry.bsky.social. There's an "evidence based" commentary🙄
Evidentially, some argued vs SAGE re acting vs second wave in Autumn 2020
Evidentially, R>>1 as Alpha emerged
Evidentially, ⏫💀 than wave 1
Evidentially, no, Sweden didn't
Evidentially, some argued vs SAGE re acting vs second wave in Autumn 2020
Evidentially, R>>1 as Alpha emerged
Evidentially, ⏫💀 than wave 1
Evidentially, no, Sweden didn't
November 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I've heard about criticisms on Radio 4 re @ukcovid-19inquiry.bsky.social. There's an "evidence based" commentary🙄
Evidentially, some argued vs SAGE re acting vs second wave in Autumn 2020
Evidentially, R>>1 as Alpha emerged
Evidentially, ⏫💀 than wave 1
Evidentially, no, Sweden didn't
Evidentially, some argued vs SAGE re acting vs second wave in Autumn 2020
Evidentially, R>>1 as Alpha emerged
Evidentially, ⏫💀 than wave 1
Evidentially, no, Sweden didn't
Reposted by Steve Griffin
So much of the UK’s steady decline post war can be explained by how easy it is for some people to fail upwards. Some spectacular examples with COVID and Brexit - often the same people in both. And easily identifiable by the frequency of their appearance on BBC Radio 4 Today programme
November 21, 2025 at 11:44 AM
So much of the UK’s steady decline post war can be explained by how easy it is for some people to fail upwards. Some spectacular examples with COVID and Brexit - often the same people in both. And easily identifiable by the frequency of their appearance on BBC Radio 4 Today programme
I've heard about criticisms on Radio 4 re @ukcovid-19inquiry.bsky.social. There's an "evidence based" commentary🙄
Evidentially, some argued vs SAGE re acting vs second wave in Autumn 2020
Evidentially, R>>1 as Alpha emerged
Evidentially, ⏫💀 than wave 1
Evidentially, no, Sweden didn't
Evidentially, some argued vs SAGE re acting vs second wave in Autumn 2020
Evidentially, R>>1 as Alpha emerged
Evidentially, ⏫💀 than wave 1
Evidentially, no, Sweden didn't
November 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I've heard about criticisms on Radio 4 re @ukcovid-19inquiry.bsky.social. There's an "evidence based" commentary🙄
Evidentially, some argued vs SAGE re acting vs second wave in Autumn 2020
Evidentially, R>>1 as Alpha emerged
Evidentially, ⏫💀 than wave 1
Evidentially, no, Sweden didn't
Evidentially, some argued vs SAGE re acting vs second wave in Autumn 2020
Evidentially, R>>1 as Alpha emerged
Evidentially, ⏫💀 than wave 1
Evidentially, no, Sweden didn't
Reposted by Steve Griffin
8/ Obviously it's easy to be wise after the event, but everything we said at the time is on our web site for others to judge
independentsage.org
independentsage.org
Independent SAGE – Independent scientific advice on the COVID-19 crisis, for the UK government and public.
Independent SAGE: Independent scientific advice on the COVID-19 crisis, for the UK government and public.
independentsage.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:53 PM
8/ Obviously it's easy to be wise after the event, but everything we said at the time is on our web site for others to judge
independentsage.org
independentsage.org
Reposted by Steve Griffin
7/Data and Preparedness
Inquiry: Improve real-time, equality-disaggregated data; strengthen modelling capacity; pre-design dashboards and taskforce structures.
IS: Repeatedly highlighted data gaps (ethnicity, disability); called for transparent modelling and scenario planning.
Inquiry: Improve real-time, equality-disaggregated data; strengthen modelling capacity; pre-design dashboards and taskforce structures.
IS: Repeatedly highlighted data gaps (ethnicity, disability); called for transparent modelling and scenario planning.
November 20, 2025 at 4:43 PM
7/Data and Preparedness
Inquiry: Improve real-time, equality-disaggregated data; strengthen modelling capacity; pre-design dashboards and taskforce structures.
IS: Repeatedly highlighted data gaps (ethnicity, disability); called for transparent modelling and scenario planning.
Inquiry: Improve real-time, equality-disaggregated data; strengthen modelling capacity; pre-design dashboards and taskforce structures.
IS: Repeatedly highlighted data gaps (ethnicity, disability); called for transparent modelling and scenario planning.
Reposted by Steve Griffin
6/Governance
Inquiry: Recommends standing 4-nations forum; clear transition from COBR to long-term structures; inclusive, accountable decision-making; address toxic culture in govt.
IS: Called for collaborative, respectful four-nations approach; criticised politicisation and lack of coordination.
Inquiry: Recommends standing 4-nations forum; clear transition from COBR to long-term structures; inclusive, accountable decision-making; address toxic culture in govt.
IS: Called for collaborative, respectful four-nations approach; criticised politicisation and lack of coordination.
November 20, 2025 at 4:43 PM
6/Governance
Inquiry: Recommends standing 4-nations forum; clear transition from COBR to long-term structures; inclusive, accountable decision-making; address toxic culture in govt.
IS: Called for collaborative, respectful four-nations approach; criticised politicisation and lack of coordination.
Inquiry: Recommends standing 4-nations forum; clear transition from COBR to long-term structures; inclusive, accountable decision-making; address toxic culture in govt.
IS: Called for collaborative, respectful four-nations approach; criticised politicisation and lack of coordination.