Dr Robin Rumney
@rmhrumney.bsky.social
Lecturer in musculoskeletal biology and regenerative medicine. Into biomaterials and musculoskeletal diseases.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4266-5962
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4266-5962
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
So I've been reading the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. There's some good things in there. But when it comes to universities there's very little to cheer. The situation is very tough and will get worse. The last chance to preserve what we've got has passed. Let me explain why. (1/?)
October 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
So I've been reading the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. There's some good things in there. But when it comes to universities there's very little to cheer. The situation is very tough and will get worse. The last chance to preserve what we've got has passed. Let me explain why. (1/?)
Liz Kendall is the new Science Minister.
September 5, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Liz Kendall is the new Science Minister.
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Lovely to hear Melvyn Bragg talking about the big idea behind "In Our Time": to get academics on the air, talking about the subjects they were most passionate & knowledgeable about, without worrying about whether they had "media training".
It's remarkable that this was (& remains) such an odd idea!
It's remarkable that this was (& remains) such an odd idea!
September 4, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Lovely to hear Melvyn Bragg talking about the big idea behind "In Our Time": to get academics on the air, talking about the subjects they were most passionate & knowledgeable about, without worrying about whether they had "media training".
It's remarkable that this was (& remains) such an odd idea!
It's remarkable that this was (& remains) such an odd idea!
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
What a shock! What a surprise! To absolutely nobody. Universities' austerity logic will always have the opposite effect of what they intend.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-aust...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-aust...
University efficiency drives may have opposite effect, study finds - Research Professional News
Teaching and research staff say reforms mean more red tape for them, Australian survey reports
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
August 27, 2025 at 8:04 AM
What a shock! What a surprise! To absolutely nobody. Universities' austerity logic will always have the opposite effect of what they intend.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-aust...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-aust...
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Just in case there was any doubt, ChatGPT 5.0 still makes up completely random citations that don't exist and should not be used for literature search.
August 16, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Just in case there was any doubt, ChatGPT 5.0 still makes up completely random citations that don't exist and should not be used for literature search.
www.theregister.com/2025/08/08/n...
Scientists and academics are not generally well paid and this approach concentrates research around the areas of the country with the highest living costs. It will have negative consequences for those without additional financial support.
Scientists and academics are not generally well paid and this approach concentrates research around the areas of the country with the highest living costs. It will have negative consequences for those without additional financial support.
North of England snubbed by UK govt bag-a-boffin scheme
: Home of Manchester Baby can't bid for talent, baby
www.theregister.com
August 9, 2025 at 11:26 AM
www.theregister.com/2025/08/08/n...
Scientists and academics are not generally well paid and this approach concentrates research around the areas of the country with the highest living costs. It will have negative consequences for those without additional financial support.
Scientists and academics are not generally well paid and this approach concentrates research around the areas of the country with the highest living costs. It will have negative consequences for those without additional financial support.
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
This is not normal. If Britain's universities had any cash we could steal a march on everyone. Unfortunately we're broke or worse.
All scientific grant funding must now be approved by a political appointee and "demonstrably advance the President's policy priorities."
I wonder where innovation will happen in the future? It won't be in the US
arstechnica.com/science/2025...
I wonder where innovation will happen in the future? It won't be in the US
arstechnica.com/science/2025...
New executive order puts all grants under political control
All new funding on hold until Trump administration can cancel any previously funded grants.
arstechnica.com
August 8, 2025 at 7:09 PM
This is not normal. If Britain's universities had any cash we could steal a march on everyone. Unfortunately we're broke or worse.
A real shame to hear about the cancellation of the UKs medicines repurposing programme. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
A geroscience response to cancellation of the UK’s Medicines Repurposing Programme: challenges and opportunities
After just 4 years of operation, the discontinuation of the UK’s Medicines Repurposing
Programme in April, 2025,1 marks a concerning shift in drug development—particularly
for geroscience. The program...
www.thelancet.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:56 AM
A real shame to hear about the cancellation of the UKs medicines repurposing programme. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
🧪 A new report reveals Trump's budget proposal aims to slash federal funding for basic scientific research by roughly one-third. This significant cut, totaling $15 billion, could jeopardize America's global leadership in science and innovation, impacting fields from AI to healthcare.
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Trump Seeks to Cut Basic Scientific Research by Roughly One-Third, Report Shows (Gift Article)
An analysis by the American Association for the Advancement of Science shows the impact of the administration’s budget plan on the kind of studies that produce the most breakthroughs.
www.nytimes.com
July 11, 2025 at 12:27 PM
🧪 A new report reveals Trump's budget proposal aims to slash federal funding for basic scientific research by roughly one-third. This significant cut, totaling $15 billion, could jeopardize America's global leadership in science and innovation, impacting fields from AI to healthcare.
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
A good indicator of the university sector struggling to keep afloat: Sheffield says it's 'stabilised' things after 300 voluntary redundancies, a new redundancy scheme, a halt to work on its new labs and closing 28 courses.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
University of Sheffield finances stabilise after fall in students
The University of Sheffield still plans cuts to jobs and courses despite a better financial outlook.
www.bbc.com
June 24, 2025 at 8:05 AM
A good indicator of the university sector struggling to keep afloat: Sheffield says it's 'stabilised' things after 300 voluntary redundancies, a new redundancy scheme, a halt to work on its new labs and closing 28 courses.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Thoughts with the people of Liverpool tonight. Awful scenes.
May 26, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Thoughts with the people of Liverpool tonight. Awful scenes.
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
I mean, these kinds of cuts to basic uni science, you don't come back from these. (2/2)
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades (Gift Article)
The lag in funding extends far beyond D.E.I. initiatives, affecting almost every area of science: chemistry, computing, engineering, materials and more.
www.nytimes.com
May 23, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I mean, these kinds of cuts to basic uni science, you don't come back from these. (2/2)
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Meanwhile, I think that US universities face a far worse threat than those in the UK. This is full-bore war on the sector by their own government. Harvard can just about stand up to this, but almost no-one else could. (1/2)
Trump's war to destroy Harvard. As the US government slashes Harvard’s funding, Nature has learnt that researchers at the university have lost nearly 1,000 grants worth more than US$2.4 billion.
Harvard researchers devastated as Trump team cuts nearly 1,000 grants
Nature talks with scientists about an uncertain future as the US government lays siege to their university.
go.nature.com
May 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Meanwhile, I think that US universities face a far worse threat than those in the UK. This is full-bore war on the sector by their own government. Harvard can just about stand up to this, but almost no-one else could. (1/2)
Truly horrifying. A dark age mentality.
NSF Physics was cut by 85%, basically wiping out most of its capacity for supporting research.
NSF Astronomy was cut by 53%
Undergrad education was cut by 71% and research on learning by 79%
Graduate education was cut by 100% to ZERO.
#GiftLink ⚛️🔭
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
NSF Astronomy was cut by 53%
Undergrad education was cut by 71% and research on learning by 79%
Graduate education was cut by 100% to ZERO.
#GiftLink ⚛️🔭
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades (Gift Article)
The lag in funding extends far beyond D.E.I. initiatives, affecting almost every area of science: chemistry, computing, engineering, materials and more.
www.nytimes.com
May 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Truly horrifying. A dark age mentality.
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Spire Healthcare has announced plans to cut around 400 hospital-based jobs affecting both clinical and non-clinical roles. Equivalent to around 2.5% of its workforce.
May 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Spire Healthcare has announced plans to cut around 400 hospital-based jobs affecting both clinical and non-clinical roles. Equivalent to around 2.5% of its workforce.
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Monash University has made many positions available specifically for young and early career researchers who would like to take some time away from the USA. These are case by case, not advertised. So if you are interested or know anyone interested have them get in contact with someone at Monash.
May 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Monash University has made many positions available specifically for young and early career researchers who would like to take some time away from the USA. These are case by case, not advertised. So if you are interested or know anyone interested have them get in contact with someone at Monash.
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
"Researchers recruited to work in the UK have to fund a £1,035 annual immigration health surcharge, which must be paid in full in advance, as well as up to £1,519 in visa fees. For a family of four, the upfront costs can total almost £30,000."
“The visa fees are so exceedingly high that it makes coming here very difficult for some people. We are fishing for the best scientists in the world. They want to come and work here because we are such an effective country at science, but if we have these high costs, they can and will go elsewhere.”
Is the UK paying the price for world’s most expensive visas? | The Observer
Competing political and economic goals on immigration are resulting in the loss of valuable skills and talent in the UK
observer.co.uk
May 12, 2025 at 10:05 AM
"Researchers recruited to work in the UK have to fund a £1,035 annual immigration health surcharge, which must be paid in full in advance, as well as up to £1,519 in visa fees. For a family of four, the upfront costs can total almost £30,000."
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Keele University says at least 100 academic jobs and 50 professional services roles could go in latest round of cost-cutting www.timeshighereducation.com/news/staff-d... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Staff ‘deeply concerned’ as Keele confirms plans to cut 150 roles
Academic and professional services posts to go, with university blaming ‘unprecedented financial challenges’
www.timeshighereducation.com
May 13, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Keele University says at least 100 academic jobs and 50 professional services roles could go in latest round of cost-cutting www.timeshighereducation.com/news/staff-d... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
The Crick is paying £800,000 in visa fees alone. Britain is choosing to turn inwards, away from the world, and to destroy its own future. That is not Britain. observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Is the UK paying the price for world’s most expensive visas? | The Observer
Competing political and economic goals on immigration are resulting in the loss of valuable skills and talent in the UK
observer.co.uk
May 11, 2025 at 8:02 AM
The Crick is paying £800,000 in visa fees alone. Britain is choosing to turn inwards, away from the world, and to destroy its own future. That is not Britain. observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
☀️ Here are some worrying statistics that have come out of our recent public survey.
Melanoma skin cancer rates continue to climb in the UK, the implications of these findings are significant.
You can read more here 👉 buff.ly/6eT6MkF
#MelanomaAwarenessmonth
Melanoma skin cancer rates continue to climb in the UK, the implications of these findings are significant.
You can read more here 👉 buff.ly/6eT6MkF
#MelanomaAwarenessmonth
May 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM
☀️ Here are some worrying statistics that have come out of our recent public survey.
Melanoma skin cancer rates continue to climb in the UK, the implications of these findings are significant.
You can read more here 👉 buff.ly/6eT6MkF
#MelanomaAwarenessmonth
Melanoma skin cancer rates continue to climb in the UK, the implications of these findings are significant.
You can read more here 👉 buff.ly/6eT6MkF
#MelanomaAwarenessmonth
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
📣Today marks the start of Melanoma Awareness Month 2025! There are a variety of ways that you can get involved throughout May 👉 buff.ly/3N8ELve
Let’s reach as many people as possible and make a real difference.💙
#melanomaskincancer #melanomaawarenessmonth
Let’s reach as many people as possible and make a real difference.💙
#melanomaskincancer #melanomaawarenessmonth
May 1, 2025 at 7:10 AM
📣Today marks the start of Melanoma Awareness Month 2025! There are a variety of ways that you can get involved throughout May 👉 buff.ly/3N8ELve
Let’s reach as many people as possible and make a real difference.💙
#melanomaskincancer #melanomaawarenessmonth
Let’s reach as many people as possible and make a real difference.💙
#melanomaskincancer #melanomaawarenessmonth
Current vibes
a cartoon character is standing in front of a door and says everything 's coming up milhouse .
ALT: a cartoon character is standing in front of a door and says everything 's coming up milhouse .
media.tenor.com
April 25, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Current vibes
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
Map of economic impact of WH proposed cuts to research. Now searchable by House District. (eg, the impact on Rep Kat Cammack's district (R; Florida) is $85M)
--> scienceimpacts.org
--> scienceimpacts.org
SCIMaP - Impacts of Federal Cuts to Science and Medical Research
Developed by an interdisciplinary research team, this website shows how funding cuts reduce economic activity and employment nationwide
scienceimpacts.org
April 13, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Map of economic impact of WH proposed cuts to research. Now searchable by House District. (eg, the impact on Rep Kat Cammack's district (R; Florida) is $85M)
--> scienceimpacts.org
--> scienceimpacts.org
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
The core trilma here remains the same - the govt needs to accept one of three things: high student migration, higher domestic student fees (or higher taxes to fund universities) or university bankruptcies. Those are the only options, given where we are. Pick one.
The UK government is proposing to finally finish off its universities by further tightening the terms of the graduate visa route. The stupid fools. Playing with dangers they don't even understand. www.ft.com/content/f441...
UK Home Office’s reform of graduate visas runs into opposition
[FREE TO READ] Education department at odds with plan to curb number of overseas students allowed to stay in Britain
www.ft.com
April 8, 2025 at 7:58 AM
The core trilma here remains the same - the govt needs to accept one of three things: high student migration, higher domestic student fees (or higher taxes to fund universities) or university bankruptcies. Those are the only options, given where we are. Pick one.
Reposted by Dr Robin Rumney
All universities should be actively planning for what they would do if they were forced to close, says English regulator www.timeshighereducation.com/news/all-uni... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social
All universities should be assessing closure risks, says OfS
Institutions ‘not always aware of the scale of the challenges involved’, regulator warns, as financial crisis exacerbates likelihood of bankruptcies
www.timeshighereducation.com
April 3, 2025 at 2:16 PM
All universities should be actively planning for what they would do if they were forced to close, says English regulator www.timeshighereducation.com/news/all-uni... via @twilliamsthe.bsky.social