John Whitfield
@johnwhitfield.bsky.social
(Science) journalist and author.
Opinion editor, Research Professional News.
Books: Lost Animals; People Will Talk ; In the Beat of a Heart.
www.johnwhitfield.co.uk
Opinion editor, Research Professional News.
Books: Lost Animals; People Will Talk ; In the Beat of a Heart.
www.johnwhitfield.co.uk
Reposted by John Whitfield
A new fossil fungus discovered in Scotland shows evidence of plants and fungi sharing nutrients to survive on land.
The fossil, more than 400 million years old, offers hints about the origin of one of the greatest partnerships in the history of life on Earth.
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
The fossil, more than 400 million years old, offers hints about the origin of one of the greatest partnerships in the history of life on Earth.
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
Ancient fossil reveals how plants and fungi first developed on land | Natural History Museum
A new fossil fungus discovered in Scotland shows evidence of plants and fungi sharing nutrients to survive on land.
www.nhm.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM
A new fossil fungus discovered in Scotland shows evidence of plants and fungi sharing nutrients to survive on land.
The fossil, more than 400 million years old, offers hints about the origin of one of the greatest partnerships in the history of life on Earth.
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
The fossil, more than 400 million years old, offers hints about the origin of one of the greatest partnerships in the history of life on Earth.
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
Reposted by John Whitfield
Opinion: Creating a home for disruptive science would lock in UK’s lead.
“Lovelace Labs” could pursue high-risk, long-term projects that struggle in universities, says Laura Ryan.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
“Lovelace Labs” could pursue high-risk, long-term projects that struggle in universities, says Laura Ryan.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Creating a home for disruptive science would lock in UK’s lead - Research Professional News
“Lovelace Labs” could pursue high-risk, long-term projects that struggle in universities, says Laura Ryan
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Opinion: Creating a home for disruptive science would lock in UK’s lead.
“Lovelace Labs” could pursue high-risk, long-term projects that struggle in universities, says Laura Ryan.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
“Lovelace Labs” could pursue high-risk, long-term projects that struggle in universities, says Laura Ryan.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
It's easy to check if you're owed. I've put in a claim. www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:32 AM
It's easy to check if you're owed. I've put in a claim. www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
Reposted by John Whitfield
Bad news in from South Georgia - the population of breeding female elephant seals has nearly halved following a bird flu outbreak on the sub-Antarctic island.
Here's what we know so far...
📸 Connor Bamford
Here's what we know so far...
📸 Connor Bamford
November 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Bad news in from South Georgia - the population of breeding female elephant seals has nearly halved following a bird flu outbreak on the sub-Antarctic island.
Here's what we know so far...
📸 Connor Bamford
Here's what we know so far...
📸 Connor Bamford
I'd like to thank Labour for doing such a great job of selflessly drawing fire away from the BBC this week.
November 14, 2025 at 9:22 AM
I'd like to thank Labour for doing such a great job of selflessly drawing fire away from the BBC this week.
I believe this is a first for the @resprofnews.bsky.social opinion section.
Well that was fast… apparently you can now BUY THE CHAOS IS COMING T-SHIRT thanks to my colleague @scholtom.bsky.social 🤣 chipsandgrady.uk/product/chao... #OpenAccess
November 12, 2025 at 11:38 AM
I believe this is a first for the @resprofnews.bsky.social opinion section.
You had me at 'hurdy'.
lifem.org/event/ensemb...
lifem.org/event/ensemb...
LIFEM
LIFEM
lifem.org
November 12, 2025 at 11:26 AM
You had me at 'hurdy'.
lifem.org/event/ensemb...
lifem.org/event/ensemb...
Reposted by John Whitfield
If the EUs once most competitive economy struggles on such a scale a host of changes at the EU level may be possible - IMHO implement the Draghi report with joint financing and targeted industrial policies. DE will not come out of this on its own - just like Greece 15 years ago.
on.ft.com/3LCfhHJ
on.ft.com/3LCfhHJ
Can anything halt the decline of German industry?
Europe’s manufacturing champion is in free fall. Economists are suggesting radical steps to save what is left
on.ft.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:25 AM
If the EUs once most competitive economy struggles on such a scale a host of changes at the EU level may be possible - IMHO implement the Draghi report with joint financing and targeted industrial policies. DE will not come out of this on its own - just like Greece 15 years ago.
on.ft.com/3LCfhHJ
on.ft.com/3LCfhHJ
Reposted by John Whitfield
Opinion: Chaos is coming for scholarly publishing.
Buckling of commercial models alongside maturing of community-led efforts promises major shifts, says Caroline Edwards (@theblochian.bsky.social).
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Buckling of commercial models alongside maturing of community-led efforts promises major shifts, says Caroline Edwards (@theblochian.bsky.social).
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Chaos is coming for scholarly publishing - Research Professional News
Buckling of commercial models alongside maturing of community-led efforts promises major shifts, says Caroline Edwards
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Opinion: Chaos is coming for scholarly publishing.
Buckling of commercial models alongside maturing of community-led efforts promises major shifts, says Caroline Edwards (@theblochian.bsky.social).
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Buckling of commercial models alongside maturing of community-led efforts promises major shifts, says Caroline Edwards (@theblochian.bsky.social).
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Anyone getting into a staring match with a herring gull is braver than I am.
#OpenAccess in #BirdStudy
Herring Gulls really don't like people staring at them (antipredator response).
The eyes have it: the response of European Herring Gulls Larus argentatus to human eye-gaze doi.org/10.1080/0006...
#ornithology
Herring Gulls really don't like people staring at them (antipredator response).
The eyes have it: the response of European Herring Gulls Larus argentatus to human eye-gaze doi.org/10.1080/0006...
#ornithology
November 6, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Anyone getting into a staring match with a herring gull is braver than I am.
Reposted by John Whitfield
EU agrees to open Horizon Europe to dual-use and defence
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
November 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
EU agrees to open Horizon Europe to dual-use and defence
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Reposted by John Whitfield
Curious little story this one. REF Team telling everyone they can't use REF 2029 logo any more. Seems to contradict previous years' guidance, and could make work for people.
REF 2029 branding ban baffles research offices.
Instruction to remove Research Excellence Framework logo from university materials prompts confusion.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Instruction to remove Research Excellence Framework logo from university materials prompts confusion.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF 2029 branding ban baffles research offices - Research Professional News
Instruction to remove Research Excellence Framework logo from university materials prompts confusion
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Curious little story this one. REF Team telling everyone they can't use REF 2029 logo any more. Seems to contradict previous years' guidance, and could make work for people.
Reposted by John Whitfield
Divide and concur — this radical plan from 1920, for "lasting peace" after WW1, proposed uniting central Europe into 24 wedge-shaped cantons which would radiate out from Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/unionization-of-central-europe/
November 5, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Divide and concur — this radical plan from 1920, for "lasting peace" after WW1, proposed uniting central Europe into 24 wedge-shaped cantons which would radiate out from Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/unionization-of-central-europe/
Reposted by John Whitfield
In an interview with Research Europe, Austria's research minister @eviholz.bsky.social warned that some EU politicians want to copy Trump in taking a "chainsaw" to university funding
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Trump ‘chainsaw’ on universities ‘could be copied in Europe’ - Research Professional News
Austrian research minister tells Research Europe some politicians want to emulate US president’s anti-science stance
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
In an interview with Research Europe, Austria's research minister @eviholz.bsky.social warned that some EU politicians want to copy Trump in taking a "chainsaw" to university funding
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Reposted by John Whitfield
Opinion: Switzerland’s status as a leading science nation is already under pressure - cuts could imperil it further, writes Franz Barjak
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Swiss universities are braced for austerity - Research Professional News
Proposed cuts to federal spending threaten country’s strength in research and innovation, says Franz Barjak
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Opinion: Switzerland’s status as a leading science nation is already under pressure - cuts could imperil it further, writes Franz Barjak
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Reposted by John Whitfield
'The University of Reading wants to build Loddon Garden Village on land close to Shinfield and Lower Earley and it is included in Wokingham Borough Council's current housing plans.
The application includes about 2,800 homes, along with two primary schools and one secondary school'. 1/2
The application includes about 2,800 homes, along with two primary schools and one secondary school'. 1/2
University of Reading files 4,000-home Loddon Garden Village plan
The proposal of about 4,000 homes could be built on land between Shinfield and Lower Earley.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:35 AM
'The University of Reading wants to build Loddon Garden Village on land close to Shinfield and Lower Earley and it is included in Wokingham Borough Council's current housing plans.
The application includes about 2,800 homes, along with two primary schools and one secondary school'. 1/2
The application includes about 2,800 homes, along with two primary schools and one secondary school'. 1/2
Reposted by John Whitfield
Free-to-read opinion: Europe must "couple excellent science with rapid learning cycles", writes @aau.dk rector Per Michael Johansen
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
November 6, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Free-to-read opinion: Europe must "couple excellent science with rapid learning cycles", writes @aau.dk rector Per Michael Johansen
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
Reposted by John Whitfield
Some pragmatic home truths we need to think with if these aspirations are to be met. Setting PCE criteria very late in the day (December 25/January26) means that HEIs will be retrofitting data to them in their submissions. They will drive positive change only if HEIs believe they will endure. 1/2
Excellence, culture and assessment are inseparable.
A broader REF would bring better research outcomes, say Grace Murkett and Helen Young.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
A broader REF would bring better research outcomes, say Grace Murkett and Helen Young.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
November 5, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Some pragmatic home truths we need to think with if these aspirations are to be met. Setting PCE criteria very late in the day (December 25/January26) means that HEIs will be retrofitting data to them in their submissions. They will drive positive change only if HEIs believe they will endure. 1/2
She'd only been in post since January.
Whoa Rebecca Lawrence has resigned as Chief Executive of @britishlibrary.bsky.social. Sorry that this might mean more turmoil at an institution that is a critical part of UK research infrastructure
www.bl.uk/about/press/...
www.bl.uk/about/press/...
British Library Board statement
The British Library Board has announced that Rebecca Lawrence has stepped down as Chief Executive.
www.bl.uk
November 4, 2025 at 3:17 PM
She'd only been in post since January.
Reposted by John Whitfield
Rosalind Gill assesses the significance of the latest funding settlement for research and development. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
From commitment to achievement - Research Professional News
Rosalind Gill explains what the recently announced R&D allocation means for UK growth
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Rosalind Gill assesses the significance of the latest funding settlement for research and development. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Good list: number 4 will make you say, hmm, we'll see.
Ok a bit of policy wonky gossip on UK research and universities.
1. Universities in deficit hoping for a bail out are dreaming.
2. HE policy is drawing on success of schools policy.
1. Universities in deficit hoping for a bail out are dreaming.
2. HE policy is drawing on success of schools policy.
October 29, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Good list: number 4 will make you say, hmm, we'll see.
Forget it, Jake. It's half term.
October 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Forget it, Jake. It's half term.
Reposted by John Whitfield
How to realise the UK’s ambitions on global talent.
Increased visa numbers need to come with wider eligibility and lower costs, says John Kiely.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Increased visa numbers need to come with wider eligibility and lower costs, says John Kiely.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
How to realise the UK’s ambitions on global talent - Research Professional News
Increased visa numbers need to come with wider eligibility and lower costs, says John Kiely
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:51 PM
How to realise the UK’s ambitions on global talent.
Increased visa numbers need to come with wider eligibility and lower costs, says John Kiely.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Increased visa numbers need to come with wider eligibility and lower costs, says John Kiely.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Reposted by John Whitfield
I just got an Ai generated invite from @springernature.com to submit an Elton Review, the most prestigious paper category in Biological Invasions. These papers are invitation only…by a human. Inviting submissions based on algorithms is gonna make so much more work for those of us editorial board.
a female soccer player wearing a number 13 jersey
ALT: a female soccer player wearing a number 13 jersey
media.tenor.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I just got an Ai generated invite from @springernature.com to submit an Elton Review, the most prestigious paper category in Biological Invasions. These papers are invitation only…by a human. Inviting submissions based on algorithms is gonna make so much more work for those of us editorial board.
Reposted by John Whitfield
After years of research, scientist Leonid Pshenichnov concluded Russia + China cannot continue fishing krill, the main food source of many marine creatures, at current rates without risking breakdown of entire ocean ecosystems. Russia had him arrested:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Russia arrests Ukrainian biologist for backing curbs on Antarctic krill fishing
‘Trumped-up’ charges spark diplomatic row as scientists express fears for health of 70-year-old Leonid Pshenichnov
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:11 PM
After years of research, scientist Leonid Pshenichnov concluded Russia + China cannot continue fishing krill, the main food source of many marine creatures, at current rates without risking breakdown of entire ocean ecosystems. Russia had him arrested:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...