Crawford Barber

7 basic science discoveries that changed the world Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government.

This is good on how fundamental research can lead to unanticipated applications. I especially like the study of root vegetables leading to flat screen TVs (through the discovery of liquid crystals)
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Wait, I thought we could save all the money we needed by cutting diversity hires and reducing unspecified "waste"?

Beth Thompson, Executive Director of Policy & Partnerships, commenting for Wellcome:

“This status-quo settlement will keep R&D in the UK on a steady footing. This is important and shouldn't be underestimated, and the recognition of the role of fundamental science is particularly encouraging” […]

The bridge that bursts Britain’s public spending myths Investment is a long game that does not transform the immediate growth outlook, and cuts are difficult

‘Investment is a long game that does not transform the immediate growth outlook and spending cuts are difficult.’ The fact that this needs stating by @chrisgiles.ft.com is a bit nuts but there we are
www.ft.com/content/f086...

Why global health needs change – an interview with John-Arne Røttingen Visit the post for more.

Great article from Wellcome CEO @jarottingen.bsky.social in @politico.com on the need to reform global health and the great work @wellcometrust.bsky.social are doing to develop thinking in this area.

For sure a big role for R&D!

www.politico.eu/sponsored-co...

Graph showing poverty levels including child poverty reaching 36%

Shocking news. 36% of UK children are living in poverty according to the latest Social Metrics Commission research (I am one of the Commissioners)
www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

Interesting shift to talking about efficiencies across the sector, away from asks for more money. Impressive to see ManMets hefty surplus given sectors financial struggles. But given the diversity of unis, is this a one size fits all answer? And how do we protect & research?

science 🤝 policy

😅

British boasts of being a ‘science superpower’ are a bit cringe Not since that other phrase, ‘follow the science’, has there been so much unease that words that sound like they are backing science might be a trap for it

The UK is a stronger nation when it partners with other nations. A new narrative is needed that acknowledges that.

Wellcome want to see the UK become the Global Partner of Choice for R&D.

But if this isn’t the language, what is? Would love to hear people’s views

www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...

Life Sciences Sector Plan to grow economy and transform NHS The government has today (Wednesday 16 July) launched a bold new Life Sciences Sector Plan as part of the government’s flagship Industrial Strategy.

UK Life Sciences Sector Plan published

John-Arne Røttingen:

"The ambition set out in the Life Sciences Sector Plan is hugely welcome. Life sciences are a historic strength of the UK, and this strategic vision is important to cement the country’s advantage in the future"
www.gov.uk/government/n...

Strength in science can help the UK find its place in a changing world.

Wellcome has published a new report on how the UK can be the global partner of choice for R&D, and why investing in science supports diplomacy and security as well as economic growth.

Drop ‘science superpower’ slogan, Wellcome urges UK government Boris Johnson-era messaging about ‘UK greatness’ in science annoys and alienates potential research partners, says report from major funder

The tank picture gives a slightly more aggressive message than we were going for... but great to see all the big messages from our recent @wellcometrust.bsky.social report "The Global Partner for R&D" covered in THE.

www.timeshighereducation.com/news/drop-sc...

My team wrote a report on the UK's role in global R&D. Take a look!

The Global Partner of Choice for R&D | Report | Wellcome This report outlines the importance of research and development (R&D) for the UK, emphasising its role in economic growth, global reputation and national security amidst changing geopolitical landscap...

NEW WELLCOME REPORT

R&D is a driver of domestic economic growth, but there's so much more that strength in science can do for the UK and the world.

Our report sets out a wider narrative for UK R&D, and why the UK needs to move on from 'science superpower'

wellcome.org/reports/uk-g...

Great to see the Government ambition to reinvent the NHS through science and tech in the #NHS10yearplan. To realise these changes, investment and a focus on delivery now needed.

Spending Review: Why headline ‘£86 billion for research’ figure isn’t as ambitious as it sounds | News | Wellcome What does the UK government's Spending Review budgets mean for research? Martin Smith, Head of Policy Lab at Wellcome, analyses the reality behind the headlines.

More commentary on the Spending Review from me here now wellcome.org/news/spendin...

Wellcome responds to government spending review | News | Wellcome John-Arne Røttingen, chief executive of Wellcome, responds to the government's spending review

Wellcome's reaction quote is now online - more analysis to follow shortly wellcome.org/news/wellcom...

It's Spending Review day!

The Chancellor has announced £86bn for research over the next four years

A big number, particularly in the economic context...

...but it also amounts to a reduction in ambition.

Here's why 🎞

Ministers commit to £86bn for ‘breakthrough’ UK science and tech R&D Mayors welcome £500m set aside for regional authorities to target investment locally

R&D spending is in the headlines today on the back of a breathless press release.

Enthusiastic coverage is always welcome, but

- Pretty much flat in real terms
- No info on whether increases are backloaded
- Could still be tough for UKRI

Need the detail on Weds www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

With funding from @wellcometrust.bsky.social, we commissioned PwC to compare R&D funding systems in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and South Korea.

The analysis revealed several key themes to help us better understand and evidence the strengths of the UK system.

👇🧵

Wellcome has recently expanded its interests in AI and data for science, so I’m keen to hear from candidate with experience of that as well as domestic and global policy for science.

Great team, ambitious CEO and senior team supporting this type of work, free lunch.

Policy Adviser Salary: £ 61,400 Closing date:  Wednesday, 7 May 2025 Contract type: Permanent The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy a...

🚨Hiring!

I’m recruiting two new Policy Advisers to join my team
💷 £61,400
⏰ 7 May

It’s an exciting time to join this growing and evolving team working on UK and global science policy

wellcome.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/Wellco...

The Government and @wellcometrust.bsky.social are partnering to establish a new Health Data Research Service.

This partnership is exactly what is needed to help to ensure a trustworthy approach, and to build confidence among public, patients and health professionals: bit.ly/3XNJG9w

National data service will simplify access to health data for research | Wellcome Wellcome is partnering with the UK Government to establish a £600 million health data research service. It will simplify secure access to health data for research.

Great work out of Wellcome today in collab with the UK Gov. c.£600 million to simplify secure access to de-identified health data and speed up research. There’s so much we can learn from secure health data if we simplify how researchers access it 🧠 🤝 wellcome.org/news/nationa...

National data service will simplify access to health data for research | Wellcome Wellcome is partnering with the UK Government to establish a £600 million health data research service. It will simplify secure access to health data for research.

NEW - Wellcome and UK Government partnering on a new health data research service, contributing up £600m together.

This will simplify secure access to health data and speed up research to better understand ill health.

wellcome.org/news/nationa...

Strength in R&D is the UK’s biggest defence, says Science Minister

www.researchprofessional.com/0/rr/news/uk...

While UK newspapers were falling over themselves to cover the "stalling" EV market, the actual number of EVs on the UK's roads surged by 39% in *just 1 year*

The 1.4m EVs, 0.8m PHEVs & 76,000 EV vans on the road in 2024 saved ~£1.7bn in lower fuel costs

www.carbonbrief.org/...

See our new report on how industrial strategy can help identify and strengthen UK life sciences clusters.

With public finances stretched, the criteria we have developed can help R&I funding deliver maximum X-govt impact. I would particularly encourage people to read the impactful case studies.

Welcome’s submission to the UK Spending Review:

📈 Increase R&D intensity - invest £22bn in R&D in 2026/27 and set a longer-term ambition to become the most R&D intensive economy in the G7

🏫 Fix the funding environment for UK universities to support their financial sustainability