Do you think the LHCb BBQ counts as an "upscale activity"..?!

Our Large Hadron Collider results hint at undiscovered physics The behaviour of sub-atomic particles in the LHC seems to disagree with the Standard Model.

We have an exciting new result from LHCb about to be published in PRL - my colleague Mark Smith and I took a deep look at it in The Conversation. theconversation.com/our-large-ha...

Mega congratulations to #Muon g-2 collaborations and this year's #BreakthroughPrize in Fundamental Physics: 60 years of investigation of the muon's "subtle wobble" - a gateway to stringent tests of particles and forces
home.cern/news/press-r... 🎉👏

"every step forward into space begins here on Earth with discovery science and with the people who dedicate their lives to understanding it". Brilliant. Thanks @iop.org and Sheila for the timely reminder.

These are great photos. Might it be possible for us to use one in our departmental bulletin? We would credit IOP Scotland - it's a lovely pic of everyone listening to Estifa'a.

I wonder if this covers PDRAs cut in projects and QTFP as well as grants? Let's hope.....

Am also wondering how the original motivation for Drayson partitions preventing one overspending part of the budget from encroaching on another has been lost.

I'd forgotten what lovely views the train from Edinburgh to London has - sea, coast, gorse, shaggy cattle, lots and lots of sky. Even when it's overcast - lovely.

so much for planning! So a virtual hello in the meantime; thanks so much again for all you're doing already, and most definitely will say hello properly next time we're in the same room without a town hall meeting in the way.

STFC budget falling in real terms even as UKRI spending rises - Research Professional News New figures show pressure on cash-strapped council, as scientists warn of wide-ranging impacts from cuts

STFC budget falling in real terms even as UKRI spending rises.

New figures show pressure on cash-strapped council, as scientists warn of wide-ranging impacts from cuts.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

A poster for "Particles with Purpose". Smiling in the centre is Robin Ince. He's surrounded by happy images of the other guests.

🔊Calling #Edinburgh!

Particles with Purpose: Summerhall 5pm tonight (10th Apr)!

The fab @robinince.bsky.social will be grilling the UK's leading particle physicists: how does their quest to understand the quantum world impact your everyday life?🧪⚛️👩‍🔬

Free🎟️: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/particles-...

zoom 1 Teams 0 #APPHEPP26

... and now.. @harrycliff.bsky.social giving us an update on @lhcb.bsky.social #APPHEPP2026. Go Harry!

Super start to day 2 of #APPHEPP26 with Becky Chislett talking about the muon precision frontier, and all the leading edge UK contributions to science and tech. Such fantastically precise investigations to tease out what muons can tell us about the universe.

Definitely!

It's a fantastic meeting #APPHEPP26 (super Edinburgh weather too). Great talk by @astroroyalscot.bsky.social - exactly what we need at the moment.

We need to locate and count particles in high radiation environments in @cern.bsky.social's Large Hadron Collider. That makes these detectors great at locating and counting particles in the high radiation environment of space. Great crossover!

CERN Timepix chips fly to the Moon At 00:35 CEST today, the Artemis II mission successfully launched, marking the first human journey to the Moon since 1972. During their ten-day journey aboard the Orion spacecraft, the four astronauts...

CERN technology in space! It’s not as rare as you think. The cern developed timepix detectors are great for measuring all kinds of things. Particles of course. But also all sorts of chemical, biological and other science processes 💪

home.cern/news/news/kn...

We need a credible plan for science funding in the UK | Letters Letters: Prof Ruben Saakyan and Prof Sheila Rowan respond to Prof Charlotte Deane of UK Research and Innovation

"We need a credible plan for science funding in the UK" Excellent letters in @theguardian.com from Prof Ruben Saakyan and Prof Sheila Rowan on the cuts to @ukri.org - STFC PPAN science www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

Image with IOP logo and text inviting IOP members to nominate themselves for the Council of Trustees election by 5pm 7 April.

IOP members: nominations for our Council of Trustees close 7 April. If you have a passion and commitment to the IOP and physics, consider nominating yourself.

Find out more at https://www.mi-nomination.com/iop26

Hi @profroryduncan.bsky.social; you might remember from Science Board that these PDRAs are awarded in institutional consolidated grants in STFC. This reflects the long term nature of PPAN research and need for skills continuity - different to eg responsive mode in EPSRC.

Mine too. Our STFC programme managers are brilliant; committed, skilled and so so knowledgeable. Their job is hard enough without this.

Brian Cox says UK physics funding cuts are ‘destruction of the future’ Grant cuts of nearly 70% may force university departments to close and ‘annihilate’ research, scientists say

What is the impact of cuts to physics? Read more here ⬇️
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

This seems to be a wholely new form of the Drayson partitions.

In this letter, the government and UKRI are saying that they are actively tensioning CERN costs against PPAN grants.

This is completely different to what the Drayson partitions have been in the past.

and Dame Chi's response is also posted ⬇️: committees.parliament.uk/publications...

The Lord Vallance/UKRI answers to @chionwurah.bsky.social's Science, Innovation and Technology select committee questions are now online ⬇️: committees.parliament.uk/publications...

I'm sure, given what Minister Vallance and the UKRI post have said, that this can't be intended? But the lack of coordination is incredibly damaging. These are cuts. Not delays to allow consideration of priorities.

Today's reminder (from @malcfairbairn.bsky.social) that economic growth needs skills, that the generation and supply of skills from curiosity driven research is a pipeline, in an ecosystem that needs consistent support. This isnt a tap to turn off and on, not if you want to nurture best talent.

This ⬇️ from @si-wills.bsky.social so articulately makes the case for investing in all aspects of the R&I pipeline, to generate future opportunities and nurture the skills to power progress. And this ⬇️ so clearly shows how mobile good ECRs are, and how quickly we can lose them if we are not careful.

Transparency is so important when there is change. There needs to be a full well-motivated #UKRI picture that is clear to everyone, with a clear and fair impact assessment. Maintaining that there is growth gaslights those facing cuts and adds disquiet and confusion. This is not transparent yet.

In depth report on UKRI/STFC funding issues from @pallabg.bsky.social. We need to find a way through this to a better research landscape; in the words of Lord Vallance yesterday, "we need to make sure we don't cause damage in the wrong place".