Head of Policy Lab, Wellcome. Science policy things, puns, catshttps://bsky.app/profile/martinrsmith.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/martinrsmith.bsky.social/post/3mubw3c5lts2mDelighted to discover that the Science Minister is a fellow brass band player, and much amused by @dkernohan.bsky.social’s REF analogy here. For the uninitiated - this is indeed a strange world of competition and transfer markets. But so is brass banding… [contains quote post or other embedded content]30 Aug 2026 07:55 +0000at://did:plc:sfnaohmjm4dtymrf4phb23jg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mubw3c5lts2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/martinrsmith.bsky.social/post/3msvwmqqwrk2dPattern through the leaves of a bush12 Aug 2026 20:08 +0000at://did:plc:sfnaohmjm4dtymrf4phb23jg/app.bsky.feed.post/3msvwmqqwrk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/martinrsmith.bsky.social/post/3mrxl3afytk2xSo. Farewell then July Thirty-one opportunities To do the things We needed to do Before August But now your days Are truly Numbered31 Jul 2026 18:21 +0000at://did:plc:sfnaohmjm4dtymrf4phb23jg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrxl3afytk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/martinrsmith.bsky.social/post/3mrl6he6o4c2mExcellent meta news for all research professionals [contains quote post or other embedded content]26 Jul 2026 20:03 +0000at://did:plc:sfnaohmjm4dtymrf4phb23jg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrl6he6o4c2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/martinrsmith.bsky.social/post/3mr7q32mnvc2kEyebrows raised as new PM appoints Dan Burn to Defence. Big appointment, can definitely fill his predecessor’s shoes, but we can’t just park the bus for three years, Etc22 Jul 2026 06:47 +0000at://did:plc:sfnaohmjm4dtymrf4phb23jg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr7q32mnvc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/martinrsmith.bsky.social/post/3mqrfxlgqr22cO’Neill: we need to “ensure there is more investment going into R&D and risk‑taking with new ideas, both regionally and nationally”. “If we’re serious about growth—especially regional growth and national competitiveness—R&D cannot remain the first line item chopped whenever the budget is tight.” [contains quote post or other embedded content]16 Jul 2026 14:08 +0000at://did:plc:sfnaohmjm4dtymrf4phb23jg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqrfxlgqr22chttps://bsky.app/profile/martinrsmith.bsky.social/post/3mpwdlaxhzc2sTrip to the beach today near Brighton included sharing the sea with a seal05 Jul 2026 19:44 +0000at://did:plc:sfnaohmjm4dtymrf4phb23jg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpwdlaxhzc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/martinrsmith.bsky.social/post/3mpc6hwn5ic22Have I mentioned I play in a brass band? Patcham Silver Band celebrated its 80th anniversary this weekend with a concert attended by our local MP Sian Berry. The Argus have written up here with a nice article https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/26225098.patcham-silver-band-celebrates-80th-anniversary-concert/27 Jun 2026 19:19 +0000at://did:plc:sfnaohmjm4dtymrf4phb23jg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpc6hwn5ic22https://bsky.app/profile/martinrsmith.bsky.social/post/3mp6js3umx22tMattias Björnmalm, Cesaer: “Research is not procurement. Breakthroughs come from bringing together the best people, ideas, infrastructures and data across borders. Excellence depends on openness to trusted partners, with research security frameworks used to manage risk intelligently." [contains quote post or other embedded content]26 Jun 2026 08:31 +0000at://did:plc:sfnaohmjm4dtymrf4phb23jg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp6js3umx22thttps://bsky.app/profile/martinrsmith.bsky.social/post/3moxaogkj422bFrom rupture to renewal - thoughts from me on the 10 year anniversary of the Brexit vote, and where we’re heading for international research collaboration https://wellcome.org/insights/articles/rupture-renewal-rebuilding-uk-eu-science-collaboration-10-years23 Jun 2026 10:59 +0000at://did:plc:sfnaohmjm4dtymrf4phb23jg/app.bsky.feed.post/3moxaogkj422b