Today’s physics news: Wednesday, 16 December 2009

Nuclear research under threat in the UK
Both a letter in The Times and a column in The Guardian highlight and bemoan the possibility of cuts to the UK’s nuclear research base.  The letter and the column highlight the importance of nuclear physics as a sub-discipline, underpinning advances across the science base.  Both are timely statements as the Science and Technology Facililities Council, the main funder of fundamental physics in the UK, prepares to announce its re-prioritised programme today.

Guardian column
Times letter

Protest against uni funding plans
The BBC reports on professors’ plans to march on parliament today to protest against the Higher Education Funding Council’s new Research Excellence Framework which many feel will undermine curiosity-driven research, as the Government and its agencies seek ways to get a profitable return from the money invested in our universities and science base.  The Daily Telegraph has published a column on the same theme.

BBC
Daily Telegraph

Questions over scientific advice principles
Since the David Nutt affair there has been considerable concern raised over scientists’ ability to independently advise Government on policy principles.  In response, the Government has published principles on the independence of scientific advice.  Many are concerned however over one point in the principles which says scientists and politicians “should work together to reach a shared position, and neither should act to undermine mutual trust”. Sense About Science, along with a selection of prominent scientists, have questioned what this point means.

BBC

Science under a Tory administration
Adam Afriyie, the shadow science minister, has laid out his thoughts for science in the UK on the New Scientist’s S Word blog.

New Scientist