Globally Challenged: the future of ODA funding

Photo by Annie Spratt 

These are uncertain times for those undertaking work with colleagues in the global south. After five years of significant investment through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and the Newton Fund, there’s a cooler wind blowing through the official development assistance (ODA) landscape. 

Levelling up the regions

 

Great Yarmouth (photo: John Fielding)

There's been a lot of talk about 'levelling-up' the regions. As Bono once said, 'maybe, maybe too much talk.' It was there in last year's election, and it was prominent in the recent R&D Roadmap. 

Not surprisingly, this is an issue that affects the regional research consortium that I direct: Eastern Arc. Eastern Arc is in a slightly odd position when compared to consortia in other regions: it's in the 'rich' East/South East. Therefore, it follows, there's no reason to level up our region. If anything, it should be levelled down. 

But the narrative of being a 'rich' area of the UK is misleading.

Seeking an Extension

Donnez-moi la mort (Photo by Mathew MacQuarrie on Unsplash)

Emotions ride high as extensions to deadlines are sought, and nowhere more so than at Fundermentals Towers University. Now read on.

Inside No 10

Top notch chap.

Jo Johnson, the Science Minister, resigned today. Now read on.
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Blond on Blond

Boris and Jo: Blond on Blond

With just three and a half months to go until the EU referendum, the debate on whether to stay or go is already at fever pitch. In TV studios and pubs across the land ill-informed but passionate views are being swapped, and the focus swings from immigration, to trade, and back to immigration again.

One of the key question is the European Union's position on the display of wild blond hair (WBH), particularly for the older man. Whilst in the past Europe has been a key exporter of WBH, it has in recent years been somewhat ambivalent to those whose hair seems to defy the laws of physics. Witness the European disdain for Donald Trump.