2008 UK Year Against Astronomy
With the dawn of 2008 approaching, the outlook for UK astronomy and particle physics is bleak. There was no Christmas present from the Treasury so the STFC still have their GBP 80 million budget 'hole'. They look set to obliterate UK Solar and Terrestrial physics, reduce UK university physics department's funding by 25% (or more?) and decimate the rest of astronomy. As a result we could very well see large numbers of researchers leaving the UK to find jobs oversees during 2008. All this in the year before the exciting International Year of Astronomy is pretty disgraceful and it may be difficult for the remaining UK astronomers to be enthusiastic in 2009.
Looking on the bright side, the bull in a china shop approach by STFC has at least brought the entire UK astronomy and particle physics community together in a big way. Physicists the length and breadth of the land are joining together against the Government with the aim of saving the UK's reputation in these fields. Organising scientific researchers is popularly described as being like "herding cats" so it is pretty amazing that there are now websites, petitions, letters to The Times, letters to MPs, and a letter to the Secretary of State campaigning to reverse the cuts. Hopefully these positive actions (and yours gentle reader) will prove the title of this post wrong. Here's wishing that 2008 will turn out much better than currently expected.
Comments: 2008 UK Year Against Astronomy
I would sign the petition to restore funding for astronomy, but it's limited to British citizens, which makes me ineligible. If there are any international petitions, I'll sign them; otherwise, you have my moral support.
Posted by Laurel Kornfeld on Saturday 29th Dec 2007 (18:11 UTC)
I did hear of a petition for International researchers based in the UK but I don't know the details. Thanks for the moral support Laurel.
Posted by Stuart on Sunday 30th Dec 2007 (02:31 UTC)
Looks like I'll be leaving academia! My PhD will finish at just about the time that 25% to 40% of the UK's astrophysicists and astronomers are looking for a job.
This time next year I will be a physics teacher at a secondary school teaching the children that no matter how clever they are, or how hard they try there are some careers that, despite their best efforts, will be unachievable because they are British.
The sky is not the limit, the limit is the competence of those in charge of the money.
Posted by David Boyce on Wednesday 02nd Jan 2008 (14:06 UTC)
The attack on Solar and Terestrial Physics shows how little thought went into STFC's "Delivery Plan". STP has important things to say about matters like space weather and climate change. You'd think STFC would use these to show that it's addressing the Government's economic relevance agenda. So what is the real agenda behind the whole programme of cuts?
Posted by Amy on Friday 04th Jan 2008 (08:18 UTC)