The House of Commons has released a thoughtful, critical report on UK research quality

The recommendations to government are excellent, both practical and progressive

Highlights:

Make all research open access

Require data and code accompany all publications

Move peer-review and publication acceptance before data collection

Specifically fund replications

Remove “originality” from REF, instead require transparency

Impose a 3-year minimum term for all postdocs

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmsctech/101/summary.html

random monday pick me up

(borrowed from @i_Sokrates)

I learned a strange thing about our planet today. I should have known it all along.

Via the South Pole blog "Brr" https://brr.fyi/posts/sunset

At the pole, the sun traces a circular path parallel to the horizon!

It's at the same height in the sky all day.

December 21st, the circle is highest above the horizon. Toward equinox, it nears the horizon. Then it sinks all the way below until it's 24-hour-long night. Boggle.

A video of the sun's path approaching equinox by Robert Schwarz:

Hello all, just a reminder that there is a #PostDoc #Vacancy with @roylelab which is closing today!

It’s a 1.5 year post on intracellular transport vesicle movement and molecular characterisation. Shorter contract due to the current postholder relocating to another country. Very cool project which we are all really excited about. Possibility of extension. Take a look:

https://bit.ly/3jz0JLm

#CellBiology #Microscopy #MembraneTraffic

“Northern Ireland will have access to the UK market and to the European Single Market, and that’s an incredibly attractive proposition for investors - it's the best result for the people, families and businesses of Northern Ireland.”

Scotland: “So, if Northern Ireland can stay in the Single Market, why can’t we?”

UK: “Because FUCK YOU, that's why.”