Anna McKie

Brixton

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Editorial Consultant at redsetteragency.com

Freelance journalist and editorial consultant

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Articles

Reports of student visa restrictions prompt backlash

1 week ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Anna McKie

Image: Moussa81, via Getty Images Prospect of further curbs sparks concern that UK “could become less attractive to international students”Immigration experts and university bodies have warned against raising new barriers to international student visas after reports of plans to restrict visa applications from certain countries.
REF reforms risk ‘mountain of bureaucracy’, academics warn

1 week ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Anna McKie

Open letter raises concerns that research culture element of assessment exercise could threaten university autonomy Reforms to the 2029 Research Excellence Framework risk “a mountain of new bureaucracy” and threaten institutional autonomy, according to an open letter signed by over 200 academics.
Campaigners urge government to reverse Aria FOI exemption

2 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Anna McKie

Use of environmental regulations to obtain research programme details prompts fresh freedom of information callThe UK government has been urged by campaigners to reverse the Advanced Research and Invention Agency’s exemption from freedom of information laws, after environmental regulations were used to force the release of details on one of its research programmes.
London’s life sciences boosted by over £1.5bn in private investment

2 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Anna McKie

Image: Mo Eid, via PexelsDevelopment of London Cancer Hub expected to support 3,000 jobs as venture capital investment growsPlans have been submitted for a £1 billion private-sector development to build a major centre for cancer research and treatment in Sutton, south London. Meanwhile, venture capital investment in UK life sciences accelerated in the first quarter of 2025, hitting £1.1bn, with London companies accounting for around half of that total.
University group calls on EU to simplify ERA compliance rules

2 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Anna McKie

Cesaer pushes EU to cut repetitive administration and trust institutions to manage complianceThe European Commission should simplify how beneficiaries are required to demonstrate compliance with certain rules of the EU’s research and innovation programme, according to the Cesaer group of European science and technology universities.
‘Progress needed’ on youth mobility deal at EU-UK summit

3 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Anna McKie

German ambassador weighs in after Labour MPs back deal with potential for impacts on universities Germany’s ambassador to the UK said there “needs to be progress” on mobility for young people, professionals and skilled labour at an upcoming EU-UK Leaders’ Summit on 19 May.
Tech firms dominate Peter Kyle’s ministerial diary

4 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Anna McKie

Science secretary’s early meetings prioritised tech giants, not academiaScience secretary Peter Kyle met with technology companies almost three times as often as with academic or research representatives in his first six months in the role.
Universities advised to aim for institution-wide resilience

4 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Anna McKie |Research Europe

Geopolitical and economic tensions require preparations at every level, EUA conference hearsAmid heightened geopolitical and economic tensions, universities must build resilience not only into their physical and digital infrastructure but across their institutions and communities, delegates told the European University Association’s annual conference.
Scientists move to allay fears over China’s access to UK Biobank

1 month ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Anna McKie

Experts say UK Biobank “takes data protection seriously” but recognise need for ongoing public reassuranceScientists have spoken out to reassure the public that Chinese researchers who are given access to the UK Biobank records only have access to de-identified health data.
United European vision urged for open access publishing

1 month ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Anna McKie

Image: Grace Gay for Research Professional News EUA Conference: fragmented approach to scholar-led publishing said to weaken negotiating stance with publishersEurope needs a collective academic publishing strategy to give universities more power in their negotiations with commercial publishers, attendees at the European University Association annual conference argued.