Energy in Britain has gotten scarce—and thus expensive. Prices are high in absolute terms, and further above the European average than any point in at least 40 years (barring the 22/23 shock). What's behind this, and is it crimping growth? I took a look for The Economist. (🧵)

"BBNs" have officially been given a government name: Frontier Research Contractors. The reason why: ARIA has funded a program to help found and scale them! This is a testament to ARIA's ambition. It's the only pot of funds in the world dedicated to launching these orgs

A question: When did you last see a government-funded science project that made you catch your breath? The kind of awe you might have felt watching a gigantic SpaceX booster land itself in the arms of a crane? A new essay by me for Better Science Project + a thread below🧵...

1 year after setting 2030 Sustainable Aviation Goals, we unveiled new AIA modelling in Parliament to turn them into action. The next 5 years will decide if the UK leads the world in clean aerospace — #JetZero 👉 report.aiazero.org Cambridge University UK Parliament

The Whittle Laboratory is extraordinary—and underfunded economist.com/britain/2025/1…

Great thread from Eric Betzig, pioneer of super resolution microscopy, on what made Bell Labs special and how it differs from today's research environments. I learnt a huge amount from Eric that influenced me greatly.

Great talking to Rob Miller at Imperial College London at the 'Leadership in Aerospace' talk by Jim Albaugh former President & CEO Boeing Airplanes. Glad the mars dream is still alive at the Whittle! Took me back the Engineering Dept days & a fun wedding at the Cam Varsity Hotel ✈️💒💐.

The Whittle Laboratory refines jet engines, and it is very good at it. The lab scoops up more industry awards than any of its rivals, in a formidable industry to master. That will soon change economist.com/britain/2025/1…

I crossed an interesting threshold yesterday, which I think many other mathematicians have been crossing recently as well. In the middle of trying to prove a result, I identified a statement that looked true and that would, if true, be useful to me. 1/3

Busy and exciting week ahead for the Bennett Innovation Lab Bennett Innovation Lab . We’ll be sharing some of the UK’s most defining examples of disruptive innovation — hope you enjoy them. #ActionThisDay

Hawker Siddeley and the Bristol Engine Company took the risk of privately funding the design of the Harrier Jump Jet when the UK government was dramatically cutting back manned fighter programs. ...

Scottish physicist Sir Robert Watson-Watt & his assistant Arnold Wilkins pioneered radar, often working under immense pressure and secrecy. Watson-Watt took the initial professional risk of pitching his theory - that radio waves could locate aircraft - to the Air Ministry in 1935

Really incredible to watch Rob and the team pull this off - now to build 10 more…

BRITISH BELL LABS x SKUNKWORKS JUST LAUNCHED 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

Congratulations to Rob and team for reaching this terrific milestone

Can the success of Bell Labs or LMB be recreated? Yes, but institutional design matters. To lead in science, UK should build Lovelace Disruptive Invention Labs focused on long-term, high-risk research Read full report 👉 lnkd.in/evqs22zc The UK government will spend over