Ryan Owens

University Collaborations Lead at West Midlands Combined Authority and rugby referee for @SRUSR. Views are my own and not those of someone it shouldn't be

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

When @maryannehobbs tells you you’re gonna smash your new job and then plays Prince especially for you, you know you’re gonna smash it! @BBC6Music #WednesdayMotivation #NewJob

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@NewsOrFallSong didn't expect this one this year!

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@AndyGoode10 Citing in itself is not proof the officials got it wrong. Citing commissioners refer potential foul play for a disciplinary hearing, where a decision will be made based on evidence.

Maybe wait until that has been finalised before casting aspersions.

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@afneil No decision has been taken yet, but they are considering decommissioning. At 15 years old, this was a prototype and the particular turbines are now obsolete - replaced by better technologies. Whilst problematic, this is not a case study for all wind power options.

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

This is so deeply insidious and I desperately hope we don't start getting into such conversations. Research Councils get their funding from government, they are non-departmental and can do as they see fit. Academic freedom is vital for world-leading research and impacts.

[Nigel Farage MP @Nigel_Farage]

The government spent £200,000 on studying the impact of Star Wars on the environment.

Our taxpayer money is being wasted on a simply enormous scale.

Britain needs its own DOGE! @WokeWaste

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@i_iratus @JuliaHB1 Given he's a British MP, can we pick up on these "horrendous compromises" in Northern Ireland? What a ridiculous and uninformed thing to say. I'm so glad called it out to say "who invaded Ireland in the first place?". Just showing his complete lack of diplomacy and knowledge.

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@MJBBurnett @josephwewing @ersatzben @awmackenzie @dowell_douglas @martinrsmith @mon_dahiya It's somewhat difficult to pick out given the size of DSIT's remit and where the budget goes. A quick scan shows there was a drop to 'Building Digital UK' budget. Core R&D budgets certainly didn't drop, so must have been changes in other parts of DSIT.

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@MJBBurnett @josephwewing @ersatzben @awmackenzie @dowell_douglas @martinrsmith @mon_dahiya Estimated costs for Horizon were £2,196mn for this year (23/24). The costs were always agreed to rise around the region of from 2% to 4% of operational budget. The assumption was always Treasury would continue to provide, then the rumour was they wouldn't

https://t.co/1z49ZULbQa

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@MJBBurnett @ersatzben @josephwewing @awmackenzie @dowell_douglas @martinrsmith @mon_dahiya The ~£500mn cost for 2023/24 accounts for the fact we were only associated for part of the year (officially from 1st January 2024). The report acknowledges the cost would be £6.8bn until the end of the spending review period.
£2.7bn set out for 25/26 in Autumn Budget

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@ersatzben @josephwewing @awmackenzie @dowell_douglas @martinrsmith @mon_dahiya Am I looking at this too simplistically? Cost of association was due to rise in 2025, DSIT allocation for Horizon has risen by approx. £0.5bn, and the overall up £1.4bn from projected baseline 24/25. Does that mean any hit shouldn't be as bad as the £800mn-£1bn predicted?

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@josephwewing @ersatzben @awmackenzie @dowell_douglas @martinrsmith @mon_dahiya The 23/24 CDEL for Horizon at DSIT was £2.196bn. Surely this means the £2.7bn is limited to 2025/26 then.

https://t.co/1z49ZULbQa

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@SkySportsPL Yeah, you would ban alot of coaches who would then have to learn the only way not to get banned is not to step on the pitch where they absolutely shouldn't be

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@theavfcfaithful Dougie's coming back home!

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

Doth my eyes deceive me? The Research England "Addendum to HEIF policies" seems to suggest a level of collaboration between the OfS and RE to reduce bureaucracy and burden for HEIs?! A small but, ultimately, positive move.

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@Salywebster Or... attend the count and witness whether it is possible for anybody to change your vote.
It's how our democracy works.

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

Whilst REF can be problematic, proposals to remove it often overlook:
- The change it can, and has, drive in the sector
- What allocation for QR would look like, as dual-funding is critical to the UK's success
- The rich evidence REF provides of the value of UK R&D

[Chris Parr @ChrisJParr]

UCU general election manifesto: ‘Scrap fees, TEF and REF and overhaul ineffective OfS’.

A bonfire of the acronyms.

https://t.co/0y38vUrC6R

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

Anyone learned anything? No? Me neither... Night! #ITVDebate

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

This format is absolutely ridiculous.
We've got a quickfire question from Gary in Birmingham, who wants to know where he should hang his curtains? Raise your hands for across the floor, shout "I hate pensioners" if over the window on the curtain rail where it belongs #ITVDebate

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@jim_dickinson The lack of free speech is incredibly alarming!

[Ryan Owens @REF_Owens]

@BiteYourBrum The fees are a (generous) loan paid against future earnings, affording the fees isn't an issue. However, there is a massive issue with the lack of maintenance for UK students. But that conversation is missed, because universities face a financial black hole, which takes priority.