Funding Crisis
In late 2007, it was revealed that there was a massive hole in the STFC budget. It is expected that there are likely to be ≈25% funding cuts in astronomy grants. In addition STFC is undertaking other cost-saving measures by cutting down on various facilities, for instance Gemini south. The effect of cuts on STFC-funded research fellowships is yet to be decided.
The UK astronomy, particle-physics and nuclear-physics communities are extremely concerned about the funding cuts. Roger Davies said "I don't think the PPARC Council would have gone along with the merger if it had realised this would be the outcome". On 23 March 2010, the ongoing STFC crisis was the topic of a 90 minute Private Members' Debate in Westminster Hall, on the "Future of Physics Research."
Read more about this topic: Science And Technology Facilities Council
Famous quotes containing the word crisis:
“The amelioration of the world cannot be achieved by sacrifices in moments of crisis; it depends on the efforts made and constantly repeated during the humdrum, uninspiring periods, which separate one crisis from another, and of which normal lives mainly consist.”
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963)