STFC Funding Crisis: Astronomy

• `There has been a large increase in the number, allegedly, a large increase in the number of university researchers in astronomy. And we collect statistics from our studentship rounds every two years in which departments are asked so say how many people have you got, actually academic staff are doing research in astronomy and those numbers have gone up by 40% in two years, from 500 to 700.' according to Keith Mason on 3 Apr 08 (based on a AGP report from Mike Cruise, quoting a 37% increase in the number of academics associated with rolling grants reviewed in 2007 since their last grant round), repeating earlier comments - `We have seen an increase of 40 per cent in the number of researchers doing astronomy in universities in the last two years, which is a huge increase' - from the IUS Science Budget evidence session on 27 Feb 08 (in answer to Q341 from Phil Willis MP)
• According to information supplied by STFC in January 2008 the increase in academics over this timeframe is 4%:

  1992: 363 (RAE input data)
  1998: 386 (RAS survey data)
  2001: 450 (SCAP Survey data from Mike Bode)
  2003: 484 (PPARC studentship quota exercise)
  2005: 524 (PPARC studentship quota exercise)
  2007: 545 (STFC studentship quota exercise)

• I tear my hair out about Gemini frankly, and this is a case where you were all had, and you were all had by the Gemini Board.' (Gemini Board = scientists and funding agencies representing the interests of Gemini Observatory) according to Keith Mason on 3 Apr 08 plus
• `its not the case of STFC flip-flopping, quite the contrary, we've been constant in what we have been trying to achieve.' (specifically, a 50% reduction in cost of gemini to the UK).
• The STFC position, at least that in public, is reflected below:

  STFC 2007/08 Delivery Plan includes: `priority will be on the development of the Gemini and ESO telescopes'. Aug 07
  STFC Press statement includes: `[STFC] is planning to withdraw from the Gemini Observatory.. we have informed our partners of our intent [to withdraw]' (see also Gemini Board statement) 15 Nov 07
  STFC 2008-2011 Delivery Plan includes `.. withdraw from future investment in Gemini but retain access to Gemini North' 11 Dec 07
  IUS committee inquiry Evidence Session testimony from Keith Mason on 21 Jan 08 includes the following `We are being straight with our international partners. We have notified them of our intention to try to negotiate a withdrawal from the Gemini programme'
  STFC press statement includes: `we will not be able to continue to fund our membership of the Gemini Partnership. We will therefore be taking steps to issue formal notice to withdraw '. (see also Gemini Board statement ) 25 Jan 08
  STFC News from Council includes: `It [Council] confirmed its intention to negotiate a reduction in its investment in Gemini' 6 Feb 08
  Gemini Board statement includes: `Gemini Observatory have been asked to reinstate the 2008A UK observing time allocation' 11 Feb 08
  IUS committee inquiry evidence session testimony from Keith Mason on 27 Feb 08 includes the following ` there was a misinterpretation by the Gemini Board who thought we were withdrawing immediately, which was not our intention'
  STFC Press Release includes: `STFC has reaffirmed UK's position as a full member of the [Gemini] Partnership under the terms of the current Gemini Agreement'. 27 Feb 08

• `we have GTC through ESO' according to Keith Mason on 3 Apr 08 (repeating testimony from 27 Feb 08 IUS evidence session `we do have access in particular to other northern telescopes coming along - Subaru and GranTeCan in La Palma'). A panel to look at the UK's long-term, ground-based strategy is to be setup later this year.
• Prof Gerry Gilmore has written to John Womersley in Mar 2008, in which he explained that as part of his time on ESO Council he personally negotiated the agreement between ESO and GTC, in which he noted:

  `I know the agreement -simply put, the association of ESO and GTC as presented in the UK, as "ESO (including GTC)" is grossly misleading. A specific amount of GTC service time is being made available for a very small number (2-4) of large collaborative projects. GTC access is not available for UK astronomers.'