A winter’s tale

Brexit, political strife and money woes—will the story change in 2020?

As departmental heads bring out the warm white wine and the year stumbles to a close, researchers could be forgiven for experiencing a sense of déjà vu that goes well beyond the ghosts of parties past. 

At the start of 2019, the UK was facing a looming Brexit date—29 March—which most would have been reluctant to put money on happening (apart from, apparently, the Royal Mint, which had to scrap a trial of commemorative coins). The government, without a majority, struggled to get anything through parliament. Meanwhile, universities, grappling with a pensions dispute, were anxiously awaiting the outcome of a review of funding.