Lord Paul Drayson, the UK’s science minister, is on Twitter. This afternoon, he hosted an impromptu question and answer session with researchers and policy-watchers. Among other things, he reassured the research community that he will be able to continue to advocate for science, even as he takes on a new job as the Ministry of Defence’s defence equipment minister. As he put it in 136 characters:

“lorddrayson: @PD_Smith But, many ministers have dual roles.. it really helps departments work together better. Silos in whitehall are not helpful. "

He also said that the ring-fence around science funding was “safe and sound,” following the recent reshuffling of the government.

You can read some more excerpts here.