The spending review is just the start of a battle for UK research

Whatever the outcome of November's spending review, uncertainties about the size and shape of the UK's research system are set to persist well into 2016.

Last night, a capacity crowd of 300 scientists and friends of science poured into Conway Hall in London for the Science is Vital rally. Parallel gatherings took place in Glasgow, Swansea, York and around the country. Through comedy, music and talks by Jim Al-Khalili, Uta Frith, Simon Singh and many others, the message of the evening was loud and clear: in next month's spending review, George Osborne needs to reverse the damaging cuts of recent years and invest more in research.

Just as in the lead-up to the last spending review in 2010, grassroots efforts by groups like Science is Vital are a crucial part of the mix: helping to mobilise the research community to exert pressure on MPs and policymakers. And the target of these efforts - the size of the overall settlement for research on 25 November - of course matters hugely. But unlike 2010, this time around the spending review itself will be just the start of a protracted battle for the future of UK research.