Collaborative Cultures and Strategic Themes Funding Call: Equitable and Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Address Global Challenges

Our second funding call has been centred on supporting interdisciplinary teams to connect with new external partners and develop large-scale, collaborative funding bids. Altogether, 5 projects were selected for Call 2 funding and run from June to December 2025. The projects are listed here, alongside some brief descriptions of their work.

5G Portable Networks for Sustainable Rural Connectivity through Vertically Integrated Education Initiative

  • Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Institute of Education at the University of Strathclyde

The 5G portable networks for sustainable rural connectivity through vertically integrated education initiatives integrates intelligent 5G and 6G network projects into the award-winning Vertically Integrated Projects for Sustainable Development (VIP4SD) at the University of Strathclyde. Students and researchers across various disciplines and academic levels research and design sustainable, intelligent telecom projects, such as low-cost, energy-efficient intelligent 5G/6G networks for rural connectivity in specific locations, thereby enhancing the learning experience of students in telecom, energy, social science, and education. This multidisciplinary project, with tangible and measurable outcomes, addresses connectivity gaps, supports poverty reduction through effective youth education (SDGs 1, 9, 4, and 8). 

AI in Early Learning: Building Foundations for AI Literacy in Primary Education

  • Institute of Education and Department of Computer & Information Sciences at the University of Strathclyde

This interdisciplinary project from the Strathclyde Institute of Education and the Computer and Information Systems aims to explore how AI education is currently delivered across Scotland in early years education settings and primary schools, with a dual focus on pupils’ learning experiences and teacher professional development.

Developing Stakeholders in Southeastern Europe around Body Image and Eating Disorders

  • Departments of Humanities, Marketing and Computer & Information Sciences at the University of Strathclyde

The project will work to identify academic, clinical, and third-sector partners in Bulgaria and Southeast Europe in the area of body image and eating disorders through a research-focused networking event in the autumn in Bulgaria. We will work with these new partners to raise the profile of body image and eating disorders research in the region, both among academics and the general public, and will develop future collaborative funding projects.

Imagining ethical horizons - mobilizing creative research to develop interdisciplinary ethical solutions to global challenges

  • Department of Chemical & Process Engineering and Institute of Education at the University of Strathclyde

This project uses science fiction-inspired, sandpit-style workshops to explore imaginative and ethical responses to global challenges. Grounded in UKRI’s framework for Responsible Research and Innovation, the sandpits will promote creativity and play as tools for inclusive, interdisciplinary research development and ethics. The initiative will establish a collaborative interdisciplinary network, leveraging researchers' combined areas of expertise to respond to global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and AI.

Spatial Open-Source Intelligence (S-OSINT) in the Age of Misinformation and Disinformation

  • Departments of Law and Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Strathclyde

Spatial open-source intelligence (S-OSINT), which is gathered from publicly available digital data such as satellite or remote sensing data, can document human rights abuses or violations of international humanitarian law. S-OSINT’s capacity to bypass challenges in evidence gathering is crucial for legal contexts, especially where access to witnesses or sites is difficult. However, the spread of misinformation and disinformation can raise doubts about the trustworthiness of S-OSINT. This project will create frameworks to prevent misinformation and disinformation from undermining the value of S-OSINT in legal contexts: it will investigate the legal, ethical and engineering challenges of S-OSINT, and establish rigorous standards that will inform a best practice approach for engineers, legal professionals, researchers, and other S-OSINT users.