A Strathclyder is among 13 of Scotland’s most promising academics chosen for an initiative to support the next generation of research leaders.
Dr Jun Li, Reader in the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, will take part in the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s pilot Research Leadership Scheme.
Funded by the RSE Foundation and Caledonian Research Fund, the initiative will arm participants with the skills to lead major interdisciplinary research bids that address critical scientific and societal challenges.
As part of the two-year pilot, two small cohorts will receive structured support to build confidence, skills, and leadership capacity through a mixture of mentoring, seed-corn funding, training, and peer learning.
Green future
The first cohort, who come from disciplines, from geography to molecular crop science and public art and design to sustainable development, will work collaboratively around the theme of Building Scotland’s Green Future.
Dr Li sits on the Project Management Group for the UK Supergen Bioenergy Impact Hub, where he contributes to shaping research and innovation in sustainable bioenergy. His work focuses on turning biomass and waste into low-cost, low-carbon energy and fuels, helping the shift toward a net-zero, circular economy.
He said: “I am delighted to have been selected for this programme. It offers a timely opportunity to strengthen my leadership development while advancing research with scalable impact.
I look forward to learning from fellow researchers and developing the strategic perspective needed to lead national-scale interdisciplinary programmes and translate Scotland’s strengths into deployable solutions.
RSE Vice President, Research, Professor Anne Anderson, said: “The strength of Scotland’s research sector depends on nurturing talented people, and empowering them to lead with confidence, creativity, and ambition.
“This new scheme is an important investment in that future. By bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines and supporting them to collaborate on some of the most pressing challenges of our time, the RSE hopes to help build the leadership capacity our country needs.”