The University of Strathclyde has appointed two leading international researchers in clean energy after securing £4.35 million through UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Global Talent Fund.
Strathclyde was one of only 12 research organisations selected last year to receive a share of the £54 million fund, which is designed to help attract outstanding international research talent to the UK.
Dr Bryony DuPont has been appointed Professor of Clean Power while Professor Julia Gottschall will join as Professor of Renewable Energy Resource Assessment.
The appointments bolster Strathclyde’s research strengths in renewable energy and the wider transition to cleaner power systems, with both academics bringing expertise in offshore wind and related energy technologies.
Significant investment
The Global Talent Fund supports researchers working in areas aligned with the UK Government’s industrial strategy sector priorities, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, digital and technologies, life sciences and financial services.
Professor Stephen McArthur, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said: “We are hugely grateful to UKRI for this significant investment in our research and innovation talent, and we are delighted to welcome Bryony and Julia to Strathclyde.
These appointments strengthen Strathclyde’s capacity in an area of major strategic importance and support research and innovation that will help accelerate the transition to cleaner, more resilient energy systems.
An internationally recognised researcher in renewable energy systems, Dr DuPont develops advanced computational tools to help engineers design offshore wind and wave energy systems more quickly, reliably and cost-effectively. Her work combines engineering design with applied artificial intelligence to support the transition to clean energy.
Joining from Oregon State University, she will develop new design tools and methods to support offshore energy systems that are smarter, more resilient and better suited to increasingly unpredictable environmental conditions.
She said: “I am delighted to join the University of Strathclyde. The University’s strong track record in wind energy research and the multidisciplinary environment of the Institute for Energy and Environment were major attractions for me.
“This post will give me opportunities to work with leading researchers and students while strengthening links with the UK and European offshore energy sectors.”
Interdisciplinary expertise
Professor Gottschall has an academic background spanning renewable energy, atmospheric science and wind energy systems, with research focused on offshore wind farm optimisation, data-driven analysis and sustainable energy technologies.
She will join from the University of Bremen and the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems, where she has built interdisciplinary expertise across engineering, environmental science and applied data analysis to support the development of future renewable energy solutions.
Professor Gottschall said: “Strathclyde offers an excellent environment for me to continue my research and to work with doctoral candidates and future leaders. With my work focused primarily on offshore wind energy, Scotland is an ideal place to be – offering not only a strong academic base but also close proximity to a relevant industry.
The Global Talent Fund has provided an excellent foundation for me to begin my role as Professor and to develop this new research field within a well-established institute.
At Strathclyde, Professor Gottschall’s research will focus on the interaction between offshore wind farms and the surrounding atmosphere, helping to improve understanding of the factors that influence turbine performance and how these can be measured and incorporated into future modelling and assessment.
Further appointments supported by the Global Talent Fund are expected to follow in the coming months.