New doctoral students at the University of Aberdeen are set to be supported through a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Award as part of a new scheme of awards announced by UK Innovation and Research.
The almost £5M funding will support doctoral students through a collaborative proposal titled “NETGAIN: Developing the science and practice of nature markets for a net positive future”, which will be led by the University of St Andrews in collaboration with the Universities of Aberdeen, Durham, and Glasgow.
The funding will go towards a minimum of 36 PhD studentships over three cohorts, and will support and sustain a growing multi-sector network of more than 60 external partners representing research, policy, economics, and consulting.
The project aims to recruit and train a new generation of multidisciplinary practitioners and researchers who will be equipped to contribute effective, evidence-based solutions to improve and restore the natural environment amidst continued human pressures in terrestrial and marine habitats and is funded through one of four NERC doctoral focal awards.
The interdisciplinary project will involve students from across the University of Aberdeen, including, but not limited to, the School of Biological Sciences, School of Geosciences, the School of Law and the School of Social Sciences.
The project will see Interdisciplinary Fellow Dr Roslyn Henry, Professor Xavier Lambin from the School of Biological Sciences and Dr Flurina Wartmann from the School of Geosciences come together to support the delivery of the programme at Aberdeen and the world class interdisciplinary training on the science and practice of net gain.
Dr Henry said: “We are delighted to be working alongside colleagues on NETGAIN. This is an exciting and timely project and the multidisciplinary nature of the work means it will help a diverse field of candidates to achieve their doctorates and go on to help fill the training and knowledge gaps associated with net gain.
“It is particularly pleasing to see such an investment in interdisciplinary projects and it is a fantastic opportunity for co-creation with colleagues from different schools of the University but also with those from other academic institutions and industry partners.”
UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said: “UKRI’s investments in Doctoral Training are pivotal for the UK’s research and innovation endeavour. The awards provide funding for Universities across the UK to nurture a cadre of creative, talented people to develop their skills and knowledge, to build partnerships and networks, and to peruse the discoveries that will transform tomorrow, with diverse benefits for society and economic growth.”
The awards follow the launch of the UKRI Doctoral Investment Framework in 2023, part of UKRI’s transition to collective talent funding which aims to simplify and harmonise talent focused investments. The framework structures doctoral support around two types of awards – doctoral landscape awards and doctoral focal awards.