‘Disruptive thinkers’ welcomed by Dundee

A new, multi-million pound initiative at the University of Dundee aims to approach societal problems such as climate change and sustainable resources from a post-graduate level, through its “thinkers and change-makers of the future” scheme.

An award of £2.15 million from the Leverhulme Trust, along with institutional match-funding, will support 24 postgraduate researchers from all academic and social backgrounds over four or five years to address the many challenges, termed the ‘poly-crisis’, facing the modern world.

Those selected for the Leverhulme Doctoral Programme for Regenerative Innovation (Regnr8-i), will be based within the University’s UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy & Science and will have the unique opportunity of working with the Eden Project to maximise their learning.

Professor John Rowan, Director of Dundee’s UNESCO Water Centre who will lead the Regnr8-i programme said, “We are a triple intensity institution, meaning that we utilise research, education and engagement to deliver social purpose. Sustainability and fairness are central pillars of this and in an increasingly globalised world we need new, imaginative approaches to protect our planet. Much of the current thinking around sustainability is based around a ‘do-no-further-harm’ thought process, but what we hope to do is look beyond a climate neutral approach and see how society can become climate-positive in our day-to-day lives.

“This funding will allow us to support a new generation of disruptive thinkers, who will develop and embrace new and exciting ideas to challenge our approach to the climate crisis. Approaches can be scientific, holistic, or nature-based. Nothing will be off limits.

“If we wish to preserve our planet for generations to come then we need to encourage the thinkers and change makers of the future. This funding from the Leverhulme Trust will allow Dundee to be a leader in that mission.”

The funding was awarded by the Leverhulme Trust as part of its Doctoral Scholarship Programme, with Dundee one of just eleven universities supported by the charity.

Last year, the University also announced plans to establish the Binks Institute for Sustainability; it is also a founding partner in Eden Project Dundee, a landmark regeneration development project transforming a former gasworks of the city.

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