Deadline: 29-Aug-2023
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in partnership with UKRI is seeking applications for the Senior Research Fellowships 2023.
Scope
- FCDO, in partnership with EPSRC, NERC and UKRI aim to fund a cohort of up to 10 SRFs (one fellow per theme) to provide deep specialist expertise and be able to provide long term strategic guidance, rapid insight, independent challenge and thought leadership to FCDO to guide policy and facilitate links into the global research community.
- Access to expert, independent scientific and technical advice and challenge is key to ensuring that government officials are making the right decisions on research, programmes and policies. Both the FCDO and UKRI have strong track records of investing in international research and development that seeks to address the challenges facing citizens of the world. This programme seeks to strengthen these activities by embedding deep experts within the FCDO, and to enable policymakers and researchers to collaborate and build relationships that are rich, deep and can be sustained.
- The programme offers an exciting opportunity for SRFs to enhance their understanding of applying expertise and evidence in government contexts and provides a unique position to build connections between policymaking and research communities.
- Each of the appointed SRFs will focus on one of ten themes to provide deep expertise, long-term strategic guidance, rapid insight, independent challenge and thought leadership to FCDO to guide policy and facilitate links into the global research community. They should have deep specialist expertise in at least one of the required areas, and be able to apply that expertise broadly in the context of the role.
Thematic Areas
- political economy of water in Middle East and North Africa (ODA)
- politics and governance – technology, political settlements, service delivery (ODA)
- conflict – future of war, conflict and stabilisation (ODA)
- economic development and infrastructure (ODA)
- women and girls empowerment – gender and adolescence (ODA)
- climate resilient agriculture and food systems (ODA)
- global health policy and systems (ODA)
- big data, artificial intelligence and international development (ODA)
- critical minerals and supply chains (non-ODA)
- quantum technologies (non-ODA)
Benefits of the Fellowship
- SRFs will be able to maximise their own impact by working directly with government on international development and diplomacy; and increase their experience of government science
- have an insight into government analysis, operations, and policymaking in practice
- build their networks to include policy and analytical professionals within government
- join a cohort of academic researchers across government working to address complex policy and research questions.
Funding Information
- You can request up to £120,000 for the duration of the two year SRF period.
Person Specification
- This funding opportunity is open to professorial-level academics who can demonstrate:
- an outstanding track record in thought and intellectual leadership relevant to the area applied for, and significant experience in designing, managing and conducting research of the highest quality relevant to the specific fellowship you are applying for
- the skills and experience that match those of a professorial-level academic, such as success in securing research funding, leading national and international competitive research and appointment to independent expert bodies
- the ability to convey technical information accurately and clearly to non-technical audiences and communicate research findings to government, policymakers, civil society, business and the general public, and achieve impact, using discretion where necessary.
Expectations for the SRF
- Successful SRFs will work collaboratively with FCDO colleagues to design a workplan to deliver on FCDO’s needs in the context of the SRF’s academic experience. It is expected that SRFs will:
- provide strategic guidance, rapid insight, independent challenge and thought leadership on areas of emerging interest
- support FCDO staff to facilitate links into the global research community
- ensure that FCDO policy is guided by research and analysis and strengthen FCDO’s capacity to use the latest evidence
- provide innovative thinking that could encourage policy renewal or inspire formal work on new technical opportunities
- develop networks of expertise across the cohort of SRFs, attending workshops and knowledge exchange activities to share lessons learnt and to address complex policy questions.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for this funding opportunity, you must:
- be based at an eligible UK research organisation (including formal and honorary roles with research organisations)
- be a professorial level academic or equivalent with deep specialist expertise and be able to provide long term strategic guidance, rapid insight, independent challenge and thought leadership to FCDO to guide policy and facilitate links into the global research community
- be willing to undergo the required level of government security clearance.
For more information, visit UKRI.