Brunel University London has been confirmed as a Strategic Partner of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in recognition of the significance of Brunel's research in these subjects, and the University's increasingly close working relationship with the research funding body.
Taking effect on 1 October, Brunel's new status is the result of a review of EPSRC's structure and how they engage with the 36 UK universities that receive the most EPSRC research funding.
Brunel will move from being a Corresponding Partner to a Strategic Partner, enabling closer strategic engagement with EPSRC. This will include working together on the aspirations of the government's Research and Development Roadmap: the UK’s vision and ambition for science, research and innovation.
Prof Rebecca Lingwood, Brunel's Provost, welcomed the news. "After EPSRC's review of competitively awarded research, fellowship and training grants during the period 2017 to 2020, it is fantastic news that it has named Brunel as a Strategic Partner, giving us valuable opportunities to work with EPSRC in a structured and systematic way," she said.
"This is a testament to all the great work of colleagues in working closely and successfully with EPSRC over the last three years."
Brunel won £13.4 million of EPSRC funding during 2017 to 2020, which is generating new knowledge and applications in topics as varied as Covid-19 pandemic modelling, decarbonising the food system, and fostering self-care in adults with chronic pain. The figure also includes doctoral training partnerships (DTPs) which support postgraduates to conduct research.
Prof Hua Zhao, the EPSRC DTP grant holder at Brunel and the Interim Vice-Provost and Dean of Brunel’s College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, added: “The strategic partnership is a recognition of Brunel’s achievement for having the 34th-largest EPSRC portfolio. Thanks to the achievement, Brunel has been able to support a large number of doctoral researchers through its EPSRC DTPs.”
Reported by:
Joe Buchanunn,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268821
joe.buchanunn@brunel.ac.uk