Environmental science doctoral researchers at Brunel University of London are to benefit from a share of a £500 million investment announced by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) this week.
The Training Research and Equity in Environmental Sciences Doctoral Landscape Award, shortened to the TREES DLA, will support 65 environmental science doctoral researchers: 13 each year over the next five years.
The TREES DLA is led by University College London (UCL) in partnership with Brunel and eight other academic institutions, and aims to address critical environmental challenges. Overall, there will be 135 studentships within the partnership: those funded by the National Environment Research Council (NERC, part of UKRI), plus those funded by the hosting partners.
Professor Tom Mitchell, TREES DLA Director, from UCL Earth Sciences, said: “We are delighted that UCL’s strengths in interdisciplinary environmental sciences have been recognised through the TREES Doctoral Landscape Award.
“This significant funding underscores the importance of training the next generation of researchers to address pressing global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem resilience.
“TREES will empower students to develop innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions while fostering impactful partnerships.
“With a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity, TREES is dedicated to broadening participation and embedding a culture of equity and access throughout the programme.”
Dr Alice Baynes, Co-Director of TREES and Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sciences at Brunel University of London, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with UCL, eight other hosting partners and more than 70 industry, academic and NGO collaborative partners in this new and innovative doctoral programme.
“The NERC TREES DLA builds on Brunel’s expertise in Environmental Hazards and Pollution, in Applied Environmental Modelling, in Mathematics and Physics, and in AI, Big data and Geospatial Analysis in Environmental Sciences.
“To empower the next generation of environmental scientists to tackle global environmental challenges, TREES recognises that we need the creativity and strength diversity brings, and this is reflected in TREES aim to recruit 50% of students from underrepresented backgrounds. Brunel University of London is powered by its diversity, so we are excited to be a partner in TREES DLA, which shares these values.”
The TREES DLA was awarded funding following a national competition for 2024 Doctoral Landscape Awards led by the Biotechnology and Bioscience Research Council (BBSRC) and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) within UKRI. In total, BBSRC and NERC are investing £293 million in more than 2,300 studentships over five years..
TREES is now accepting applications for PhD studentships starting in autumn 2025.
Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said: “Backing the next generation of great scientific minds to fulfil their potential is crucial to unlocking the discoveries which improve our lives and which keep our economy growing over the long term through highly skilled jobs.
“This £500m investment will back our vitally important higher education sector while supporting more bright students to pursue their talents and in turn deliver the life-saving drugs and clean energy alternatives of the future, that benefit all of our lives.”
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 pursue the discoveries that will transform tomorrow, with diverse benefits for society and economic growth.”
TREES will be carried out by UCL in partnership with institutions including Birkbeck, University London; Brunel University of London; King’s College London; Queen Mary University of London; the Natural History Museum; Royal Botanic Gardens Kew; Royal Holloway, University of London; the University of Portsmouth; and ZSL Institute of Zoology.
PhD opportunities will be listed on the TREES DLA website, where prospective doctoral researchers can register their interest.
Find out more about Environmental Science at Brunel, and the University’s Centre for Pollution Research and Policy and its Centre for Flood Risk and Resilience.
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