University of Glasgow

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-09

Solar flares are fast, unpredictable and intense episodes of magnetically-driven energy release in the solar atmosphere. Most of the energy released goes into heating and ionisation of the solar chromosphere, resulting in intense bursts of radiation that are observed and used to deduce the state of the chromosphere. However, despite decades of study many aspects of energy release and transport remain unclear, partly because the relevant processes are very fast. This proposal uses new, very high time-resolution ultraviolet spectroscopic data from NASA's IRIS spacecraft to characterise the evolution of the chromosphere on timescales of seconds. This is fast enough to offer the possibility of using timing to discriminate directly between competing models - electron beams, waves or thermal conduction - for how energy is transport through the chromosphere, and also resolves a basic timescale of flare energy input inferred from hard X-rays. We will focus on using several spectroscopic diagnostics that respond promptly to energy input to track the evolution of the chromosphere at different locations. In addition to distinguishing between different models, we can also compare the time evolution in detail with predictions of numerical simulations for the electron-beam model. The new IRIS data have a cadence of a second or less, which is an order of magnitude improvement on previous flare observations, capture important timescales, and are complemented by high resolution X-ray observations from the Solar Orbiter STIX telescope and a database of flare radiation hydrodynamics models. This powerful combined dataset offers our best chance yet of understanding the chromospheric, and by extension also coronal, transport of energy in a flare.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-09

Chronic pain affects one in five individuals and is estimated to cost over €500 billion annually. Chronic pain following nervous system damage, i.e. neuropathic pain, is extremely difficult to treat and only 40-50% of individuals achieve significant (>50%) pain relief from current therapies. The major impediment to developing novel and effective treatments is our lack of understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. While numerous preclinical and clinical studies have begun to explore chronic pain mechanisms, these studies are almost exclusively cross-sectional and explore only one or two biological measures. There needs to be a longitudinal, integrated and translatable approach to define the timing and interactions between biological measures during pain chronification, so that appropriate biological targets can be identified for effective treatment development. We propose a multidisciplinary, translational approach that integrates brain, nerve, sensory, behavioural, sleep, and electrophysiological measures in a novel longitudinal, clinically relevant preclinical experimental pipeline, and in individuals with chronic orofacial neuropathic pain. A suite of directly translatable techniques will establish consistency and the critical commonality of changes between species, providing a platform for translatable treatment development. The use of an orofacial neuropathic pain model will allow us to explore the entire neural pathway from peripheral nerve to brainstem to cerebral cortex. Our diverse team of world leaders in relevant disciplines and research methods from preclinical to clinical research will address four primary aims. Aim 1 (University of Sydney): Characterize changes in the anatomy of trigeminal nerve and ganglion; brain anatomy, function and glial activity; sensory, behavioural, and sleep changes; during the development of chronic orofacial neuropathic pain in rodents. Aim 2 (University of Glasgow): Determine the response of spinal trigeminal nucleus circuits to astrocyte activation and aberrant afferent input arising from injured sensory neurons in a mouse model of orofacial neuropathic pain. Aim 3 (University of Galway): Characterise endocannabinoid system changes and functionality during the development of chronic orofacial neuropathic pain in rodents. Aim 4 (University of Sydney): Characterise nerve anatomy, brain anatomy, function, glial reactivity, sensory, behavioural and sleep  characteristics in humans with chronic orofacial neuropathic pain. This multidisciplinary research program  will define biological changes underpinning chronic orofacial pain, providing a robust platform for the identification of modifiable biological targets for drug development which will ultimately result in translation into clinical trials and practice.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-09

The Glasgow theory group has a strong reputation for studying the subatomic world and furthering our understanding of how it works. Our goal is to uncover the fundamental constituents of matter and the interactions that operate between them. Two approaches to this exist, and we will use both of them in concert, setting us apart on the global stage. One is to perform the most accurate calculations within the theoretical framework of the Standard Model that correctly describes the particles that we have seen so far. Discrepancies between theoretical predictions and what is seen in experiments will then point to a more profound theory that describes fundamental particle physics more completely. The second method is concerned with what we might see at, e.g., CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) if a suggested deeper theory is correct. Meanwhile, we have entered an age of data proliferation with relevance to the particle world (e.g. from astrophysical observations). These data can inform the search for new physics in complementary ways, which we will incorporate into our research. Our proposal is therefore timely and necessary now; we must make sure that we optimise experimental analyses to learn as much as possible. Accurate calculations in the Standard Model have foundered on the complex problem of simulating the strong force. This force is important inside particles that make up atomic nuclei, e.g. the proton and neutron. The constituents of these particles are quarks, trapped inside hadrons through the strong force. This 'confinement' of quarks makes calculations very challenging. It can be tackled, however, using the numerical technique of lattice QCD, which Glasgow has turned into a precision tool. At the other end of the energy spectrum, where the fundamental particles can be isolated from each other, precision calculations are possible using scattering amplitudes. Glasgow continues to lead progress on both fronts. We propose a programme that seeks to uncover the presence of new interactions by closing in on the unknown from both directions. We are not satisfied with obtaining these high-precision results as our main deliverable, but we use our insights to investigate theories that go beyond the Standard Model and test them with LHC and other particle-relevant data. New physics may show up by subtly modifying the properties of motivated particles (e.g. the top quark or the Higgs boson), and we will devise ways of looking for these effects alongside other evidence for new physics. We will achieve this by means of general, model-independent methods, also using artificial intelligence to maximise sensitivity to the presence of new physics. This approach will enable us to connect our findings transparently with our precision predictions and measurements from a variety of particle experiments, as well as observations on cosmological scales and at the earliest times in our universe. Our work bolsters experimental work led by the Glasgow ATLAS and LHCb groups, and we will coordinate with them to uncover the fundamental truths of nature. The next few years will be a fascinating time for theoretical particle physics. Glasgow aims to be at the forefront of this work, preparing for the next LHC data-taking run and informing the currently unfolding future collider roadmap. Our research enhances our understanding of the universe, which could lead to technological innovations and inspire future generations of scientists.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-04

Life-writing is a neglected genre of Scottish Literature which can be studied to uncover a range of social and cultural issues bearing strong relevance today. From manuscript letters to thinly-veiled fictional narratives, authors provide a unique insight into key aspects of life and society in Scotland during key historic moments. In the first instance, this project seeks to understand the Scottish ‘experience’ of care as recorded by authors from the 1950s to the present, with a focus on four texts published during this period: The White Bird Passes (1958) by Jessie Kesson, Haste Ye Back (1973) by Dorothy K. Haynes, Red Dust Road (2010) by Jackie Kay, and Ootlin (2023) by Jenni Fagan. Each work navigates different concerns such as individual agency, identity (ie. class, race, religion), and social stigmas. Binding them together is memory. Each author has dealt with memory in different ways from interrogating care records to fantasy world-building in lieu of reliable witnesses (including the author). Memory is the foundation of the project; these texts are the contextual pillars. The challenge this project addresses is making literature – and the practice of writing – useful for care-experienced adults today. After establishing the critical framework of studying memory in literature, the project will then explore new collaborative methods for life-writing. The chief question is: ‘How helpful is the study and practice of life-writing for retrieving and making better sense of our early memories?’ Asking this in the context of the care system in Scotland will produce profound answers which can be utilised by academic experts and care professionals. The driving motivation for this work is the ongoing delivery of The Promise, an outcome of the Independent Care Review (2017–2020) which sought to address problems with the care system in Scotland. The emphasis on ‘listening’ to thousands of experiences of people of who have lived in care provided a roadmap for The Promise to be delivered. One of the key sections of this is the Life Story, legislating for a new emphasis on ‘ownership’ and agency. This project seeks to explore this by using memory recall techniques in the practice of life-writing. There are four projected outcomes: A schema for life-writing workshops, having developed a critical framework for lessons relating to memory and a series of repeatable prompts and exemplars The beginnings of a new interactive, digital ‘Bibliography of Scottish Life-Writing’ Podcasts on the topic of life-writing and memory related to care in what will be a wider series on Scottish life-writing A report of the workshop findings, co-written by the Project team, to be shared with partner institutions. With this there can be significant benefits to the following groups: Care-experienced individuals based in Scotland: by engaging with these individuals in a group context, they will develop skills while improving confidence and a sense of agency over their past. For prospective undergraduate students, this would be beneficial in the context of University policy on widening (and maintaining) participation. People who work in care in Scotland: by involving professionals and sharing the project findings with partners, the potential for this new methodology to be adapted and redeployed in the future is significant. Academics working across disciplines (literary studies, memory studies, psychology) will benefit from the data and case studies this collaboration will produce. 

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-03

Each year, the global ornamental fish trade moves millions of tropical fish to aquarium owners worldwide, generating up to $20 billion USD in economic value. A significant portion of this trade originates from the Brazilian Amazon, where small-scale fishers use traditional, low-impact methods to supply the global market with wild-caught fish. For rural communities throughout this region, the ornamental fishery provides over half of household income and is one of the few sustainable livelihood options available. Crucially, because the trade depends on healthy river systems and intact ecosystems, it creates a powerful economic incentive to protect large expanses of Amazonian rainforest. Unlike more destructive land uses such as logging or cattle ranching, the ornamental fish trade rewards forest preservation. Its continued viability therefore has urgent implications for both local livelihoods and global environmental resilience. Unfortunately, the trade is declining due to shifting market demands, low and inconsistent compensation for fishers, and increasing concern among consumers and retailers about fish welfare. Brazilian-sourced fish are increasingly viewed by retailers as arriving in poor condition, raising ethical questions that have prompted many importers to favour farmed fish from other countries. This trend brings a double risk: economic instability for Amazonian communities that rely on the trade, and a weakening of the incentive to conserve rainforest ecosystems. Women, who directly participate in this fishery, face disproportionate impacts from its decline. Yet there is significant room for improvement. Although current practices are largely based on tradition and trial-and-error, rather than scientific evidence, fishers have expressed a desire to work with researchers to improve fish welfare, reduce mortality, and enhance ecological and economic sustainability of the trade. This aims of this project address these goals by improving welfare for fish while supporting the people who depend on them. The interdisciplinary team, including experts in biology, economics, and social science from the UK, Brazil, and Norway, will work with Amazonian fishing communities to identify practical ways to reduce fish stress and mortality during capture, transport, and holding. Through biological experiments, interviews, and participatory workshops, the project will map the supply chain and identify key “bottlenecks” where poor welfare and economic inefficiency intersect. It will then test low-cost changes to existing practices to improve fish health and survival. Fishers will be equipped with simple tools to monitor fish condition in real time, helping them make informed choices that benefit both welfare and profit. In parallel, the project will explore how consumer behaviour can help support these improvements. Surveys in the UK will assess whether buyers are willing to pay more for fish sourced using better welfare standards, and how this might influence economics of the trade. The team will use this information to build a framework for sustainable and ethical practices. The benefits of this work are far-reaching. For fishers and their families, it offers a pathway to greater income security, especially for women. For fish, it ensures that welfare is no longer an overlooked part of the trade. For the environment, it strengthens a trade that helps conserve vast areas of rainforest. And for consumers and policymakers, it provides evidence-based tools to support sustainable sourcing decisions. By bringing together biological science, community voices, and market insights, the project aims to transform this sector of the global economy into a model for equitable, ethical, and ecologically sound trade.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-03

Based on archival research, this project will analyse a key moment of collective community resistance and grassroots activism against the destruction of a historic building and important space for African-American culture on Chicago’s South Side: The South Shore Cultural Center (SSCC) (known as the South Shore Country Club until 1974). In particular, the project examines the role of the Coalition to Save the South Shore Country Club (CSSSCC) (1977-1986) in preserving the building, focusing on how their struggle against the demolition of the Club comprised an important moment in resisting austerity politics under racial capitalism in Chicago. In 1977, the Chicago Park District (CPD) wanted to demolish the building, three years after it had purchased it, because it was too expensive to maintain it under Chicago’s austerity politics at the time. In response, Black middle-class individuals from the South Shore community formed the CSSSCC. It began an extensive grassroots campaign against its closure, particularly emphasising the cultural wealth of Black communities which public and media representations portrayed as culturally deprived in post-war America (Lieberman 2019). Ultimately successful in its fight, the Coalition disbanded in 1986 and today, the SSCC is an important community space for cultural events and activities on Chicago’s South Side. Today, the same community is, however, once more fighting a similar fight to preserve public park space surrounding the SSCC. In 2016, the Obama Foundation and the city of Chicago announced that they would build the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) into the area which included a proposal to privatise and redevelop two public golf courses surrounding the SSCC into a Championship PGA golf course to be managed and owned by Tiger Woods. In response to this plan, residents have come together to oppose this privatisation of public park space for the golf course development and to demand their right to public space. The aim of this project is to identify how the CSSSCC was successful in its fight against the Park District and how lessons for current grassroots activism against the privatisation and commodification of public space can be learned from the CSSSCC. Three research questions undergird this project: What political strategies did the CSSSCC use to preserve the SSCC? What challenges did the CSSSCC encounter in its struggles and how did the coalition manage to overcome these? What lessons can be learned from the CSSSCC’s fight for today’s grassroots activism against the privatisation and commodification of public space? Methodologically, this project builds on archival research. The Chicago Public Library has a collection on the CSSSCC which includes meeting minutes, financial and fund-raising records, community programming materials, and public relations documents between the 1970s and 90s. Through archival research, the project will reconstruct the political strategies that undergirded the CSSSCC’s campaign. Theoretically, the project is grounded in research on resistance against racial capitalism, particularly focusing on how such resistance becomes articulated through the defence of Black city space against privatisation and commodification under racial capitalism. The project will add to this research through a historical analysis of the CSSSCC that is not simply concerned with describing past community activism, but, crucially, with deciphering how lessons can be learned for current efforts to maintain public space in a racially marginalised Black community. An elaboration of how this will be achieved can be found below.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-03

Neurological conditions affect approximately 11 million people in the UK, creating a major public health crisis. They are a leading cause of disability, responsible for about 140,000 deaths annually (one-fifth of all UK deaths), and account for 800,000 hospital admissions each year. A critical issue is the significant delay in diagnosis and intervention. For children and young people (CYP), this delay often exceeds 12 months for 30% of cases. Specifically: 28% wait over 7 months just to see a paediatrician after their first GP visit. 36% wait over 7 months to consult a neurologist after seeing a paediatrician. This delay leads to poor symptom control, repeated unscheduled hospital visits, and in-patient care. Conservatively, the cost of neurological disorders to the UK economy is estimated at over £100 billion per year. Early identification and intervention are challenging but are vital for improving personal health outcomes and easing pressure on healthcare services. Our interdisciplinary team is actively addressing this challenge by developing machine learning models that analyze infant movement videos. Our focus is on predicting specific neurological conditions, such as: Detecting Infantile Epileptic Spasms (IES) Automating the General Movement Assessment (GMA) for the early prediction of Cerebral Palsy We have already secured over £560K in research funding to develop AI prototypes within a secure Trusted Research Environment (TRE). While the necessary environment for training AI models in our current TRE is established, the lack of federated learning capabilities has created a critical bottleneck. This limitation restricts our access to diverse data from different patient cohorts, which hinders our ability to enhance the generality and robustness of the AI model. The new TREvolution programme introduces simplified federated learning capabilities within TREs, addressing both the technical and governance hurdles. Leveraging this innovation, our project aims to explore the feasibility of improving our existing IES detection AI model by developing and evaluating different federated learning options within the DARE ecosystem (e.g., RO-Creates, FS-TES, SATRE, K8TRE). Our core objectives are to determine the feasible approaches and benefits of federated learning from multiple TREs: Objective 1: To evaluate the feasibility of federated learning between TREs on different cloud vendor platforms. Objective 2: To evaluate the feasibility of federated learning between TREs containing patient data from distinct cohorts. Objective 3: To evaluate the most feasible and secure federated learning options within the DARE ecosystem. Objective 4: To quantify the benefits of federated learning on our IES detection machine learning model through uncertainty estimation in the prediction results. We are committed to Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), and will organize workshops and events to seek feedback on the technologies developed to inform and guide our research. Upon completion, this project will generate crucial knowledge on the feasibility and performance enhancement achieved by utilising the TREvolution capabilities and federated learning across multiple TREs. This will stimulate and inform researchers and developers across the community to adopt this secure and data-diverse approach. In addition, we will deliver a prototype for IES detection from smartphone videos with enhanced robustness and interpretability, which will inform our downstream clinical development and eventually bring significant benefits to patients and their families.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-03

Context The work is situated at the intersection of organic electronics, computational chemistry, and materials science. The project builds on the success of my Fellowship, which focused on the design, synthesis, and testing of self-assembled organic thin films for flexible electronic devices for real-world applications such as wearable electronics and smart textiles. We are using the predictions from our computational models to build and test materials to be used in wearable electronics such as for responsive monitoring and healthcare. These organic materials will replace traditionally used and problematic metal-based devices. The Challenge Material Complexity and Performance: Predicting and controlling the properties of organic electronic materials remains challenging due to the complexity of molecular aggregation and solubility. Current models are limited in scope and accuracy. Due to the complexity, if we can develop a model to explore molecular aggregation and solubility, we will reduce time and resources in researching the best materials. Scalability: Developing flexible materials that maintain performance under mechanical stress and environmental conditions is essential for real-world applications. Scaling up from lab prototypes to real-world application. Application-Specific Design: Creating materials that respond to environmental stimuli (e.g., light, temperature) and integrating them into clothing and devices presents both technical and commercial challenges. Each application will have very specific requirements. Aims and Objectives Expand Chemical Space and Property Prediction of QSPR models: We will increase the diversity of molecules tested within predictive models, which will improve the accuracy and robustness of solubility and performance predictions. This will be done by synthesising and testing new molecules. We will continue to develop QSPR models for predicting conductivity, flexibility, and other desirable properties. Develop and Integrate Flexible Electronics: We will develop scalable manufacturing methods and testing for our flexible materials. We will work with collaborators and industry to test real-world performance in wearable electronics and smart fabrics. Application-Specific Optimisation: We will create UV- and thermochromic materials for use in sensors and clothing. We will investigate multi-stimuli responsive materials for health monitoring and environmental sensing. Potential Applications and Benefits Wearable Technology for Healthcare: We will develop flexible, responsive materials for smart clothing (e.g., UV protection for children, temperature regulation for dementia patients) working with our collaborators. We aim to make real-time sensors embedded in textiles for health monitoring and responsive care. The low cost in the synthesis and preparation of our organic materials compared to traditional metal-based versions makes them more accessible to more people. Food Packaging: We will investigate colour-changing materials that indicate food spoilage based on environmental changes. This will be a new area for us, but a way to expand the research direction and functionality of our materials. Commercialisation: There is a potential for patents, licensing, and industrial partnerships, supported by existing and new collaborations with Scottish Universities, NHS Scotland and industry partners. We currently have some of the materials and films patented and will expand these if needed. This depends on the direction and types of devices being tested. Scientific Impact: All our QSPR work is open-source predictive models that enable broader material discovery and cross-disciplinary research in organic electronics and computational chemistry. We envision our models being made even more reliable and predictive from the interaction of the scientific communities. By doing this we broaden the chemical space further and increase the different properties that we can predict.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-03

This is a proposal to fund the final two years of the Hyper-Kamiokande (Hyper-K) construction grant, funded through the UKRI Infrastructure Grant. The lead institution is the University of Oxford, with application number APP70417.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-03

In this project we focus on the societal implications of AI, and specifically how Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) - the translation of spoken language into text - may impact on sustainability and resilience across linguistically marginalised communities. ASR has made remarkable advances in the 21st century, and is now ubiquitous across a range of services including policing and health care. However, research shows that most ASR systems perform significantly worse across particular types of language, including non-standard, often highly stigmatised dialects. Simply put, ASR systems do not recognise many voices worldwide. As such systems become commonplace in everyday life, these linguistic biases have the potential to further exacerbate existing inequalities in access in a society increasingly shaped by AI. Part of the problem with ASR systems is that much of the expertise to date in building the systems come from computer scientists and engineers. These experts have built systems which work for specific standard language varieties, and they concentrate on how the systems work - either successfully or not - but not why.  A critical missing perspective in this human-computer interaction is the one at its heart - the everyday, highly variable language used by speakers worldwide. In this research, we bring a necessary humanities perspective to this technology. We leverage the US and UK's team's knowledge in  sociolinguistic variation and speech technologies to assess ASR performance in two non-standard varieties of English divided by demography but united by bias: African American English (AAE) in the US and Scots in the UK. We significantly extend emergent research in this area through the analysis of  ASR performance across multiple speakers and multiple dialect forms in multiple marginalised speech communities. This research will provide the most comprehensive sociolinguistic profile to date of ASR performance -  which groups of speakers and which linguistic forms prove to be problematic in the translation of spoken language into text?  More broadly, it will provide crucial knowledge of how ASR systems can be improved for these under-represented varieties, making them more equitable, answerable and accountable to the communities most heavily impacted by unequal access to this technology. The results of this project will be shared in workshop format with our existing industry partner, the Mozilla Foundation, who endeavour to democratise ASR systems through the inclusion of all types of speech data in future development. The specific research questions are: Assessing ASR performance overall: how do the different ASR systems compare with respect to error rates across the different speech communities? Do some dialect areas pose significantly more problems than others? 2. ASR and training: Is it possible to train ASR systems to improve their performance for these dialects, and if so, what sort of training data is necessary? 3. ASR and sociolinguistic variation: are certain specific dialect forms more prone to errors than others across different levels of the speech system? And how do these linguistic forms interact with the social system, including geographic region, age and gender? Are there universals of ‘crash points’ both within and between the varieties, or are the issues more local? 4. ASR and real-world applications: how can the knowledge gained in this research be applied in the further development of ASR systems?  

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-03

Context and Challenge Addressed. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) provides crucial insights into long-range order, including nanoparticle shape and size distribution, fibre orientation in tissues and composites, and nanometre-scale porosity. It is indispensable for characterizing colloid-scale structures (<1 µm) such as surfactants, nanoparticles, gels, and formulated products, which are vital in industries like Home and Personal Care, oils, and lubricants. SAXS underpins EPSRC themes in physical sciences, healthcare technologies, and manufacturing the future. Despite strong UK-based research, there is limited access to SAXS facilities north of Leeds. Northern researchers rely on highly competitive beamtime at Diamond Light Source (DLS) or the ESRF in Grenoble, facing long delays and restricted opportunities due to proposal requirements and scheduling constraints, as well as extensive travel and carbon emissions, or via collaborations with distant facilities which limits throughput and innovation. Recent advances in laboratory SAXS allow excellent data quality; it is now an essential and standard tool for materials characterization. Locally available instruments provide proof-of-principle data supporting applications for and making best use of beamtime to new and irregular users. We will install a highly versatile system with specialist features, such as combining rheology and SAXS (rheo-SAXS), high-temperature provision, a flow cell, USAXS to extend the length scale probed, and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). These capabilities are critical for studying gels, polymers, nanoparticles, and proteins. The system will offer experimental flexibility, allowing bespoke configurations to enhance scientific impact across EPSRC themes while addressing the SAXS provision gap in northern UK. Aims. Our aim is to establish a new SAXS/WAXS suite at the University of Glasgow (UofG) to drive research in soft matter and formulated products for both academic and industrial users. By  demonstrating the power of the technique to the many potential users in the north we will broaden access, accelerate research, and overcome bottlenecks in availability in the northern UK. We will therefore also provide a new pipeline of trained users to benefit UK plc. Objectives. Our objectives are to: install SAXS/WAXS; demonstrate the new capabilities of this facility to characterise a wide range of materials to existing and new users across the north of the UK; provide a new service to industrial users; grow a sustainable user base; and deliver impact including a new pipeline of trained users, new research opportunities and new collaborations. Potential Applications and benefits. We will install a state-of-the-art facility with the best-in-class of laboratory equipment in the UK, to deliver a multitude of experiments under a wide range of environments suitable for many different (established and new) academic and industrial users. The breadth of available experiments that will be possible and the flexibility of our system will allow a wide range of users to probe a wide number of different types of system, significantly enhancing the opportunities currently available. Overall, we will provide a new regional facility embedded within the excellent wider materials characterisation facillities at UofG. We have committed parties (industrial and academic), as established and new users. There are real opportunities here to maximise regional research strength and establish new collaborations. Our facility will be highly accessible, complementing and significantly enhancing UK capabilities. Non-specialist access will be facilitated via a new, permanent technical post (RTP), overcoming the common hurdles of experiment design and data fitting enabling a new pipeline of skilled users.  

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-03

Background The peritoneal cavity is a space that surrounds the abdominal organs and is primarily protected by a group of immune cells known as macrophages. Macrophages become activated and eliminate pathogens when an infection occurs within the peritoneal cavity. They migrate to the site of inflammation, engulf pathogens, and regulate immune responses, providing the initial defence against infections. However, the precise mechanisms by which macrophages efficiently migrate to the site of inflammation and cooperate with other immune cells, such as B cells and neutrophils, to control inflammation remain unclear. Recent studies suggest that macrophages play an important role in this process, but the molecular mechanisms governing their function, dynamics, and regulation are still not fully understood. Furthermore, after the infection is cleared, the mechanisms by which macrophages resolve the immune response and restore the peritoneal cavity to a healthy state remain unclear. Objective of the Study The objective of this study is to investigate the function and role of a subset of atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3)-expressing peritoneal macrophages in the peritoneal cavity. ACKR3 is known to regulate chemokines, molecules that control the migration (chemotaxis) of immune cells to sites of inflammation. However, the specific role of ACKR3 in peritoneal macrophages remains unclear. In this study, I hypothesise that ACKR3-positive peritoneal macrophages play a key role in appropriately directing immune cells to the site of infection or inflammation and in regulating immune responses during these processes. Research Methods To test this hypothesis, I will use mouse models of inflammation and employ cutting-edge technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing, genetically modified mice, and live-cell imaging. These techniques will allow me to precisely track the behaviour of ACKR3-positive macrophages at the cellular level and comprehensively understand their dynamics and function. The study will focus on the following points: The differentiation, developmental process, and functional characteristics of ACKR3-positive macrophages. The effects of ACKR3 deficiency in macrophages on the behaviour of peritoneal immune cells and their impact on inflammatory responses and pathology. Real-time tracking of the impact of ACKR3 on immune cell dynamics and interactions during peritonitis. Potential Applications and Benefits This research will demonstrate that ACKR3 is a useful marker for identifying a subset of effector macrophages. Further studies could indicate the potential of the proportion of ACKR3-positive macrophages as a biomarker for predicting the risk of severe peritonitis in patients. Furthermore, the future development of a drug that promotes the differentiation of ACKR3-positive macrophages in the peritoneal cavity could potentially lead to improvements in the treatment of peritonitis by efficiently promoting the recruitment of immune cells to inflammation sites and enhancing immune defences in the peritoneal cavity.  

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-03

This project aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms of how plants respond to cold in fluctuating natural environments and thereby provide a foundation for breeding more climate-change-resistant crops. Reduced or unexpected cold periods are already causing significant losses in crop yields. This year, much of Europe experienced very mild conditions in late winter followed by extreme frost in April which led to flowers dying with approximately 100,000 tonnes of fruit lost as a result. Such extreme and unseasonable conditions are only expected to worsen with further climate change. Therefore, we need to understand plant temperature responses to aid plants in coping with (and without) the cold and to prepare our crops for the future. There are two aspects of cold response in plants, long-term winter response (vernalization) and short-term preparation for cold stress (cold acclimation). These two aspects have traditionally been studied separately, with different genes found to be important in each case. However, in the field these processes are occurring simultaneously, and recent work has identified overlaps between them. Until now, these cold responses have been primarily studied under constant temperature conditions, but in the field, plants can experience wide temperature fluctuations within each day. We have found that plants respond differently to fluctuating temperatures than would be predicted based on their constant temperature responses. Part of this difference is caused by the interplay between response to temperature fluctuations and the circadian clock, the internal timekeeping mechanism of plants. This delicate interplay, combined with the two timescales of response and the complexity of the naturally-occurring fluctuating temperature profile, necessitates the use of mathematical modelling to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms of cold response. Our work will use the plant model system Arabidopsis thaliana, where extensive datasets in constant temperatures are already available and where many of the genes important in those conditions are known. We will develop predictive and testable mathematical models to simulate our hypothesised gene regulatory network and improve and refine this through cycles of modelling and experiments. We will use these models to predict the consequence of environmental and genetic changes, and we will test these predictions by treating plants under new temperature profiles and using mutants. Zooming into a subsection of this network will allow us to unpick how the structure of the network integrates temperature information. Finally, we will investigate the interplay between the full cold response network and other processes, such as the circadian clock and growth. This work will allow us to understand the gene network and make predictions about different mutants and their combinations based on the model. The model predictions will therefore form a basis to inform breeding decisions for homologous genes in crops. We will also use different temperature profiles to make model predictions in order to test robustness and identify high risk conditions, thus informing policy, prioritisation and agricultural practices.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Challenge Addressed by the Project: Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that maintain joints in a self-regulated, healthy immune state.   Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) occurs when the immune system attacks the joints (autoimmune attack), leading to reduced quality-of-life and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Although treatments targeting pathogenic cells and molecules have improved RA management, around 40% of patients do not achieve remission, and approximately 50% of those who do experience flare-ups if treatment is stopped. Only 10-20% of patients maintain treatment-free remission for up to two years, with a persistent risk of relapse. This poses a significant challenge for patients, society, and healthcare systems. The majority patients in remission have ongoing immune system issues, such as harmful T-cells and immune-complexes in circulation. While these normally do not cause symptoms, if they enter the joints and are not controlled, they can induce joint pathology and disease flare-ups. Our goal is to identify the tissue mechanisms that restore the joint’s ability to control the autoimmune attack.   Aims: We recently discovered that while many inflammation-resolving pathways are reactivated in patients in remission—helping to maintain remission after drug withdrawal—there is one notable exception. Most patients do not restore a specific tissue macrophage pathway, VSIG4, which is present at high levels in healthy joints. Preliminary data suggest that VSIG4 may play a crucial role in keeping autoimmune triggers, such as harmful T-cells and immune-complexes, at bay within tissues. We propose to test this experimentally using targeted animal models and synovial tissue assays designed to mimic autoimmune attacks.   Objectives:   (a) Determine how VSIG4 activity in a specific population of synovial tissue macrophages (referred to as lining-layer TREM2pos STMs) controls joint autoimmune attacks. To achieve this, we will investigate what happens in the joints of mice that specifically lack VSIG4 in TREM2pos STMs after introducing potentially harmful T-cells. Additionally, we will examine how human TREM2pos STMs isolated from healthy joints handle autoreactive-T-cells when VSIG4 is switched off, and explore methods to reinstate the expression of VSIG4 in the joints of patients in remission.   (b) Understand how VSIG4-positive macrophages regulate adjacent cells in tissue and uncover additional mechanisms essential for maintaining joint health. We will construct a detailed spatial map of healthy joint tissue to gain insights into the function of each cell within its specific tissue niche. By comparing this data with tissue samples from patients with RA, including those in remission, we will uncover how VSIG4-expressing macrophages influence neighbouring cells in a healthy state to protect against pathology. This analysis will help us understand which immune-protective processes driven by VSIG4 and other pathways are missing in remission, hindering recovery.   Benefits: Our research will enhance our understanding of how healthy joints control autoimmune attacks. This insight will lead to the development of new strategies to prevent disease flare-ups, such as restoring VSIG4 expression in joints and/or enhancing its activation through agonistic antibodies. Additionally, understanding the mechanisms essential for maintaining joint immune homeostasis will establish cellular and molecular standards for both existing and future drugs in experimental and clinical development. This insight could transform the fragile state of remission defined by current criteria into a more stable, self-regulated condition that more closely resembles a healthy joint.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gut, causing severe pain, fatigue, and digestive problems. It affects approximately 190,000 people in the UK, with rising incidence, especially among children. Although genetics, environmental factors, and the immune response to gut bacteria are known to contribute to the disease, the precise reasons why inflammation starts and spreads throughout the gut remain poorly understood. This research focuses on specific areas within the gut known as Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissues (GALT). These immune 'command centres' are normally involved in protecting the gut against harmful bacteria. However, in Crohn’s disease, GALT become overactive, leading to small ulcers and inflammation that spread to cause widespread damage to the gut wall. Current therapies mainly aim to suppress the resulting inflammation and are effective in only some patients, leaving the majority of patients requiring surgery when treatments fail. My project aims to address this major challenge by exploring how immune cells within GALT trigger inflammation in Crohn’s disease. Using recently developed techniques, I will isolate and study these immune structures directly from patient gut samples, something not previously possible. By examining the types and activities of immune cells present, this research aims to identify the key processes initiating inflammation. Additionally, current experimental animal models often fail to replicate key features of human Crohn’s disease, particularly the critical GALT-associated stage of inflammation. To overcome this limitation, I will use a mouse model specifically designed to mimic this aspect of the disease closely. This model will help validate findings from human tissue analysis and enable testing of new potential therapies to control or prevent gut inflammation. The combination of highly targeted human tissue data and innovative animal models will significantly enhance our understanding of Crohn’s disease. Ultimately, this research could identify new targets for treatments that are more effective and provide longer-lasting relief for patients, reducing reliance on surgery and improving quality of life.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-02

This Fellowship will create pathways through the layers of legal protection that currently prevent the British Library (BL), the British Film Institute (BFI), the National Library of Scotland (NLS) and other cultural heritage institutions (CHIs) from confidently sharing cultural and creative data. By doing so, it will unlock new streams of trustworthy smart data with huge research and innovation potential in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Everyday millions of videos are uploaded onto social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok and watched by billions of people. UK CHIs are exploring new ways of archiving these constantly updating streams of digital content and data. At the same time, CHIs archives hold millions of physical items such as newspapers, books, films, sounds and other materials which are slowly deteriorating and being preserved with major efforts and investments. The cultural memory recorded through the systematic digitisation of existing collections and capture of new digital content offers a unique and trusted source of smart data on the social and economic challenges across the past, present and future. Yet, this wealth of data remains fragmented and often inaccessible, in large part due to legal challenges that this Fellowship seeks to address and overcome. Copyright, data protection, donor restrictions, the terms and conditions of online platforms are among the many layers in the complex legal web that CHIs must navigate when acquiring or making content and data available. Traditional legal assessment on an item-by-item basis is no longer possible when dealing with the volume of content being added to online platforms daily. To digitise their physical collections, CHIs need to enter commercial partnerships (e.g. Google Books) that place contractual restrictions on the research use of the digitised items, even when these uses are permitted by law (Ahnert et al., 2023). With the advent of generative AI, these issues have reached a new level of complexity. Starting with socio-legal analysis of datasets provided by the BL, BFI and NLS, this Fellowship will co-develop an Application Programming Interface (API) designed to enable CHIs to share their data and content with different levels of access based on legal considerations. It aims to build the legal and technical foundations for a smart, open research ecosystem. API development will be both an output of the Fellowship and an innovative research method: Working closely with an API developer and the project partners, the Fellow will be able to assess which aspects of rights management can be automated with an API solution and which require policy or legislative intervention. The project responds to current national priorities outlined in the UK AI Opportunities Action Plan and the Industrial Strategy. If successful, it will enable UK CHIs to establish a research infrastructure built on continuously updated cultural and creative data. The outputs of the project will benefit researchers, businesses, innovators, policy-makers, and open-oriented funders such as UKRI, Wellcome and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Cold homes are a major public health problem across the UK. When people cannot heat their homes properly, it leads to health issues, including respiratory diseases, depression, and disrupted sleep. These conditions place enormous pressure on the NHS and cost billions annually. The challenge affects millions of households, particularly those on low incomes, elderly people, and families in older, poorly insulated properties. The UK has some of the oldest housing in Europe, much built before modern insulation standards. Combined with rising energy costs, many families face impossible choices between heating and other essentials. This creates a cycle where cold conditions make people ill, leading to more healthcare visits and admissions. Policymakers want to help but struggle to identify which households are most at risk. Currently, there is no effective way to predict which homes will be dangerously cold or which families will face the worst health impacts. Without this knowledge, support programs often miss those who need them most. This fellowship develops new ways to predict indoor home conditions and their health impacts using data already collected nationally. Rather than measuring conditions in every home directly, which would be impractical and expensive, the research uses existing information about energy use, building characteristics, and weather patterns to predict where problems will occur. The key innovation combines different data types in novel ways. Energy providers collect detailed household consumption through smart meters. Government databases contain housing and demographic characteristics. Weather services provide climate data. By linking these sources and developing new analytical methods, it becomes possible to predict indoor conditions and health risks for any UK household. The research builds on a unique dataset from a three-way collaboration between the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, the Urban Big Data Centre at the University of Glasgow, and the Smart Energy Research Lab at University College London. This dataset links indoor environmental measurements from 120 UK homes with detailed family information, energy use, and health care usage during cold months. Firstly, using this small-scale but high-resolution data, the approach creates a model simulating indoor conditions based on home characteristics, energy use patterns, and local weather. It is calibrated using real measurements to ensure accuracy. Secondly, the research also examines how indoor conditions affect health by analysing relationships between home environments and healthcare usage patterns. Lastly, these models are applied at a larger scale to generate a cold-home index providing regional risk assessments. This research provides policymakers, local authorities, and health services with powerful tools to identify vulnerable households before health crises develop. Instead of reacting after problems occur, interventions can target households proactively to prevent illness and reduce healthcare costs. The approach enables more effective distribution of support for home improvements, energy efficiency programs, and health interventions. The research provides valuable evidence about relationships between housing conditions and health outcomes, supporting better policies for addressing fuel poverty and housing-related health inequalities. The methods are applicable across different regions and adaptable for ongoing monitoring and policy evaluation. The cold-home index will enable targeting of interventions, helping ensure everyone in the UK can live in a warm, healthy home while reducing healthcare service burdens and improving outcomes for the most vulnerable members of society.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Viruses commandeer cellular machinery to amplify their number and transmit to new hosts, and in some cases, to establish life-long infection. Cells contain protein machines that detect viral infections and stymie their replication by diverse means. Classical antiviral medicines typically target viral proteins. By reducing viral replication, these drugs provide strong and escapable selective pressures for viral evolution, inevitably resulting in drug failure. Antivirals that instead exploit host defence mechanisms represent an exciting alternative approach to antiviral design. In this project, we will explore the suitability of two recently characterised virus-regulating enzymes as potential antiviral targets.   The first protein is called RNF213 and we have recently discovered that this enzyme is activated by the energy-rich molecule ATP. RNF213 has been described to influence the replication of diverse viruses, bacteria and intracellular, eukaryotic parasites, by unknown mechanisms. The second protein is called ZNFX1 and is known to detect diverse RNA-based viral genomes as they arrive in the cell. Children born with mutations in the ZNFX1 gene suffer acute viral infections and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocystosis-like disease, an immunodeficiency resulting in multi-organ failure.   The first aim of our project is to explore the chemical manipulation of RNF213 to invoke broad antimicrobial defence. We will look for ATP-like regulators of RNF213 and develop means to alter its function through the delivery of these molecules into cells. Our second aim is to understand the molecular features of viral genomes that are recognised by ZNFX1. We will explore whether RNA-based therapeutics can be designed to affect ZNFX1 function and specificity in cells.   The potential applications of this work include the optimisation of ATP-like molecules that selectively bind and activate/inactivate RNF213, in collaboration with medicinal chemists and structural biologists. In fact, many medicines against both viruses and cancers are ATP-like molecules, meaning there is precedent for their successful administration to people. Investment in understanding RNA-based therapeutics has also grown considerably since the success of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, and the means to develop such medicines are now widely available. A future benefit of this work could be the design of an RNA that ameliorates some of the disease associated with paediatric ZNFX1 mutation.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Symmetry is a fundamental concept in both mathematics and physics since most objects appearing in nature have a certain degree of symmetry. In mathematics, Lie theory is the study of continuous symmetries. Think, for instance, of the rotational symmetries of the earth, which can be thought of as a continuous family of symmetries. Symmetries are important because they allow for (often major) simplification of problems; in the case of the rotation symmetries of the earth, this leads to the notation of polar coordinates which is a useful simplification tool when studying physically motivated systems of differential equations. The set of all continuous symmetries of an object form a group (the Lie group) and its properties are largely governed by the associated Lie algebra. One of the cornerstone results of algebra, achieved in the mid 20th-century, is the Cartan-Killing classification of simple finite-dimensional complex Lie algebras. This classification forms the core of Lie theory, on which the rest of the theory is built. We propose a programme to generalize this classification result to all conic symplectic singularities. Such a classification would form the core of what is today commonly known as symplectic representation theory. As is oft quoted (and attributed to Okounkov), "symplectic representation theory is the Lie theory for the 21st century'' - we propose to pursue a Cartan-Killing classification for the 21st century. The notion of a symplectic singularity was introduced by Beauville, extending the notion of symplectic manifold to singular spaces. Not only have symplectic singularities proven to be an important class of singularities in algebraic geometry, but they have also come to form the core of geometric representation theory: in any class of examples, the starting point is always the symplectic singularity, from which one goes on to consider resolutions, deformations, quantizations... etc. More specifically, in geometric representation theory the focus is on conic symplectic singularities. These are symplectic singularities which are also affine cones for which the symplectic form has positive weight. We propose a programme to completely classify these conic symplectic singularities; this is made plausible by an extraordinary result of Namikawa, which says that these singularities are countable, up to isomorphism. We will introduce the concept of Hamiltonian Cox ring and associated Hamiltonian Cox space of a conic symplectic singularity and show that these Hamiltonian Cox spaces are Q-factorial and terminal conic symplectic singularities. This reduces the classification problem to that of classifying the much smaller class of Q-factorial terminal conic symplectic singularities. We will apply techniques (computations of Hilbert series) and constructions (Coulomb branches of 3d N=4 SUSY gauge theories) from mathematical physics to classify these conic symplectic singularities. We expect applications to the representation theory of quantizations of symplectic singularities and to the classification of crepant partial resolutions for these singularities.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-01

FETA will examine whether and when development policymakers consider (scientific) evidence when choosing among different ways to fund international development organizations (IDOs) like the United Nations and the World Bank. IDOs are key to addressing global development challenges, such as climate change, fragile states, and pandemics, but their funding position has considerably weakened in recent years. Rather than providing unrestricted funding, donor governments have increasingly earmarked their IDO contributions for specific themes, countries, or projects. My previous FLF project showed that earmarked funding undermines the performance of IDOs. Earmarked funding often limits the flexibility of IDOs to respond to emergent development needs and increases the costs of aid delivery through additional reporting, thereby channeling administrative resources into fulfilling accountability requirements that are no longer available for activities for development. By shifting IDO accountability back to the donors, earmarked funding also tends to undermine recipient-country ownership, a core principle of the aid effectiveness agenda. Against this background, FETA will address a key puzzle: Why does earmarked funding—despite abundant evidence of its disadvantages—continue to grow? To address this question, FETA will study the incentives of development policymakers for earmarked funding and examine whether information about the effectiveness of earmarked funding affects the funding preferences of these key stakeholders. Its theoretical approach acknowledges the considerable diversity in incentives and motivations for stakeholders in different institutional contexts and staff roles regarding the pursuit of different funding modalities in international development cooperation. To systematically study these incentives and motivations, FETA will draw on semi-structured interviews with development policymakers, large-N regression analysis of observational data, and survey experiments with government officials and IDO staff. To understand the domestic politics of earmarked funding in the donor country, FETA will also conduct surveys with parliamentarians and citizens. By examining the drivers of earmarked funding in donor administrations and IDO bureaucracies, I will gain insight into the policy levers to make IDO financing more effective. At the same time, I will learn about whether and how evidence shapes policy decisions, drawing on the case of development cooperation. The project will generate benefits for decisionmakers in international development cooperation with an interest in a more effectively funded multilateral system, with transferrable lessons for public policy and social sciences that go beyond the specific domain of development cooperation.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Project Challenge: This project aims to understand how tissue returns to a healthy state after inflammation. Recent studies in humans and mice show that disease resolution isn’t just about eliminating harmful processes; it involves an active effort to restore immune balance in the affected area. Gaining more knowledge about these healing processes is important for finding ways to help organs recover from diseases.   In our previous research on tissue samples from patients with inflammatory arthritis who achieved recovery and remained symptom-free without medication, we discovered a significant interplay between two cell types that may facilitate the restoration of a healthy state—an interaction that was notably absent in joints experiencing inflammatory flare-ups.   Based on this preliminary data, we hypothesize that the binding of a receptor (MerTK) expressed by cells called TREM2pos synovial tissue macrophages to its ligand (GAS6), produced locally by joint structural cells known as synovial fibroblasts, may drive the restoration of healthy immune balance (homeostasis) in the joint. We propose to experimentally test this hypothesis using specially designed animal models and three-dimensional cell-organ structures known as synovial-organoids, which mimic human joint tissues.   We will specifically:   Investigate how MerTK from TREM2pos synovial tissue macrophages helps resolve inflammation and rebuild the tissue structure. Explore the contribution of GAS6 from neighbouring synovial fibroblasts to these restorative processes.   To achieve this, we will investigate whether the return to a healthy immune balance in joints is impaired when MerTK (receptor) is specifically absent in TREM2pos synovial tissue macrophages, or when GAS6 (ligand) is absent in synovial fibroblasts. Additionally, we will examine the effects of switching these molecules on and off on the resolution of inflammation and the restoration of tissue structure in humans, using synovial organoids. This analysis will help determine the essential roles of MerTK in TREM2pos macrophages and GAS6 from fibroblasts in restoring and maintaining joint tissue in healthy immune balance.   To ensure the success of this project, we have assembled a collaborative team from Glasgow and Oxford, bringing together complementary expertise in macrophage and fibroblast biology, tissue resources, and experience in generating transgenic models.   Benefits. Our research will provide novel insights into the conserved mechanisms in both mice and humans that restore and maintain a healthy immune balance in joints. Understanding these fundamental processes of tissue regulation following an immune response may have applications to other tissues. This knowledge could inform the development of innovative strategies to restore tissue functions after diseases. Furthermore, this project will create valuable resources for the scientific community, including a new strain of transgenic mice to study the role of GAS6 from fibroblasts in tissue homeostasis, as well as a validated synovial organoid model.  

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Software is an increasingly important part of modern science. With it, scientists are able to process data, simulate complex systems, and visualise their results. This fellowship will explore how generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, are reshaping the production of reseaerch software, and provides guidance on how software engineering scientists can use them in a way which promotes academic integrity and ensures robust scientific research. The rise of generative AI presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Research Software Engineering (RSE). On one hand, these tools could lower barriers to entry, making science more inclusive and improving productivity. On the other hand, they raise urgent questions about academic authorship, loss of professional skills, and the trustworthiness of AI-generated output This fellowship investigates the emerging role of generative AI in science from three key angles: Assessing the role RSE plays in knowledge creation: To evaluate the impact of AI on RSE, we first need to understand how RSE contributes to science. What counts as a meaningful software contribution? How do RSE practices shape the reliability of scientific results? This part of the fellowship draws on insights from philosophy and science studies to offer a clearer picture of how scientific knowledge is made—and the specific roles RSE plays in that process. 2. Evaluating AI-generated research software: The second focus is more practical: testing what generative AI tools can actually do. Can they write software that is robust, transparent, and reproducible? Or do they introduce hidden risks? This work will involve building a framework for assessing the quality of AI-generated research code and identifying the characteristics that make it distinct from generic software. 3. Developing guidance on the introduction of generative-AI into RSE practice: the final stages of this fellowship will explore how we turn these insights into actionable research policy. I will develop training workshops for RSE practicioners, enabling them to use generative AI in a way which retains important professional skills and preserves academic integrity; and will produce evidence based policy guidance for research institutions and funders. Together, these studies will provide a deeper understanding of how generative AI is changing the landscape of research software, and how we can ensure that that change improves science as a whole. Given the rapid growth of generative AI and the increasing centrality of RSE to modern science, this is a critical moment. If we fail to act, we risk undermining the foundations of reproducible and trustworthy research. This fellowship will ensure that decisions about the use of generative AI in science are grounded in evidence, and guided by a commitment to integrity, inclusion, and excellence.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Perhaps one day malaria will be eliminated, but currently we are nowhere close. Advances from control measures and the development of a vaccine are counterbalanced by resistance in both the parasite (to antimalarial drugs) and the mosquito vector (to insecticides). Malaria still causes >200-million infections and 600,000 deaths annually. The deadliest malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, causes cerebral malaria (CM)—marked by seizures and coma—over 70% of cases in African children. Among survivors, more than half suffer brain damage or learning difficulties. These poor outcomes persist despite antimalarial treatment. Effective adjunctive therapies are needed, but their identification requires understanding the causal processes behind adverse outcomes. Decades of collaborative work in Malawi have identified a key process in CM: brain swelling due to fluid leak into the brain, caused by blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. Normally, tight junctions between endothelial cells prevent such leakage, but when malaria-infected red blood cells (iRBC) adhere to these cells, the junctions are lost, allowing fluid to enter the brain. Aim and Objectives: Our overall aim is to identify potential treatment targets to improve CM outcomes by defining mechanisms of BBB breakdown. We employ a bedside-to-bench-to-bedside framework. In Stage 1, we discovered critical processes in patient postmortem samples. In the renewal phase, we will validate these in vitro (WP1) and return to patients to identify signature proteins in plasma (WP2). Progress: In Stage 1, we analysed postmortem samples from fatal CM cases. Using cutting-edge methods—including single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and imaging mass cytometry—we created an exquisitely detailed atlas of brain cells and their states. This enabled computational modelling to make predictions of critical interactions leading to BBB-breakdown. We found a key role for neutrophils via a cell death process called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), in which neutrophils release DNA and toxic granules. While NETs trap pathogens, they also damage blood vessels and were closely associated with BBB breakdown. We also observed upregulation of the protein SPP1 in microglia,  concentrated around sites of BBB breakdown. SPP1, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is implicated in other brain diseases and promotes NET formation by recruiting neutrophils. Hypothesis and Next Steps: We hypothesize that SPP1 is essential for BBB-breakdown in CM. Our computational modelling predicts that iRBCs trigger SPP1 upregulation in microglia and immune cells; SPP1 acts on endothelial cells to activate the JAK/STAT pathway, causing BBB breakdown and neutrophil recruitment. Blocking this may offer therapeutic targets. Approach: Because P. falciparum is human-specific, we will use a 3D bioengineered in vitro model developed by project partner, Dr. Bernabeu. This microfluidic model, comprising human brain endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes, mimics key features of brain vessels. Preliminary work shows that iRBC exposure upregulates SPP1 and disrupts the barrier, while JAK/STAT inhibition rescues it. WP1 will assess SPP1’s role and explore other triggers of BBB breakdown using in vitro models and proteomics. WP2 will determine whether proteins released under these conditions are detectable in patient plasma, validating their clinical relevance. Together, these approaches will identify potential treatment targets for BBB breakdown in CM. Our findings and investigative framework are likely to be of major utility for a wide range of diseases in which BBB-breakdown is critical. The renewal also offers key training in 3D-modelling and other methods, alongside courses, coaching and mentorship to support the fellow’s development into a leader in his field.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-12

Context: Peatlands play a critical role in mitigating global warming by storing disproportionately large amounts of carbon for their area. Unfortunately, in the UK and parts of Europe, peatlands have also been accumulating atmospherically deposited mercury pollution for millennia. This mercury originated from both natural (e.g., volcanoes) and anthropogenic sources including mining and smelting, fossil fuel combustion, and chemicals manufacturing, from the Bronze Age to the present day. Although adoption of the Minamata Convention in 2017 (148 countries) mandates phasing out of industrial and artisanal mercury sources through 2032, “legacy” mercury stored in peatlands can potentially be remobilised into the atmosphere or downstream ecosystems. Much of this legacy mercury is bound to organic matter and therefore intimately linked to the fate of peatland carbon stores. If global warming and/or land management practices impact peatland carbon cycling, then this will almost certainly impact mercury cycling as well. Challenge: An emerging “frontier” in peatlands research is to unravel the complex environmental and microbial factors determining the mobility and toxicity of accumulated mercury. Organic matter and inorganic molecules like sulphate from rain or iron-oxide minerals in soil can influence the form and fate of mercury. Soil and water microbes can volatilise dissolved mercury into mercury vapour (returning it to the atmosphere) or convert it to methylmercury, a neurotoxin that threatens terrestrial and marine food webs. Microbes evolved the ability to volatilise mercury as a defence against its toxicity, while the true function of mercury methylation is unknown. To advance this scientific frontier requires application of complementary cutting-edge techniques for determining the forms and chemical interactions of peatland mercury. To predict how much and how quickly methylmercury is formed, for example, requires a molecular-scale understanding of mercury-organic matter interactions that control the availability of mercury for methylation and genome-level resolution of the metabolic capabilities of microbial methylators, in the context of peatland hydrology and biogeochemistry. With this knowledge, we can envision and construct a new and more accurate conceptual model for peatland mercury cycling as a first step towards building predictive tools. Aims and objectives: With this proposal, we aim to address the overarching question: Will peatlands act as a source or sink for methylmercury under climate change?”. We will do this by combining advanced field, laboratory and computational approaches to determine how much mercury is potentially stored in UK peatlands, and in what form; and how this stored mercury will respond to environmental factors such as changes in temperature; water level; acidity; and dissolved organic carbon and other nutrients. This project will fill fundamental knowledge gaps, using three representative peatlands across the UK where both new and stored mercury can be feasibly evaluated with respect to abundance, forms and chemical transformations. Our research team draws together groundbreaking interdisciplinary expertise, tools and techniques from across the atmospheric, earth, environmental and life sciences to work on this challenging problem. Potential applications and benefits: This project will build the foundation for constructing new process-based models for scientists, policy makers, land managers and other stakeholders needed to predict the short- and long-term fates of mercury in peatlands. The insights generated by this project will help adapt and improve practices for optimising carbon storage and mitigating the export of methylmercury from peatlands to sensitive coastal food webs, in alignment with NERC’s “catchment to coasts” paradigm for ecosystem science.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-12

Context and Challenge Neurotechnologies are advanced tools developed to repair and enhance brain functions. Recent progress shows that wireless thought-based communication, as demonstrated by companies like Synchron and Neuralink, will soon be widely available. This development offers potential societal benefits through improved cognitive capacities, accelerated scientific progress, and more efficient information access. However, significant challenges accompany these advancements. To responsibly navigate a future where cognition-enhancing technology is powerful and prevalent, we require a better understanding of how the integration of silicon-based and neural computing affects human cognition, and of the ethical and epistemological issues raised. Questions on this interdisciplinary research agenda include: Which neurotechnologies, including brainreading techniques, will be most feasible the next 5-10 years and which should be prioritised in terms of their cognitive benefits? Will neurotech make us more or less subject to manipulation and misinformation and how can the risks of the latter best be managed? What are the potential effects of enhancement via neurotech on human autonomy, authenticity, and responsibility? Such questions mark out timely and open territory, and they necessitate collaboration beyond established disciplinary thinking, and in particular, between neuroscience and the humanities. Aims and Objectives This project aims to develop (i) theoretical frameworks, (ii) neurotechnologies, and to (iii) lay the groundwork for new interdisciplinary subdisciplines. For (i), the team will produce three key theoretical frameworks: a Neurotechnology-Mediated Trust Theory, a Neuro-Authenticity Model, and an Epistemic Risk Assessment Tool. These will emerge from collaboration between philosophers, neuroscientists, psychologists, and physicists at Glasgow's Centre for Neurotechnology and the Cogito Epistemology Research Centre. Building on initial results from Cogito, these frameworks will both inform and be shaped by (ii) two neurotechnology development streams: novel technologies for enhancing memory through brain stimulation and new brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). By integrating philosophical insights into these advancements, the project will (iii) take important initial steps towards establishing two new interdisciplinary subdisciplines: 'neuroethical engineering' and 'neuroepistemological engineering', both aimed at ensuring (in a complementary way) that ethical and epistemological considerations are embedded in neurotechnology design throughout research and development stages. The project's structure features workshops, a reciprocal PDRA training programme, and interdisciplinary seminars to facilitate knowledge exchange and develop a comprehensive research agenda that integrates philosophy with neurotechnology. Key deliverables include peer-reviewed journal articles, white papers, and a neurophilosophical engineering curriculum (incorporating ethics and epistemology), which will be piloted at summer schools and at the master's level at the University of Glasgow in 2027. Potential Applications and Bene?ts This project will create ethical and epistemological guidelines based on rigorous new theoretical frameworks, applied directly to two strands of neurotechnology development in collaboration with industry partners. By training PDRAs in the emerging ?elds of neuroethical and neuroepistemological engineering, we will equip them with the skills to implement these guidelines and developing these interdisciplinary subfields beyond the project's lifespan. This will ensure a lasting legacy in both academic research and the creation of more ethically and epistemologically robust neurotechnologies. Put simply, it provides a roadmap for addressing ethical and epistemological risks proactively during the development of new neurotechnologies, rather than reacting to them later — an approach that could have mitigated many of the challenges currently faced by emerging AI technologies. These technologies will help us gain more knowledge and advance science more rapidly, and make complicated scientific facts more easily available to us.