Many funding panels are now including the role of observers as part of their assessment processes. In this blog, @samaspinall.bsky.social reflects on what she has learnt through her experiences as an observer across a number of @ukri.org funding rounds 👇

We’re looking forward to Monday’s fully booked Joint Impact Acceleration Account Showcase, celebrating how IAA #funding is helping Leeds researchers drive real‑world impact. Find out more about our funding opportunities bit.ly/4qWpNc7 @openresleeds.bsky.social @universityofleeds.bsky.social

We were delighted to see Priestley member Professor Fleur Loveridge interviewed on The One Show last week! Professor Loveridge shared her geo-energy engineering expertise and spoke about the installation costs of switching to heat pumps. Hear her interview at 5:44: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

A reminder that, if you're an academic at @universityofleeds.bsky.social, @sheffielduni.bsky.social or @york.ac.uk, you have just *ten days* to apply for this programme! More information and details to apply below 👇

🌳 Tropical forests can recover twice as quickly after deforestation if they have adequate soil nitrogen, according to new research led by the Uni of Leeds and Priestley members climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/nitroge...

How can robotics use inspiration from healthcare professionals to bring automation to assistive dressing? Join Dr Jihong Zhu for a hybrid @reimagineageing.bsky.social seminar exploring robotics and assistive technology. 📅 Tues 3 Feb 🕜1.30 - 3pm (GMT) Book your place via Eventbrite 👇

🎓Apply now for ESRC White Rose DTP PhD studentships commencing Oct '26 @universityofleeds.bsky.social 💠Application deadline: 21 Jan 2026 💠Open to UK & international applicants 💠Funding includes fees + stipend 💠Specialist awards available 👉 Further info: bit.ly/471gXBM #Funding #PhD #Studentships

1️⃣@carbonbrief.org reports that the climate paper with the most media attention in 2025 was the annual Indicators of Global Climate Change (IGCC) update led by Prof. Piers Forster, Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures! Full report & key findings: climate.leeds.ac.uk/our-work/ind...

Our winter newsletter is out now! 🚜 - University of Leeds Research Farm updates 🖊️ - Blog by Dr Richard Grayson on soil carbon sequestration 📣 - Upcoming events open for registration (free!) 👩‍💻 - Study with us sway.cloud.microsoft/nRC1dk4CLqKm...

Following two years of working as a research manager in the Horizons Institute, Dave Riley has resumed his role in developing pedagogical research with LITE. In this new blog, Dave shares what he’s learned on the commonalities in approach that make both institutes successful in their own fields.

Got a breakthrough technology that could transform industrial wastewater treatment? The Uni of Leeds is partnering with Nufarm to identify deployable technologies that can materially reduce toxic, high-salinity industrial effluent at scale. ✉️ If you have a technology, email [email protected]

@universityofleeds.bsky.social staff – next ESRC Impact Acceleration Account deadline is 4/3/26. Explore our funding streams, with up to £15k available to boost the impact of your research. 🔗 Find out more on our SharePoint site bit.ly/4sAlMvJ 🪙 Funding | 👩‍👦 Research Impact | 📈 Accelerate Change

Have you seen our Jan, Feb and March webinar line-up? Visit our Eventbrite page to read about what we have coming up and to register your place www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/global-foo... These sessions are free and open to all. We also upload the recordings to YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Happy New Year to our interdisciplinary community! We're an institute (based at @universityofleeds.bsky.social) working across the Higher Education sector to help develop interdisciplinary skills, connections and institutional capacities. Find out more about us here 👇

Professors Stefan Kepinski and Tim Benton were recently invited to advise Radio 4’s The Archers on the future of farming and how food systems might evolve over the next 25 years. Read more: biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/biological-s...

Priestley team member Dr Alice Garvey features in a BBC Science Focus article advising prioritising diet changes over local sourcing and warns against greenwashing traps. Read the article now ⬇️ www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth...

The Child and Adolescent Health Impacts of Learning Indoor Environments (CHILI) hub is hosting its first webinar to celebrate World Education Day. 📆 January 23 🕐 1pm-2.30pm Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chili-hub-...

Is attending a world-leading biology conference on your new year to-do list? This April, the Astbury Conversation brings together expert researchers to explore 'Designing Biology' in its widest sense Full programme: lnkd.in/ebpG5Nfz #AstburyConvo26 #DesigningBiology @astburycentre.bsky.social

As part of the Polycrisis Network seed funding, Anne Luke collected data for a small project that would explore how children and young people in Eastern Cuba understand and experience crisis.

Join @reimagineageing.bsky.social for their lunchtime webinar, where Andrea Cereceres and Dr Sophia Amenyah will explore nutrition, diet and health in older adults. 📅 Weds 21 Jan 🕛 12 - 1pm (GMT) 🌐 Online 👇 Booking via Eventbrite

Want to shape the future, not just watch it happen? Be the first to hear from us and get updates tailored to what matters most to you. Sign up now and join the movement for change: 🔗https://bit.ly/42zFpbO Because tomorrow isn’t waiting. Neither should you. #SocietalFutures #Leeds #Change

The University of Leeds is looking for a Research Fellow in stratospheric climate modelling of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) 🌍💻 If you have a PhD in a relevant field apply now to boost your career in one of the UK's leading research Universities! Apply by 2 Feb jobs.leeds.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx...

Register for 'Food environment transitions in southern Africa-impact on dietary patterns' on Wed 18th March, 12 - 12.40pm, by Dr Peter Yiga. Food environments in southern Africa show a mixed pattern of malnutrition - nutrient gaps & stunted growth, as well as rising overweight & obesity👇

Happy New Year folks! We hope you all had a festive and restful break. Not to say we imbibed too much tv this holidays but thoughts have turned in a future facing fashion to 2026 and how we can hold on to content we can trust: luckily researchers at Leeds are on it www.leeds.ac.uk/research-32/...

Huge congratulations to Prof Piers Forster CBE! 🎉Director of the Priestley Centre, who has been awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours 2026 for his climate science leadership and impact. A brilliant recognition of excellence and action on climate change. 🌍 Read more www.leeds.ac.uk/university-n...

Want to see how research creates real-world impact? Join us at the Joint IAA Showcase @ the University of Leeds. Discover how Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) funding has amplified research projects across the university—turning ideas into action and innovation. Book your place here: bit.ly/3L36z5E

Do you want to start the year with a new opportunity? Are you a @universityofleeds.bsky.social colleague working in movement and physical activity research? Are you interested in co-leading an interdisciplinary network of researchers to help make connections across the field? Details here 👇

There is still time to register for our January webinar, 'Circular farming: Harnessing animal waste for energy and nutrient recovery'. Join us on Wednesday 21 Jan, 12.00-12.40pm. Details below 👇

Following the launch of the BBC Charter Review, a University of Leeds researcher argues that values of universality, diversity and independence must be kept at the heart of any reforms. Read more ➡️ www.leeds.ac.uk/research-32/... @universityofleeds.bsky.social

With news that UKRI's Cross Research Council Responsive Mode scheme being closed, @samaspinall.bsky.social shares her insights from working with the CRCRM team for the past three years in our latest blog post 👇

🌋 New international report reveals the unprecedented impact of the Hunga eruption, an underwater volcano that erupted in 2022. Priestley members were at the heart of this effort to understand the climate impact of this water-rich eruption. Read the findings here: climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/interna...

No newsletter from us in January, but ICYMI here's the last one of 2025 👇 Take a look for: * Crucible and Platform in South Africa * More about the re-launch of Leeds' Areas of Research Interest * The conclusion of our work with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture * New blogs and events

Professor Suraje Dessai, Principal Fellow at Priestley, has been appointed to the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change. Suraje is one of the 15 independent senior scientific experts appointed to the board climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/suraje-...

In their new policy blog, Erin Dysart and Louise Tracey from the School of Education reflect on a list of evidence-based parenting and home learning interventions issued to Local Authorities as part of a government strategy designed to improve child development. ➡️ tinyurl.com/y4b3yedj

Priestley member Dr Megan Klaar is highlighted in this @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social article discussing Yorkshire’s extreme 2025 rainfall. Klaar explains climate change’s impact on water resilience, infrastructure stress, & the need for adaptive water management strategies. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Congratulations to Suraje Dessai who has been appointed to the European Scientific Advisory Board and Climate Change. He will be responsible for providing the European Union with scientific knowledge, expertise and advice relating to climate change. ➡️ climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/suraje-...

Reliable global data is essential in tackling some of the world's most pressing social and environmental issues, but too often this data is gathered with little consideration around access for communities local to its source. Here, SYNERGIA shares how they’re making data available and accessible:

🎉 The University of Leeds & Priestley Centre won Outstanding Innovation in Conferences for the 2025 Scenarios Forum! 🌱 The event was a Sustainable Conference Living Lab with vegetarian menus, low-carbon travel & inclusive hybrid options. Learn more: climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/univers...

Some weekend listening for you as Priestley member, Prof Amanda Maycock, recently joined Brian Cox and Robin Ince on The Infinite Monkey Cage to discuss all things clouds – how they form, their shapes & how to keep track of them! Listen here: tinyurl.com/4a46b3ah #Clouds #InfiniteMonkeyCage

The Paris Agreement turns 10 today. As Prof. Piers Forster writes in Climate Home News, it steered us away from 4°C, but 1.5°C is now reality. The next decade must protect science, stop leaning on the “net” in net zero, and phase out fossil fuels. ➡️ www.climatechangenews.com/2025/12/12/w...

🏔️ Priestley members have ventured to some of the planet’s most extreme environments, such as Mount Everest, to understand the risks of glacial melt and uncover how we can slow it down. Listen to the researchers discuss their findings in this impactful podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/4eS7...

Join us 21 Jan, 12.00-12.40pm. Dr Daya Pandey will speak on harnessing animal waste for energy & nutrient recovery. Can by-products meet EU fertiliser standards & are they suitable for use in farming systems? Open to all. Please register for free: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/circular-f...

We’re at our Interdisciplinary Leadership Programme residential with researchers from @uniofbradford.bsky.social and @universityofleeds.bsky.social today. Lots of great discussion about ideal projects already.

Our final newsletter of the year is now out! Take a look for: * Our activities in South Africa * An opportunity to learn more about the re-launch of Leeds' Areas of Research Interest * The conclusion of our work with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture * New blogs and events Find out more here 👇

🚗 Are electric vehicles a greater risk to pedestrians than petrol or diesel cars? New research says no. A study led by Priestley member Professor @ziawadud.bsky.social has found that EVs are just as safe for pedestrians as petrol or diesel cars. climate.leeds.ac.uk/news/evs-jus...

🚨We’re hiring! Join the University of Leeds as a Commercialisation Manager (SHAPE) & help turn social sciences & humanities research into real-world impact. Work with brilliant teams, foster social enterprise culture, & connect ideas to markets. Apply here: bit.ly/3MqoZNZ #jobs #commercialisation

The Magnetism in Biomaterials (MagInBio) Network have recently funded four pump prime projects: 🔹 Oriented Bio-Inspired Templates - ORBIT 🔹 Next-generation magnetic immunoassays for ice-nucleating plant pathogens (MagINP) (1/4)

Kelly O’Shea, Dr John Nightingale & Prof Laura Carter explore emerging contaminants in soils—and their impact on organic fertiliser use in sustainable farming. Contaminants affect soil health, food safety & water quality. 👉 Read their blog: medium.com/globalfoodle... 👇

We are also running a #WorldSoilDay webinar on Wednesday (10th), 12.00-12.40pm. This will discuss the importance of knowing your #soil type in understanding how planting hedges can help prevent floods. Delivered by Prof Pippa Chapman & Dr Sofia Biffi. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/planting-h...

Today is #WorldSoilDay! We've several soil experts involved in exciting research projects & there has been significant investment at the University of Leeds Research Farm to install equipment to help researchers monitor the health of soil & rate of carbon sequestration – and how to improve these 👇