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Climate change

Newcastle University Professor Awarded Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowship to Tackle Extreme Weather Risks

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Professor Hayley Fowler, a climate expert from Newcastle University, has been awarded a prestigious Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowship to explore extreme weather risks. She is one of seven pioneering researchers who will pursue high-quality original research and develop world-leading research groups in the UK. The fellowship, supported by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, provides up to £8 million over a 10-year period to tackle fundamental questions in climate science.

Professor Fowler's project, EXTREME-FUTURES, will develop a new seamless framework to improve forecasts of hydroclimatic extremes, such as flash floods and prolonged storms. The project aims to close the gap between science and society in preparing for a future of intensifying weather extremes. By combining advanced climate science with artificial intelligence, the project will deliver more reliable early warning systems, better tools for monitoring changing risks, and improved strategies for resilience.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowship supports exceptional mid-career research leaders in the UK with awards of up to £8 million over a 10-year period.
  • The 2026 cohort of Fellows includes seven pioneering researchers from six institutions: the University of Sheffield, the John Innes Centre, Newcastle University, the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and University College London.
  • Professor Hayley Fowler's project, EXTREME-FUTURES, will investigate the impact of climate change on hydroclimatic extremes, aiming to develop a seamless framework for predicting these events.
  • The project will combine advanced climate science with artificial intelligence to map how large-scale climate drivers link to local extreme events, identify weaknesses in existing models, and build plausible worst-case scenarios.
  • The Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowship aims to develop a pipeline of future research talent, through mentoring and training opportunities for grant holders and their research groups.

Notable Mentions:

  • The Royal Society's Faraday Accelerated International Route offers fast-track grants of up to £4 million over five years for outstanding international researchers to establish world-leading research groups in the UK.
  • The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology has supported the Royal Society with £250 million in long-term funding to support the work of mid-career researchers.
  • The UK Government has committed to a record £22.6 billion to R&D and £115 million to bring the world's best research talent to the UK.

Statistics:

  • £8 million: The maximum funding awarded to each Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellow.
  • 10 years: The duration of the fellowship.
  • £250 million: The total amount of long-term funding provided by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to support mid-career researchers.
  • £22.6 billion: The record commitment to R&D by the UK Government.
  • £115 million: The funding used to bring the world's best research talent to the UK.

Sources:

  • Newcastle University Press Release (August 28)
  • Royal Society Press Release (August 28)
  • Royal Society Website (Faraday Discovery Fellowships)

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