Eight innovative new research communities, bringing together the collaborative power of researchers from across the GW4 Alliance universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, and Exeter, have been awarded up to £20,000 each in funding thanks to this year’s GW4 Building Communities Generator Fund.
The Generator Fund supports the formation of new GW4 communities as well as the advancement of the most promising ideas emerging from existing ones. Open to all areas of research and innovation, the fund is designed to tackle major research or societal challenges through collaborative and impactful initiatives.
The eight newly-funded research communities, spanning a variety of research areas ranging from children and young people’s mental health to antimicrobial resistance, and digital sexual health, were selected for funding by a panel of expert judges, following a highly competitive application process.
The funding is designed to enable GW4 research communities to complete 6-month research projects, with researchers encouraged to use the scheme as a step towards applying for external funding.
This year’s new communities join over 100 existing GW4-funded collaborative research communities, which have cumulatively generated over £89 million in research income since their formation – resulting in GW4’s highest ever return on investment. Overall, for every £1 that the GW4 Alliance funds through these communities, £25 is captured in external research awards.
GW4 Building Communities Manager, Dr Sarah-Louise Dietz, said: “We are thrilled to announce the successful recipients of this year’s GW4 Generator Fund and proud to invest in these research collaborations, which have the potential to drive real-world change. By fostering the right conditions for bold ideas to thrive, we aim to support our researchers in realising their full potential.
“GW4 is committed to building research communities with the scale, diversity, and capability to deliver world-class innovation that no single institution could achieve alone. Our record return on investment of 25:1 continues to demonstrate the powerful impact of collaborative research and the value of targeted seed funding.”
This year’s funded research communities are:
GW4-AIR Network
Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Hanbin Zhang, University of Exeter
GW4 Air Network aims to promote research, collaboration, funding applications, public awareness, and monitoring capacity on air quality, climate, living environment and health in the Southwest England and Wales.
Medieval Studies Mobilising Digital Humanities
PI: Professor Helen Fulton, University of Bristol
This collaborative project will mobilise existing and emerging digital technologies to develop new research methodologies for Medieval Studies.
Digital Sexual Health and Wellbeing Research Community
PI: Dr Rebecca Saunders, Cardiff University
This research community establishes the Centre for Digital Sexual Health and Well-being (DISH) and begins essential research into the impact of new digital technologies on sexual health and well-being.
Exploring Pathways to Children and Young People’s Mental Health
PI: Dr Jennifer Allen, University of Bath
The aim of this research network is to better understand pathways to mental health outcomes from childhood to late adolescence/early adulthood.
Maritime Advancements through Research and Innovation in Powertrains and Power Systems (MARINPOWER)
PI: Dr Gianmario Rinaldi, University of Exeter
The project aims to advance clean maritime powertrain technology to enhance the sustainability of a decarbonised maritime sector. addressing challenges in materials, power electronics, propulsion, and control engineering.
LEAN GW4: Laboratory Efficiency Action Network
PI: Dr Anna Lewis, University of Bristol
In response to the growing climate crisis and the commitments of UK institutions to reduce carbon emissions, this community aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable lab-based research practices.
AI-Driven Digital Transformation for Sustainable Energy Network
PI: Dr Dawei Qiu, University of Exeter
This interdisciplinary community advances AI-driven solutions to support the UK's clean energy transition, tackling challenges in renewable integration, demand peaks, and climate resilience.
Antimicrobial Resistance, Conflict and Security (ARCS) Community
PI: Dr Alex Tasker, University of Bristol
This community brings together experts and decision-makers to explore the complex links between national security and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), engaging with existing research networks and external government partners to drive research into global biosecurity threats.
GW4 Building Communities
To find out more about the GW4 Building Communities programme, and to see information on all the communities that we’ve previously funded, please visit the 'Our Communities' webpages.
We are thrilled to announce the successful recipients of this year’s GW4 Generator Fund and proud to invest in these research collaborations, which have the potential to drive real-world change. By fostering the right conditions for bold ideas to thrive, we aim to support our researchers in realising their full potential.
“GW4 is committed to building research communities with the scale, diversity, and capability to deliver world-class innovation that no single institution could achieve alone. Our record return on investment of 25:1 continues to demonstrate the powerful impact of collaborative research and the value of targeted seed funding.”
