Global Challenges ‘Low Carbon Energy Access’ Hub

The forthcoming RCUK GCRF Collective Fund call will invite applications for large-scale interdisciplinary research hubs. Our objective is to prepare an international team in the field of low-carbon energy and energy access, aligned with the 'Grand Challenge' of 'Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy'. The proposed hub will be GW4-based and co-produce research with ODA countries, supporting their capacity-building.

This will be achieved through three main activities:
1. Workshop 1: Shaping the Hub. This workshop will bring together relevant, identified academic staff from GW4 and other invited universities from disciplines, including but not limited to: engineering, physical sciences, economics, law, anthropology, development studies, and human geography. It aims to further develop the Hub’s ambit, action plan, application team, and potential international partners.
2. Visits to International Partners. These field visits, in 6 targeted ODA countries, will develop and/or build upon extant working relationships with relevant stakeholders.
3. Workshop 2: Consolidating the Hub. This workshop will feedback from international visits to finalise the focus, aims, size, and work plan of the proposed Hub.

The exact timing of the Collective Fund call is not known, but we aim to have ready a comprehensive and coherent Hub application by the end of this project's funding period.