University of Plymouth and University College Cork agree climate partnership

The first initiative under the agreement will see early career researchers funded to conduct research supervised by academics in the UK and Ireland
The University of Plymouth and University College Cork (UCC) have agreed to work together to address some of the critical climate and sustainability challenges facing our planet

The University of Plymouth and University College Cork (UCC) have agreed to work together to address some of the critical climate and sustainability challenges facing our planet.
The partnership will be dedicated to building resilient coastal communities, assisting economic sectors with energy transitions, and developing opportunities in the blue economy.
For the first initiative under the agreement, inspired by last year’s COP26 summit, early career researchers will be funded to conduct climate research at both the University of Plymouth and UCC. These researchers will be jointly supervised by academic staff from both institutions so they can benefit from the combined expertise of the two universities.
The partnership will build on the universities’ reputations for world-leading and award-winning marine, sustainability research and teaching. The two institutions have made significant investments in sustainability, environmental and marine research over many years and have built up substantial capacity in these areas as a result.
The University of Plymouth is one of the world’s top five universities for marine research and teaching, and among the top 5% of global universities for its commitment to sustainability, while its Marine Institute is the first and largest such institute in any UK university.
UCC is one of Ireland’s leading universities in the area of climate, marine and sustainability research and is home to the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) and MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine research and innovation.
Professor Judith Petts CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth and lead of Universities UK’s Climate Task and Finish Group, said:
“This exciting strategic partnership will capitalise on our institutions’ complementary research and innovation strengths and assets. Through collaboration, and with the support of our two cities, we will advance the development of our researchers and the essential responses to the global challenges of sustainability and climate change.”
Judith Petts
Professor Judith Petts CBE
President of UCC, Professor John O’Halloran stated:
“Climate change is a global emergency. The collaboration aims to address some of the key climate challenges and opportunities of our time, while inspiring and nurturing the next generation of innovative and pioneering researchers.”
Professor Sarah Culloty, Head of College, Science, Engineering and Food Science at University College, added:
“I am delighted to welcome this historic partnership between University College Cork and the University of Plymouth. We can only rise to the challenges presented by the climate crisis through global cooperation. This collaboration will enable a new generation of researchers to tackle climate change through a unique doctoral programme that will strengthen both our institutions and benefit the planet.”

Our Strategic Research Partnership with University College Cork

Climate change is a global emergency. In the wake of COP26, it is more evident than ever that the world needs to take radical action to tackle this crisis.
To that end, the University of Plymouth and University College Cork have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to join forces in establishing a Post-COP26 Doctoral Training Partnership.
It will aim to address some of the key climate challenges and opportunities of our time, while inspiring and nurturing the next generation of innovative and pioneering researchers.
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