The University of Bath is proud to announce its partnership with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) as a host institution for the King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP). The programme will support PhD candidates from Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in advancing research on sustainability, climate resilience, education, health, and engineering.
Led by Bath's Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change (ISCC), the partnership will provide joint PhD supervision, research funding, and professional development opportunities for fellows from SIDS nations. Bath's expertise in sustainable innovation and global collaboration will support these nations, which face urgent challenges from climate change and economic vulnerability.
"The King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme creates a vital bridge between Bath's expertise and the pressing challenges faced by Small Island Developing States," says Professor Matthew Davidson, ISCC Co-Director. "Through our Institute's multidisciplinary research themes of Sustainable Chemical Technologies, Sustainable Systems, and Social Transformations, we can provide fellows with comprehensive support across multiple dimensions of sustainable development and climate resilience. This holistic approach, combined with our extensive experience in doctoral training, positions us to collaborate meaningfully with these nations to develop solutions that are both globally relevant and locally appropriate."
As part of the programme, fellows will receive joint guidance from Bath academics and their home universities over six years, combining local priorities with international expertise. Furthermore, fellows will be able access professional development to support their training in science communication, policy engagement, and leadership to equip them to drive change in their communities. Grants are available to them to support fieldwork, equipment, or conference attendance.
Strengthening global resilience
The KCFP aligns with Bath's commitment to addressing climate change and fostering equitable partnerships. By enabling fellows to pursue PhDs in their home countries, the programme mitigates "brain drain" while strengthening local capacity in critical sectors.
Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, ISCC Co-Director, highlights the significance of this approach: "Climate change disproportionately affects Small Island Developing States, making programmes like the KCFP essential for building resilience and driving meaningful change. What excites me most about this partnership is how it empowers researchers to develop solutions that are locally relevant while connecting them to global expertise and resources. By supporting fellows to remain in their home countries while pursuing advanced research, we're helping build sustainable capacity where it's needed most, creating a powerful model for equitable academic collaboration."
With over 80 PhD researchers currently training with the ISCC, the University of Bath brings substantial experience in developing future leaders in sustainability and climate change through its innovative doctoral programmes, including ISCC co-funded studentships, the Bath Monash Global PhD Programme, and multiple EPSRC and NERC Centres for Doctoral Training.