Professor Stuart Taberner to join Research Councils UK

Professor Taberner will take on the new role of Director of International and Interdisciplinary Research for an 18-month secondment at Research Councils UK.

Research Councils UK (RCUK) has announced the appointment of Professor Stuart Taberner to the new role of Director of International and Interdisciplinary Research. Prof Taberner is currently Professor in German at the University of Leeds where he leads interdisciplinary programmes and is a leader in Official Development Assistance (ODA) related research, particularly in Africa. He will join RCUK from 16 January 2017 on an 18-month secondment.

His role will be to lead the development and delivery of RCUK international strategy and to strengthen collective Research Council planning and delivery for the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). He will build on and strengthen the Research Councils’ existing collective capability in these areas.

Professor Andrew Thompson, AHRC Chief Executive and RCUK Champion for GCRF, said: “Stuart has an impressive track record in international research collaboration. In his new role Stuart will be able to bring his experience and knowledge to our already strong teams within RCUK and the individual Research Councils. I am looking forward to working closely with him over the coming months when international, GCRF and broader interdisciplinary agendas will be of critical importance as we seek to build on the opportunities presented by the anticipated creation of UKRI.”

Professor Taberner commented: “I am delighted to join the team at RCUK and very much look forward to working with colleagues to further develop RCUK's international profile, especially in relation to the important research now emerging under the Global Challenges Development Fund banner.”