Birmingham looks East for next generation of clean air leaders

Students from Central and Eastern Europe have the opportunity to apply for a Fellowship to kick-start their contribution to solving air pollution problems

Young man gazing over woodland and mountains

Students from Central and Eastern Europe, have the opportunity to apply for a Fellowship to kick-start their contribution to solving air pollution problems.

Environmental scientists at the University of Birmingham are looking East to find the next generation of atmospheric science leaders with the appointment of three clean air Fellows.

There are places available for select four exceptional students, from Central and Eastern Europe, and the UK, as McCall MacBain Clean Air Fellows on the master’s degree in Air Pollution Management and Control.

The Clean Air Fund and the University of Birmingham, with the support of the McCall MacBain Foundation launched the Fellowship in 2022 and the programme is now entering its third year.

Designed by academics who are world-leading in their field, the programme identifies individuals who can demonstrate a strong rationale for studying air pollution and can commit to tackling the problem through their career choice after they graduate. Find out how to apply

We have places waiting specifically for students from Central and Eastern Europe. The Fellowships are designed to lay the foundations for atmospheric scientists to progress in this field and contribute to resolving atmospheric pollution issues in their countries.

Professor Francis Pope - University of Birmingham

Professor Francis Pope, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, commented: “The University of Birmingham is passionate about clean air – we’re at the forefront of research on the causes and effects of air pollution upon human health across the United Kingdom and across the globe.

“We have places waiting specifically for students from Central and Eastern Europe. The Fellowships are designed to lay the foundations for atmospheric scientists to progress in this field and contribute to resolving atmospheric pollution issues in their countries.

“Our Fellowships will be instrumental in producing the next generation of clean air leaders; young scientists with the tools to understand and unlock the twin threats of air pollution and climate change.”

The Fellowship will identify those who can demonstrate a strong rationale for studying air pollution and can commit to tackling the problem through their career choice after they graduate.

Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the programme use expertise across departments for a holistic understanding of air pollution and its effects. Birmingham has over 100 researchers studying clean air from across its five colleges. The campus also operates state-of-the-art pollution research facilities, which have been commissioned for several seminal air pollution studies.

Fellows will pursue a master’s degree in Air Pollution Management and Control and can commit to tackling the problem through their career choice after they graduate.

Sean Maguire, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Clean Air Fund, commented: “The UN recognises that air pollution and climate change are two sides of the same coin. However, we’re only just starting to understand how the two relate and the possible consequences and impact of air pollution on climate change. This programme helps us to understand and address these challenges.”

The University of Birmingham is at the forefront of research on the causes and effects of air pollution upon human health across the United Kingdom and globally. The course is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Sciences and the Institute of Air Quality Management.

Notes for editors

  • For more information, please contact Tony Moran, International Communications Manager, University of Birmingham on +44 (0)782 783 2312. For out-of-hours enquiries, please call +44 (0) 7789 921 165. Discover Birmingham.
  • The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.