{"id":3258,"date":"2026-03-25T13:11:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T13:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/?p=3258"},"modified":"2026-03-26T10:20:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T10:20:03","slug":"enu-dominates-the-scotland-cluster-in-the-british-academy-ecrn-seed-fund","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/enu-dominates-the-scotland-cluster-in-the-british-academy-ecrn-seed-fund\/","title":{"rendered":"ENU dominates the Scotland Cluster in the British Academy ECRN Seed Fund"},"content":{"rendered":"

Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) is proud to celebrate the achievements of our early-career researchers recognised in the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) Seed Fund Awards 2025\u201326<\/h4>\n

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The prestigious British Academy Early Career Researcher Network Seed Fund Awards <\/a>support innovative, humanities and social science led projects across the UK, helping emerging researchers build momentum, develop new collaborations and strengthen their research portfolios.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s awards are particularly significant for Edinburgh Napier, with three of the six projects funded within the Scotland Cluster led by ENU researchers<\/strong>. Their success reflects the strength, ambition and societal relevance of the work being carried out across our research community.<\/p>\n

The seed fund is designed to empower early-career researchers, particularly those with limited experience of securing external funding, by providing space, time and resources to explore new ideas. Awardees undertake nine-month projects that foster fresh research directions, interdisciplinary partnerships and pathways to future funding.<\/p>\n

A growing national platform for early-career talent<\/h4>\n

The British Academy\u2019s ECRN Seed Fund continues to expand its reach, supporting diverse and ambitious projects across the UK\u2019s academic landscape. The Scotland Cluster plays a vital role in this network, bringing together researchers from across the region to collaborate, share expertise and build capacity in the humanities and social sciences.<\/p>\n

Edinburgh Napier\u2019s strong representation in this year\u2019s Scotland Cluster awards highlights the University\u2019s growing influence and the creativity of our early-career researchers.<\/p>\n

Edinburgh Napier\u2019s funded projects include:<\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/a>Dr Khristin Fabian<\/a><\/strong>
\nIn The Age Of AI: Investigating Filipino And UK Pre-service Teachers\u2019 Perspectives On The Future Of Education Award:<\/strong> \u00a34,716
\nDr Fabian\u2019s cross-cultural study explores how future teachers in the UK and the Philippines imagine the long-term future of education in an era shaped by artificial intelligence. Using speculative research methods, the project will engage pre-service teachers in workshops and interviews to examine their expectations, concerns and aspirations. The findings will offer valuable insights into how teacher education can prepare future educators for rapidly evolving technological landscapes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Dr Adrianna Zabrzewska<\/a><\/strong>
\nPump Priming For Collaborative International Research On Friendship, Vulnerability, And Resilience In A Polarised World Award<\/strong>: \u00a34,900
\nDr Zabrzewska\u2019s project lays the foundations for an international, interdisciplinary study exploring how friendship can act as a form of resilience in an increasingly polarised world. Through online team meetings and a writing retreat, the project will develop a collaborative research agenda examining how friendship networks support individuals facing precarity. The work challenges traditional understandings of vulnerability and resilience, positioning relational bonds as a powerful resource for social cohesion. This seed funding will support the preparation of a future ESRC grant application.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Dr Guanyu Jason Ran<\/a><\/strong>
\nTowards Inclusive Climate Action (TICA): Understanding and Promoting Ethnic Minority Communities\u2019 Public Engagement in Scotland\u2019s Net Zero Transition Award:<\/strong> \u00a34,945.10
\nDr Ran\u2019s project addresses a critical gap in Scotland\u2019s Net Zero transition: the lack of understanding and engagement strategies for ethnic minority communities. Working with community organisations, government partners and academics, the project will combine a networking event with participatory drama workshops to explore barriers and opportunities for inclusive climate action. The findings will help shape future research and policy, positioning Scotland as a leader in equitable public engagement on environmental issues.<\/p>\n

Strengthening ENU\u2019s research culture<\/h4>\n

Participation in the British Academy ECRN brings significant benefits for our researchers and for the wider institution, including:<\/p>\n