Three outstanding researchers awarded Innovation Fellowships to work with FCDO to address long-term policy priorities

The British Academy has awarded three Innovation Fellowships to leading academics who will work with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to address long-term policy priorities.

Funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the British Academy’s Innovation Fellowships (Route B: Policy-led) scheme provides funding and support for established UK-based researchers in the SHAPE disciplines (Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy). The scheme aims to embed researchers within the FCDO and contribute to their policy work.

Innovation Fellowship Route B awards have been awarded to:

• Dr Russell Buchan (University of Sheffield), who will work on law, values and ethics in the international digital and telecommunications environment
• Dr Joe Devanny (King’s College London), who will work on law, values and ethics in the international digital and telecommunications environment
• Professor Lee Jones (Queen Mary University of London), who will work on the regional politics of Southeast Asia

The Innovation Fellowships scheme has two routes: Route A (Researcher-led), which requires researchers to apply with a self-identified partner organisation; and Route B (Policy-led), through which applicants will work with one of the Academy’s named policy partners.

Professor Simon Goldhill, the British Academy’s Foreign Secretary & Vice-President, said:

“These awards are further evidence of our commitment to showcase and apply SHAPE research and skills across society. These award-holders will contribute world-leading expertise to FCDO’s crucial work on the regional politics of Southeast Asia and law, values and ethics in the international digital and telecommunications environment."

A new call for Route B Innovation Fellowships is now open. Funded by the UK's Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the British Academy is inviting applications for a policy-led Fellowship. The Fellowships will take place in the context of the FCDO’s response to the war in Ukraine, its impact on the post-Cold War international order and its effects not just in Ukraine, but across the wider region.