N8 Collabor8 Fund

The N8 Collabor8 Fund has been established to mobilise proactive researcher-led communities of scale across the N8 and create a culture shift in collaborative working

Funding awards were made, in June 2022, to a number of communities to explore the potential for multi-institutional collaboration in areas that play to the distinctive strengths of the N8 universities and where the scale and complexity of the challenge requires an ambitious, pan-university approach.

Call Theme

The theme for the call was The Road to 2050, which encompasses both the technological and societal challenges associated with meeting the UK’s (and the world’s) net zero commitments. This aligns with the N8’s current priority theme, Net Zero North.

The Fund supports the development of vibrant and diverse communities that harness the strengths of the N8 universities and their partners, with new perspectives on meeting the urgent need to transition to a net zero world, and that either:

• directly support the aims of Net Zero North; or
• focus on some of the much broader issues raised by the climate crisis and the urgent need to transition to a net zero world

Funded Communities

Four research communities are currently in receipt of funding from the Collabor8 Fund, with activities planned to run until at least August 2024:

N8 Network for Climate and Health Co-benefits

Led by a collaboration of academics and professional services staff from the Universities of Leeds, Liverpool and York, N8 Climate and Health proposes to develop solutions that will help protect human life from the direct threat of the climate crisis.

Environmental Challenges from Marine Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Led by Dr Pablo Ouro from the University of Manchester, the community will explore mitigation strategies in response to the anticipated, unintended impacts of marine renewables upon biodiversity.

Network for Innovative Sustainable Transportation Co-Simulation (NIST-CS)

Led by Dr Zhongbei Tian from the University of Liverpool and Dr David Golightly from Newcastle University, NIST-CS will establish, coordinate and enhance capabilities, expertise and case studies for system co-simulation, to deliver optimised decarbonised transport across the North of England and beyond.

Carbon Operational Net Zero (CONZ)

Led by Dr Simon Breeden from the University of York, Dr Beth Upex from Durham University and Mel Leitch from Newcastle University, CONZ will utilise the expertise of technicians in laboratories and research and teaching facilities to share best practices for achieving Net Zero targets.