Future Leaders Fellowship: Dr C Scott Watson
Dr C Scott Watson is amongst the University's most promising research leaders to have earned national fellowships to advance work aimed at tackling global challenges.
Scott has received a Future Leaders Fellowship, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The fellowships enable universities and businesses to develop the next generation of world-class researchers and innovators.
Scott, from the School of Geography leads the project ‘Glacial Lake Observatory for Flood Hazards Impacted by Changing Climate’.
As glaciers disappear, thousands of glacial lakes are forming. Yet their location in high-altitude and logistically challenging environments means observations are sparse, including essential measurements of water storage and potential hazard.
This fellowship will investigate lake development processes and glacier-related flood hazards to enhance disaster preparedness and increase water security across High-Mountain Asia. The project will integrate satellite data, numerical modelling, and fieldwork to provide the foundations for systematic and open access glacial lake monitoring.
Scott said: “This project will transform how we understand and prepare for glacial lake evolution and flood risk, and how we predict future water availability in high mountain environments.
“The Future Leaders Fellowship gives me a fantastic opportunity to develop a global Glacial Lake Observatory, that will underpin a new era of collaborative glacial lake research by removing barriers to data access and knowledge exchange.
“I will be supported to lead a team to address this global challenge and work with a breadth of project partners to maximise the benefits of our research.”
Bridging the gap
UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said: “UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships provide researchers and innovators with long-term support and training to develop ambitious, transformative ideas.
“The programme supports the research and innovation leaders of the future to transcend disciplinary and sector boundaries, bridging the gap between academia and business.”