A University of Aberdeen scientist has been selected for a unique initiative supporting Scotland's next generation of research leaders looking to Build Scotland's Green Future.
Dr Kristin Konnyu has been accepted for the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Research Leadership Scheme, which supports mid‑career academics with outstanding potential, equipping them to lead major research bids addressing critical scientific and societal challenges. The research theme for this Cohort is Building Scotland’s Green Future.
Dr Konnyu leads research in applying advanced implementation science and evidence synthesis methods to complex health and social challenges, including climate mitigation and adaption and maternal inequities.
She explores how we understand what works and how to translate that knowledge into real‑world change.
Funded by the Caledonian Research Fund, the scheme is the first of its kind from the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Participants join a small cohort designed to build confidence, leadership capacity, and interdisciplinary research capability.
Dr Konnyu brings an interdisciplinary background spanning science, rehabilitation, education, and epidemiology, and previously served as an Assistant Professor at Brown University, where she led major evidence reviews for the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Dr Konnyu said: “It is an honour to be selected by RSE to address this paramount challenge using an interdisciplinary lens with my fellow cohort members”.
“I am looking forward to building networks across Scotland’s research community to support interdisciplinary funding bids and will benefit from mentoring by senior research leaders, structured training, and resources to support new research directions.”
Dr Lucy Leiper, Director of Research, Innovation & Enterprise at the University of Aberdeen, said: “We are delighted that Dr Konnyu has been appointed to the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Research Leadership Scheme. This highly competitive programme recognises exceptional research leadership potential and supports participants through mentoring, peer learning, and targeted development opportunities aimed at tackling critical scientific and societal challenges.”
RSE Vice President, Research, Professor Anne Anderson OBE FRSE commented: “The strength of Scotland’s research sector depends on nurturing talented people, and empowering them to lead with confidence, creativity, and ambition. This new Scheme is an important investment in that future. By bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines and supporting them to collaborate on some of the most pressing challenges of our time, the RSE hopes to help build the leadership capacity our country needs. I am delighted to see such an exceptional first cohort embark on this journey, and I look forward to following the positive impact they will undoubtedly make.”