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Research and Innovation Development

Dr Rachel Curwen
Director of Research Development

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 6050

Email: r.curwen@leeds.ac.uk

Dr Rachel Curwen leads four teams of research and innovation development professionals who work across the entire University. They support the development of strategic research and innovation proposals to a wide range of funders in the UK and internationally, which strengthen new and existing capabilities, create and enhance interdisciplinary collaborations, align with external funding opportunities, and address market demand. Her teams work closely with academic, industry, public sector and civic partners and develop global research collaborations, as well as managing relationships with key funders.

Dr Curwen has broad research management experience and a strong track record of strategic leadership in this field; she works with an extensive range of external partners and has secured significant funding from a wide range of sources to develop new avenues of activity, ways of working and prime new relationships.

UK Research Development

We support development of applications to a range of UK funding bodies.

Innovation and Business Development

We support academics to engage in innovation activity, ranging from initial research translation projects through to larger-scale, multiple-partner collaborations.

Global Research Development

We provide support to develop and scale-up international research collaborations.

EU Funding

We are the centralised focal point for support with EU Funding, from opportunity identification, through to application and reporting.

Research and Innovation Development Managers and Officers

We provide tailored support within the University's research platforms, schools and institutes to develop ambitious and innovative projects that address today's major societal challenges.