On 31 March Corpus welcomed CONNECTS-UK delegates to the McCrum Lecture Theatre for the 2nd European Researchers in the UK Event.

CONNECTS-UK, which stands for ‘Connecting European Communities Through Science in the UK’, aim is to advance scientific collaborations between the European Union and the United Kingdom in the post-Brexit context. 

Ahead of the event, European (and other) researchers were invited to present research proposals of their research conducted at UK universities. These proposals were then evaluated and shortlisted by a jury of experts.

An impressive 74 presentation proposals from researchers of 27 different nationalities, spanning a variety of academic backgrounds - from undergraduate students to senior lecturers - were received. The research selected for presentation addressed issues including neurodegenerative diseases, climate change, food safety and artificial intelligence.

Corpus PhD candidate Nils Barner (below) was amongst those selected to present his research on charting technology pathways to hydrogen-electric aviation.

“As one of eight panellists, I felt very fortunate to be given the opportunity to present my PhD research in front of my home crowd at Corpus Christi College Cambridge. With attendees from 27 different nationalities, there was a remarkable sense of belonging and shared purpose — living proof that, in these times of geopolitical turmoil, the EU is more important than ever and needs people on both sides of the channel who are committed to rebuilding the connections severed by Brexit. I already look forward to the next event!” Nils wrote on LinkedIn after the event.

Professor Chris Howe, Corpus President and Deputy Master gave the welcoming address to delegates, while Corpus Fellows Dr Claudia Bonfio and Dr Nirupa Desai, worked with former Fellow of Corpus Dr Jesús Sanjurjo to help bring the event to Corpus.

“Corpus Christi College has a long tradition of welcoming scholars from throughout the world, so it is a real pleasure to welcome such a wide range of European researchers to this event,” said Professor Howe.