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Birmingham boost for next generation of clean air leaders

A trio of young environmental scientists are set to become clean air Fellows at the University of Birmingham in a unique new programme.

26 September 2022
Two new Fellows and their tutor on campus

Owain Rose and Catrin Rathbone with Professor Francis Pope on campus at the University of Birmingham - photo by Tony Moran

The next generation of environmental leaders are coming to the University of Birmingham with the appointment of three clean air Fellows – the first programme of its kind in the UK.

A trio of young environmental scientists – two from the UK and one from North Macedonia, the most polluted country in Europe – will pursue a master’s degree in Air Pollution Management and Control as McCall MacBain Clean Air Fellows.

The Clean Air Fund and the University of Birmingham, with the support of the McCall MacBain Foundation launched the Fellowship earlier this year – calling for young scientist to apply for the programme.

The Fellowships are the first of their kind in the UK. We believe they will be instrumental in producing the next generation of clean air leaders; young scientists with the tools to understand and unlock the twin threats of air pollution and climate change.”

Professor Francis Pope - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham

Designed by academics who are world-leading in their field, the programme identifies individuals who can demonstrate a strong rationale for studying air pollution and can commit to tackling the problem through their career choice after they graduate.

The inaugural Fellows are:

  • Lejla Ademi, from Tetova, North Macedonia
  • Owain Rose , from Port Talbot, Wales
  • Catrin Rathbone, from Horsham West Sussex

Professor Francis Pope, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, commented: “The University of Birmingham is passionate about clean air – we’re at the forefront of research on the causes and effects of air pollution upon human health across the United Kingdom and across the globe.

“The Fellowships are the first of their kind in the UK. We believe they will be instrumental in producing the next generation of clean air leaders; young scientists with the tools to understand and unlock the twin threats of air pollution and climate change.”

Designed by academics who are world-leading in their field, the programme takes an interdisciplinary approach, utilising expertise across departments for a holistic understanding of air pollution and its effects. Birmingham has over 100 researchers studying clean air from across its five colleges. The campus operates state-of-the-art pollution research facilities, which have been commissioned for several seminal air pollution studies.

Being part of a global community of air pollution experts will give me the skillsets to work with the North Macedonian Ministry of Environment to help the people of my city and country.”

Lejla Ademi - clean air Fellow, University of Birmingham

Lejla Ademi commented: “Being part of the McCall MacBain Clean Air Fellowship will provide me the training I need to tackle air pollution in my home country. The Air Pollution Management and Control Masters is unique, and it allow me to create a less polluted, cleaner Tetovo. Being part of a global community of air pollution experts will give me the skillsets to work with the North Macedonian Ministry of Environment to help the people of my city and country.”

The Fellows will pursue a master’s degree in Air Pollution Management and Control and can commit to tackling the problem through their career choice after they graduate.

Sean Maguire, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Clean Air Fund, commented: “The UN recognises that air pollution and climate change are two sides of the same coin. However, we’re only just starting to understand how the two relate and the possible consequences and impact of air pollution on climate change. This programme is an important step towards understanding and addressing these challenges.”

The University of Birmingham is at the forefront of research on the causes and effects of air pollution upon human health across the United Kingdom and globally. The course is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Sciences and the Institute of Air Quality Management.

Notes for editors

  • For more information, please contact Tony Moran, International Communications Manager, University of Birmingham on +44 (0)782 783 2312 or t.moran@bham.ac.uk. For out-of-hours enquiries, please call +44 (0) 7789 921 165.
  • The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.
  • Lejla Ademi - Lejla grew up and studied in Tetova, a city in the north-west of the Republic of North Macedonia. Tetova is widely regarded as having some of the worst air quality in Europe. The air quality situation is driven by high emissions and its geographic situation. Due to this, the government and the city authorities are committed to improving the situation. They have highlighted the need for more technically qualified people to support better management of air pollution issues. As a Green Economy and Sustainable Development enthusiast, Lejla developed her interest in environment and sustainability, and how they impact our daily lives, during her business and economics undergraduate degree at the South East European University (SEEU).
  • Owain Rose - Owain completed his BSc in Geography from the University of Birmingham obtaining first-class honours. By being educated in Welsh and growing up in Wales, his passion for nature and the environment began at an early age. Studying an MSc in ‘Air Pollution Management and Control’ at the University of Birmingham will provide him the opportunities to meet clean air leaders and better understand the global policy landscape relating to air quality.
  • Catrin Rathbone - Catrin completed her Environmental Science undergraduate studies at the University of Birmingham, where she graduated with a first-class degree, where she won prizes for being both the top performing final year student and writing the highest ranked dissertation. In her degree, she enjoyed learning about the range and intersections of environmental issues, and their causes and solutions. In particular, the degree deepened her interest and understanding of air pollution. During her degree she took an internship with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) to investigate how the twin threats of air pollution and climate change will impact both patients and provision of healthcare service in the future. This experience motivated her to want to work towards improving air quality and minimise the associated health risks.

Featured staff

  • Professor Francis Pope

    Professor of Atmospheric Science

    Staff profile for Professor Francis Pope. Francis is an environmental scientist with wide ranging interests in the atmospheric sciences, human health and sustainable cities. University of Birmingham

    Phone: +44 (0)121 414 9067
    Email: f.pope@bham.ac.uk

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