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Bright minds, stronger nation: attracting academic talent to drive UK renewal

Professor Rachel O’Reilly, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), explains why attracting global talent is key to the UK’s future success.

7 November 2025
Professor Rachel O'Reilly standing with a group of 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs academics.

125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs (L-R): Nadia Schoenmakers, Amy Grove, Joy Porter, Mary Zhang, Rachel O'Reilly, Hiroki Shin, Xiaoxuan Liu, Devin Peipert and Susan Banducci

When Dr Richard Robson climbs onto the stage in Stockholm Concert Hall in December and the King of Sweden congratulates him on winning this year's Nobel prize in Chemistry, there is a part of me that will be joyously celebrating recognition of his phenomenal work and perseverance that led to the creation of a whole new class of materials known as MOFs or metal-organic frameworks.

There is another part of me that will be happily chalking up yet another example of how we all win when outstanding talent moves around the world to work in new academic communities. Dr Robson was born and educated in the UK and during his career moved first to academic institutions in the United States and then to Australia and the University of Melbourne, where he carried out his Nobel-winning research. 

Recent analysis by Nature shows how common this is. Since 2000, less than 70% of the 202 Nobel laureates in physics, chemistry or medicine this century are from the country in which they were based when they were awarded their prize. Sixty-three laureates left their country of birth before winning a Nobel prize. 

Our 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs scheme aims to bring more exceptional researchers to Birmingham who want to push boundaries and shape new frontiers of knowledge.

Professor Rachel O'Reilly MBE FRS

Highly talented and highly mobile

The tale of the Nobel winners illustrates what has long been known: that highly talented individuals are also highly mobile.

This is good news for the UK as we need exceptional research talent to contribute to our nation's renewal and to position our country at the forefront of tackling the world's problems, generating innovation and prosperity. There has never been a better time for the UK to embrace this trend and nowhere is that truer than in Birmingham.

Research at Birmingham is already known for delivering global impact. From landmark work to reduce deaths from childbirth-related bleeding to the quantum technologies behind future industries, to challenging misconceptions about autistic children. 

The strength of Birmingham's research speaks for itself. Our academic community has generated almost £1 billion in research income over the past four years. Our £1.4 billion contribution to the UK economy means that every £1 million of research generates £6.49 million of impact.

Birmingham's bold response

Our 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs scheme aims to bring more exceptional researchers to Birmingham who want to push boundaries and shape new frontiers of knowledge. It provides them with the resources, mentorship, and support so that they can help Britain innovate and build tomorrow's industries.

Fittingly, we are making 125 new appointments, and we are now about to launch the third round of the scheme.  We are looking for both the well-established stars and those who are emerging as leaders in their fields, demonstrating exceptional promise. 

I am privileged to lead the selection of these exceptional academics. As they have joined us, our first cohort of Anniversary researchers have shared why they're so excited about the prospect of working within Birmingham's vibrant, ambitious, and collaborative community.

Professor Joy Porter, a global expert on the Indigenous world, admires the University's ability to integrate talented people and thoughtfully position individuals and teams for global impact.

Professor Devin Peipert, a world-renowned expert in person-centred health care improvement, expressed his excitement about stepping into his new role at Birmingham, which will enable him to amplify and advance his work globally.

And leading behavioural scientist Professor Cecilie Thøgersen-Ntoumani pointed to our supportive research culture. She values Birmingham's open, collaborative approach to science, its interdisciplinarity, and the translation of research into practice.  

Looking everywhere for talent

A global search means looking everywhere: from the other side of the planet to your own backyard, in our case, the thriving West Midlands region. Our successful scheme isn't only about bringing the best overseas talent to Birmingham; it is about attracting the brightest from wherever they are to be found.  

In our first round, 86% of our newest academic stars came from Britain: we believe strongly in the homegrown talent that this country so successfully generates, who prove through fierce competition that they are among the world's best.   

We’re also proud that the UK Government has backed Birmingham to attract the best by naming us one of 12 leading British universities and research organisations selected to be part of the UKRI Global Talent Fund, which gives us additional funding to recruit international researchers and their teams. 

If your research is driven by curiosity, creativity, and a desire to make a difference, I warmly encourage you to apply to the 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs scheme.   

Featured staff

  • Professor Rachel O'Reilly

    Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research)

    Professor Rachel O'Reilly is Chair in Chemistry at the School of Chemistry. She leads the O'Reilly Group whose research targets the design, synthesis and application of uniquely derived polymeric materials.

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