Four St Andrews projects backed to shape a sustainable Scotland

Four projects involving researchers from the University of St Andrews are among 14 initiatives from across Scotland’s universities to receive funding through the Scotland Beyond Net Zero (SBNZ) Seed Fund.

SBNZ aims to catalyse high-impact research, partnerships and collaboration that address Scotland’s climate and environmental challenges. Its Seed Fund supports research co-created with businesses, industry, government and communities, helping advance Scotland’s net zero and just transition goals.

The fund takes a holistic approach to what comes ‘beyond’ net zero, recognising that Scotland’s transition must also consider climate justice, biodiversity, nature and the social and cultural changes needed to create a good society. This year’s projects span areas including finance, energy, natural systems and community resilience.

The four St Andrews projects bring together expertise across nature restoration, renewable energy, sustainable batteries and community resilience.

Dr Shona Russell, senior lecturer in the Business School, is leading Blending Finance for Nature Restoration with Professor Colin Dey at the University of Dundee. Working with Bioregioning Tayside in the River Isla catchment, the project will explore how public, private and philanthropic funding can be combined to support nature restoration and community resilience, with a focus on socially just and ecologically beneficial outcomes.

Dr Gordon Hastie, principal research fellow in the School of Biology, is collaborating with Professor Mamdud Hossain at Robert Gordon University on the Seal–Turbine Interaction and Behaviour-Informed Tidal Energy Design Project. The research will combine marine biology and fluid dynamics to understand how seals interact with tidal turbine flows and inform turbine designs that support renewable energy while reducing risks to marine mammals.

Dr Oxana Magdysyuk, scientific officer in the School of Chemistry, is working with researchers at the University of Edinburgh on Understanding Interfacial Processes in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries Using Operando X-ray Diffraction. The project aims to help develop safer, lower-cost and more sustainable batteries by addressing the processes that currently limit the performance and lifespan of zinc-ion technology.

Dr Loraine Clarke, lecturer in the School of Computer Science, is collaborating with Dr Martin Skelly at the University of Dundee on Exploring the Potential of Open-Source Creative Mesh Network Prototypes as a Form of Community Resilience. Working with communities in Meigle and Ardler, the project will explore independent communication networks that can remain operational during flooding, power outages and mobile signal failures, strengthening local resilience to climate-related disruption.

The wider programme includes projects exploring climate finance, renewable heat, sustainable healthcare, circular economy approaches, sustainable diets and ethical funerals.

All SBNZ Seed Fund projects involve collaboration between at least two participating universities and engagement with external partners such as communities, government, industry or third-sector organisations. The approach is designed not only to generate new knowledge, but to build the partnerships and foundations needed for longer-term, high-impact collaboration.

Professor Gareth Miles, Assistant Vice-Principal Dean of Science and St Andrews’ SBNZ Steering Board representative, said: “Scotland’s transition to a sustainable future requires new thinking, strong partnerships and research that can make a difference beyond the university sector.

“These awards bring together expertise from across the country to explore practical solutions to complex environmental and societal challenges. By connecting researchers with communities, policymakers and other partners, the projects have the potential to turn new ideas into approaches that can benefit people and the environment across Scotland.”