A world of opportunity

Outstanding scholars from around the globe have been developing their research in Leeds with the support of a Cheney Fellowship.

The Cheney Fellowships Scheme is enabling world-leading researchers to spend a period of time at Leeds, building new collaborations with University academics and exploring new ideas.

Over the past ten years, the programme has established fruitful research partnerships in areas such as water security, molecular biology, medicine and materials science. The programme has been made possible through a $4 million gift from Bacteriology and Biochemistry graduate Peter Cheney and his wife Susan.

Among the 40 academics who have so far been funded as part of the programme, is Dr Irene Agyepong of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Ghana. Her work with Professor Tolib Mirzoev from
the University’s Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development exemplifies the impact of the Fellowships. By combining their expertise, they have secured almost £10m in Government funding from both the UK and overseas for a series of research projects each aimed at improving access to health services for disadvantaged communities in Africa.

“The Fellowship has brought everything I’d hoped for and more,” says Irene. “The Leeds team have been so welcoming and I’ve met an incredible number of people. I can only thank Peter and Susan Cheney for the opportunity – and I hope the research will really make a difference.”