Meet the next generation of clean air leaders

Three young environmental scientists have been appointed as clean air fellows in a first of its kind postgraduate programme at the University of Birmingham.

The students – 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.

Clean Air Fund and the University of Birmingham, with the support of the McCall MacBain Foundation, launched a call for applications to the fellowship earlier this year. Designed by world-leading academics in their field, the programme will equip fellows with “the tools to understand and unlock the twin threats of air pollution and climate change,” according to Professor Francis Pope from the University of Birmingham.

The University of Birmingham has over 100 researchers studying clean air and operates state-of-the-art pollution research facilities. Students benefit from an interdisciplinary approach and a qualification accredited by the Institute of Environmental Sciences and the Institute of Air Quality Management.

Meet the clean air fellows

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 allows 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.

Lejla Ademi, from Tetova, North Macedonia

The experiences and insights that I will gain will be extremely beneficial for me. I’m looking forward to learning from leading academics, as well as engaging more widely with stakeholders who are tackling air pollution. I hope to become an agent of change in air pollution.

Catrin Rathbone, from Horsham, England

I am passionate about improving the air quality of communities globally, and I believe every human deserves equal opportunity. The McCall MacBain Clean Air Fellowship in combination with the global reach of project partner Clean Air Fund will allow me to achieve my aims of improving global air quality.

Owain Rose, from Port Talbot, Wales

Photo: Owain Rose and Catrin Rathbone with Professor Francis Pope on campus at the University of Birmingham. Credit: Tony Moran / University of Birmingham