RSE awards for two University of Stirling researchers

Two University of Stirling staff are among the recipients of spring 2026 RSE Research Awards, announced today by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).

Dr Sarah Greenwood of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Dr Gwenne McIntosh of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport have both received grants to support upcoming projects.

Dr Greenwood has received funding in collaboration with Dr Alejandro Venegas-González from Universidad de O’Higgins in Chile for a study of tree growth resilience to extreme drought.

The project will use tree-ring methods to investigate the growth resilience of trees that survived extreme hot droughts in La Campana National Park in the Chilean Coastal Range.

Dr Greenwood, a Lecturer in Global Change Biology, explained: “The frequency and intensity of drought events is increasing globally with climate change, and Chile has experienced especially severe conditions in recent years.

“Drought-induced tree mortality and damage to trees during extreme weather events pose significant risks to forests and the crucial services they provide. Our project will help us to better understand how trees respond to extreme drought, and where changes of ecosystem state could occur in the future."

International knowledge exchange

Dr Gwenne McIntosh, Head of Health Sciences at the University of Stirling, has received funding to build on work that combats mental health stigma in Kenya.

Dr McIntosh explained: "I am delighted to hear that the RSE have awarded funding to support the anti-mental health stigma work the University of Stirling are developing with Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Kenya.

"This award will allow for international exchange of knowledge and ideas and lead to co-produced anti-stigma strategies with young people. Stigma can have significant and often lifelong negative impact on individuals and families, often preventing young people from seeking support and help.

"This grant will support the co-development of anti-stigma strategies to reduce discrimination and increase social inclusion for young people with mental health conditions in Kenya."

Dr Gwenne McIntosh of the University of Stirling.

The projects are two of 61 that were selected at the spring 2026 Research Awards open call.

Over £661,000 will fund innovative research across a range of academic fields, enabling projects such as a study of environmental conditions and disturbance at hedgehog hibernation sites, recording stakeholders’ attitudes towards free and VAT-free sunscreen in a warmer Scotland, and mapping poverty and health inequalities in Scotland’s communities.

In this round, lead investigators represent 14 of the Scottish universities and research institutes; however, the reach of these awards extends beyond Scotland, with collaborators representing 22 institutions in total, including international organisations in Spain, Nigeria, Italy, Chile, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa and Canada.

The RSE’s Research Awards Programme opens in spring and autumn each year and aims to support Scotland’s research sector by nurturing promising talent, stimulating research in Scotland, and promoting international collaboration.

Cornerstone of research

RSE Vice President, Research, Professor Anne Anderson OBE FRSE, commented: “The RSE’s Research Awards Programme continues to be a cornerstone of Scotland’s thriving research community.

“I am confident that the recipients of these distinguished awards will push the boundaries of knowledge and create meaningful benefits for people across Scotland and beyond. On behalf of the Society, I extend warm congratulations to these exceptional researchers and their international collaborators, and I look forward to seeing the impact of their work.”

Professor Alistair Jump, Deputy Principal (Research) at the University of Stirling, added: “These awards are a testament to the quality, importance and innovation of research at Stirling, and we are always proud to see our colleagues recognised by the Royal Society of Edinburgh for their outstanding work.

"I would like to thank the RSE for its continued support of impact-driven research, and I look forward to following the progress of both projects with great interest.”