Dr William Allen, Associate Professor of Political Science, has been awarded a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF) to explore how presenting data visually can help people better understand major global issues.

Supported by the University’s Sustainability and Resilience Institute (SRI), Will’s project will explore how data visualisation can change what people across Europe and the Americas know and think about climate change, migration and economic issues, including inequality and public welfare.

As a key project partner, the SRI will help connect Will’s research with policy and practice communities at regional, national and international levels. It will also provide professional development resources for his growing research team, supporting a more holistic understanding of sustainability.

Drawing on his previous experience communicating research at Oxford’s Migration Observatory, the project aims to develop new approaches to presenting information that strengthen public understanding and democratic attitudes.

Will explained: “Finding ways to tell compelling factual stories to support public understanding and build stronger democracies is especially important now when misinformation is rife and institutions are being chipped away at—sometimes literally.”

The project also involves collaboration with The Winchester Gallery, which will support a public exhibition co-produced with artists and underrepresented groups, alongside developing good practice in data visualisation for public engagement with research.

The competitive four-year award supports talented researchers and innovators to develop their careers, lead ambitious research programmes and build teams to address significant challenges. The scheme will give Will the opportunity to advance his interdisciplinary research, combining his background in the creative arts with his expertise in political science.

Reflecting on the award, Will said: “Receiving a UKRI FLF means a great deal both personally and professionally. […] This FLF is an opportunity to get back to my creative roots while bringing rigorous social science to bear on some of the most pressing challenges the world faces.”

Alongside advancing his research, Will hopes to use the Fellowship to support the next generation of researchers through multi-year positions, mentoring and dedicated training and development opportunities.

He said: “More broadly, I want my project to serve as a model of how to do excellent social science research in collaborative and humane ways.”

Over the next four years, Will hopes to develop evidence-based communication tools and establish lasting research collaborations across disciplines as well as with practitioners in journalism, design and the arts.

To learn more about the University’s sustainability and resilience research, visit the SRI SharePoint site.