‘Precarity (n) formal (UK) – 2. a situation in which someone's job or career is always in danger of being lost.’ Cambridge English Dictionary.
It is not a word in most people’s everyday vocabulary, but it’s a concept which many people around the world are very familiar with – including Early Career Researchers (ECRs). The struggle of how to start and keep a full-time job working in their field of choice is very real for those who have recently been awarded their doctorate. Having a strong network of contacts and a portfolio of published research funded through successful grant applications is of paramount importance for a research career. However, as a new graduate, the opportunities to build networks and obtain your own grants can seem virtually non-existent
The British Council’s ISPF Resilient Planet Symposium was set up to address these challenges. Using funding from the UK Department for Science Innovation and Technology’s International Science Partnership’s Fund (ISPF) and a top-up grant from the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), ECRs from the UK, India and Japan were able to meet, network and be part of an application for funding to support their research.
The International Science Partnerships Fund puts science and technology at the heart of our international relationships, supporting UK researchers to work with peers around the world on the major themes of our time: planet, health, tech, and talent.
We’re proud of our role as one of the Partner Organisations delivering the ISPF. Enabling cross-border research partnerships and knowledge exchange to shape positive global relationships has been a feature of the British Council’s work throughout our 90+ year history. As we recently explored on the Our World, Connected podcast, research collaboration makes a major contribution to diplomacy and soft power, and to the building of the trust that sits at the heart of effective international cooperation.
To gain a deeper insight into this example of international research exchange in action, we met up with three ISPF Resilient Planet Symposium participants to find out more about their experiences and aspirations. Dr Racheal Adedokun is a Lecturer in Management at Robert Gordon University in Scotland; Dr Anshu Yadav is an ECR at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies in India; and Ruchi Singh is a Doctoral Scholar at Visva-Bharati (A Central University), Santiniketan, West Bengal, India.
Can you describe your research focus and how it fits into the ISPF themes?
Anshu: My research focuses on energy cooperation in South Asia. Sustainable energy partnerships not only address shared environmental and developmental challenges but also build interdependence among nations, reducing conflict potential.
Rachael: I focus on climate change and the need for rapid deployment of clean energy and also renewable energy, which requires significant partnership and collaboration around the world. Recently, the Presidency of the 28th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP 28) has suggested that we need to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 for us to be on track to achieving Net Zero by 2050.
Ruchi: How climate change affects farming systems and rural livelihoods. I study vulnerability, resilience, and sustainability in agriculture, focusing on how small land holding farmers can adapt to changing climates.
What is the appeal of international research collaboration opportunities like this? And what motivated you to participate in the ISPF Resilient Planet symposium in India in particular?
Ruchi: Bringing together multidisciplinary researchers across globe, with years of experience and diverse expertise, all in one place.
Rachael: The diverse perspective but also expertise in order to address a global complex challenge that no single nation can address or solve alone.
Anshu: As a student from a state university in India, hearing diverse perspectives, innovative ideas, and global problem-solving approaches.
How have you found that working with researchers from outside your country is helping you to think differently or approach problems in new ways?
Anshu: Initially, I approached my research primarily from a regional policy and CBM (confidence-building measure) angle. Interacting with international peers introduced me to diverse approaches, such as the role of technology transfer, joint innovation, and sustainable infrastructure models, in strengthening regional energy cooperation.
These insights helped me see energy partnerships not just as policy tools, but as practical mechanisms for resilience and peacebuilding, integrating environmental, technical, and diplomatic dimensions.
Rachael: India's energy landscape is incredibly diverse, balancing rapid economic growth but also vast regional differences and strong commitment to renewable energy expansion. So, engaging with researchers there has taught me to approach problems with a greater appreciation of the context, scalability and also equity in providing energy access. I have learnt that solutions must not only be technically sound but also socially and economically adaptable.
Ruchi: It has encouraged me to think beyond disciplinary boundaries and adopt more holistic, systems-based approaches to understanding resilience and sustainability.
How has this opportunity supported your professional development and personal growth as an early career researcher?
Ruchi: It has significantly enhanced my networking, communication, and interdisciplinary research skills. Engaging with senior researchers gave me new insights into potential collaborative projects and international funding pathways. I learned that resilience is not just a research theme, it’s a mindset.
Anshu: Coming from an institute in Uttar Pradesh, this opportunity has been truly significant for me, especially as a young woman pursuing research. Being part of an international platform allowed me to engage deeply with my work, gaining validation and constructive feedback from senior researchers and professors. Interacting with diverse peers not only boosted my academic growth but also enhanced my confidence in presenting and defending my ideas.
Rachael: It’s improved my confidence and ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to academic teams, but also to explore ways for further development through joint research in India and the UK. On a personal level, this experience has fostered my adaptability, cultural awareness and resilience. Through working across different contexts, it has inspired me to think more globally while staying grounded in the local realities.
What’s one unexpected thing you’ve learned about yourself — or the world — through being part of this international research project?
Rachel: How much personal growth comes from stepping out of my comfort zone. Working with colleagues in India has shown me that solving global issues isn't just about the technologies or data, it's also about people. It's all about collaboration and also the context of that collaboration. I used to think that innovation came mostly from access to advanced technologies or out fast infrastructures and tools. But through this experience, I have seen how creativity often strives on that constraint. How local communities and researchers in India find resourceful and also practical solutions that are both sustainable and deeply rooted in in our environment.
Anshu: This experience has reshaped the way I analyse challenges, encouraging me to combine local context with global best practices. Having a direct pathway to present one’s work on a larger stage, which for me is a crucial step toward future academic growth and broader opportunities in Asia. It has been a transformative step in my early career journey.
Ruchi: It really gave me confidence as an early-career researcher, it showed me the power of collaboration and, how much can be achieved when we share ideas openly.
In one word, what would a resilient planet look like for you?
Ruchi: ‘Regenerative’. Because a truly resilient world doesn’t just survive it heals, adapts, and grows stronger.
Rachael: ‘Equitable’. A truly resilient planet isn't just one that endures environmental change, it's one where people, ecosystems, economies can strive together with fairness, access, and also that shared responsibility at its core, at its collaboration.
Anshu: ‘Global cooperation’ – where nations, communities, and ecosystems work together to adapt, recover, and thrive amid challenges.
