Megastar networks take shape at Welsh universities

Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea universities are set to share £50 million in funding from the Welsh government through its Sêr Cymru—Welsh Stars—scheme, Research Fortnight has learned.

In its Science for Wales strategy launched in March last year, the government committed to setting up three collaborative national research networks, with one research ‘megastar’ from overseas to be appointed at each.

Cardiff University will lead the life sciences and health network and is the first to officially recruit a research star. This will be formally announced on 17 June, the Welsh government has confirmed. Research Fortnight understands that the researcher will be a senior international figure from continental Europe, with a track record in the life sciences and experience of drug development.