A University of Bristol scheme aiming to equip its early career researchers with the skills needed to commercialise their projects has signed up 10 ambitious academics as advisers.
The academics, who work in fields as diverse as artificial intelligence, medical education, composite manufacturing, and next-generation cameras, have become the university’s first cohort of early career enterprise fellowships (ECEF). 
The ECEF award aims to support early career researchers to gain the skills necessary to make progress in commercialising university intellectual property, providing training, dedicated support and funds.
The initiative has been spearheaded by associate pro vice-chancellor for Enterprise & Innovation, Prof Michele Barbour, following the success of the University Enterprise Fellowships.
Prof Barbour said: “The university is a forward-thinking institution that is committed to supporting academics with ambitions to commercialise their research.
“We have some amazing researchers and brilliant projects among this first cohort, and I am excited to see how their projects develop from here.”
The Early Career Enterprise Fellows will feature at the university’s Festival of Enterprise on 20 June and will celebrate and share the work of the ECEFs alongside its established University Enterprise Fellows.
The 2023/24 ECEF Fellows are:
Kamirul Kamirul, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering: Commercialisation of an innovative AI system designed for detecting and identifying naval platforms in Synthetic Aperture Radar imagery.
Dr Grace Pearson, Bristol Medical School: As part of her PhD research in geriatric medicine, Grace has developed a series of clinical cases for ‘case-based learning’, which she hopes to make commercially available to other medical schools.
James Uzzell, School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering: James has developed a concept for a new dynamic induction coil for energy efficient composite manufacturing, and will develop a prototype to gain industry validation and produce a case from patenting.
Lingteng Kong, School of Physics: Developing the next-generation camera for long-range detection of alpha emitters, which can significantly increase the efficiency and safety of radiation monitoring.
Rachel Hare, Department of English: Working with Dr Lucy Selman and Lesel Dawson to move towards establishing the Good Grief Festival as a Community Interest Company.
Jennifer Daniel, School of Education: Collaborating with Dr Lucy Kelly on The Diary Toolkit initiative.
Nicholas Gray, School of Education: Developing product called Tabletop Travels, a box containing sensory experiences that transports the recipient to exotic places. Aimed at older adults who may be unable to travel themselves.
Elena Filllola Mayoral, School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology: Using AI to speed up the reporting and validation of greenhouse gas emissions, and exploring how this technology can be implemented operationally on a global scale.
James Griffith, School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering: Developing a new high-quality demonstrator panel to take forward for testing with a view to commercialisation.
