Dr Ceri Williams

Dr Ceri Williams, Director of Research and Innovation Development, University of Leeds
Dr Williams’ role is key to addressing the University of Leeds Strategic Plan (2014-2020) that has set an ambitious target to grow research and innovation funding by 50% to £200m per annum by 2020. As Director of Research and Innovation Development, Dr Williams leads a team of Research and Innovation Development Managers and Officers across the University.  The team aims to support academic development through the provision of high quality support in the development of research and innovation proposals that align with external funding opportunities, address market demand and build upon research capability.  This includes public funding, EU funding, international funding and work to develop collaborations with public, private and voluntary organisations to secure collaborative income from a range of funding sources. This requires the delivery of a transformation in current ways of working and continuous development of the research and innovation culture within the University.  Dr Williams also has lead responsibility for realising the University’s ambitious aims for a University Innovation and Enterprise Centre (UIEC) to accelerate business creation, business growth and innovation in the Leeds City Region and beyond. The UIEC will establish a high quality business-facing gateway to help external partners access and engage with knowledge, research, skills and capabilities at the University.