Queen Mary strengthens UK-Brazil research partnerships

An academic delegation from Queen Mary University of London visited Brazil to explore opportunities for collaboration

The visit was supported by the UK’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), bringing together colleagues from Queen Mary’s Faculties of Science and Engineering, Medicine and Dentistry, and Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as the Joint Research Management Office (JRMO). The group also included staff from Queen Mary's Digital Environment Research Institute (DERI), which brings together world-leading researchers to drive new multi-disciplinary data science research and create innovative applications using digital technologies.

The delegation visited institutions in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, including the University of São Paulo, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the Butantan Institute, alongside meetings with Sao Paulo Research Foundation FAPESP and Brazil’s innovation agency FINEP. 

Discussions focused on identifying shared research interests and exploring opportunities for future collaboration across areas including responsible AI, genomics, public health, sensing technologies, sustainable development and social inclusion. 

Professor Valentina Donzella, Professor in Sensors and Peception for Intelligent Systems at the School of Engineering and Materials Science, said:  

“International collaborations are essential to ensure that innovation in the field of Sensing, Data, and Intelligent Systems develops in a responsible and inclusive way, and that we align the progress with the cross-country needs and expectations for a global public good. The visit was an extremely valuable opportunity to engage with leading researchers and institutions across Brazil and explore areas of shared expertise and mutual interest. I look forward to building on these connections through interdisciplinary and collaborative research.” 

The visit was organised by Dr Craig Wheway, Senior International Partnerships Manager at Queen Mary, and supported by Steve Ford, Director of Research Operations, with both representing the Joint Research Management Office (JRMO). 

Dr Craig Wheway, Senior International Partnerships Manager at JRMO, said:  

“Many of the challenges shaping research agendas globally, from public health and sustainability to AI and social inclusion, require international and interdisciplinary collaboration. This visit created valuable opportunities to connect Queen Mary researchers with leading Brazilian institutions and identify areas where collaborative research can deliver meaningful international impact.” 

Delegates also met representatives from the British Council, the UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) in Brazil, Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), the Centre for the Study of Public Security and Citizenship (CESeC) and Redes da Maré to discuss public policy, social inclusion and community-led research engagement. 

The academic delegation brought together researchers from Queen Mary’s three faculties, including Professor Valentina Donzella, Professor David Leslie (DERI), Dr Matteo Fumagalli, Dr Jessica Sklair and Dr Doreen Montag, reflecting expertise across artificial intelligence, biosciences, digital ethics, public health and social policy.