Dr Declan Finney awarded UKRI Future Leaders Followship

Dr Finney will lead research into cloud observation to enhance UK weather forecasting and knowledge about cloud-climate interactions as part of the prestigious fellowship.

Clouds are central to shaping weather and climate, but their constantly shifting nature has made them notoriously difficult to study over long periods.

Dr Finney’s fellowship project is set to change that by pioneering the use of drones for cloud observation.

Unlike traditional methods—such as infrequent aircraft campaigns, limited satellite data, or balloon launches that lose equipment—this drone-based approach will deliver routine, long-term, in-situ cloud measurements for the first time.

The resulting dataset will help researchers uncover how cloud properties influence weather and climate.

The project will develop a miniaturised cloud-measuring instrument for use on drones, enabling hourly observations over 18 months, including an intensive three-month campaign with additional equipment.

Working directly with the Met Office, the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, UK drone company Menapia, the University of Manchester, and the University of Hertfordshire—and linking with international satellite missions like EarthCARE—the research will both enhance UK weather forecasting and provide globally unique insights into cloud–climate interactions.

With momentum building worldwide for drone-based weather monitoring, this fellowship positions the University of Leeds at the forefront of a breakthrough poised to transform atmospheric research.

Dr Finney said: “I’m delighted to have been awarded a Fellowship to explore the great opportunity that drones offer with regard to breakthroughs in climate and weather science.

“I look forward to undertaking this in such a diverse and stimulating research department as the School of Earth and Environment at Leeds.”

Professor Nick Plant, Pro-Vice Chancellor: Research and Innovation, said: “I was delighted to hear of Declan’s award under the coveted Future Leaders Fellowships and send him my warmest congratulations.

“The scheme supports world-class researchers such as Declan continue their groundbreaking and crucial research addressing the huge and ever-changing global climatic challenges that we face, and I’m thrilled his pioneering and hugely important cloud research has been recognised in this way.”

Supporting future leaders

Dr Finney is one of the seventy-seven talented early-career researchers who have been awarded funding by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for their vital research. He is the 26th colleague at the University of Leeds to be awarded the fellowship since 2017.

The fellowship scheme provides up to seven years of support to early career researchers to enable them to tackle ambitious programmes or multidisciplinary questions, and new or emerging research and innovation areas and partnerships. 

It also provides access to the FLF Development Network, which provides leadership training, access to networks, workshops, and opportunities for additional seed-funding for collaborative projects.

Frances Burstow, Director of Talent and Skills at UKRI, said: “UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships provide researchers and innovators with long-term support and training to embark on large and complex research programmes, to address key national and global challenges.

“The programme supports the research and innovation leaders of the future to transcend disciplinary and sector boundaries, bridging the gap between academia and business.

“The fellows announced today demonstrate how UKRI supports excellence across the entire breadth of its remit, supporting early-career researchers to lessen the distance from discovery to real-world impact."

UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, said: “UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships offer long-term support to outstanding researchers, helping them turn bold ideas into innovations that improve lives and livelihoods in the UK and beyond.

These fellowships continue to drive excellence and accelerate the journey from discovery to public benefit. I wish them every success.”