Four new international collaborative research projects launch under the RENKEI Consortium

As a member of the Japan–UK Research and Education Network for Knowledge Economy Initiative (RENKEI), which is a consortium of leading universities in Japan and the United Kingdom, Kyushu University actively promotes international research and education.

We are pleased to announce that four international collaborative research projects involving researchers from Kyushu University have been selected for funding under the “RENKEI Collaboration Grant 2025,” a competitive program implemented as part of RENKEI activities. The program aims to foster joint research between the UK and Japan, with a particular focus on strengthening international collaboration among early career researchers (ECRs).

Selected projects

BeeAware: Developing draft pollination metrics and integrated spray-environment decision models to support pollination-ready farm decision making

Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Hisako Nomura, Faculty of Agriculture
UK Partner: Durham University
Category: Climate

This project focuses on the critical role of pollination in agriculture and aims to develop AI-enabled decision‑support models that enable the coexistence of environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity. Through collaboration with UK partners, the project will conduct comparative studies across diverse agricultural environments and is expected to integrate international knowledge into sustainable farming practices.

Critical minerals processing risk and strategic partnerships: Options for UK-Japan supply chain diversification

Lead Institution: Durham University (UK)
Kyushu University Researcher: Associate Professor Tomoaki Nakaishi, Faculty of Economics
Category: Climate

This project examines risks associated with critical minerals processing and explores strategies for diversifying supply chains. Through comparative analysis of regulatory and policy frameworks in Japan and the UK, as well as quantitative assessment of resource dependency and resilience across supply chains, the project aims to strengthen critical mineral supply systems essential to the energy transition and lay the groundwork for future joint research and policy recommendations.

Verifying carbon reduction claims disclosures: A cross disciplinary perspective

Lead Institution: Durham University (UK)
Kyushu University Researcher: Associate Professor Motonori Watanabe, International Institute for Carbon‑Neutral Energy Research (I²CNER)
Category: Climate

This interdisciplinary project seeks to assess the reliability of carbon reduction claims made by companies and organizations using multiple academic perspectives. The research is expected to contribute to greater transparency and accountability in climate change mitigation efforts.

Developing and testing an acoustic monitoring approach for gravel transport: a UK-Japan pilot study

Lead Institution: University of Southampton (UK)
Kyushu University Researcher: Professor Hironobu Kan, Faculty of Social and Cultural Studies
Category: Climate

This project develops a novel method for monitoring gravel movement in coastal environments using acoustic technology. The research is expected to improve understanding of coastal changes driven by climate change and to contribute to disaster prevention and coastal management strategies.

The RENKEI Collaboration Grant serves as seed funding to nurture emerging research collaborations and is expected to lead to larger-scale projects and long-term partnerships. Kyushu University will continue to leverage international frameworks such as the RENKEI Consortium to further strengthen collaboration with overseas institutions and advance global research initiatives.