How to apply webinar | 4 July 2025

Dr Sandeep Sandhu is a research and innovation expert with experience across government, academia, and international partnerships. She currently leads a 50-strong directorate at Innovate UK Business Connect, spanning global partnerships, policy and insight, strategic stakeholder engagement, and private investment across the UK and Africa. Sandeep has built impactful collaborations with governments, industry, investors, and universities worldwide, and previously led IUK’s international programmes, brokering bilateral innovation partnerships with key global economies. Earlier, Sandeep served as Senior International Policy Manager at UK Research and Innovation, where she developed UKRI’s international strategy, advanced European science policy, and represented the UK on the Global Research Council. At the Medical Research Council, she managed global health programmes including the Newton Fund and GCRF, and acted as National Contact Point for Health for Horizon 2020. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.

Dr Sandeep Sandhu is a research and innovation expert with experience across government, academia, and international partnerships. She currently leads a 50-strong directorate at Innovate UK Business Connect, spanning global partnerships, policy and insight, strategic stakeholder engagement, and private investment across the UK and Africa. Sandeep has built impactful collaborations with governments, industry, investors, and universities worldwide, and previously led IUK’s international programmes, brokering bilateral innovation partnerships with key global economies. Earlier, Sandeep served as Senior International Policy Manager at UK Research and Innovation, where she developed UKRI’s international strategy, advanced European science policy, and represented the UK on the Global Research Council. At the Medical Research Council, she managed global health programmes including the Newton Fund and GCRF, and acted as National Contact Point for Health for Horizon 2020. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.

Charlotte Senior is the Membership Officer, and joined the UK Young Academy at the end of November 2023. As part of her role, she is responsible for the yearly call for applications, facilitating member development and projects, and organising events for members and stakeholders, including the New Members’ Induction and Annual Members’ Meeting. She is also the project manager for the call for applications. With previous work spanning design to clinical reporting, Charlotte has experience in membership and public engagement, supporting individuals at all stages of their careers to develop new skills and organising sell-out public events. Outside of work, Charlotte is a regular performer with the BBC Symphony Chorus and keen houseplant cultivator – casual hobbies that have grown exceedingly out of hand.

Dr Sandeep Sandhu is a research and innovation expert with experience across government, academia, and international partnerships. She currently leads a 50-strong directorate at Innovate UK Business Connect, spanning global partnerships, policy and insight, strategic stakeholder engagement, and private investment across the UK and Africa. Sandeep has built impactful collaborations with governments, industry, investors, and universities worldwide, and previously led IUK’s international programmes, brokering bilateral innovation partnerships with key global economies. Earlier, Sandeep served as Senior International Policy Manager at UK Research and Innovation, where she developed UKRI’s international strategy, advanced European science policy, and represented the UK on the Global Research Council. At the Medical Research Council, she managed global health programmes including the Newton Fund and GCRF, and acted as National Contact Point for Health for Horizon 2020. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.

Dr Sandeep Sandhu is a research and innovation expert with experience across government, academia, and international partnerships. She currently leads a 50-strong directorate at Innovate UK Business Connect, spanning global partnerships, policy and insight, strategic stakeholder engagement, and private investment across the UK and Africa. Sandeep has built impactful collaborations with governments, industry, investors, and universities worldwide, and previously led IUK’s international programmes, brokering bilateral innovation partnerships with key global economies. Earlier, Sandeep served as Senior International Policy Manager at UK Research and Innovation, where she developed UKRI’s international strategy, advanced European science policy, and represented the UK on the Global Research Council. At the Medical Research Council, she managed global health programmes including the Newton Fund and GCRF, and acted as National Contact Point for Health for Horizon 2020. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.

Charlotte Senior is the Membership Officer, and joined the UK Young Academy at the end of November 2023. As part of her role, she is responsible for the yearly call for applications, facilitating member development and projects, and organising events for members and stakeholders, including the New Members’ Induction and Annual Members’ Meeting. She is also the project manager for the call for applications. With previous work spanning design to clinical reporting, Charlotte has experience in membership and public engagement, supporting individuals at all stages of their careers to develop new skills and organising sell-out public events. Outside of work, Charlotte is a regular performer with the BBC Symphony Chorus and keen houseplant cultivator – casual hobbies that have grown exceedingly out of hand.