Skoll Centre Announces 2025–2026 Early Career Research Fellows
Five early career researchers will explore urgent social challenges through interdisciplinary, impact-driven research.
Skoll Centre Expands Its Research Community With Voices From Across Oxford.
The Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship is pleased to announce the appointment of five new Early Career Research Fellows (ECRFs) for the 2025–2026 academic year. Each year, the Centre welcomes exceptional early career academics whose work generates knowledge to accelerate social impact. This year’s cohort brings interdisciplinary expertise and a commitment to actionable research that bridges academia, practice, and policy.
Fellowship Aims
Open to early career researchers across the University of Oxford, the Skoll Centre’s ECRF programme is designed to:
Cultivate a community of early career academics interested in social impact.
Deepen the Centre’s relationships with researchers at Oxford and beyond.
Amplify researchers’ work through strategic dissemination and engagement.
ECRFs are invited to share their research through seminars, workshops, and events, while contributing to the Skoll Centre’s action-oriented research agenda. Fellows also engage with the wider Skoll Centre community, including students, faculty, and practitioner partners.
Meet the 2025–2026 Fellows
Dr Tori Ford
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences Tori Ford is a health equity advocate whose research focuses on gender health inequity and recurrent vulval pain. She is the Founder of Medical Herstory, a nonprofit tackling sexism and stigma in healthcare. Tori’s work has been recognised by the Rising Star Champion Award and the University of Oxford Paving the Way Award.
Dr Astrid Krisch
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation An urban policy and climate justice specialist, Astrid Krisch explores social innovations in urban systems. Her research co-produces knowledge with policymakers and communities to drive sustainable transitions. She has held positions at the University of Cambridge, TU Wien, and WU Wien.
Dr Alycia Leonard
Schmidt AI in Science Fellow, Department of Engineering Science Alycia Leonard is a Senior Research Associate in Energy Systems, specialising in the spatial design of sustainable, inclusive energy solutions. Her work bridges engineering and community engagement, focusing on equitable strategies for expanding energy access. She holds a DPhil in Engineering Science from Oxford and a BEng from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Dr Ignacio Pérez Karich
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Oxford-Hyundai Motor Group Foresight Centre Ignacio Pérez examines the future of transport through the lens of urban governance and big data. His interdisciplinary research uses scenario planning and ethnographic methods to explore mobility systems. He holds a DPhil in Geography from Oxford and has worked with the United Nations Development Programme, Inter-American Development Bank, and global think tanks.
Dr Hayley Pring
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Climate Vulnerability Project Hayley Pring investigates the political economy of climate change, with a focus on reputation, firm behaviour, and the mobilisation of vulnerable groups. Based in the Department of Politics and International Relations, she received her DPhil and MPhil from Oxford’s Nuffield College.
Marya Besharov, Academic Director, Skoll Centre and Professor of Organisations and Impact at Saïd Business School, said:
“We’re thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of Early Career Research Fellows to the Skoll Centre community. Over the coming year, they will collaborate with us to generate actionable insights, contribute to our research agenda, and engage in seminars, workshops, and convenings—including the Skoll World Forum. This cohort brings an incredible range of expertise—from equitable energy access and climate governance to gender health equity, sustainable mobility, and urban innovation. We’re excited to support their work and see the impact they’ll create across disciplines and communities.”
