Dr Jonathon Turnbull from our top-rated Geography Department has been selected as a 2026–2028 CIFAR Global Scholar, joining an international group of early-career researchers tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges.
The prestigious programme, run by CIFAR, supports emerging research leaders whose work crosses disciplines and has the potential to create global impact.
Dr Turnbull was chosen as part of a highly competitive process that attracted more than 450 applications from researchers across 41 countries.
Dr Turnbull’s research examines how environmental knowledge is created and understood in different places and communities.
His current project, Nightlife in the More-than-human City, looks at how animals and people share urban spaces after dark.
The project explores the ecological importance of city nightscapes, an area that remains largely under-researched.
Working alongside ecologists, citizen scientists and urban rewilding groups, Dr Turnbull is developing new ways to study the nighttime lives of animals in cities.
His research focuses on cats in London, raccoons in Berlin and hedgehogs in Newcastle, using participatory and multisensory methods to better understand how wildlife adapts to urban environments.
The CIFAR Global Scholars programme provides researchers with CAD $100,000 in unrestricted funding, alongside mentorship and access to international research networks.
The initiative aims to help early-career academics pursue ambitious ideas and build collaborations across disciplines and countries.
This year’s cohort includes researchers working in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum materials, public health and climate change.
Dr Turnbull joins the programme under CIFAR’s ‘Future Flourishing’ research theme, which explores new approaches to creating more sustainable and inclusive futures.
Our Department of Geography is ranked sixth in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 and second in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2026. Visit our Geography webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
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