Norscot is proud to announce that Product Development Manager, Carla Resendiz-Villasenor, is among 77 emerging research leaders awarded funding through UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Innovate UK’s flagship Future Leaders Fellowships programme. This initiative provides a share of £120 million to support vital research, foster collaboration with innovators, and develop the next generation of research and innovation leaders.
The Future Leaders Fellowships scheme enables universities and businesses to nurture early-career talent and attract global expertise. Of the successful applications, 13 projects are led by businesses and funded by Innovate UK.
About the Fellowship Project
Carla’s fellowship focuses on reimagining homes of the future to promote independent, healthy, and fulfilling lives—especially for older adults and individuals with disabilities. The research will explore how homes built using Offsite Construction (OSC) technology via Community Led Housing (CLH) can better anticipate and support evolving living needs, ultimately shaping more inclusive housing solutions.
“This project is deeply personal to me. I’m excited to study how Community Led Housing projects prioritise affordability, accessibility and adaptability, to drive sustainable homes design that meets the needs of multigenerational, independent and inclusive living.” — Carla Resendiz-Villasenor
Project Overview
The study will investigate how residents interact with OSC-built homes in their daily lives, aiming to develop a replicable model for delivering affordable, sustainable, and flexible housing. A key component is a community-led OSC housing project, which will serve as a case study to guide innovative product development and future housing design.
Research Objectives
- Identify the features residents value most—such as comfort, adaptability, and inclusivity
- Build a foundation for new housing approaches beyond the traditional “one-size-fits-all” developer model
- Promote stronger, healthier communities through design and policy innovation
- Facilitate evidence-based models for community-led and multigenerational living
This project brings together expertise from:
- Teesside University (Website: https://www.tees.ac.uk/ )
- Idratek Ltd (Website: https://www.idratek.com/example-install/case-study-7-2/)
- Housing LIN (https://www.housinglin.org.uk/)
- Hudswell Community Charity (No website available)
- University of Twente (Website: https://www.utwente.nl/en/ )
Context within UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships
Carla’s fellowship exemplifies how UKRI’s programme supports ambitious, multidisciplinary research that addresses real societal needs. By bridging academia, business, and community, the initiative fosters innovation and impact across the UK.
Statements from UKRI Leadership
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, addressing key national and global challenges. […] The fellows announced today demonstrate how UKRI supports excellence across its remit, helping early-career researchers bring discoveries closer to real-world impact.”
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, UKRI Chief Executive said “These 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.”
Looking Ahead
Norscot is excited to see this project come to life and progress over the coming months. The opportunity to collaborate with such a strong network of partners is invaluable, and the team looks forward to working closely with their key collaborators to shape the future of housing innovation.