Fiona Watt apologised to staff of UK research funder she previously led after bullying investigation
The new head of the European molecular biology organisation Embo says she undertook “an extensive personal improvement plan” after an investigation into bullying during her time as executive chair of the UK’s Medical Research Council.
Fiona Watt took over as head of Embo this month. The organisation supports hundreds of young life sciences researchers every year through fellowships and other schemes. Last year, Research Professional News revealed that Watt’s previous employer—government research funder UK Research and Innovation, which oversees the MRC—undertook an investigation after it received an anonymous complaint of bullying against Watt in December 2020.