William Avis, Francis Pope, and Lejla Ademi*
In May 2025, researchers from the University of Birmingham and the South East European University (SEEU) organised an exhibition in Tetovo, North Macedonia, of experimental photography that visualises the amount of hazardous fine particulate matter (PM2.5) present in the air. The aim of this exhibition was to render visible the chronic air pollution that afflicts North Macedonia and spark debate about how air quality could be improved.
The exhibition marked the culmination of a five-year long partnership between an interdisciplinary and international research team focused on raising the profile of air quality issues in North Macedonia’s cities. Researchers collected evidence regarding levels and impacts of pollution and encouraged action by regional and national policy makers. The exhibition provided a moment to reflect on what the partnership had achieved so far and to consider how the collaboration will be developed further.
SEEU and University of Birmingham were initially brought together by the United Nations International Organisation for Migration to examine the complex and multifaceted links between high levels of air pollution and migration. This issue provided a focal point around which researchers from diverse backgrounds could direct efforts and frame engagements.
An early output of the partnerships was a piece of research commissioned via the University of Birmingham that identified that North Macedonia has some of the worst urban air quality in Europe. This situation is driven by its location in a valley surrounded by mountains that trap pollution and further complicated by a temperature inversion. Socio-economic factors including low average incomes, energy poverty and reliance on solid fuels for cooking, heating and lighting all contribute to high levels of household and outdoor air pollution.
Early discussions between partners identified a limited but expanding evidence base that analysed air pollution in North Macedonia. Studies were focussed on the capital city Skopje and outdoor air pollution with a limited literature exploring air quality issues outside of the capital and a dearth of evidence on indoor air pollution. There was also a chronic shortage of expertise in air quality management, as well as the capabilities and capacities to introduce robust evidence based and enforced interventions.
From the start of the partnership, SEEU identified a need to empower the next generation of researchers from North Macedonia and air quality managers to address this gap, gather evidence, drive action and address the causes and consequences of air pollution in their country. Here, the partnership would focus efforts on developing the capabilities of the Max van der Stoel Institute, one of the few institutes in the country that conduct environmental research.
A key outcome of this partnership was the award of three McCall MacBain Clean Air Fellowships to SEEU graduates – Albinota Nuredini, Lejla Ademi Shaqiri and Vlera Ismaili – to undertake an MSc in air pollution management and to develop the next generation of leaders for the clean air movement. These fellowships were provided by the Clean Air Fund and the University of Birmingham, with the support of the McCall MacBain Foundation.
The SEEU awarded fellows focused their studies on issues of concern in their country and enhancing the evidence base regarding air quality. Their research focused on the following issues:
- Source apportionment to highlight indoor and outdoor interactions of particulate matter in Tetovo;
- Uncovering hidden air quality impacts of energy production in North Macedonia
- Predicting pollution utilising machine learning to tackle Tetovo’s air quality crisis
The exhibition provided an opportunity to showcase the research that this partnership has generated and to bring together stakeholders from across the United Kingdom and North Macedonia, representatives of the United Nations, civil society groups, students, journalists and politicians – the Mayor of Tetovo provided opening comments – and an opportunity to foster a coalition of purpose.
The exhibition and wider partnership highlighted the importance of collaboration across disciplines and international borders to address some of society’s most complex challenges.
Partners are now keen to expand and develop the partnership. Activities will focus on supporting a recently announced Government-to-Government Partnership (G2G) between the United Kingdom and North Macedonia which aims to boost trade and drive economic growth. This Partnership seeks to support the delivery of critical infrastructure projects across various sectors in North Macedonia, including transport, health, energy, and technology. It draws on a wide range of support, including technical assistance programmes and up to £5 billion in UK Export Finance support available for projects in North Macedonia.
This G2G underscores the commitment of both nations to collaborate on critical infrastructure projects that deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits. By leveraging the expertise and innovation of both countries, this Partnership will drive the development of resilient infrastructure that fosters growth and prosperity. This theme echoes the ethos of the partnership between the University of Birmingham and SEEU. It also drives us to examine how infrastructure development can generate economic growth, contribute to a fairer society, support local communities and places and tackle the climate emergency in a sustainable manner.
Dr William Avis is a Research Fellow with the GSDRC. Previously he worked with the Overseas Development Institute. Francis Pope is Professor of Atmospheric Science, University of Birmingham. He is an environmental scientist with wide ranging interests in the atmospheric sciences, human health, and sustainable cities. Dr Lejla Ademi is a lecturer at the Energy, Economy and Environment programme of the Faculty of Business and Economics, South East European University (SEEU).
* This article is republished from the University of Birmingham’s news pages. Read the original article.
