Unique and Impactful Gift Opportunity:

Context

Advanced technologies—once the stuff of science fiction—are now part of everyday life. While they hold enormous promise, much of their potential is squandered. Dr Chris Macdonald, a multi-award-winning scientist at the University of Cambridge, is changing that. He specialises in harnessing emerging technologies for education, healthcare, and sustainability—creating, testing, and freely publishing transformative tools for positive impact at speed and at scale.

Case Study

The fear of public speaking affects 80% of university students, limiting confidence, academic achievement, career prospects, and their ability to advocate for change. Social anxiety is rising, making the problem more urgent and damaging. The unmet need is clear—and growing.

To address this, Dr Macdonald developed a world-first VR platform that transforms users into confident public speakers, combining tailored AI coaching with photorealistic training simulations. Crucially, he committed to offering it to all students free of charge, forever. Published research confirms that the platform provides the most effective treatment; it rapidly reduces anxiety, even after a single 30-minute session, a breakthrough covered by over 100 news outlets, including ITV News, BBC Science, The Times, and The Guardian. The platform has already hosted over 100,000 training sessions globally, with users describing it as life-changing: “I’ve gone from dreading presentations to feeling genuinely prepared. It’s such a powerful tool,” says Tadala Mzengo, Cambridge University student. Beyond public speaking, Dr Macdonald is applying leading-edge tech to other urgent challenges, such as a VR tool that better translates and visualises climate data—winner of the National Innovation Award.

Gift Structure

Despite limited funding, Dr Macdonald’s innovations are transforming lives in over 100 countries. Philanthropic support could multiply this impact:

• £4M – Named Endowment of Academic Post: Open Access Innovation Fellow
  This would be a world-first; a Fellow not only committed to developing high-impact tools that benefit people and planet but also committed to making each one freely available to all, globally. Accordingly, this pioneering tenured role would drive positive impact at scale. The endowment would cover salary and research expenses in perpetuity. Dr Macdonald would become the inaugural Open Access Innovation Fellow.
   
• £8M – Named Endowment of Open Access Innovation Lab
  This would secure funding for the Fellowship, two additional scientists, resources, and a dedicated lab space. This would enable more projects to be developed, tested, and scaled simultaneously. It would empower us to amplify and accelerate positive impact.
   
• £15M – Named Endowment of Cambridge Institute of Open Access Innovation
  This investment would create a world-first Institute at the University of Cambridge—a permanent engine for breakthrough technologies made freely accessible to all. Housed in a purpose-built, net-zero landmark Cambridge building, it would symbolise our commitment to global impact, sustainability, and open knowledge. Bringing together the Fellowship, a team of five scientists, and dedicated resources, the Institute would accelerate the development and scaling of transformative projects, establishing a global hub of open access innovation. It would deliver evidence-based tools that improve education, healthcare, and sustainability on a global scale—its impact felt by millions, and its legacy carried by the donor’s name.

Why Cambridge? Why Dr Macdonald?

Cambridge is home to the world’s most concentrated science and technology cluster, where breakthrough ideas move rapidly from research to real-world impact. It is a place where history, prestige, and cutting-edge innovation converge—giving donors the unique opportunity to amplify their legacy on a truly global stage. Cambridge’s commitment to openness, collaboration, and excellence ensures that investments here resonate far beyond academia, shaping policy, industry, and society worldwide.

Dr Macdonald—a Fellow of the University, PhD in behavioural science, and former consultant, technical director, and manager for leading-edge tech companies—has a track record of delivering award-winning, open access tools. His accolades include Cambridge University’s Excellence Award (three years in a row), Digital Health Award, National Innovation Award, and the 40 Under 40 Award in Science and Innovation. He is currently a finalist for the Education Innovator of the Year Award.

Stewardship & Recognition

The gift would be held by Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, and overseen by the Development Director. The donor would become a Fellow Benefactor of the College, join the University Guild of Benefactors, and may secure naming rights for the Fellowship, Lab, or Institute.

Dr Macdonald says, “This is a rare chance to power a first-of-its-kind solution factory—creating and distributing practical innovations that provide positive impact at speed and at scale.” "Invest with us, and together, let’s not just imagine a better future for millions—let’s build it, one freely accessible innovation at a time."

College President and former CEO of UNICEF, Girish Menon says, "By investing now, you will leave a legacy that shapes the future—your name forever inscribed in the prestigious history of the University of Cambridge, remembered as a visionary who built pathways to a better world."

To be part of this unique opportunity, please contact the Development Director, Jo Ryan: jo.ryan@lucy.cam.ac.uk