2016 has been a breakthrough year for the GW4 Alliance, which brings together four of the most research-intensive and innovative universities in the UK; the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. Here is our round-up of some of our most exciting developments from this year, as we look forward to what 2017 brings.
The year started with a bang, with the GW4 City Summit. GW4 Vice-Chancellors and city representatives shared insights and discussed trends that are shaping Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter.
We were delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Sarah Perkins, former Programme Director (Research) at the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London, as our new Director.
"I am looking forward to building on GW4's success to address local and global challenges and catalyse wealth creation across the region."
Dr Sarah Perkins, GW4 Director
Staff from across the GW4 Alliance visited the UK Research Office in Brussels. Meetings were held with a range of funding representatives including the European Research Council (ERC) and Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI).
Collectively, we have an impressive portfolio of 39 Doctoral Training programmes. We also run training for postgraduate researchers and the support staff who work with them, such as the 'Developing your Doctoral Training Entity' day.
"Most relevant course I've done for an age."
Joanna Bird, Manager, Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, on 'Developing your Doctoral Training Entity'
Our research communities have produced pioneering findings which will have a direct impact on government policy, disease diagnosis, cyber security and more.
The Wellcome Trust awarded funding for a new clinical PhD programme, GW4-CAT, which is run between the GW4 member universities of Bristol, Exeter and Cardiff.
The GW4 Alliance was selected, with UWE Bristol, Plymouth University and a consortium of businesses and organisations from across South West England and South East Wales to take part in the first wave of the UK Government's Science and Innovation Audits (SIA).
"This Science and Innovation Audit has identified the world-leading research strengths and innovative industrial capacity of South West England and South East Wales and the enormous potential of the region to prosper in the new knowledge economy and, indeed, to lead in digital innovation and advanced engineering."
Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Bath
We launched the GW4 Crucible programme, which will begin in 2017.
30 successful applicants have been selected for the programme, which will provide training and mentoring for the research leaders of the future.
"The GW4 Building Communities Programme has invested over £1.9m in 61 multi-disciplinary research communities that are pioneering novel work and increasing our capacity in critical areas of health, societal and environmental fields."
Professor Nick Talbot, Chair of the Board for the GW4 Alliance and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Impact at the University of Exeter
GW4 received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to carry out a project to encourage collaboration between universities, cultural organisations and local authorities to grow the creative and cultural economy in South West England and South East Wales.
New regulations requiring companies to report pay gaps between men and women are potentially "superficial" and will not necessarily tackle the complex reasons why females still have lower salaries, GW4 research showed.
GW4 Board Members Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Cardiff University, and Dr Neil Bradshaw, Director of Enterprise, University of Bristol, attended the Innovate UK launch of the Science and Innovation Audits, attended by Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and Dr Ruth McKernan OBE, Chief Executive of Innovate UK.
Thanks to everyone who has been involved in the achievements of the GW4 Alliance in 2016. We look forward to a successful 2017!
