The Mayor of Bath, Professor Bharat Pankhania, recently visited the University of Bath to launch a new joint initiative with the University that will see two PhD students work with the Mayor for three months to explore the gaps in educational attainment in Bath and North East Somerset.

The new initiative supports two University of Bath education researchers to work on the Mayor’s theme for 2025/26 ‘Education is Empowerment’, and will build an evidence base about educational disadvantage, attainment gaps and opportunities across Bath and North East Somerset.

Gopika Gopakumar Moothedath and Yusuf Olaniyan have been chosen as the researchers in residence, for their strong community-focused research experience, and evidence-to-policy skills.

Speaking at the launch, the Mayor said:

“I’m really grateful that when I came to the University of Bath with this idea, they said ‘let’s do it’, and I’m excited to see what these two talented researchers can help us to discover.

“We are the pioneers of joint working and collaboration between the local government and our universities. We have sown the seeds and long may such collaboration continue to improve people's lives.”

In the three-month project, Gopika and Yusuf will work with council teams, schools and local charities to look at what support already exists to support educational gaps, identify best practice and provide practical, evidence-based recommendations on what improvements could make the most difference.

Gopika said:

“The city of Bath welcomed me when I came here as a student and allowed me to explore my identity and culture. This is my opportunity to give back!”

Yusuf said:

"I have worked with other researchers from the University of Bath to research what makes students feel a sense of belonging and safety in schools in London. The findings of this project led to the first city-wide inclusion charter. This experience has taught me the power of research when it listens to the voices of young people, and it is something I look forward to in this placement."

Gopika and Yusuf will be co-supervised by Elisabeth Barratt Hacking, head of the University’s Department of Education. She said:

"This partnership is not only an opportunity for educational researchers to contribute to the local community - it is also a chance for the University to learn. As Gopika and Yusuf work closely with the Mayor, Bath and North East Somerset, education and community providers, and families themselves, their insights will help shape how we think about civic engagement, impact and collaboration going forward."

The project will publish a final report in early April.