Dr Aki Salo, a Reader in the Department for Health until 2019, has pledged his UK assets to the University in his Will. The assets include a flat in Bath’s city centre.

During his time at Bath, Aki specialised in research in sports biomechanics and his legacy will enable this important research to be continued. The funds from the gift will be endowed, and the annual income from this investment will be used to support PhD scholarships.

Aki says:

The reason I was lucky enough to buy a property in Bath 20 years ago was thanks to my job at the University. I’m delighted to be able to give back to the institution that has played an important part in my life and to support continuing research in a field that means a lot to me.

He adds: “I’m healthy and planning to live a long time, but it’s always good to plan for the future. Anyone could leave a small or larger gift to benefit future students.”

Aki has created a separate Will for his assets in his native Finland, which he has pledged to the Finnish Olympic Fund.

He has also previously supported students at Bath through the creation of the endowed Aki Salo Prize for Excellence, which awards £250 annually to the best overall student on the MSci Sport and Exercise Science course.

“We’re grateful to Aki for his generous pledge,” says Dr Fiona Gillison, Head of the Department for Health. “In addition to the huge contribution he made to sports biomechanics and the development of our Sport & Exercise Science undergraduate and masters programmes during his years with the department, this gift will enable PhD research in the field to continue at a high level for many years to come.”

Professor Ian White, Vice-Chancellor and President, comments: “We are so grateful to Dr Salo, not only for his outstanding generosity in making this pledge, but also for everything he did during his time in Bath to enhance the University’s reputation through his research and teaching, and for the wider contribution he made as Chair of Academic Assembly.”