Councillor Professor Bharat Pankhania, the new Mayor of Bath, visited the University on Tuesday 8 July to learn more about our research, innovation and education programmes related to preventative health, education, and outreach.

A renowned infectious disease expert who became a prominent media voice during the pandemic, Professor Pankhania was particularly interested in the University’s role in local health initiatives, including collaborations with the Royal United Hospital (RUH).

As part of the visit he met Professor Julie Barnett (Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research), Professor Deborah Wilson (Dean of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences), Dr Polly McGuigan (Head of the Department for Health) and colleagues to hear more about our work in preventative healthcare.

This included an overview of collaborative projects such as 'SuperRehab' — an innovative lifestyle intervention aimed at tackling heart disease and reducing hospital admissions — and the Healthy Later Living Network.

The visit also reflected the Mayor’s chosen theme, ‘Education is Empowerment’. In his inaugural address, Professor Pankhania spoke passionately about the transformative power of education in his own life. He has since expressed a desire to work with local education providers to raise aspirations among young people across the city.

With Dr Andrew Ross and colleagues, he explored the University’s own outreach and widening participation initiatives including with local schools. He also met Professor Elisabeth Barratt Hacking and Mir Abdullah Miri from the Department of Education, as well as Dr Shyeni Paul (Director of Doctoral College Operations) and new Students’ Union President Benji Thompson to hear about work to support students and learners from a range of backgrounds.

Mayor of Bath, Councillor Professor Pankhania said: “I’m both grateful and delighted to have met teams from across the University of Bath during my inaugural visit as Mayor.

“The University’s strengths — particularly in applied, preventative healthcare, as well as its outreach and widening participation work — align closely with my own expertise and with my Mayoral theme, ‘education is empowerment’. We share many common goals, and I look forward to working closely together to connect and showcase the fantastic initiatives already underway in our great city.”

Professor Deborah Wilson added: “We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Bath to the University to learn more about our work across health, education and skills.

“Bharat’s medical background and Mayoral theme, resonate strongly with many of our own priorities. We’re keen to deepen our connections with him over the coming year and beyond.”

University of Bath Students’ Union President Benji Thompson said: “It was a privilege to meet Professor Pankhania and welcome him as the new Mayor of Bath. His theme, ‘Education is Empowerment’, deeply resonates with the values of the Students' Union.

“We look forward to working together to ensure every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to grow, learn and lead with confidence in our community.”

If you are interested in connecting with the Mayor during his term, please email ext-affairs@bath.ac.uk.