The International Relations Office (IRO) is delighted to open the call for the 2026/2027 Global Chair Scheme. This flagship programme brings world leading scholars to Bath for a two-year term of sustained collaboration, enabling them to work closely with our academic community on research, mentoring, public engagement and international partnership building. Global Chairs play a vital role in enriching the University’s intellectual environment and strengthening our global connections.

As we celebrate the University's 60th anniversary in 2026, this call marks a particularly significant milestone: in recognition of this anniversary year, the IRO is looking to appoint up to six Global Chairs — our most ambitious cohort to date.

Global Chairs Past and Present

Our current Global Chairs demonstrate the breadth, depth and impact of the scheme. Working across disciplines—from engineering and sustainability to health and social sciences—they have helped catalyse new research collaborations, co-developed grant proposals, delivered high profile lectures and workshops, and supported early career researchers through mentoring and skills development. Both current and former Global Chairs’ engagement has expanded Bath’s global research networks, strengthened our international partnerships and enhanced the visibility of the University’s work on the world stage.

Previous Global Chairs have included Prof. Nicolas Kotov, an Irving Langmuir Distinguished University Professor of Chemical Sciences and Engineering at the University of Michigan, who was hosted by Prof. Ventsi Valev in the Department of Physics during the 2023/24 academic year. Prof. Kotov’s collaboration with Bath strengthened significantly during his tenure as a Global Chair and led to a successful joint NSF–EPSRC grant of approximately USD 1 million. The Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies hosted Prof. Jong Kun Choi, Professor of International Relations and International Security at Yonsei University and former South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister, as a Global Chair in the 2023/24 academic year. Prof. Choi’s meetings with UK FCDO officials and unofficial peacemakers helped establish links that later enabled collaboration between the UK’s National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, and the University of Bath.

The success of these collaborations highlights the transformative potential of the scheme and the value of sustained, meaningful engagement with leading international scholars.

Nomination Criteria

For the 2026/27 call, we are seeking nominations of exceptional international academics who combine research excellence with a strong commitment to collaboration, interdisciplinarity and global engagement. We are particularly interested in individuals whose expertise aligns with the University’s strategic priorities and who can help us strengthen our research environment, enrich our teaching and learning, and advance our ambition to raise our global profile. Through their engagement, Global Chairs will contribute to shaping new international collaborations, enhancing the student experience, and supporting the University’s long term vision for global excellence in research.

Nomination and Selection Process Timeline

We strongly encourage nominators to discuss their proposal with the Director of your Institute or Associate Dean International as well as the Partnerships Team in the International Relations Office ahead of the deadline. Please contact internationalfunding@bath.ac.uk.