Professor Jianzhong Wu will become the University’s new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) from 14 September 2026. Professor Wu joins the University of Bath at an exciting time, with the forthcoming launch of our University Strategy 2036. Achieving global excellence with impact through high quality, focused research is central to our ambitions. Professor Wu will play a key role in delivering our Strategy as a member of the University’s Executive Board. He will be responsible for developing and implementing the University’s Strategic Plan for Research, working alongside colleagues in our Faculties, School, Institutes, professional services teams and the research community across our organisation.
Professor Wu will join Bath from Cardiff University where he has been Head of School for Engineering for the last six years, and where he was previously Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He has extensive experience leading research strategy, REF performance and major national research programmes, as well as overseeing infrastructure, including a large and complex experimental ecosystem of laboratories and major research facilities.
Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President, said:
I am delighted that Professor Jianzhong Wu will be joining Bath as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) from September. In addition to his own impressive research career, Professor Wu impressed the panel with his leadership experience and strategic approach. Professor Wu also brings with him a wealth of experience on global collaboration and international partnerships. We look forward to warmly welcoming him as part of the Executive team and University community.
Professor Jianzhong Wu said:
I am delighted to be joining the University of Bath. Bath combines research excellence, a strong sense of community and a clear ambition for the future. I look forward to working with colleagues across the University to support our research community, build on Bath’s many strengths, and fur-ther enhance the impact and global reputation of our research.
Professor Wu’s research focuses on smart grid and multi-vector energy systems and he is currently Co-Director of the UK Energy Research Centre (phases 4 and 5), the EPSRC Supergen Energy Networks Hub (phases 1 and 2), and the EPSRC Hydrogen Integration for Accelerated Energy Transition Hub. He is also a member of the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero Taxonomy Energy Working Group as well as serving on a number of major national independent advisory groups and councils.
Earlier in his career, Professor Wu was a Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, following his BSc, MSc and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Tianjin University in China.