The University of Bath and GKN Aerospace have been strategic partners for over 15 years. Currently, the university has a Prosperity Partnership (ZENITH) and two Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) projects (MABOND and ASPIRE) with the company, totalling £5M.

On 16 June 2026, GKN Aerospace and the ZENITH, MABOND & ASPIRE project teams, led by the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, held an Impact Event at GKN's Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Bristol.

The day began with several speakers giving an overview of impact from both a GKN and University of Bath perspective. A poster session by the researchers provided an opportunity to showcase updates on fundamental research across ZENITH, MABOND and ASPIRE and facilitated networking with industrial attendees.

GKN organised a mini tour of GTC to offer Bath attendees some insight into the kind of challenges faced in product and system development and provided an overview of automated manufacture and assembly. There were separate breakout discussion groups to consider how and where the partnership can generate most impact and to establish the challenges and frontiers that need tackling beyond ZENITH. The day closed with an Industry and Academic Q&A, followed by a dinner and awards for the researchers' poster presentations.

The aim of the event was to establish and strengthen relationships across the team of 14 researchers (8 PhDs and 6 post-docs), 11 academics and 15 GKN research engineers to maximise the opportunity for collaborative impact, and all agreed that it had been a very successful event.

Shan Bradley Cong, Evidence and Evaluation Coordinator from Research and Impact Services said:

It was fantastic to be part of the long-lasting collaboration between the University and GKN. The insightful programme showcased the most advanced research, ignited thought-provoking discussions, and nurtured deeper relationships based on mutual benefits. I look forward to seeing the development of impact-driven ideas generated from this event.

Through a shared culture of research and education, the strategic partnership will position GKN and the UK for manufacture of future aerospace products valued at over £43Bn and spearhead the transition away from fossil fuel.