Swindon North MP Will Stone visited the University of Bath on Friday 30 January to explore how closer collaboration could help unlock new opportunities for young people, businesses and communities in Swindon.
The visit opened up conversations across a wide range of themes, from student innovation, skills and education to mental health and military rehabilitation, shining a light on the many ways the University already works with partners across the region and where future collaboration could go further.
Running through the day was a shared focus on how research and education can translate into real-world impact, whether by supporting emerging industries in Swindon, widening access to skills and opportunity, or improving health and wellbeing.
From world-champion drones to Swindon’s growing tech sector
For example, the visit brought together Team Bath Drones, the University’s world-champion student drone racing team, for discussions about Swindon’s fast-growing drone and advanced manufacturing sector, building on Will’s advocacy work to attract major drone companies to the town.
Meeting students who design, build and race award-winning drones, he saw how Bath engineers develop high-level technical, problem-solving and teamwork skills that translate directly into industry.
Discussions explored opportunities for student placements, graduate roles and collaborative research, helping businesses access talent and innovation while giving students hands-on experience in a commercial environment.
Shivam Naik, Team Lead for Team Bath Drones, said: “Presenting our work to an MP was an incredible opportunity. It helped me better understand how what we do as students connects to industry, skills needs and the wider community. It was also valuable to demonstrate our work in person and start identifying future opportunities in Swindon, from placements and graduate roles to longer-term collaboration.”
Skills, schools and pathways into future careers
Building on this, the visit explored how the University works with local schools, how Bath students and graduates engage with employers across Swindon, and how those links could be strengthened further.
Discussions covered outreach and widening participation, student placements and graduate retention, alongside the development of flexible short courses designed to meet local skills needs in areas such as AI, digital and engineering.
The conversation also highlighted the role of the new Brunel Centre in supporting sustainable economic growth in Swindon and across the region, and how universities, MPs and employers can all work together to better align emerging regional opportunities with skills and labour market needs.
Helen Stringer, Director of Employability & Student Success, added: "Our work with Swindon covers the complete skills journey. We support young people through outreach in schools, help employers access talent through paid placements and short-term work opportunities, and develop courses that respond directly to local and regional skills needs.
"We were delighted to welcome Will to the University and explore how, by working together, we can turn these opportunities into real impact for Swindon's people and businesses."
Mental health, military rehabilitation and wellbeing
Additionally, the visit also shone a light on the University’s work in mental health research. Will met researchers from the newly funded Bath Mental Health Research Group, which works across Bath, North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire to address pressing challenges facing communities.
Projects discussed included research into spice-laced vapes and the risks they pose to young people, as well as studies exploring the links between physical activity, mental health and recovery.
With Will’s background as a former serviceman, the discussion connected naturally to Bath’s internationally recognised military rehabilitation research, delivered through CAMERA, the University’s Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research Applications. Researchers demonstrated how motion-capture technologies are supporting injured service personnel and veterans to recover mobility, confidence and independence.
Taking to the mat in the STV
The visit ended at the University’s Sports Training Village, where Will, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt, became the first MP to step onto the mat for a jiu-jitsu session with the University’s team. While at the STV, he heard how sport sits at the heart of the University’s approach, contributing to Bath being named Sports University of the Year.
Reflecting after the visit, Will Stone MP said: “It was incredible to visit the University of Bath and see the wide variety of work they’re undertaking.
"From researching the gait of soldiers to assist in the MOD’s mission to bring in more recruits, to supporting those who’re undergoing rehabilitation following their service, to their research into spice-laced vapes, which I know has caught the attention of my colleagues for the risks it poses to young people.
"The University is at the forefront of research and I’m keen to bring that ingenuity and sense of positive changemaking to Swindon through greater collaboration between the institution and our town, whether that be building up a skills pipeline to enhance our workforce in the drone manufacturing space or encouraging people to take up short courses in AI and other areas where they could be upskilled to take advantage of the opportunities of the future.
"I am confident that through close collaboration with the University we can expand the imaginations of young people in Swindon to believe they can be anything they dream to be.”
Will's tour builds on a number of recent campus and IAAPS visits over recent months from regional MPs and the West of England Mayor, organised by the External Affairs Unit in the Department of Marketing, Communications & External Affairs.