GW4 Alliance

Collaboration is at the core of GW4, underpinning everything we do 💡 . We work with over 400 external partners including global businesses, research organisations, government bodies, and third sector organisations to develop new research, train future academic and industry leaders and develop innovative solutions, which recognise and build on our region’s strengths. Our collaborative approach to innovation has garnered significant success, with GW4’s investment of £3.4 million in over 100 research projects, since 2013, generating £87 million in external research grants—a remarkable £25 return for every £1 spent. Our regional strengths and strategic areas of focus are poised to tackle some of the most critical national and global challenges. Whether you're a researcher looking to collaborate with academics from different disciplines and institutions, or a business or organisation looking to build new, collaborative, partnerships, the GW4 Alliance can help. Interested in learning more about collaborating with GW4? Find out more: https://buff.ly/4fpDECl University of Bath I University of Bristol I Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd I University of Exeter I Joanna Jenkinson I Like an Egg Productions #Collaboration #Innovation #ResearchandDevelopment #BusinessDevelopment #Industry #AcademicPartnerships

Great to see the Senedd Economy Committee publish its report on their #GreenEconomy inquiry. In particular its recognition that the potential of the green economy in Wales will be achieved through greater collaboration and partnership working, including with academics and universities. In our submission, the GW4 Alliance highlighted the importance of collaborating cross-border across our South Wales & Southern England geography, and showcased projects that benefitted from GW4 funding that have gone on to have significant impacts for the green economy. For example, the Transforming Homes consortium, led jointly by Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd and University of Bath is working with partners and communities in Swansea and Bristol to transform traditional brick-built houses built by councils between 1920-1940 to beyond Net Zero liveable homes. https://lnkd.in/eTn3Pvs7 And GW-SHIFT, led by University of Bath and University of Exeter, brings together researchers from across GW4 universities with the universities of Swansea, South Wales and Plymouth alongside multiple civic and industry partners to develop a #hydrogen research and innovation supercluster. https://lnkd.in/dTY2mnjk By focusing on the collaborative strengths of our universities and industry partners, GW4 has helped demonstrate how to unlock the potential of, and investment in, our green economy. We look forward to working with Senedd to deliver on its recommendations.

🎉 There's just under 2-weeks to go until the launch of #GW4OpenResearchWeek for 2025! The week will include sessions on: 📖 Rights Retention & Open Publications 🔬 Reproducibility in Research 📊 Open Access & Global Social Challenges 🏆 GW4 Open Research Prize Awards 📅 31 March – 4 April 2025 | 🌍 Open to all 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/e5C4Yq5t University of Bath I University of Bristol I Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd I University of Exeter #GW4OpenResearchWeek #OpenResearch #Event #Research

‘Why am I here?’ and ‘What do I want to achieve?’ In our second #GW4Crucible 2025 Masterclass series, our speakers shared their experiences of moving from a researcher to being a research leader. - Professor Marion Harney. Building & Landscape Conservation, University of Bath - Erik Knudsen, Filmmaker, and Emeritus Professor, University of Central Lancashire - Helen Manchester, Professor of Participatory Sociodigital Futures, University of Bristol - Bambo Soyinka, Professor of Story and Director of The Story Society, Bath Spa University They presented a range of perspectives on their journeys towards research leadership whilst acknowledging that today’s #ECR environment is very different to the one they faced. There were several key themes which emerged from the discussion: Vision: Our speakers highlighted the importance of having a vision for yourself and your research. Panellists talked about following excitement, what they love, and what they are good at as part of their career journeys, as well as remaining open and adaptive to the context they found themselves in. Our speakers challenged our ECRs to consider the questions ‘Why am I here’ and ‘What do I want to achieve’ when considering their research and future career moves.  Types of leadership: Our panel explored what leadership is and how this can come in different forms. They stressed that just as there isn’t one set way to be a researcher, there isn’t one set way to be a leader, and that today’s ECRs should consider for themselves what ‘success’ looks like in their career.  Risk: Career progression is not always linear and sometimes there is a need to think outside the box when planning your next step. Panellists spoke of opportunities presenting themselves and often having to take a leap into the unknown, with wonderful outcomes such as expanding networks or the opportunity to reinvent themselves. They cautioned knowing your own tolerance for risk and following the path you are most aligned with as key to making those big decisions, but to jump at an opportunity if it feels right.  Collaboration: Panellists placed an emphasis on the importance of working collaboratively both inside and outside academia, noting that often people rise together as a team. By building collaborations slowly and building trust, researchers can create networks of support which they can lean on. Whilst luck and serendipity can play a part in finding collaborations, the panel urged our ECRs to be on the lookout for new opportunities in places or with funders they might have considered previously. Thanks to all our speakers for taking the time to present to this year's Crucible cohort, and to our wonderful GW4 Crucible facilitator, Kate Tapper, for fostering such an engaging and rich discussion. https://lnkd.in/eAqQSuJ https://lnkd.in/eCdyMT49 University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd, University of Exeter

⌛ There's just under 1-month to go until the deadline closes for applications to our #GW4Connect Peer Support Programme for Neurodivergent ECRs! Don't miss out on your chance to apply for one of 16 places on this 10-month initiative, specifically designed to recognise and support the unique experiences of neurodivergent early career researchers. Co-designed and facilitated by Joanna Hurry, a specialist in neurodiversity and employment, the programme provides a valuable space to: ✔ Share experiences and build lasting peer networks ✔ Engage in open discussions on neurodiversity, research culture, and academia ✔ Access tailored support beyond institutional structures ✔ Participate in sessions designed to accommodate different learning and interaction styles The scheme is open to ECRs across the GW4 universities of University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd & University of Exeter. 📅 Application deadline: 12pm, Wednesday 2nd April 2025 For full details and to apply, visit 👉 https://buff.ly/IDHV5Wx

💡New blog alert!💡 As part of the development of the financial services sector plan, a key part of the #UKGovernment's modern industrial strategy, HM Treasury recently launched a consultation on Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness, inviting input from stakeholders across the sector, including academia. Given the significance of sustainable finance in shaping the UK’s economic future, Dr Xiaohan Xue, Assistant Professor in Finance at the University of Bath School of Management, on behalf of the #GW4 Sustainable Finance Network, saw this as an important opportunity to contribute. 📰 In the latest GW4 Blog, Dr Xue explores the motivation behind the Network's submission as well as the key themes from their response. You can read the blog in full, on our website: https://lnkd.in/efw_ce5r About the Network 💷 🍃: The GW4 Sustainable Finance Network brings together researchers from across University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd & University of Exeter to advance collaborative, interdisciplinary research on sustainable finance. The network is committed to addressing the financial challenges of the net-zero transition by developing innovative solutions that integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into financial decision-making. #SustainableFinance #HMTreasury #UKConsultationResponses #FinancialServiceSector #ResearchandInnovation #GW4BuildingCommunities

Open research benefits everyone! Join us and GW4 Alliance (31 March – 4 April 2025) for a week of discussions and interactive sessions on Open Research: Open Culture. Explore how openness enhances research integrity, collaboration, and impact. Most sessions are open to all, including international participants and the public. Don’t miss out! Register below today. https://lnkd.in/e5C4Yq5t University of Bristol, Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd, University of Exeter, #GW4OpenResearchWeek #GW40R25 #ResearchCulture #Event #Research #UniversityOfBath

A group of postgraduate researchers from across the GW4 Alliance universities of University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd & University of Exeter have launched a new survey to better understand the needs and experiences of postgraduate students with parenting and caring responsibilities, in order to inform recommendations for changes and support. The survey was launched at a hybrid event ‘PGR Parents: Experiences, Needs and Resources’ held at the University of Bath in February. The session saw both PGR parents, carers, and staff from across the four institutions come together to discuss the needs of PGRs who are also parents and carers, and what could be done to better support these needs.  ➡ Read the latest: https://lnkd.in/eZPSyYVs The survey is open until 14 March 2025 and forms part of the network’s needs analysis to understand the experiences of PGRs with parenting and/or caring responsibilities at GW4 universities and other universities within the South West region. The results will be shared in a report and at a hybrid event on 2nd June 2025. Take part in the survey: https://lnkd.in/eHpEw8Df

Have you submitted your abstract? We invite you to come and share your research culture work in the form of posters, talks or workshops at the International Research Culture Conference on 17th September 2025! We are working on building an exciting programme, including an international speaker panel which will discuss the concept of research culture from country perspectives! https://lnkd.in/eefyr-js Abstract call open now! #international #researchculture #conference

Are you a neurodivergent early career researcher? Have you heard of our cross-institutional #GW4Connect peer support scheme, specifically aimed at neurodivergent ECRs? GW4 Connect for Neurodivergent ECRs is a 10-month initiative designed to recognise and support the unique experiences of neurodivergent researchers. Co-designed and facilitated by Joanna Hurry, a specialist in neurodiversity and employment, the programme provides a valuable space to: ✔ Share experiences and build lasting peer networks ✔ Engage in open discussions on neurodiversity, research culture, and academia ✔ Access tailored support beyond institutional structures ✔ Participate in sessions designed to accommodate different learning and interaction styles The scheme is open to ECRs across the GW4 universities of University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd & University of Exeter 📅 Application deadline: 12pm, Wednesday 2nd April 2025 For full details and to apply, visit 👉 https://buff.ly/IDHV5Wx