As GALA heads towards its first anniversary​, we have much to report—and much to look forward to.

At Bath Spa, we are bidding a fond farewell to Diana Newport-Peace who is moving on to the University of South Australia. GALA’s robust health and bright future are very much testament to Diana’s diligence and brio, and we wish her all the best in her new post. ​Diana has been succeeded by myself, as GALA’s Academic Director, and Dr Rebecca McGuire-Snieckus, as Associate Academic Directo​r, ably supported by​colleagues in Bath Spa’s International Office, Research Office, and Chancelry.

We are keenly anticipating our meeting in Beijing in July, and also beginning to plan for a conference in 2016. As you will see elsewhere in this newsletter, the four GALA projects are all active and progressing well. We also welcome new members to the network: the University of Udine in Italy and the School of Public Policy (Liberal Arts College) of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make the Beijing event myself, but Rebecca, along with our Vice-Chancellor and others from Bath Spa, looks forward to meeting many of you there.