(Featured image from left to right: Prof Rebecca McGuire-Snieckus, Prof Ian Gadd, Dr Nicole De Wet, Prof Zerihun Woldu, Prof John Strachan) Director of Research at Addis Ababa University, Professor Zerihun Woldu and Dr Nicole de Wet, Lecturer in Demography and Population Studies, at the University of Witwatersrand visited Bath Spa University 15-22 June to explore areas for collaboration in research and teaching. Professor Woldu’s and Dr de Wet’s visits to Bath Spa are supported by the UKRI’s Global Challenges Research Fund, whose aim is to support cutting-edge research that addresses the challenges faced by developing countries. Bath Spa has been awarded three years of GCRF funding specifically to facilitate large GCRF bids, and part of that funding is specifically focused on collaborations with our four African GALA partners: AAU, Wits, Catholic University of Eastern Africa (Kenya), and the University of Namibia. GCRF overview: https://www.ukri.org/research/global-challenges-research-fund/ The goals of the week-long visit include:

• To introduce Bath Spa University to representatives from AAU and Wits: this will include meetings with research leaders and researchers working on international projects (including with African partners)
• To learn more about the research priorities and funding landscape at AAU and Wits
• To identify collaborative opportunities (areas of study, individuals, potential projects, existing projects etc)
• To scope out potential GCRF project ideas and to draft bid-development timelines
• To draw up an action-plan for developing institutional relationships over the next three years

Schedule

15 June	Arrival (Dr Nicole de Wet)
16 June	Arrival (Professor Zerihun Woldu)
17 June	Bath Spa Newton Park/Bath/Sion Hill
8.45	Taxi to collect
9.00John’s OfficeMain House MH.1.02	Welcome, introductions, and orientation for weekPro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) and Dean of the Graduate College, Bath Spa UniversityAcademic Director, GALA Associate Academic Director, GALA International Projects Advisor
9.30	Student tour of Newton ParkYear 3 English literature student
10.15Main House,MH.G.14 (Booked 10-12)	Research contexts: UK and Africa (GCRF, RCUK etc)Academic Director, GALAEU and International Research Support Officer
12.00	Taxi into town
12.30	LunchChair of the Board of GovernorsAcademic Director, GALA
2.30pmRoom Booked 2:30-4pmPurchase order number 439395	Bath Spa: African research and activitiesProfessor, School of HumanitiesProfessor, School of Humanities Head of Education and Childhood Studies Research Assistant and author Academic Director, GALA
3.45pm	Taxi to Sion Hill
4.00pm	Sion HillHead of School of DesignHead of School of Art Research Lead for Art Academic Director, GALA
6.00pm	Close
6.30pm- 9.30pm	Research Centre for Environmental Humanities Public Lecture The White Lions: How Western Science and Sacred Science Converge to Save SpeciesBRLSI
18 June	Bath Spa Bath/Newton Park
	Graduate Course Director, Bath Business School
10am	Tour of the Holburne museumDirector of the Holburne Museum
11am	Coffee break at Holburne School of Music and Performing ArtsVisiting Research Fellow, School of Music and Performing Arts
11.30am	Tour of Bath: History, Heritage, and Bath SpaGraduate Course Director, Bath Business School
1pm	Lunch
1.45pm	Taxi to Fairfield House
2pm	Visit to Fairfield House (former home of Hailie Salisse)
3.30pmCommons, CM.2.26	Research leadersNewton ParkDirector, Transnational Creativity and Education research centre, Bath Spa University Director, Research Centre for Environmental Humanities Assistant Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research Associate Academic Director, GALA Academic Director, GALA
5.30pm	Close
7pmCircus	Dinner The Right Worshipful The Mayor of BathThe Mayoress Deputy Vice-Chancellor Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research Academic Director, GALA Associate Academic Director, GALA Chair, Royal Commonwealth Society (Bath and District) Above, from left to right: Prof Ian Gadd, Dr Nicole de Wet, Godfrey Hill (Chair, Royal Commonwealth Society), Prof Zerihun Woldu, Prof John Strachan, Mayoress, Prof Neil Sammells, Mayor of Bath, Prof Rebecca McGuire-Snieckus
19 June	Bath Spa Newton Park
9.30amCommonsCM.1.11 booked 9-12:30)	International research projects: showcaseReader in Physical Geography and Director of Hazard, Risk and Disaster (HRD) research groupSenior Lecturer in Art Education Senior Lecturer in Abnormal/Clinical Psychology
11.00amCM.111	Research planning sessionAcademic Director, GALAEU and International Research Support Officer
12.30pm	Lunch
2pmCommons	Bath Spa and the Student ExperiencePro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience)Academic Director, GALA
2.45pm	Meeting with Deputy Vice-Chancellor
3.30pmCM.1.19Booked 3-5pm	Research planning session
4.30pmCM.119	Year 2 Creative Media student
5pm	Review
5.30pm	Close
20 June	Bath Spa
9.30am	Corsham Court/Bath
10amF40	CTC
10.15am	Tour of Corsham Court
11am	Meeting with Pro Vice Chancellor (Research and Enterprise)
11.30amT.01	Introduction to Graduate CollegePostgraduate Coordinator
12.00pmT.01	Introduction to Research Support OfficeResearch Support ManagerResearch Bid Development Officer EU and International Research Support Officer
12.30pm	Working lunchAcademic Director GALAAssociate Academic Director GALA
2.30pm	Holburne Museum
3.00pm	Forest of Imagination: Overview and tourClore Learning Space, Holburne MuseumResearch Fellow, Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries and Senior Lecturer in Arts Education
4pm
6.00pm	Forest of the Imagination launchHolburne MuseumVice-Chancellor, Bath Spa University 6pm: Ballet Nimba 6.15pm: Speeches 6.30pm: Performances by Toby Thompson (poet) and Ballet Nimba
8.00pm	Close
21 June	Bath SpaNewton Park
10am	Senior Lecturer SociologyResearch Centre for Health and CognitionReader in Psychology Associate Academic Director of GALA
11am	Environmental Change and Sustainability (Geography) lecturerCreative Media student
12.30pm	Lunch break
1.30pmCommons staff area	Discussion about Migration and Mental Health conference at Bath Spa in 2020
2pm	Nicole to meet Senior Lecturer, PsychologyZerihun to meet  External Affairs Co-ordinator (Biology) to give tour of biology facilities
3pm	Academic Director GALAAssociate Academic Director GALA
4.00pm	Wrap-up & review Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Enterprise)Academic Director GALA Associate Academic Director GALA
4.30pm	Close
6.00pm
7.30pm	BSU Gala Concert Assembly Rooms
22 June	Depart