Three-year bursary scheme to support strategic collaboration between the two universities.

Following a visit by Professor Sue Rigby, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Bath Spa University in 2023, Bath Spa University has implemented a three-year bursary scheme to support strategic collaboration between its faculty and those at Wits.

Professor Ruksana Osman, the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, says: “This is one of Wits’ key partnerships with like-minded institutions, that speaks directly to Wits’ 2033 Strategic Framework – to bridge the world’s divides using our location in Johannesburg to act as an interlocutor between the Global South and North, and being driven by our motto, Scientia et Labore, to achieve this. This will help us to grow the next generation of change-makers and global scholars; innovate and pioneer knowledge; use our knowledge and influence to advance society, promote social justice; strengthen democracy and governance; and transforming the global university landscape.”

Similarly, this fits comfortably in Bath Spa University’s 2030 Strategy that includes its mission is to use creativity and innovation to successfully address the key issues of our age and to apply its skills to address global challenges and local opportunities.

“I am delighted to say that we have awarded bursaries to support short visits during 2024 and 2025 for colleagues in the humanities from Bath Spa University,” says Prof. Rigby. “We were delighted by the strength and range of the projects, and we eagerly look forward to hearing how these collaborations develop.”

• Professor of Education, Sarah Hayes, will work with Prof. Sam Laryea on a new collaborative research and teaching project focusing on Postdigital Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.
• Dr Rosa Whitecross, a Senior Lecturer in Criminology, will collaborate with Stacy Hardy to explore a collaborative research project with a focus on women’s prison writing.
• A Reader in Art Writing, Rachel Withers, has connected with Nontobeko Akoi-Jackson and Bettina Malcomess, and they will develop dialogue and scholarship around artists’ residency practices, focusing on the role of artists’ residencies within museum collections and archives. This bursary will also support the visit of Nontobeko to Bath Spa University.
• Dr Suman Ghosh, a Subject Leader in Film and TV will work with Yolo Koba and Prof. Rene Smith to develop a Film and TV collaboration with the Wits School of Arts, including with Wits Film and Television, and potentially with the Media Studies department and the Centre for Journalism.
• Lizzie Powell, a Senior Lecturer in Film TV and Digital Production will collaborate with Yolo Koba and Mocke Jansen Van Veuren to run a series of workshops to teach student film makers the adaptable skills of mobile journalism and content creation in sport, with a focus on women’s sport in South Africa.