Author: Andy Dunne
At the start of 2026, the University will launch a new Education is Empowerment PhD initiative working with the Mayor of Bath, Councillor Professor Bharat Pankhania and colleagues across Bath & North East Somerset Council (BaNES).
Supported by the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP), led by our Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Department of Education and External Affairs Unit, the initiative builds on the Mayoral theme for 2025/26 and will focus on breaking down barriers to opportunity, and how research can help to close attainment gaps.
For three months from January to April, we're delighted that two ESRC-funded Bath Education PhD candidates, Yusuf Olaniyan and Gopika Gopakumar Moothedath, will both become Researchers in Residence, working together alongside the Mayor and Elisabeth Barratt Hacking (Head of Bath's Department of Education).
Throughout their three-month placement, Gopika and Yusuf will spend time working with council teams, schools, charities and communities across BaNES, building an evidence base that we hope will help improve outcomes for young people from right across our local community.
- Hit subscribe to follow this blog for updates as the project progresses.
- Join us in the Claverton Rooms on Thursday 8 January 2026 from 1630 for a celebratory launch event (registration below).
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