The Department of Development & Alumni Relations help our graduates to stay connected with the University of Bath and each other. We also fundraise for a wide range of causes at the University, including scholarships, research and student experience.
Associate Director Emma is part of our senior leadership team, overseeing fundraising to enhance student experience at Bath. She tells us about her goals for philanthropy at the University, the path from RAG to DDAR and the joys of her vegetable garden...
How long have you worked at the Uni? What does your role involve?
I started as Associate Director of Philanthropy in September 2022 and I manage a team of fundraisers who work with our generous donors. Our focus is Student Support and Enterprise.
Name one thing that makes you feel proud to work in the University of Bath’s Development & Alumni Relations team?
I love the diversity of the activity at Bath. The team can be raising money for the Gold Scholarship Programme with one donor and then a sports scholarship with the next person they meet.
What would you most like to achieve while at the University?
I would like the team to bring in five-, six- and seven-figure donations. The largest donation I’ve received in my career is £1.2 million, so I’d like to beat that!
Who was your most influential educator and why?
My GCSE biology teacher. He really instilled in me a love of the subject and a curiosity about how the theory actually translates into reality. That’s why my degree is in genetics – even though I don’t use it much as a fundraiser!
What piece of advice would you like to give to a student?
Use this opportunity and grab as much as you can out of your university experience. I got a degree at university but I also got a great bunch of friends that I’m still in touch with. And my time on the RAG committee led me to me current career – even if my degree didn’t!
When are you happiest?
In the garden when the new shoots are coming through. My veggie patch has given me loads of leeks, potatoes and carrots, not to mention tomatoes and strawberries. Perfect to grab and cook with or just sneakily eat!
If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and why?
Emmeline Pankhurst so I could say thank you. We’re not quite there yet but women’s rights have come a long way.
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