New Member of Parliament for Melksham and Devizes Brian Mathew visited the University on Friday 21 February to learn more about our activities locally and regionally, and to hear more from our researchers working across sustainability and development projects.

An engineer by background and a former international aid worker for WaterAid, Brian sits on Parliament’s International Development Select Committee. At Bath he was briefed on projects from our new Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change, the Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST), our Centre for Development Studies, as well as student spin-out ‘The Washing Machine Project’.

With a keen interest in agricultural engineering, he also toured our chemical engineering labs with Prof Marianne Ellis and Dr Alice Esperenza who briefed him on the work of the Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub (CARMA) and spin-out company ‘Cellular Agriculture’ which is based at the Corsham Science Park.

With Vice-Chancellor Prof Phil Taylor, Vice-President (External Relations) Corinne Evans, Helen Stringer (Director of Employability & Student Success), Jo Bonnet (Wessex Inspiration Network) and Jiji Alamo (SU President), he discussed the University’s role and impact locally within the constituency, including our connections with local schools and employers. With Stephen Baddeley (Director of Sport) he also received a brief tour of the University's Sports Training Village.

Prof Taylor said: “It was great to welcome local MP for Melksham and Devizes Brian Mathew to the University. Across a whole range of projects - from our outreach programmes with schools in his constituency, to our research in sustainability and development - there are real synergies with his interests and current policy challenges. Going forwards we are keen to work with Brian and other MPs to ensure the University plays an active role in contributing to debates taking place nationally in Westminster.”

Brian Mathew MP added: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit the University of Bath and meet new Vice-Chancellor Phil Taylor. I saw first-hand some of the world-leading research teams at Bath are doing and how it is making an impact both locally and around the world.

“I am keen to work together to put the South West on the map through the University of Bath’s research, innovation and outreach. I know many of my constituents in Melksham and Devizes have strong links to the University through either study or work, and I am keen to strengthen that bond to increase opportunities for all in our area.

“A huge thank you to all those I met and to the University for hosting me.”