Dr Joanna Jenkinson is GW4 Director, with responsibility for leading and managing the GW4 Alliance, and developing and delivering its overall strategy.
Prior to taking on the role of GW4 Director, Dr Jenkinson was Head of Infection and Immunity at the Medical Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, where she led the UKRI/DHSC/NIHR rapid response and rolling calls for COVID-19 research and had overall responsibility for managing the Infections and Immunity Board, its research portfolio and large investments. She joined the MRC in 2008 and has held a range of roles including Head of Capacity and Skills, with responsibility for all MRC PhD and fellowships schemes. In this role, she led on the development of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship scheme and developed the evidence and business case for this £900m initiative. She also led the MRC’s mental health and addiction portfolio, wrote the MRC’s 2017 Mental Health Strategy and was the lead contact for Cardiff University.
Dr Jenkinson received a PhD in fungal genetics from the University of Exeter, and undertook her Defra-funded, postdoctoral work on the evaluation of the field scale trials of GM crops, and has an MSc in Crop Protection that was a joint course between the Universities of Bath and Bristol. Before joining the MRC she worked at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, initially for the Plant and Microbial Sciences Committee and then the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Panel.
Email: j.jenkinson@gw4.ac.uk
“Helen Bell is the GW4 Programme Manager at the University of Exeter. She is also the Research Cluster Lead and Senior Research Development Manager for the Environment, Science and Economy (ESE) Faculty, leading a team of Research Development and Research Finance staff in supporting research project support from application development through to live project management.”
I provide professional support across the GW4 Directorate, but primarily for the Talent and Skills Team. I also help with the delivery of flagship GW4 programmes such as Crucible and GW4WARD.
Email: g.brown@gw4.ac.uk
As the GW4 Antimicrobial Resistance Alliance (AMR) Coordinator, I contribute to coordinating collaborative AMR research initiatives across the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. Drawing on my experience as a researcher at various universities, I earned an MRes in Social Sciences from Bath University and recently completed a PhD in Social Work at the University of Bristol. Prior to joining the GW4 Alliance, I worked for the Bristol Doctoral College as the PGR Hub Assistant.
Email: g.burger@gw4.ac.uk or amr@gw4.ac.uk
I am the Public Affairs Lead for GW4 and the Western Gateway Partnership. I will be working with both organisations to raise our profile amongst politicians, policymakers and other important stakeholders, as well as deliver on the goals of our Strategic Partnership.
I join the team with 15 years of experience in public affairs, most recently working at Thames Water and the West of England Combined Authority. I have helped to deliver successful engagement activities in Westminster, Brussels and at the United Nations.
Email: b.davis@gw4.ac.uk
I work across the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter to help develop and deliver research activity at a scale that could not be achieved by the universities in isolation.
Email: j.evans@gw4.ac.uk
I lead the GW4 Talent and Skills Programme, which provides sector-leading development opportunities for postgraduate researchers and early career researchers, as well as initiatives that enhance the inclusivity of our research cultures. I draw on long-standing experience in higher education and expertise in learning and development to ensure our innovative programmes meet the needs of their audiences, complement institutional provision, and respond to shifts in the national landscape. Prior to joining GW4, I worked for the University of Bristol Doctoral College as the Postgraduate Researcher Development Adviser after completing a PhD in History at the University of Bristol in 2016.
Email: s.fairchild@gw4.ac.uk
I lead the GW4 Net Zero programme which aims to accelerate the regions transition towards sustainable mobility with scope to offer solutions. I develop and co-ordinate research opportunities across GW4 universities.
Email: k.lidster@gw4.ac.uk
I manage the Building Communities Programme of the GW4 Alliance, which funds academics from Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter Universities to create research communities for collaboration on research projects in any academic area.
Email: s-l.dietz@gw4.ac.uk
I manage GW4’s strategic communications, including internal and external comms, social media and the website. I work with colleagues across the alliance, with partners, media and external organisations to raise the visibility and profile of GW4 and communicate the exciting work we do.
Email: s.moore@gw4.ac.uk or comms@gw4.ac.uk
“Dr Kate Patten is the GW4 Programme Manager for Cardiff University. She is also a Strategic Project Officer at Cardiff supporting internal funding schemes and internal managed calls, in particular those related to Research Infrastructure.”
Email; GW4@cardiff.ac.uk
“Dr Kate Charles is the GW4 Programme Manager for the University of Bath, where she is Head of Research Development – leading the team that support increased grant capture through quality bid development, professional development for researchers and supporting the strategic research priorities of the Faculties.”
I manage GW4’s strategic communications, including internal and external comms, social media and the website. I work with colleagues across the alliance, with partners, media and external organisations to raise the visibility and profile of GW4 and communicate the exciting work we do.
Email: n.purdue@gw4.ac.uk or comms@gw4.ac.uk
As Manager of the GW4 AMR Alliance, I help develop and co-ordinate AMR research opportunities across the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter.
Email: c.spreadbury@gw4.ac.uk
