Collaboration took centre stage at the House of Commons last month (29 October 2025), as representatives from the GW4 Alliance universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter joined forces to celebrate the region’s world-class research and innovation network. 

The GW4 Innovation Showcase, sponsored by Claire Hazelgrove MP (Filton and Bradley Stoke), brought together over 150 guests from across policy, academia, funding bodies, civic leadership, and industry. 

The event was opened with a powerful message about partnership, the strengths of our region, and the collective impact we can achieve when universities, government, and industry work together to drive growth through research and innovation.  

Hazelgrove said: “It was a pleasure to sponsor the GW4 Innovation Showcase in Parliament – an inspiring event that celebrated the strength of collaboration and the vibrancy of our region’s research and innovation ecosystem. As the MP for the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency, I’m proud of the nationally strategic infrastructure and world-class research facilities we host – including the GW4 supercomputer Isambard, located at the Bristol & Bath Science Park.  

“Throughout the event, I was struck by the passion of the researchers, whose work is already making a real difference from developing more energy efficient housing and improving mental health and wellbeing. They are also laying the foundations for a formal life sciences cluster for the South West of England and South Wales that will help attract further investment, boost economic growth, and drive innovation across the NHS.  

“The Showcase was a reminder of the power of collaboration and what’s possible when universities, government, and industry come together. It demonstrated the collective impact we can achieve in powering both economic and societal progress through research and innovation.” 

Professor Evelyn Welch, Chair of the GW4 Council and Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, gave an address – welcoming guests, highlighting core GW4 missions, and introducing our new GW4 Alliance Director, Melanie Knetsch.  

Professor Welch, said: “This event has been a vital opportunity to showcase and celebrate the innovation that GW4 fosters, not only across the South West of England, South Wales and the UK, but on a global stage. At the core of GW4 lies partnership, mutual trust, and collaboration. Whatever we undertake, we have the power to excel, and we are stronger because we do it together.” 

Dame Chi Onwurah, Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, delivered the keynote speech, championing regional innovation and the vital role of civic universities and anchor institutions in powering local growth. 

Reflecting, GW4 Alliance Director Melanie Knetsch, said: “The Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper highlights the vital role of collaboration and innovation between institutions, industries and government in driving economic growth and addressing the UK’s skills needs. As the GW4 Innovation Showcase demonstrated, GW4 exemplifies this approach, bringing together research excellence, shared infrastructure, and strategic partnerships to deliver real impact across South Wales, the South West of England, and beyond.” 

Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath and member of the GW4 Council, also reflected on the Alliance’s successes since its launch in 2013 and looked ahead to the opportunities and challenges on the horizon, stressing that collaboration remains key to tackling them. 

Alongside keynote speeches, the event spotlighted pioneering collaborative research aligned with GW4’s strategic priorities and key government missions, including sustainability, net zero, health and wellbeing, and cyber and digital transformation.  

Delegates explored a diverse range of initiatives led by academics and research communities from across the GW4 Alliance. These included GW-SHIFT, Transforming Homes, X-CITED, the UK Brain and Genomics Hub, GW4 Supercomputer Isambard 3, the GW4 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Alliance, the Optical Computer-Brain Interfacing research community, and the South West Health and Life Sciences Cluster Development Initiative.  

Each project exemplified the Alliance’s commitment to tackling complex global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration, cutting-edge technology, and regional strength.  

The event served as a powerful platform for the GW4 Alliance to share knowledge, build new collaborations, and highlight the tangible impact of its collective research excellence, driving innovation for the region, the UK, and beyond. 

Image Credit: Bhagesh Sachania

Video Credit: Christy Nunns/Wavelength Studio