The GW4 Alliance of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter universities is pleased to announce that Melanie Knetsch will take up the appointment of GW4 Director from 10th November.
Melanie Knetsch joins GW4 from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), where she has spent a large part of her career and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience within the research and innovation sector. Melanie’s current role as Deputy Director of Impact and R&I Sustainability oversees UKRI's programme of work to assess the financial resilience of the UK’s research and innovation system and evidencing the breadth of impacts of UKRI and the unique role it plays in supporting UK research and innovation.
Melanie also has a proven track record of working with international funding agencies where she developed multiple international co-funding opportunities. She was Deputy to two Industrial Strategy Challenge Directors in Healthy Ageing and Next Generation Services, and created the conditions for the first ever arts, humanities and social sciences commercialisation catalyst in the UK.
Responding to her appointment, Melanie Knetsch said:
“GW4 has a fantastic reputation for driving world-class, interdisciplinary research and innovation, developing the next generation of research leaders and enhancing research culture. I’m thrilled to be joining the GW4 Alliance at this crucial time, working with colleagues from across the four universities and with external partners to build on this success, strengthening existing collaborations and forging new ones that harness our collective strengths.
"With the significant changes in the Higher Education sector, this is a pivotal time to further shape regional collaborations and presents a real opportunity to grow and evolve in ways that unlock the full potential of this key Alliance and the region. GW4 is uniquely positioned to respond with agility and ambition. Together, we can tackle some of the most urgent global and local issues - from the climate crisis and achieving sustainable net zero, to the use of AI and digital transformation and advancing health and wellbeing, and continuing to unlock regional growth for the benefit of all of society."
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President at University of Bristol and Chair of GW4 Council said: “We are delighted Melanie will be joining us as Director of the GW4 Alliance. GW4 is built on a strong foundation of collaboration, innovation, and shared ambition across our four universities. Together, we’ve delivered world-leading research, nurtured future research leaders, and built impactful partnerships across sectors and regions. Melanie joins us at a time of considerable change and challenge across the higher education sector, and brings with her a wealth of experience, insight and fresh perspective. Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping the next chapter of GW4.”
Professor Roger Whitaker, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation & Enterprise at Cardiff University and GW4 Board Chair added: “Melanie joins us at an important and exciting time. GW4 recently celebrated 10 years and our return on investment in collaborative research communities is at its highest level since the GW4 Alliance was formally launched in 2014, a testament to the strength and impact of our collective efforts. Melanie’s leadership in impact and innovation in Higher Education combined with her cross-disciplinary experience will be instrumental in continuing to drive forward GW4’s mission to foster collaborative research and innovation and deliver meaningful outcomes for our region and beyond.”
Dr Rebecca Leithall, Interim Head of GW4 said: “It has been a pleasure to lead the GW4 Alliance during this period of change. Melanie brings a fantastic wealth of impact and innovation insight and I look forward to handing her the baton. The combined ambition of our four institutions is inspiring and coupled with Melanie's leadership, the next chapter for the Alliance as we respond to sector changes, is set to be exciting and vibrant."
During her time at UKRI, Melanie was also interim Programme Director of the new R&D Missions Accelerator Programme and was Deputy Director in the UKRI India office and Deputy Director of Innovation and Impact at ESRC.
From September 2023 to April 2025 Melanie co-chaired an OECD Global Expert Group to support research funders and research policy makers on ways to embed citizen science/public engagement into science and research. Melanie is also a Companion of the British Academy of Management.
GW4 has a fantastic reputation for driving world-class, interdisciplinary research and innovation, developing the next generation of research leaders and enhancing research culture. I’m thrilled to be joining the GW4 Alliance at this crucial time, working with colleagues from across the four universities and with external partners to build on this success, strengthening existing collaborations and forging new ones that harness our collective strengths.
With the significant changes in the Higher Education sector, this is a pivotal time to further shape regional collaborations and presents a real opportunity to grow and evolve in ways that unlock the full potential of this key Alliance and the region. GW4 is uniquely positioned to respond with agility and ambition. Together, we can tackle some of the most urgent global and local issues - from the climate crisis and achieving sustainable net zero, to the use of AI and digital transformation and advancing health and wellbeing, and continuing to unlock regional growth for the benefit of all of society.
