How Bath research is impacting policy
Government Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Dame Angela McLean is responsible for putting scientific advice at the heart of decision making in Whitehall. Having taken up the post in April 2023, her role is to ensure the Prime Minister and Cabinet are provided with the best evidence to help shape political decisions. In January 2025, Professor McLean’s brief brought her to the University of Bath.
“The breadth of projects [at the University] speak to so many of the science policy challenges we face and demonstrates how this research can have real impact.” – Professor Dame Angela McLean.
The visit from Professor McLean was an opportunity to demonstrate how research at the University focuses on solving real-world scientific and policy challenges. During her time on campus and at IAAPS, our world-leading centre of excellence supporting the transport industry in the transition to net zero, she met teams to learn how work at Bath was supporting the national agenda, particularly around priority areas of clean energy, digital technologies, and life sciences.
Welcoming Professor McLean to the University was just one example of how the University of Bath is engaging with policymakers, and how researchers’ work is impacting digital, sustainability, and wellbeing policy.
Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean DBE FRS
Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean DBE FRS
Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean talks to Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President, the University of Bath
Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean talks to Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President, the University of Bath
See some of the research presented to Dame Professor Angela McLean
Making the UK a more innovative, safe, secure, and resilient digital society.
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Global impact in environmental policy
Dr Yixian Sun is a researcher helping to shape global environmental policy by connecting academic research with policy makers. His research explores China’s evolving role in global environmental governance and climate action. As Chair of the 2026 Earth System Governance Conference, set to be hosted by the University of Bath, Yixian’s work on sustainability governance - within the Department of Social and Policy Sciences, the Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change, and the Centre for Development Studies - is influencing international climate discourse. The conference, which will bring together over 500 global experts in research, policy, and civil society, is a platform for translating research into actionable policy. Previous editions of the conference have influenced policy debates in global cities including Toronto and Johannesburg.
University of Bath to host the 2026 Earth System Governance Conference
"We’re proud to bring this important event to Bath. It’s a chance to showcase the University’s work on sustainability and to be part of vital global conversations about how we protect our planet."
Dr Yixian Sun speaking at the High-level Conference on Green Industrialization under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 2.0 organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
Dr Yixian Sun speaking at the High-level Conference on Green Industrialization under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 2.0 organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
Bath researchers engaging with Parliament
In autumn 2025, the government is expected to publish its Net Zero Public Participation Strategy, outlining its approach to engaging the public when developing energy policy and in supporting people to adopt new technologies.
As part of this process, Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, Director of the Centre for Climate Change & Social Transformations (CAST), was called upon to give evidence to MPs on the Energy Security & Net Zero Committee. Lorraine specialises in public perceptions and behaviour around climate change, energy, and transport and served as a Specialist Advisor for the recent House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee report, In Our Hands: Behaviour Change for Climate and Environmental Goals.
During the session in September, she shared her insights on how to engage the public with clean energy transition, drawing on written evidence submitted to the Committee by the Centre.
“CAST’s work, with Lorraine at the helm, is leading the way in understanding how to put people at the heart of climate change action. I'm so proud that Bath is home to such committed pioneers.”
Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh
Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh
Lorraine gives evidence to Parliament's ESNZ Committee as part of its inquiry into building support for the energy transition.
Lorraine gives evidence to Parliament's ESNZ Committee as part of its inquiry into building support for the energy transition.
Professor Whitmarsh followed other researchers who have recently given evidence to MPs in Parliament. In July, Laura Smith, Professor of Psychology and Co-Director of the University’s Institute for Digital Security & Behaviour (IDSB) gave evidence to the Home Affairs Committee’s inquiry into new forms of extremism. She was invited to appear in person following a written submission from the IDSB to brief the Committee on the latest research into online radicalisation.
The Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour
Speaking about the invitation, she said: “At the Institute for Digital Security & Behaviour, we research extremist groups, radicalisation, and conspiracy theories – and how they relate to the mobilisation of violence. A key concern is the increasing exposure of young people to harmful, extremist content through digital technologies."
“Giving evidence to the Home Affairs Committee was an opportunity to present our findings at the heart of government and contribute to the policy debate. It was a fascinating and sobering experience, and a privilege to represent the work of IDSB.”
See how other Bath researchers have engaged with Parliament
Mathematics and AI presented in Parliament
A team from the University’s Department of Mathematics and Institute for Mathematical Innovation briefed MPs and Peers on the role of maths in helping to navigate increasing digitalisation.
Energy and Environmental Engineering
Professor of Energy and Environmental Engineering Marcelle McManus gave evidence to Parliament’s Energy Security & Net Zero Committee on the opportunities and challenges of decarbonisation.
Bath business successes celebrated in Parliament
Professor Sarah Hainsworth and Bath LabCycle entrepreneur Dr Helen Liang took part in the Parliamentary launch for UUK’s ‘Unis to Start Up the UK’ campaign.
Research that helps to shape policy
Research at Bath is helping to inform political decision-making at local, national and international levels.
From policy briefs evaluating the raising of the participation age in England by Profs. Matt Dickson and Sue Maguire, to work exploring the impact of Universal Credit on low-earning households by Dr Rita Griffiths and Dr Marsha Wood, research from the University is helping to shape policy in Westminster to improve people’s lives.
“Our city never fails to be at the helm of world-leading innovation,” says Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath. As the local representative for the city, Wera has visited the University on numerous occasions, most recently to speak to Professor Chris Pudney, who works on detecting dangerous synthetic drugs in vapes.
His most recent study has found that up to one in four vapes confiscated in school contain ‘spice’, which are being marketed as ‘THC’ via social media. It is an issue Wera has successfully raised with Ministers in Parliament and she continues to advocate for change that will better protect young people.
For over a decade, Dr Rob Branston, Co-Director of the Tobacco Control Research Group at Bath (TCRG), has also been working to hold the tobacco industry accountable for the negative impact it has on public health. In 2023, the UK tobacco market was valued at £22.28 billion; Rob’s research into industry practices and his proposal for a new levy scheme could help reduce tobacco use by targeting manufacturers’ excessive profits.
Find out more about the work from the Tobacco Control Research Group
“On every level, a 'polluter pays' levy would be a win-win for society,” Rob told MPs in 2024, as he gave oral evidence to the House of Commons Tobacco and Vapes Bill Committee. There, he explained how such a levy scheme could prevent the industry from enticing consumers with cheaper brands, while also generating additional tax revenue to support public health.
The impact of the TCRG's work has been significant. A 2025 strategy document produced by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health proposed the introduction of the levy scheme to fund essential tobacco control measures. Meanwhile, ASH, Asthma + Lung UK, and the British Heart Foundation have all called for the policy to be included in future government budgets. If enacted, the levy would help reduce smoking rates, fund health initiatives, and ultimately save lives. The scheme has also recently been endorsed by a high-level international expert group reporting to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and discussion of this report will be on the agenda at the forthcoming Conference of the Parties (COP11) in Geneva in November.
The human impact of research is something sociology Professor Kate Woodthorpe, from our Department for Social & Policy Sciences, is keenly aware of. Her work into the affordability and public provision of funeral costs, which previously led to many falling into debt, has led to significant policy changes to support the bereaved.
“We're glad that work that we do can make a small difference to people who are facing some of the potentially most challenging points of their lives. The costs of funerals and the transparency of the sector is more visible than it has ever been. We in the Centre for Death and Society have played a part in that.”
Following Kate’s research, funeral policy has become a recognised area requiring policymaker attention and a subsequent Competition and Markets Authority investigation has acknowledged the complexity of funeral purchasing for bereaved consumers. Currently, the Law Commission for England and Wales are performing a wide-ranging legislative review of policy which will continue the impact of Kate’s work.
Academics in the Institute for Policy Research engaging with the Department for Work and Pensions
Reviewing the raising the participation age in England
A decade after the government raised the participation age in England – the age up to which young people must be in education, employment or training - to 18, a study by the Institute for Policy Research found that the change had limited impact, with only modest gains in education and training, and persistent gaps in support for the most vulnerable 16-18-year-olds.
The accompanying report and policy brief were launched at event in London in July 2025, attended by representatives from the local authorities involved in the research, as well as policymakers from Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). After the launch event, Professor Matt Dickson and Professor Sue Maguire were invited to present the findings to a group of policymakers, including HM Treasury and the Downing Street Policy Unit, at a special workshop exploring challenges in education and youth employment, and potential policy responses.
Exploring the impact of Universal Credit
Following research into Universal Credit (UC), Dr Rita Griffiths has given oral evidence to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee and House of Lords Economic Committee. Together with Dr Marsha Wood, she has also supported UK government and DWP discussions on their formal review of UC including the impact of fluctuating incomes, financial and work incentives, childcare costs, self-employed earnings and council tax reduction schemes. Furthermore, Rita and Marsha have submitted written evidence to the Government’s consultation on the development of a new Child Poverty Strategy.
Professor Matt Dickson
Professor Matt Dickson
Dr Rita Griffiths
Dr Rita Griffiths
Dr Rita Griffiths and Dr Marsha Wood: Coping and hoping: monthly assessment and Universal Credit
Supporting the Government’s Industrial Strategy
“Our university was founded with a mission to work closely with industry and partnership working has been in our DNA ever since. We are truly delighted to play our part in attracting outstanding global academics to help power research in the UK’s industrial strategy priority areas.
The Global Talent Fund
The University of Bath was chosen as one of just twelve institutions to receive funding from the prestigious Global Talent Fund, funded by the UK Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and awarded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
This £4.35 million investment will enable Bath to attract world-leading researchers whose work is positioned to inform and influence future policy across key areas of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, from clean growth and digital innovation to life sciences and public wellbeing. As the government looks to science and evidence to guide its most pressing challenges, Bath’s research community is increasingly recognised at the forefront of that conversation. Our selection points toward both our research excellence and our potential to shape future political decision-making globally.
The Brunel Centre: A new economic research centre for the West of England
The Brunel Centre, a partnership between the University of Bath, UWE Bristol and Futures West, will support growth, industrial strategy and prosperity in the West of England by carrying out and sharing pioneering economic research.
The centre will create a virtual data observatory, provide consultation and engage with business and policy leaders, while creating new approaches to economic research and data analysis. Its findings will be made public, to inform businesses and policymakers in the region and enable new collaborations to help power the region’s industrial strategy. The Centre has received Research England Development funding of £4.5 million over the next five years, to March 2030.
“We have an ambitious brief to deliver real economic insights, tools and information to help the West of England grow, train people, attract investment, tackle inequalities, improve sustainability and become an even greater place to live and do business. Success for us will be seeing our research used when political or business decisions that affect the West of England are being made, whether in the region or at a national level.”
Its inaugural report, Closing the Productivity Gap, gave new evidence on how investment in the region could drive productivity gains. Released in September 2025, the report was warmly received by leaders in the region’s unitary authorities and referenced by the West of England Combined Authority within the launch of its new Growth Plan.
The centre’s next major publication will be a Strategic Economic Audit of the region, due in March 2026.
Official launch of the Brunel Centre, created by the University of Bath with the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Futures West,
Official launch of the Brunel Centre, created by the University of Bath with the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Futures West,
Hear from key stakeholders at the launch of the Brunel Centre which took place at the Roman Baths on 3 July 2025.
"This £4.5 million investment in research for our universities is a fantastic boost for the West of England—and a real game-changer for our region’s future. The Brunel Centre’s work will help drive the kind of growth that creates new opportunities, supports local jobs, and brings real benefits to people and businesses across the region. I’m excited to see how the Centre’s insights will make a lasting difference in our communities.”
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