2026 at BSU
News
Happy New Year from Vice-Chancellor Professor Georgina Andrews
Monday, 5 January, 2026Professor Georgina Andrews has wished BSU staff, students and the wider community best wishes for the new year as she celebrates her first anniversary as the Vice Chancellor of Bath Spa University.
In a video shared on social media Georgina said:
"2026 is going to be a really exciting time for Bath Spa University. We’re going to be launching our Strategy 2035 and building on the remarkable achievements of last year. In 2026 we are going to prioritise three key things: inclusive growth, professionally creative education and creative and civic innovation.”
Georgina added:
“We will drive inclusive growth by removing barriers to opportunity and developing career enhancing skills. We’ll continue to develop professionally creative education by pioneering flexible, lifelong learning opportunities that are underpinned by applied, practice-based research. And we’ll work with our collaborative partners within the core economy to deliver social and cultural value as well as economic impact. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together in 2026.”
Bath Spa University rounded off 2025 with a number of high-profile success stories including being the highest riser in The Guardian’s University Guide, catapulting BSU into the top 50% of universities in the UK and in December BSU was announced as the second most sustainable university in the country in the People and Planet league table.
The start of January marks one year since Professor Andrews started her tenure as Vice Chancellor of the University and to mark the occasion she has pledged to continue to make a large personal donation to the Students’ Union, contributing to the wider ‘Access to Opportunities’ fund.
BSU and the Students’ Union work closely together to amplify student voice and provide equal opportunities for all. One way in which this is done is through the Access to Opportunities fund, providing items such as sporting equipment and essential everyday items for students requiring support.
That fund has been bolstered this year by Professor Andrews, who has committed £10,000 of her annual salary to help support students and the wider Students’ Union. Not only that, a range of new and pre-existing projects will also be supported thanks to the donation.
Professor Andrews commented:
“Supporting our student community is an important part of my role, and I’m delighted to learn of the exciting projects that will now be amplified.
“The Students’ Union is a vital hub within the student community, and I will continue to showcase my commitment to it – and our students – in the years to come.”
The money donated is being used to help launch an extension to the existing Food Larder project, with the SU working with the BSU community to bring a monthly pop-up providing free groceries, including fresh fruit and vegetables. This is housed in the Nook, an exciting new social and informal study space opening in the Students’ Union this year.
Following a successful pilot last year, the twice-weekly 'Bring a Bowl' events will also continue, where students can have a free nourishing meal served in the new SU Barn. Dishes on offer will always include vegan options and will be launched alongside an exciting new menu.
Sarah Dawes, BSU Students’ Union Chief Executive added:
“This generous donation by our Vice-Chancellor means that no student should need to choose between food and study or be prevented from taking part in social activities or the opportunities that make a university experience so valuable and lifechanging.”
The Students’ Union is a key part of the University community, and you can learn more about their initiatives on their website.
Georgina also supports several other charities through the University salary sacrifice scheme including Off the Record, Mind, Cancer Research, Save the Children, the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust.