Vice-Chancellor's welcome

Dear visitor

I became the University’s academic leader and chief executive in 2001. This was, and remains, a tremendous privilege for me, given the University’s longstanding reputation for great teaching and internationally distinguished research. All that, plus a location at the heart of a lively, historic, beautiful city! No wonder the University of Bristol is at the top of the popularity stakes.

Over time, I have come to understand more clearly what makes this University so special. It comes down to people. First, the academics, who account for Bristol’s position as a world leader in subjects ranging from aerospace engineering to biochemistry, classics to mathematics, clinical neuroscience to policy studies. I know of no university of comparable size with as many members of staff who are Fellows of the top academic societies. Then there are the administrators, gardeners, technicians and many others who support the whole enterprise with such superb commitment. And, of course, there are our students – an extraordinarily diverse body of people united by exceptional ability, motivation and potential.

One of the University’s two main roles is to help our students achieve that potential and become what they want to be and what society needs. Our other main role is to generate new knowledge that improves the world and illuminates our understanding of it. We are acknowledged as excelling in both of these roles, and we intend to do even better – hence the ambitious programme of investment in facilities and staff that we will be continuing over the next few years.

We are a community of scholarship in a creative and dynamic city. We set very high standards and we have a clear vision for the future. This truly is an exciting place.

Welcome.

Professor Eric Thomas
Vice-Chancellor