• Swindon & Wiltshire Education, training and skills
• Wednesday June 5 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Former mayor joins Bristol University faculty as it climbs the worldwide uni rankings

The recently-departed mayor of Bristol has landed a new job at the University of Bristol – as the institution climbs the UK and world rankings.

Marvin Rees has been appointed to the university’s Cabot Institute for the Environment as an honorary industrial professor.

His aim, and that of the Institute, is to “make all cities fairer, better, and more sustainable.”

The Institute works to help cities address and adapt to the adverse consequences of climate change.

Its key areas of focus are to achieve this are urbanisation and climate change, climate-driven migration, and securing a just transition which means the shift to a net-zero economy is fair.

Marvin said: “The world is increasingly coming to terms with the twin realities that the battle against climate change will largely be won or lost in our cities, while its far-reaching repercussions will have the biggest impact on the greatest number through the cities where we live.

“I’m very excited about this role and it’s an honour to be joining the team. The University of Bristol has been a really important City Partner during my time in office and the Cabot Institute has an excellent reputation for its world-leading climate research.

“I look forward to further raising the profile of these expertise and strengthening these alliances on a global scale for the benefit of all, especially those most disadvantaged by the effects of climate change.”

He added that his passion for the position is also deeply personal.

“I’m from a family of migrants who lived in slums and I grew up poor myself, living in deprived areas of Bristol,” he said.

“It has always been my mission to make the world a fairer, better place, and this work to supercharge social change is another expression of that.”

Marvin served as elected mayor of Bristol for two terms between 2016 and 2024, when the post was abolished after a city-wide referendum voted in favour of a return to a committee-led administration.

Bristol Uni climbs worldwide rankings

Wills Memorial Building and skyline from Cabot Tower

His appointment comes as the University of Bristol has been named the 54th best university in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Of the 5,663 leading institutions assessed by QS, Bristol was found to be in the top 3.6 per cent.

54th place is a rise of one from last year and means Bristol is the ninth best university in the UK and 11th best in Europe, according to QS.

It also found Bristol to be the 17th most sustainable university in the world.

Professor Judith Squires, the University’s deputy vice-chancellor and provost, said: “It is fantastic to once again see Bristol named among the best universities in the world in QS’s prestigious rankings.

“In a university sector full of talented individuals, our amazing students and staff shine bright.

“I would like to thank everyone at the University of Bristol who made this result possible.”