Effective Altruism · University of Bristol

Figure out where your effort actually matters.
Then go do it.

EA Bristol runs projects, mentorship, and a working community for students who want their career and their free time to count for something.

See what we run Get involved

Hands-on programs

1:1

Mentor pairings

Open

To every year & subject

What we run

Four things, all hands-on.

Pick a problem, work it with people who care about getting it right, and find out fast whether this is for you. None of it is ordered by priority; start wherever you fit.

For new members

Effective Thesis Accelerator

Test the ideas with your hands, not just your highlighter.

Over 8 weeks, you’ll refine your personal vision for impact, map your problem area, engage with peers and experts, and develop a concrete research proposal with a clear theory of change. The program combines self-directed modules, worksheets and facilitated peer group discussions, with an expected commitment of 3-5 hours per week.

One-to-one

Mentor Program

A straight answer from someone who's actually walked the path.

Paired one-to-one with someone further along in research, policy, or industry who can tell you what a path actually looks like. Built around regular check-ins, not a one-off coffee chat.

Drop-in

Coworking Sessions

A room full of people getting real work done. Bring yours.

A standing block of time and a room full of people doing focused work. Show up, put your headphones on, get more done than you would alone.

Every 2 weeks

Biweekly Socials

Same people, no agenda, good food.

No pitch, no deadline. Every other week the same people you'd be working alongside show up for food, a drink, and a conversation that isn't about your next due date.

Why we exist

Good intentions are the starting point. We care about the strategy and the execution it takes to actually move the needle. We'd rather test an idea than just discuss it.

Mentorship

Real people, further down the path.

Every mentor here has actually done the thing; research, policy, building. They give straight answers about what a path looks like, not a pep talk.

We're confirming our 2026 mentor line-up — these slots fill in below.

Cause Prioritisation

David Leech

Senior Lecturer in Philosophy · UoB

David is currently researching the role of religious leaders in ensuring AI goes well. David has previously done extensive research on the nature of religious experience.

Currently David is mentoring Alexandra in creating a database on current religious leaders' views on Transformative AI.

Bristol Profile ↗

GRANTMAKING

Erin Robertson

AI Safety Grantmaker · Coefficient Giving

Erin currently funds new AI Safety Organisations. Before this, she ran LASR Labs, a technical AI Safety research program. Erin is also EA Bristol alumni!

LinkedIn ↗

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Sam Smith

Program Director · Leaf

Sam runs Leaf, an EA summer program for High-Schoolers. Sam also is a Generator Resident in Berkeley, California, working to expand Non-Trivial. Sam is EA Bristol alumni as well!

EA Forum↗

AI Safety

Fernando Moreno-Pino

Assistant Professor in ML · Intelligent Systems Lab

Fernando researches the intersection of Deep Learning, Probabilistic Machine Learning and Quant.

Fernando has experience working with students, having led the Intro to AI and Data Analytics module at UoB.

LinkedIn ↗

The committee

Who's running it.

Six students, all reachable. Drop us a message; we mean the "always up for a chat" part.

President

Chris

Second-year Maths student. Researched the state of the AI safety field, analysing a dataset of 600+ alumni; if you need contacts in AI safety, he's the guy. Outside of this, loves photography and exploring random places. Always up for a chat.

chrisclay.net ↗

Vice President

Alexandra

Psychology PhD student working at the intersection of psychology and AI. Serial founder: Synthetic Psychology Group, Fairy's Heart and the Sheffield Entrepreneurship society. Runs our mentorship program.

Secretary

Mia

Third-year Politics & IR student, deeply involved in politics. National Elections Officer for the Young Liberals, coordinating young candidates nationally with the main party. Passionate about ensuring AI goes well, and runs our Coworking Sessions. Outside of this, loves crocheting and reading.

Treasurer

Ed

Third-year Physics & Philosophy student. Non-Trivial Fellow and Facilitator, and our philosophy lead. Outside of this you'll find him playing trumpet; he led the Brass Band last year, and plays in Jazz Funk & Soul Society, Bristol Hornstars, Orchestra and a stack of classical ensembles.

Global Careers Secretary

Alex

Second-year Social Policy student. Founder of Noctem Consulting and excited about the environment. Co-leading the Intro Program.

AI Safety Lead

Anirdesh

Third-year Maths & Computer Science student. Doing funded alignment research on Bayesian updating in models with Aeden Ewart (ex-Anthropic fellow, ex-EA Bristol). Runs BAISC, the AI safety group at Bristol.

Alumni spotlight

Aeden Ewart

Ex-EA Bristol, now an Anthropic Fellow working on technical AI safety research. Still mentoring our current AI Safety Lead on Bayesian updating in models.

bayesteezian.net ↗

Next intro project intake — applications open September 2026

Worth an hour of your week?

Come to a social, sit in on a coworking session, or apply for the intro project. The lowest-effort way in is just to show up once.

Apply to the intro project Join the Society

Affiliated with

Figure out where your effort actually matters.Then go do it.