Provost activities

Since the referendum, UCL’s Provost Michael Arthur has been a leading presence in policy stakeholder groups, media and public debate.

He has consistently argued for:

maintaining freedom of movement and minimal restrictions for EU academics, staff and students
retaining full access to and influence over EU research and innovation programmes
international students to be removed from the net migration figures

UCL hosted the House of Commons Education Select Committee in January 2017, with Provost Michael Arthur giving evidence on the impact of Brexit on Higher Education, highlighting the key concerns of UCL and the sector.
The Provost chairs the EU Advisory Group of the Russell Group, which represents the UK’s 24 leading universities. As such, he plays a key role in a group that seeks to ensure that the interests of the sector are communicated at the highest level – in Westminster as well as in Brussels. Pro-Vice-Provost (Europe) Dr Uta Staiger is also a member of this group.
The Provost is a member of the government’s High Level Stakeholder Working Group on Brexit, universities, research and innovation, which is chaired by Universities Minister Sam Gyimah. The purpose of the group is to provide a monthly forum for government officials and representatives of the universities, science and research communities to discuss issues relating to Brexit and government policy. Professor Graeme Reid, Chair of Science and Research Policy at UCL, is also a member of this group.
To inform and consult on these activities, the Provost chairs UCL’s Brexit Mitigation Group, a high-level working group that meets monthly to plan for and mitigate the impact of Brexit on UCL as an institution.