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Launching our Annual Report 2023
29 February 2024
We're excited to share our Annual Report with you - a snapshot of all the things we've been up to in the past year.
Last year saw the Institute of Healthcare Engineering (IHE) build upon its successes. Our IHE Impact Fellowship welcomed its fourth cohort of researchers, bringing our total number of Impact Fellows past and present to over 70. It is fantastic to see the long-term influence of the Impact Fellowship on research and engagement culture as Fellows go out into the world and take their learnings with them – from stand-up shows to teaching science to school children in Spain.
Our dedication to fostering emerging talent was demonstrated by the continued success of the IHE Summer Studentship scheme, which provides hands-on clinical experience to engineering undergraduates. Last year, we expanded the scheme into Moorfields Eye Hospital, allowing students to work on an even broader range of clinical applications and bringing the number of students we’ve supported with our Summer Studentship to 46. You can read about their experiences in the ‘Education’ chapter.
In line with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, 2023 also saw us participate in HDR UK’s Black Internship initiative, which aims to help talented Black data scientists thrive in STEM. We worked with Dr Aghogho Onojuvbevbo, a medical doctor who is currently studying for a master's degree in Healthcare Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. Following her placement with Professor James Cole (UCL Centre for Medical Image Computing), Aghogho has co-authored a paper and now has plans to continue in academia.
Across the globe, there is no denying that last year was the ‘year of AI’ - from Chat GPT’s meteoric soar in popularity, to the UK Government’s announcement that £13 million will be invested to accelerate AI innovation in healthcare (UCL was awarded more than £2.2 million in this allocation). In our research highlights chapter, you can read about the many ways UCL researchers are harnessing the capabilities of AI.
Currently doing the rounds on social media are what’s ‘in and out’ for 2024. If we had to make predictions for the year ahead, we think AI will continue to dominate the discussion, but quantum computing will also come into the fore. Our team recently worked with the UK Government to inform their national quantum strategy mission that ‘by 2030, every NHS Trust will benefit from quantum sensing-enabled solutions, helping those with chronic illness live healthier, longer lives through early diagnosis and treatment’. Keep your eyes peeled!