UCL - Islington Partnership: Celebrating Two Years of Impact

1 December 2025

Last week, UCL and the London Borough of Islington celebrated two years of successful partnership. Two years on, more than 80 projects and engagement activities have been delivered through the partnership, involving over 340 staff and students, across 35 teams.

The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2023, coordinated through the UCL London Office and the Community Wealth Building Directorate within the Council. Strengthening ties between academia, local government, and the local community, the partnership builds on decades of engagement - aligning UCL’s research and innovation, with Islington Council’s priorities.

Together, the institutions work to:

Invest in local jobs and businesses
Create a cleaner, greener, healthier borough
Ensure communities are safe, connected, and inclusive
Give children and young people the best start in life
Provide affordable and secure homes for all

Celebrating Two Years

To recognise this milestone, staff convened for an afternoon of reflection and celebration, hosted by Professor Alan Thompson, Pro-Provost (London) and Dean of the Faculty of Brain Sciences at UCL. The event featured:

Lightning talks from fifteen UCL and Islington colleagues, showcasing five collaborative projects and their impact on residents and students.
The launch of the first Joint Partnership Report, convened by Sasha St John Moreau highlighting 24 projects, with contributions from over 166 individuals.
A networking reception with poster displays, drinks, and canapés.

Councillor Santiago Bell Bradford opened the event, with speeches from Amy Lightstone and Caroline Wilson. Presentations were delivered by: Prof Lisa Vanhala and Courtney Stephenson on 'UCL's evaluation of Islington's Climate Panel'; Prof Sahra Gibbons, Rosie Mathers and Kaya Chatterji on 'Supporting women's safety in Finsbury Park'; Prof Louise Brown and Peter Crockett on 'UCL School of Pharmacy students partnering with Healthy Generations'; Stephen Evans and Matthew West on how 'Islington partnered with UCL to decarbonise social housing in pursuit of Net Zero'; and Dr Marie-Annick Moreau, Dr Emily Woodhouse and David Norman on the 'Impact of climate unpredictability on children's play'.

Poster displays also featured work from Dr Jessica Sheringham, Charlotte Ashton, Prof Stephen Hilton, Hamish Mackay, Helen Craig and Councillor Paul Convery.

Impact Highlights

80+ engagement activities delivered since 2023.
340+ staff and students involved in collaborative projects.
24 featured projects in the Joint Partnership Report, with over 160 contributors
Initiatives supporting community wealth building, housing, health equity, safer communities, children and young people, investment in local businesses and skills, and the environment.

Looking Ahead

UCL and Islington remain committed to deepening collaboration, driving innovation, and supporting local communities in London. This partnership exemplifies how universities and local authorities can work together to tackle shared challenges and create lasting impact.

Partnership Contacts

Sasha St John Moreau: Project Manager - UCL Pro Provost London
Jimmy Flynn: Responsible Business Officer - London Borough Islington

Images

Credit: Piers Golden

Image 1: Cllr Santiago Bell Bradford comments on the success of the partnership
Image 2: Prof Alan Thompson hosts session and delivers opening remarks
Image 3: Prof Lisa Vanhala and Courtney Stephenson present on Islington's Climate Panel
Image 4: Fifteen flash‑talk speakers present five projects in five minutes each
Image 5: Staff networking in front of posters displays at event
Image 6: Colleagues across the institution networking - building connections across teams
Image 7: Kaya Chatterji shares impact of UCL research on LBI's Night Time Economy
Image 8: Sasha St John Moreau leads on partnership and relationship management
Image 9: Prof Alan Thompson reflects on the achievements of the past two years
Image 10: Colleagues from the Council and UCL networking in front of poster displays