Pro-Provost (London) News

Issue 34: Driving innovation, growth and collaboration

In our 34th issue we share updates on a series of high profile visits and milestones that showcase UCL's impact across London, including the launch of the Mayor of London's Growth Plan, a poster exhibition and prize giving at UCL from UCL Academy students and hosting the Leader of Camden Council.

Issue 33: Celebrating a year of growth and collaboration

In our 33rd issue we share updates on a fruitful year of partnerships in the London Office, including celebrating two years of partnership with Newham Council, an event with the City of London Corporation and a visit from Deputy Mayor, Howard Dawber to UCL.

Issue 32: New Partnerships on the horizon and a thriving life sciences sector

In our 32nd issue we share updates from the London Office including recent enagement with Islington Council, Camden Council and Newham Council on climate adaptation and resilience, and a panel discussion with the City of London on responsible consumption.

Issue 31:Reflecting on our successes as the academic year draws to a close

In our 31st issue we share updates on the London Office including the recent London Higher Awards, winning Gold at the 2024 Sustainability Awards and the fantastic Ofsted results from the UCL Academy.

Issue 30: A reflection on this months partnerships which have been buzzing with energy and purpose

In our 30th issue we share updates from the London Office on various visits to UCL East including Rob Blackie, the GLA, Open Architects and British Land. The London Team also take a wellness walk as part of our office commitment to sustainability.

Issue 29: Working with partners in London to positively impact local businesses, young people and community organisations

In our 29th issue we share several updates from the London Office in particular looking at multiple engagements with Newham Council, an exhibition of UCL Academy students work in the South Cloisters, and a campus park run.

UCL Academy Grand Challenges Poster Exhibition in the South Cloisters 26 Feb-29 Feb 2024

Year 10 students at the UCL Academy will present a poster exhibition on UCL's Grand Challenges in the South Cloisters between 26 February and 29 February 2024. Posters will include themes such as Climate Crisis, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Justice and Inequality. 

Issue 28: Drawing 2023 to a close with an update on strategic partnerships in London

In our 28th issue we share several updates from the London Office as well as look back on some of the successes from across 2023 as we approach the winter break. From the UCL London Office, we wish our partners and friends a relaxing break and happy new year.

UCL formalises strategic partnership with London Borough of Islington Council

On Tuesday 14 November, UCL and London Borough of Islington came together to mark the signing of their exciting partnership together.

UCL and British Land partner to support growth in innovation and life sciences in the knowledge quarter

A new partnership between UCL and British Land has been launched to support life science in our locality in London. This strategic partnership will play a pivotal role in accelerating innovation and life sciences, reinforcing our dedication to supporting science within our community.

Issue 27: Wrapping up 2022 with new beginnings for strategic partnerships in London

In our 27th issue we share several updates from the London Office as well as look back on some of the successes from across 2022 as we approach the winter break. From the UCL London Office, we wish our partners and friends a relaxing break and happy new year.

Issue 26: Launching UCL's impact in London campaign

In our 26th issue we share several recent updates from across the London Office including our recent campaign highlighting UCL's impact in London. We also share highlights of UCL's current arts programming activity that contributes to our wonderful campus experience.

Issue 25: Another inspiring academic year of London engagement and partnerships!

In our 25th issue of the UCL Pro-Provost (London) Office news update share several recent updates from across the London Office as well as impactful London focussed activity from across UCL. We also wish huge congratulations to all those recent alumni who celebrated their graduation in July!

Issue 24: Celebrating UCL's Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF) results through our fantastic contributions to London

In our 24th issue of the UCL Pro-Provost (London) Office news update we celebrate UCL's Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF) results, coming first in London for research power, sharing case studies and a podcast relating to UCL and London. We also share several recent updates from across the London Office. 

Issue 23: Supporting London's creative and cultural industries whilst developing and enhancing partnerships across the city

In our 23rd issue of the UCL Pro-Provost (London) Office news update Jo Townshend, Principal Partnership Manager (Creative Industries), UCL Innovation & Enterprise, provides her perspective on UCL's vital role in shaping and sustaining the creative and cultural industries in London. We also share several updates from across the London Office over the last month.

Issue 22: Building, engaging and unveiling new projects in East London: how UCL is paving the way to new ventures

In our 22nd issue Professor Alan Thompson shares an update of UCL's impact and engagement in East London, with our guest feature by Professor Paola Lettieri FREng, Director of UCL East who shares the recently published UCL East Engagement Report as well as activities in and around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Issue 21: Our new look newsletter, London's complex health ecosystem and a life-size Suffragette in the UCL student centre

In our 21st issue Professor Alan Thompson introduces our new look newsletter as well as shares an update of London Office activities over the past month. In addition, Professor David Lomas, Vice Provost (Health), UCL, provides a guest feature on his insight into the complex health ecosytem in London, with a specific focus on healthcare data. 

Issue 20: London's Calling - Returning to the office, UCL East opening and UCL on the BBC

In our 20th issue Professor Alan Thompson welcomes the UCL community to share London impact stories with the London Office, to be included in the upcoming refresh of the London Framework which is now two years old. Additionally Anne Laybourne, Community Research Initiative Manager, shares information on UCL's first cross-university student community engagement service, the Community Noticeboard, in her guest piece.

Issue 19: Reflecting on London Office activities in 2021, whilst looking forward to 2022

In this issue Professor Alan Thompson reflects on Term 1 and shares some highlights and outputs from London Office activities between September and December 2021. The update also includes ways in which UCL staff can get involved with London Office activities, and shares some key opportunities which are currently available.

Issue 18: Measuring our impact in London

In this issue Professor Alan Thompson provides an update on the progress of the Pro-Provost (London) Office, particularly in relation to our priorities for this term. The update additionally highlights some of the ways in which we are currently measuring our impact and activities in London, as well as launching a new survey for those UCL colleagues who organise student placements with Camden Council.

Issue 17: New home in the Provost's Office for Pro-Provost (London)

From 1st September the London Office Team have become part of the UCL Office of the President & Provost reflecting an expansion of Professor Alan Thompson's role to Pro-Provost (London). In this issue, Professor Thompson sets out the key London Office priorities for this academic year, with an introduction to the roles of the London Office Team.

Issue 16: UCL students embrace opportunities and create connections across London

In this issue our guest feature is written by John Braime, Volunteering Manager at the UCL Students’ Union Volunteering Service who shares his thoughts on how UCL students are making connections in London through volunteering. In addition, Professor Alan Thompson, Pro Vice Provost (London) provides an update on forthcoming London Office activity, including a research study with Londoners and a project to capture the impact UCL staff volunteering has on our capital city.

Issue 15: The 3 P's: Partnerships, People and Place

In this issue our guest feature is written by Dr Michael Spence, President & Provost, UCL who shares his thoughts on partnerships for post-pandemic global success, in particular in relation to London. In addition, Professor Alan Thompson, Pro Vice Provost (London) discusses recent engagements within the London Office, citing partnerships with the University of London, Newham Council and collaboration through the Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) programme.

Issue 14: UCL's Leading Role in London's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

In this issue Dr Martin Davies, Director of Innovation Partnerships, UCL Innovation & Enterprise, has provided an update on UCL’s contribution to London’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are a major part of the UK economy, and a vital part of London’s success as a global city. At the start of 2020, SMEs contribution amounted to over half of the UK’s private sector turnover and accounted for 60% of private sector employment, showing a dramatic growth in the formation of start-ups and micro-business over the last decade. This trend is especially strong in London.

Issue 13: Engaging with London: Partners, People and Place

In this months update I want to share how we are working with our partners, people and place across London. Professor Paola Lettieri, Director of UCL East shares how UCL is creating an open, publicly engaged campus in East London and I share updates from the Pro Vice Provost (London) Office on how we are engaging with our partners, as part of our objectives set out in the London Framework.

Issue 12: Working together to make an even greater contribution to our place in Camden

In this months London update I wanted to share how UCL, as an anchor in our locality, is impacting Camden and people across London. I am delighted that Professor Lucie Green, Chair of Governors at the UCL Academy and Professor in the UCL Department of Space and Climate Physics, has provided an update on the UCL Academy’s impact across Camden, which is truly impressive.

Issue 11: The future of London: recognising the challenges whilst paving the way for new opportunities

In this months London update I am delighted to welcome Siobhan Morris, Head of Programmes, UCL Grand Challenge of Justice & Equality, and Dr Olivia Stevenson, Deputy Director of UCL Public Policy who have kindly provided an update on their recent work with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Travers Smith, where they surveyed businesses across London on their role in addressing societal inequalities. 

Issue 10: Looking back: leaders of UCL and Camden Council come together to formalise their joint partnership

In this issue we look back over the past few months and celebrate the successes which we have achieved, in particular the signing of the joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UCL and Camden Council at the virtual event which took place on 15 December 2020, which formalised our partnership which has spanned over many years. 

Issue 9: Underpinning the London Framework: the value of local and regional partnerships

Last month, on Thursday 5 November, we officially launched the UCL London Framework to a (virtual) room of over 60 colleagues spanning UCL and our partner organisations. Hosted by UCL President & Provost, Professor Michael Arthur, the event marked a pivotal moment for the London Office as we now can move forward on working with the UCL community and our London partners to amplify UCL’s impact in and for London.

Issue 8: Pro-Vice-Provost’s View – Enhancing our place in our capital city

The past nine months have been a challenging time for us all with the coronavirus pandemic changing how we live, work and communicate with each other. Rewinding a few more months to July 2019 when I was appointed Pro-Vice-Provost (London), I did not foresee any of the challenges which we have all faced in 2020 and will continue to face in 2021 and beyond. Nevertheless, I am delighted to share that progress has very much continued in the PVP London Office, and if anything, COVID-19 has demonstrated the importance of UCL’s relationships particularly with London but also nationally and internationally as well. 

Issue 7: Welcome back to London whether from near or far!

Monday 28 September officially marked the start of the new academic year and Term 1 for students. This last week we have welcomed many students to London, joining us from all over the world, not just from the UK. We are delighted to have the students physically in London but equally pleased to welcome all those students attending UCL virtually. We are all adjusting to our new way of working and it’s fantastic to see so many students embracing this change which we recognise is difficult for many but critical if we are to avoid any wider disruption.

Issue 6: Congratulations 2020 Graduands!

In what has been an unexpected and unprecedented academic year, I wanted to share my heartfelt congratulations to this year’s graduands. Whilst disappointed that unfortunately physical graduation ceremonies are not taking place this year due to the pandemic, it is important to recognise the impact and contributions that our graduates have had on UCL and London throughout their studies and university experience.

Issue 5: Advocating for UCL’s impact in London whilst adapting to new ways of working

A key part of my role as Pro Vice Provost (London) is to engage with our local communities, policy makers, local government and other partners in London. Whilst this has certainly been challenging, in particular as we develop a new London Framework for UCL in London, I have been very encouraged by the continued level of impact and support UCL has provided for London’s communities and beyond in such a time of crisis through research, community engagement and enterprise activities.

Issue 4: How UCL is supporting London’s business and economy sector in wake of Covid-19 fallout

It’s hard to believe that we have been living with the Covid-19 pandemic in London for over three months. In previous issues I have talked about the impact of the crisis on Londoners, communities and our mental health during lockdown. In this issue I want to focus on London’s economy and business sector and how UCL is responding to changes. Research from UCL has shown that the duration of lockdown matters more to economies than their severity because shorter lockdowns cause less disruption to regional and global supply chains. As lockdown rules are relaxed, UCL is contributing to renewing the London economy.

Issue 3: How UCL is helping London’s communities and people through the Covid-19 pandemic

In this months piece I want to focus on the impact UCL has had on London’s communities and people. We’ve been living with the challenges of Covid-19 for nearly 10 weeks and the changes we’ve had to make to our daily lives have started to become the ‘new normal’. Whilst experts at UCL have responded amazingly to national and global challenges, there are many local initiatives directed specifically at our communities here in Bloomsbury and around UCL East. 

Issue 2: UCL transforming mental health and social wellbeing for all through Covid-19 epidemic

Covid-19 is effecting all of our lives in many ways and in this piece I focus on the ways in which UCL is impacting our mental health, not just within the UCL community but locally and nationally too. Whether you are working on the frontline as part of the NHS response to Covid-19, a key worker delivering food, working from home or home-schooling your children, the mental and social experiences we develop through this crisis will affect us all in different ways. 

Issue 1: UCL striving to impact the lives of Londoners and beyond in COVID-19 crisis