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On Tuesday 14 November, UCL and London Borough of Islington came together to mark the signing of a new exciting partnership together.
On Tuesday 14 November, UCL and London Borough of Islington came together to mark the signing of their exciting partnership together. Professor Alan Thompson, Dean of the Faculty of Brain Sciences and Pro-Provost for London, led the event, commemorating the signing of a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations aimed at shaping a more equitable future for Islington.
The event brought together a diverse mix of attendees – academics, students, and representatives from various departments from both UCL and the Islington Council. From Estates to Advancement, Innovation & Enterprise to public health, housing, and community wealth building, the gathering underscored a commitment to a collaborative, community-driven approach.
"Today marks a significant stride towards a fairer Islington," stated Professor Alan Thompson, emphasising the depth of the partnership. "This MoU signifies our shared ambition: creating opportunities for everyone in our vibrant city, irrespective of their background, to thrive and enjoy a better quality of life."
Discussing the shared priorities, Professor Thompson also highlighted Islington Council and UCL's ambitious vision for a fairer Islington. "We're not just a university situated nearby; we're committed to being active contributors to the heart and soul of Islington," said Professor Thompson. "This partnership signifies our joint determination to make tangible, positive changes."
The event also included an address from Islington Councillor, Cllr Santiago Bell Bradford, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Jobs, who as a lifelong Islington resident, understands the impact that partnerships like these can have on the local community:
“It is such a privilege to work together on partnerships with amazing anchor institutions like UCL. The challenges that Islington faces are huge and we value working with collaborators such as UCL, to help us tackle our priorities which are key in the Borough. Islington has always been a place that has prided itself on being on the cutting edge and by working with UCL, we will be doing just that. This MoU signing marks the start of our opportunity to do something really meaningful, innovative and life changing together. I feel very privileged to be embarking on that journey together”.
Dr Michael Spence, President & Provost of UCL, also reiterated UCL's dedication to being an integral part of Islington fabric and fostering positive change.
“This is a partnership that is incredibly important to UCL. We are London’s Global University. What that means is that by working with our partners here locally here in London, we can help to address some of the issues of one of the most challenging localities on the planet, and in turn create world-class learnings for the world. We can only do that, in genuine partnership, together. That kind of deep partnership takes effort on both sides. With Islington, we have deep shared commitments to addressing inclusion and equality that have grown out of our history and place, as well as in partnership and our values. We are delighted to sign this MoU and to start making real change in and for our locality.”
Attendees also heard from a range of speakers who shared their joint work from both organisations, demonstrating the richness and longevity of the partnership. Presentations from speakers included:
- Steve Evans, Senior Research Fellow, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources, Faculty of the Built Environment, UCL
- Matt West, Director of Housing Property Services, London Borough of Islington
- Dr Keri Wong, Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology, IOE, UCL's Institute of Education and Society
- Ms Jasmine Lee, Wellcome 4-year PhD in Mental Health Science, IOE, UCL's Institute of Education and Society
- Sude Işıl Baştuğ, BSc Psych with Education Year 3, IOE, UCL's Institute of Education and Society
- Siobhan Scantlebury, Head of Youth Progression, London Borough of Islington
- Dr Jessica Sheringham, Senior Research Fellow, UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences
- Charlotte Ashton, Consultant in Public Health, London Borough of Islington
The London Office, who have also been working closely with the Business and Innovation team in UCL Innovation & Enterprise, will continue to work with colleagues at Islington Council to evolve the partnership, sharing opportunities within the UCL community and more broadly with our partners. If you are interested in connecting with Islington Council, please contact Amy Lightstone, Head of Engagement and Operations (London), UCL London Office.
Photo credits: James Tye Photography