Imperial has a vision:
to shape the future and be a force for good in the world. How to get there? By daring to dream, and setting out a plan to discover, create, explain and transform.
It’s one thing to be a world-leading university. It’s quite another to be a world-changing one. That’s why, a year ago, Imperial staff, students, stakeholders and alumni came together to discuss, debate, challenge and finally agree on just how the university intends to make that difference.
“We needed to do this, because we are a wonderful community of problem solvers,” says Professor Hugh Brady, President, “and because we compete successfully with the top ten research universities in the world – despite having much shallower pockets.”
After all, if you want to change the world, says Professor Mary Ryan, Vice Provost for Research and Enterprise, you have to acknowledge that the world is changing – very quickly. “It’s a time to take stock and think about who we are and what we are for. We have a longstanding mission to deliver benefit to society: what does that mean in a global context in 2024? What will that mean for universities in 2040? How do we navigate changes and stay attuned to our principles? How do we position ourselves to be the voice that continues to speak truth? And – this is so important – how do we bring everyone with us? This is about leveraging every part of Imperial’s strength to make the world a better place. And we want everyone to be part of it.”
The result of this university-wide consultation is Science for Humanity, which sets out a new strategy for Imperial (in an admirably succinct 20 pages) by asking and answering a very simple question: how do we maximise our potential as a force for good in the world?
That question, Brady says, has enabled Imperial’s community to deep dive into just what makes the university so different – and so special: “Our secret sauce, if you like!” Brady highlights the key factors: Imperial’s rare focus on both STEM and business; its longstanding ease with interdisciplinary working; its emphasis on innovation; and its London location. “It’s a phenomenally exciting set of ingredients to play with.”
Out of these ingredients have come the nine big plays that make up Science for Humanity. They’re all ambitious, they’re all practical, and they’re all happening right now.
Bringing expertise together
First up: the world’s biggest challenges – from climate change to infectious disease – are all deeply interconnected, and consequently require cross-disciplinary thinking to solve. So four new Schools of Convergence Science will be created, bringing different and deep disciplinary expertise together to create the biggest possible societal impact in: human and artificial intelligence; health, MedTech and robotics; climate, energy and sustainability; and space, security and telecommunications.
“We use the word ‘impact’ a lot in the higher education sector, and sometimes we use it nebulously,” says Ryan. “We’ve tried to think what we actually mean by impact. And from an Imperial perspective and from Science for Humanity’s perspective, it means having a positive effect on people’s lives.”
But these life-enhancing ideas need to be spread, to be created, to be translated – so Imperial Innovates will scale up its existing ecosystem even further.
The Imperial WestTech Corridor will become a world-leading hub for entrepreneurship and tech advancement, while the Imperial Institute of Extended Learning will enhance innovation ecosystems with advanced skills and leadership training for businesses, individuals and knowledge organisations.
Imperial Global will create convening points across the world to bring in yet more ideas, talent and innovation. And to ensure the university practices what it preaches, Sustainable Imperial will set a global benchmark for university sustainability.
Of course, Imperial will need to continue to attract the brightest minds from across the world: that’s where the Imperial Inspires scholarship programme comes in. Once this next generation of innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs has arrived, the Imperial Class of 2030 programme will encourage, skill up and inspire them. As they enter their early careers, the Imperial Future Leaders Academy will provide them with sector-leading opportunities.
None of this would be possible without what’s already there. “These concepts of strong disciplines and cross-disciplinary working at scale are really a USP for Imperial,” says Professor Ian Walmsley, Provost. “We’re about fostering the sense and spirit of entrepreneurial activity, whether that’s in your own research or in delivering outside work. That’s what the strategy is essentially about: us doing that here and out in the world, reaching out to new groups, and harnessing those for the larger benefit.”
The strategy's
nine big plays
are ambitious,
practical and
they're all
happening now
Indeed, Brady is keen to point out that while Science for Humanity is far-reaching and ambitious, it also recognises those things that Imperial already does brilliantly, and that won’t change at all.
We will continue to invest in research areas where impact is less obvious. For example, pure mathematics and theoretical physics are meritorious in their own right. The way they approach problem-solving is also incredibly important for the multidisciplinary mix we will create. And you can’t do cross-cutting like that unless you have incredibly strong, independent academic departments like ours.”
Walmsley sees the new strategy as enhancing the vibrancy of Imperial’s intellectual environment: the new scholarship will bring in new groups of students, he points out; cross-disciplinary teaching and thinking will enable them to learn in a whole new way; and faculty will be able to discuss a multitude of big problems and challenges with colleagues from different disciplines.
“That, I’m sure, is how significant new ideas will emerge.”
How will its success be measured? With scorecards, rankings, surveys, patent numbers, and startup numbers, naturally, but also via less tangible factors that are hard to measure – but unmistakable when you’re in the room with them.
“For me, success would mean that Imperial continues to grow in this intellectual vibrancy that attracts people,” says Walmsley.
“That people want to come to Imperial because they see this as an exciting place where they can explore their ideas. They’ll know that they will find like-minded individuals who can help drive their work and their thinking, and that their work will have impact outside their immediate laboratory. It will mean that people in institutions around the world will say that Imperial is a good place to be.”
This strategy will
allow us to do together what we can’t do individually.
Now the hard work begins to make sure that Science for Humanity fulfils its promise. The biggest challenge is, of course, funding. “There is a vast gap between what we receive on an annual basis, and what superbly endowed US universities and the emerging powerhouses of Asia with very strong government support receive,” says Brady.
“Now we have our strategy, we will focus on our philanthropic ambitions. I have been very encouraged by alumni urging us to do this. They are incredibly proud of their alma mater, and they want us to continue to be successful.
“In strategy, as in science, there is no easy prophecy and no shortcut to progress,” Brady points out. “But what worthwhile endeavour was ever easy? This strategy will allow us to do together what we can’t do individually.
“I remember one meeting where the students pointed out that they were worried: about pandemics, the economy, the climate, sustainability. They said: ‘We want a strategy that gives us hope.’ And Science for Humanity does that. It will make a difference. We will make a difference. I’m excited by it and I’m excited by the response to it, by our community urging us to go the extra mile. It’s already opened new conversations. It’s a message that is really resonating with students, staff and partners, and alumni."
"We have the toolkit. We have the ingredients. Because really, if Imperial can’t do it, then who can?”
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