¹û¶³Ó°Ôº

Dear colleagues,

I have been here for just under a month and I have enjoyed settling into both ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº and London more generally. I have been treated to a comprehensive induction programme as I learn more about how ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº operates, and where we might focus for a future strategy process.

I’m very grateful to everyone who has contacted me already and shared your thoughts and ideas for ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº, and encourage you to keep sending ideas and suggestions through.

2020 was an incredibly tough year for all of us, andÌý2021 is certainly proving to be just as challenging so far. I’m impressed how you have managed, and are managing, during the pandemic. Whether you’re involved in teaching or supporting students, in research, in the day to day operational running of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº (whether remotely or on site) or in any of hundreds of other jobs that keep us running – I’d also like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you.Ìý

I’m pleased to see that Michelle Donelan, Minister of State for Universities, shares my views of the value of the work that our staff are doing: the Minister has written to university staff thanking them for everything they are doing during the pandemic, and I’m sharing a link to that letter here.

In the coming weeks, I will be visiting Faculty Boards and Divisions to hear more about your work, and your priorities for the future. Then later in the term, I am planning to hold a series of Town Hall events for staff and students, to understand more about your experience of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº and answer your questions. I hope you will be able to join me then; details to follow shortly.

In the meantime, if you would like to contact me directly, please feel free to email me atÌýmichael.spence@ucl.ac.uk.Ìý

With best wishes,
Dr Michael Spence
¹û¶³Ó°Ôº President & Provost