Provost's view

We can continue UCL’s vital tradition of bold ideas that challenge society to change for the better, such as the work of Dr Kaitlyn Regehr, Associate Professor of Digital Humanities, on digital literacy and ensuring algorithms and AI help rather than harm, which she presented at our New York launch event. At that same event, Professor Erin Delaney, Director of the Global Centre for Democratic Constitutionalism, described how the centre is helping to reverse the worldwide retreat of democratic values.

We can ensure that AI works better for everyone: from informing and guiding human judgement to deploying AI to support organisations delivering social good. At our Paris launch event at Le Cercle de l'Union Interalliée, Angela Aristidou, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the UCL School of Management, and Benjamin Guedj, Professor of Machine Learning and Foundational AI at the UCL Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Department of Computer Science, spoke about the transformative power of AI.

And we can tackle the defining health challenges of our age. Dr Cath Mummery, head of novel therapeutics at the UCL Dementia Research Centre, highlighted UCL’s global leadership in neurogenetic therapies for Alzheimer’s at our event launching Here, It will happen in Beijing and Hong Kong.

Of course, much of our vital work is made possible by the generosity of our donors. Back in London, I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the Gower Street Circle, to celebrate and thank those visionary individuals who have chosen to include UCL in their wills. I feel deeply proud that they trust UCL to carry out the work that is so important to them, whether that is making medical breakthroughs that will benefit millions, exploring the depths of space or shaping the landscape of contemporary art. It was inspiring to see this community gathered with a shared commitment to the progressive values of knowledge for good that underpin both Here, it will happen and UCL itself.

And last, but by no means least, I am excited to launch our inaugural Alumni Awards. As we celebrate our bicentenary year, we’re also celebrating you. Almost every day I hear of UCL graduates making exciting things happen in so many ways, locally and globally: academia to entrepreneurship, creativity to healthcare. I hope that our three awards categories, Discovery, Global Impact and Citizens, will not just highlight our alumni’s achievements but also inspire others across the wider UCL community. Please nominate yourself or a friend: nominations close on 30 June 2026.

Already, our 200^th year has been truly memorable, and there is so much more to come. I hope that you’ll feel proud to stand with us as we all harness that ambition and make it happen, wherever we are in the world.