Professor Andrew George, head of the Graduate School moves on

After 21 years at the College, Professor Andrew George, head of the Graduate School, is moving onto a senior role at Brunel University.

Andrew George started at the College as a lecturer in the Royal Postgraduate Medical School (RPMS), rising to Professor of Molecular Immunology. He moved to South Kensington to head up the Graduate School and the School of Professional Development. He is leaving at the end of the month to take up a new role of Vice Principal (Education & International) at Brunel University.

What are you most proud of?

At Imperial I am very proud of the developments in the Graduate School and the School of Professional Development – down to the commitment of so many people. However, I think what I will be most proud of are the students that I have been involved with as a lecturer, tutor or supervisor. When I look at my book shelves with the students’ theses on it I have strong memories of them, what they achieved in their time with me and what they have gone on to.

Who are the most memorable people you have met during your career?

Probably my colleagues. I have enjoyed working with a diverse range of scientists, mathematicians, chemists, clinicians and engineers – all of whom bring their own insight and perspective on issues. When I first started at Imperial I joined a group that met on Thursday evenings to critique each other’s grant applications. Perhaps not surprisingly it was tough when the group contained people like Mark Walport (now Chief Scientific Officer), John Savill (Head of MRC) and Robert Lechler (Vice Principal at King’s) – all knighted for services to science!

What have you done outside the College?

One of the fun things about being an academic is that you get to do a range of things outside the ‘day job’. For me a large part of that has been research ethics. I was chair of the Hammersmith Research Ethics Committee for 10 years, and now chair the national body that provides ethical oversight to the NHS ethics committees. It has been a challenge to try and make sure that research participants are protected, while facilitating ethical research.

What are your future plans?

I am very excited by the opportunity of joining Brunel. On my visits to it I have been impressed with its ambition and its friendliness. I am looking forward to helping build their international strategy as well as develop their education offer. There are many similarities between Imperial and Brunel – both have a ‘can do’ attitude and want to produce people who are productive and useful to society. But there are also many differences, and I look forward to being in a new environment that will stretch me in different ways to Imperial.