Imperial has announced a new partnership with Times Newspapers Ltd, including a year-long programme of activity led by students.

Bringing together the expertise of the world top ten university and one of Britain’s oldest and most influential newspapers, the partnership will seek to stimulate debate, provoke curiosity and explore the future of science, technology and culture. 

We’re very excited about this partnership and the potential it has to benefit the student community at Imperial. Rob Tomkies ICU President

The media partnership will include debates and panel discussions featuring leading Times journalists, special guests, and Imperial students, talking about a wide range of issues concerning science, culture and communication. 

Imperial students will have the opportunity to spend time in the Times offices, where they can learn about journalism and wider communications issues by talking directly with the newspaper’s staff and some of its leading commentators. 

All students and staff at the College will be given a free subscription to The Times and Sunday Times as part of the partnership. Individual emails containing a unique URL to redeem this offer will be sent out by the College early next week.

Talks are also under way about how the Times will be involved in the 2019 Great Exhibition Road Festival at the end of June next year. The Festival will see Imperial collaborate with some of the world’s most iconic museums and institutions to deliver a free weekend of discovery fusing art, science, technology and curiosity.

Emma Tucker, Deputy Editor of The Times, said: “The Times and The Sunday Times are delighted to partner with Imperial College London to promote our shared belief that it has never been more important for young people to develop a breadth of knowledge and to stay up to date with the news."  

Rob Tomkies, President of Imperial College Union, said: "We’re very excited about this partnership and the potential it has to benefit the student community at Imperial. The free subscription is a great offer, but we also see this relationship as a way of exploring the broader issues around journalism, communication and culture - empowering people to lead and communicate in all fields not just their scientific specialism." 

The partnership will also involve a Student Ambassador scheme in which five students will be specially selected by The Times to help drive, promote and encourage participation in the programme of activity throughout the year. 

Andy Djaba, current Editor of Imperial’s student newspaper Felix, will be closely involved with the ambassador scheme. He said: "We have a lot of very engaged, switched on students here who are enthusiastic about journalism. Having the opportunity to work with the Times to understand issues affecting journalism today is a great opportunity. The ambassador scheme, and having access to some of the UK’s best journalists, will all help. We are going through a period when real news and real expertise are under a lot of threat, so this partnership comes at a particularly appropriate moment."