Collaboration, innovation, impact
In pictures: Professor Alice Gast's eight years at Imperial College London
Professor Alice Gast became President of Imperial College London in 2014. Since then, the world has changed beyond recognition. Imperial’s teaching, research and innovations have never mattered so much to society.
The College has risen to the challenge of the pandemic, delivering award-winning student education through national lockdowns while operating on the frontlines of the world’s scientific response. It has stood firm on international values in the face of Brexit and wider geopolitical uncertainty. It has spoken out, and taken action, against racial injustice. It has created a thriving innovation district at White City, strengthening British science, fuelling global business, and benefiting the local community.
As Professor Alice Gast’s eight-year term as President ends, we reflect on some of the community’s most significant moments and achievements.
Excellence for the benefit of society
I have been struck by the spirit of discovery here, the passion for research and education, the sense of purpose. At Imperial, there exists a compelling commitment to our mission to achieve enduring academic excellence and lasting benefit to society.
Opening in 2019, the molecular sciences research hub at the White City campus was the UK’s most significant scientific development since the Francis Crick Institute and the largest investment in a university building in 21st century London.
Opening in 2019, the molecular sciences research hub at the White City campus was the UK’s most significant scientific development since the Francis Crick Institute and the largest investment in a university building in 21st century London.
Thanking supporters of the Invention Rooms.
Thanking supporters of the Invention Rooms.
At the foundation stone laying ceremony for the LKC School of Medicine in 2015 with the president of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam.
At the foundation stone laying ceremony for the LKC School of Medicine in 2015 with the president of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam.
With HRH The Prince of Wales at the opening of the Surgical Innovation Centre in 2015.
With HRH The Prince of Wales at the opening of the Surgical Innovation Centre in 2015.
Michelle Donelan MP visits the Business School to learn more about the College’s COVID-safe teaching in September 2020.
Michelle Donelan MP visits the Business School to learn more about the College’s COVID-safe teaching in September 2020.
HRH The Duke of Cambridge visits Imperial to see the impact of the Heads Together campaign in the College’s Data Science Institute in 2017.
HRH The Duke of Cambridge visits Imperial to see the impact of the Heads Together campaign in the College’s Data Science Institute in 2017.
With finalists of Althea Imperial in 2015.
With finalists of Althea Imperial in 2015.
During the pandemic, members of the Imperial community volunteered to support frontline NHS staff, including a team from the Department of Chemical Engineering who worked with gin distillery Sipsmith to produce thousands of litres of hand sanitiser for local hospitals.
During the pandemic, members of the Imperial community volunteered to support frontline NHS staff, including a team from the Department of Chemical Engineering who worked with gin distillery Sipsmith to produce thousands of litres of hand sanitiser for local hospitals.
With Sir Mo Farah and family, Terry Branch, Dame Mary Archer and Professor Maggie Dallman at the 2022 Great Exhibition Road Festival.
With Sir Mo Farah and family, Terry Branch, Dame Mary Archer and Professor Maggie Dallman at the 2022 Great Exhibition Road Festival.
At the 2019 Great Exhibition Road Festival, working with Robot de Niro in the College main entrance.
At the 2019 Great Exhibition Road Festival, working with Robot de Niro in the College main entrance.
At the 2019 Great Exhibition Road Festival with Professor Roger Kneebone and visitors in the Medicine Zone.
At the 2019 Great Exhibition Road Festival with Professor Roger Kneebone and visitors in the Medicine Zone.
We are international
Our international community, our collaborations, our partnerships, and our own experiences in other cultures and places have an immeasurable and profound effect on the world.
Signing a funding agreement for a joint seed fund to support early-stage scientific ideas with Professor Chen Xu from Tsinghua University, Beijing in 2017.
Signing a funding agreement for a joint seed fund to support early-stage scientific ideas with Professor Chen Xu from Tsinghua University, Beijing in 2017.
Meeting the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, at the South Kensington campus in 2021.
Meeting the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, at the South Kensington campus in 2021.
In 2018, Joe Biden – then the 47th Vice President of the United States – visited Imperial to deliver the inaugural lecture of the Imperial Cancer Research UK Centre.
In 2018, Joe Biden – then the 47th Vice President of the United States – visited Imperial to deliver the inaugural lecture of the Imperial Cancer Research UK Centre.
At an Alumni event in Ghana in 2019.
At an Alumni event in Ghana in 2019.
With alumni at the 35th anniversary gala for the Imperial College Alumni Association of Hong Kong in 2017.
With alumni at the 35th anniversary gala for the Imperial College Alumni Association of Hong Kong in 2017.
In Dubai in 2017.
In Dubai in 2017.
With President of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Professor Wolfgang Hermann, and colleagues from Imperial and TUM. The signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2018 marked the start of a ‘flagship partnership’ between the universities.
With President of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Professor Wolfgang Hermann, and colleagues from Imperial and TUM. The signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2018 marked the start of a ‘flagship partnership’ between the universities.
Welcoming President of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, to Imperial in 2014.
Welcoming President of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, to Imperial in 2014.
At the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.
At the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.
Words from peers
Without Alice, all this innovation would never have happened. She was the perfect president at the perfect time in the perfect university. Without her, I don’t think I would have been able to launch WE Innovate as successfully as I did. She planted
the seeds for innovation: it’s a phenomenal legacy. She taught Imperial that there are many ways to be a president, and that you need diversity of thinking, thought and background. That way, you reach beyond what’s comfortable.
A university does not sit in isolation, it needs to engage with a very wide range of stakeholders. Philanthropic support is a clear indication to the world that it has been found worthy of recognition to the point of financial support. The university has made very important connections with local communities. Alice has attracted the attention of significant donors and focused on student welfare.
As an inspiring leader at Imperial, MIT and beyond, Alice has opened up countless opportunities for faculty and researchers to forge new connections and explore new frontiers. I am deeply grateful for her partnership and for all she has done for academic excellence.
I don’t think I would have done this if Alice had not been President. She felt the project would be successful – and she knew that Imperial could not achieve its goals without philanthropic support.
Alice gets people to work together across the board, on the big sciences. She’s broken barriers within the university to enable large-scale interdisciplinary projects to happen.
The Imperial community
We are here for each other and, as a thriving community, we can find the best way to navigate an uncertain future.
Presenting the President’s Medal for Excellence in Culture and Community to the co-Chairs of Imperial As One – the College’s staff network for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff.
Presenting the President’s Medal for Excellence in Culture and Community to the co-Chairs of Imperial As One – the College’s staff network for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff.
Awarding medals and trophies at the 2016 Varsity tournament at Heston sports ground.
Awarding medals and trophies at the 2016 Varsity tournament at Heston sports ground.
With the late Professor James Stirling, Imperial's first Provost, at RAG Week 2015.
With the late Professor James Stirling, Imperial's first Provost, at RAG Week 2015.
Meeting with Olympian Sir Mo Farah at a special event during the 2022 Great Exhibition Road Festival
Meeting with Olympian Sir Mo Farah at a special event during the 2022 Great Exhibition Road Festival
With Judy and David Dangoor meeting community members at the Dangoor Reachout Makerspace at the Invention Rooms.
With Judy and David Dangoor meeting community members at the Dangoor Reachout Makerspace at the Invention Rooms.
The President’s Awards for Excellence and the Imperial Garden Party celebrates staff and students who have made vital contributions to the College over the previous year.
The President’s Awards for Excellence and the Imperial Garden Party celebrates staff and students who have made vital contributions to the College over the previous year.
Graduation ceremonies for Imperial have taken place in the Royal Albert Hall for over 60 years. Commemoration Day and Postgraduate Graduation provide an important opportunity to recognise the achievements of students and staff.
Graduation ceremonies for Imperial have taken place in the Royal Albert Hall for over 60 years. Commemoration Day and Postgraduate Graduation provide an important opportunity to recognise the achievements of students and staff.
A regular fixture in the summer calendar since its 2019 launch, the Great Exhibition Road Festival brings members of the public in their tens of thousands to South Kensington each year
A regular fixture in the summer calendar since its 2019 launch, the Great Exhibition Road Festival brings members of the public in their tens of thousands to South Kensington each year
The Techtonics a capella group performing at the Garden Party
The Techtonics a capella group performing at the Garden Party
Launched in November 2021, the Dangoor Plaza at South Kensington campus is a popular a green space for the Imperial community to gather.
Launched in November 2021, the Dangoor Plaza at South Kensington campus is a popular a green space for the Imperial community to gather.
Enabling philanthropy
Our strong foundation and compelling opportunities to make a difference, have inspired some wonderful philanthropists to make our ideas a reality... With their support, we can discover, invent, collaborate and take risks.
With Alexsis de Raadt St. James.
With Alexsis de Raadt St. James.
With alumnus Marit Mohn at the launch of the Invention Rooms in 2019.
With alumnus Marit Mohn at the launch of the Invention Rooms in 2019.
HWith the late Sir Michael Uren at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sir Michael Uren Research hub at the White City Campus in 2017.
HWith the late Sir Michael Uren at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sir Michael Uren Research hub at the White City Campus in 2017.
With Hassan and Fady Jameel from the Jameel Institute at its launch event in 2019.
With Hassan and Fady Jameel from the Jameel Institute at its launch event in 2019.
Student callers taking part in the Student Telethon campaign in 2015.
Student callers taking part in the Student Telethon campaign in 2015.
Hosting presidential salons focused on public health in 2019.
Hosting presidential salons focused on public health in 2019.
With Brahmal Vasudevan and family, Professor Nigel Brandon, Heather Williamson and Professor Paul Robinson at the launch of the Brahmal Vasudevan Institute for Sustainable Aviation in May 2022.
With Brahmal Vasudevan and family, Professor Nigel Brandon, Heather Williamson and Professor Paul Robinson at the launch of the Brahmal Vasudevan Institute for Sustainable Aviation in May 2022.
Professor Neil Alford breaks the ground for the new School of Public Health building at the White City Campus.
Professor Neil Alford breaks the ground for the new School of Public Health building at the White City Campus.
Judy Dangoor and David Dangoor meeting staff at the Dangoor Reachout Makerspace at the Invention Rooms.
Judy Dangoor and David Dangoor meeting staff at the Dangoor Reachout Makerspace at the Invention Rooms.
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Photography by:
Thomas Angus, Fergus Burnett and Dan Weill
Built with Shorthand