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It is wonderful to welcome everyone to this new academic year. For the first time in quite some years, we are beginning the year with a new, and still relatively unknown, government. It has been good to hear warm words from incoming ministers about the value of universities, and I have been especially reassured by the recognition coming from key Cabinet figures of the we are fortunate to attract. Ìý

As was expected, there has also been a clear message of constraint in a tough environment. It is plain that the government understands the funding challenges universities are facing, but equally plain that there is no easy funding tap to be turned on. ÌýÌý

In this environment, then, we will need to continue to plan and prioritise prudently, recognising that we cannot do everything we would like to do, but equally recognising that we need to invest in our staff, in the experience of our students, and in our academic ambitions. Ìý

As I have said before (but it bears repeating), our fundamental priority has to be supporting and investing in the people who make Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê what it is: by improving pay by investing over £110million over four years through our pay and reward strategy, by developing exceptional opportunities and experiences for students, and by improving our digital and physical infrastructure so that working and studying here is smoother and easier and, most crucially, accessible for all. Over the coming year, in line with our Strategic Plan, we will see progress on these issues and will be sharing further updates about these in next month’s Staff Town Hall. In the coming months, and in line with our Estates Masterplan’s progress, we will see work begin to make major improvements in the Quad, with a new layout that will improve accessibility and create new areas for socialising and other activities. Ìý

We are also starting the new academic year with a renewed focus on loudly and proudly making the case for universities: celebrating what we do, the impact it has and the values that underpin it all. As part of that, this week and last, I have been attending the Conservative and Labour party conferences, along with a number of academic colleagues from Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê, to ensure that the range and quality of our activities and what we need from government to help us maximise the value the UK reaps from that is properly understood. I also continue to engage with current and potential philanthropic supporters as we grow our fundraising and prepare for our next campaign. Ìý

This term, I will be joining colleagues as we send delegations to some of our key international markets in India, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Europe to keep our relationships with partners, supporters and alumni strong and growing and to reinforce our profile amongst prospective students; the latter is particularly important in a fiercely competitive global market for the best students. Ìý

In this competitive landscape, how we differentiate ourselves over and above other institutions and communicate what makes us unique, exciting and attractive is a pressing issue, and developing that ‘brand narrative’ will be a big strand of work this year, with opportunities to contribute. Related to this, our bicentenary in 2026 is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate everything that makes Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê exceptional and to explore both our history and our ambitions for the university we want to become over the next 200 years. I will come back to these themes in future messages. Ìý

Underpinning all our activities over this new academic year must be our ability to have open and ongoing conversations about the experience of working and studying at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê, where the challenges and frustrations lie, what opportunities excite us and which of our ambitions we want to prioritise, recognising that we cannot do everything. We will launch a new staff survey later this term, always a useful exercise to take the temperature of our community and identify recurring issues, as well as a survey with UniForum that will more specifically allow us to assess the effectiveness of our services. Our termly Town Halls are another opportunity for discussion, and, as mentioned above, the next takes place on 5 November, so please sign up to join us. Ìý

Our ability to have challenging conversations in a constructive and collegiate way will, I am sure, continue to be vital over the coming year. Freedom of speech, being able to ask difficult questions and challenge accepted understandings is core to any university. Equally, being comfortable with different opinions and engaging with each other in a way that recognises our shared humanity even if we strongly disagree, is fundamental to being a diverse community in which everyone can thrive. Sometimes balancing these two values can be complex but, while we are not perfect, we are largely good at living comfortably with disagreement, and we will continue to strive to develop this crucial life skill in our students and in the wider society of which we are part. On that topic, our next Disagreeing Well event is taking place on 23 October in the Bloomsbury Theatre, and is now sold out, but you can still sign up for the live stream. Ìý

As ever, throughout the coming year I ask you to support one another. Conflict across the globe right now remains a source of great pain and anxiety for very many people in our community. I want to remind everyone of support available for those who need it.

I always welcome people getting in touch with me, whether on these or any other topics, or with suggestions of themes you would like to see explored in future messages. Please write to president.provost@ucl.ac.uk.

I hope everyone will have a great year.

Yours
Michael

Dr Michael Spence
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê President & Provost