What’s the story behind the college?
It goes back centuries: in fact, it’s been on the same site in Camden since being founded in 1791. It was the first veterinary school in the English-speaking world, and remains the UK’s largest and only independent school, as part of the University of London.
We teach veterinary medicine, nursing and biosciences, while our research programme has particular strength in veterinary epidemiology, economics and public health, and clinical research for improved health of companion animals. The College runs veterinary clinical services which provide students with a ‘teaching hospital’ environment, including a first opinion practice available to local Camden residents.
Tell us about your own role.
My title is Head of Knowledge Transfer and Impact – which is understood within the university sector, but otherwise sounds a bit obscure. My role is to support our research scientists in developing collaborations with companies who can turn their ideas into products that will benefit animal – and human – health, and make an impact from our research.
What hopes do you have for the growth of the Knowledge Quarter?
The redevelopment of the King’s Cross area has been tremendous – and very good news for London BioScience Innovation Centre, which is the incubator for bioscience businesses that’s owned and managed by RVC. St Pancras International is enormously valuable to help our company clients to entertain and to visit their European customers without the time and disruption of reaching the London airports. The proximity of the Francis Crick Institute is another major draw for our clients.
Which artefact, institution or cultural space in the area do you enjoy most?
The churchyard of St Pancras Old Church provides both an unexpectedly quiet oasis and monuments with nuggets of historical interest.
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We often hear that ‘knowledge is power’. What other word or phrase would you say knowledge is?
An enabler. “Knowledge is power” is often used in a negative or exclusive sense – to deny access to knowledge is to render powerless. But knowledge can be a positive power, an enabler to progress and do things better. Or it may simply offer personal satisfaction through greater understanding and appreciation.
