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School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences
  1. School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences
  2. Industry Engagement
  3. Industrial Advisory Board

Industrial Advisory Board

SBBS Industrial Advisory Board

The board of advisors provides peer reviews for the research projects, reading and commenting outputs in particular. The advisors also help establish contacts with policymakers and practitioners.

-Membership, remit and governance (ToRs):

Terms of Reference

The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences is a collegial, interdisciplinary education,  scholarship and research space with three highly interacting Departments: Biochemistry, Biology and Psychology (https://www.qmul.ac.uk/sbbs/). The School encompasses four Research Centres (https://www.seresearch.qmul.ac.uk/centres/) that function to facilitate interactions within the School and QMUL as well with other HEIs and Industry.

The role of the Industrial Advisory Boards is to allow the exchange of ideas and interactions between the board members, the academic staff, and the students in SBBS.

  • The IAB provides an open and transparent platform for regular communication between the SBBS, its Departments and Research Centres with the Industry and Third sector.
  • The IAB makes recommendations and provides advice and support, making sure that programmes of studies are current and relevant to business, industry, and professional development practices.
  • IAB or stream-specific IABs may help to assess the labor market and the demand for certain programmes.
  • IAB may be involved in promotion and assisting with job placement for UG and PG students.
  • The function of the IAB ensures that that School receives the appropriate, timely and expert advice on the relevance of its teaching and research.

Benefits to the School include:

  • Quality maintenance and assurance of the School's undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
  • Informed advice on research activities and possible directions that can be undertaken in order to meet current or prospective industrial needs.
  • Enhancing SBBS student employability.
  • The board can advise the School on ad hoc matters identified by either by the academic staff or by the panel members.

Benefits to board members include:

  • IAB members can become Research Centre affiliates and participate in research activities, exchange/pitching of ideas towards forming alliances and networks for mutual benefit. This will also help in securing UKRI / Innovate UK funding for research projects.
  • Industrial partner's activities are known amongst staff and the students in the School.
  • Ensuring that graduates have the essential skills that are required by them as future employees.
  • Networking opportunities and collaborations with other companies within the SBBS network.
  • Access to a large, high-quality, student population to undertake a wide range of research and development projects.
  • Easy access to the extensive molecular biology/protein biochemistry/genomics equipment and other facilities such as EEG, TMS, sports and exercise lab that are available in SBBS.

IAB and SBBS interaction modes

  • Industrial Engagement or Industrial Liaison meetings.
  • Recruitment opportunities for either work experience or for graduate and professional positions - Staff from the company will be invited to participate in the various activities, and interact with interested students for career prospects and sharing experience.
  • College/Industrial Studentships - Ensure that panel members are made aware of the competitive QMUL or CDT studentship opportunities, where projects are funded jointly by a college scholarship with an industrial top up.
  • Guest lectures to be scheduled and delivered by IAB members.
  • Industrial Visit Programme supported by visits to the IAB companies.
  • Engagement of the board members with existing QM schemes (e.g., QM mentoring)? https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/work-experience/qmentoring/.
  • Prizes - Companies will support whenever possible student prizes.

Actions from the IAB

  • IAB meetings will be generating a series of proposed ideas or actionable items that will be channelled towards research Centres as well as individual streams/Departments/Programmes.
  • Proposals, advice, and potential actionable items will be considered at the Senior Executive Group and then at the Department and Centre levels towards creating and implementing a strategic school-wide plan for engaging Industry and the Third Sector for Educational, Student Employability and Research purposes.
  • Decisions and outcomes of this plan will be reported back at the corresponding IAB in due course.

Current Members:

Name Company
Lee Larcombe Apexomic
Sophie Newbould Innov8law
Nic Shakeshaft  Quodit Ltd
Bita Najafi UKRI
Sonia Ponzo Outsetwellness
Joe Mererowitx Fieldfoundry
Ibrahim Farah Apex Health
Dr Ruhena Chowdhury  RBC Clinical
Arturo Jose Mendoza Meinhardt Calla Lily Clinical Care
Sandra Machlitt-Northen GSK
Victoria Edwards Independent/Prior CEO 
David Weinkove Magnitute Biosciences
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