The proposal to create a new School structure in Queen Mary’s Faculty of Science and Engineering has recently been approved by Senate and Council.
The new structure will involve merging the School of Physics and Astronomy with the Department of Chemistry to create two new Schools; the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences and the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences.
This change officially comes into effect on 1 August 2021, however there will a transition year until Summer 2022 as both Schools continue to take shape. Workstreams have already been established to support the new Schools to develop their approaches and there will continue to be opportunities during the year for colleagues within these schools to contribute to these discussions.
It is anticipated that the new structure will enable greater interdisciplinary working across the Faculty enhancing both education and research activity, building on the success of existing cross-School collaborations such as the spin-out company Chromosol Ltd led by Professor William Gillin (School of Physical and Chemical Sciences) and Dr Peter Wyatt (School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences).
Professor Peter Hobson, Head of the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, said: “We’re excited to merge the Department of Chemistry with the School of Physics and Astronomy so we can build on Queen Mary’s internationally recognised strengths in the fields of Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy and continue to realise our potential in these areas with ambitious future development plans.”
Professor Richard Pickersgill, Head of the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, said: “Establishing a new School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences will support us to develop our world-leading research and education in biological sciences and in behavioural psychology, whilst retaining existing strong links between Chemists and the Biological Sciences through cross-school collaboration.”
Vice-Principal for Science and Engineering, Professor Wen Wang, said: “I am delighted that these new Schools have come into effect and would like to thank all colleagues who have contributed to our efforts so far. I firmly believe that this new School structure within Science and Engineering will enable us to build on our many strengths and enable us to compete more effectively both nationally and internationally.”