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Spotlight on... Morgan Williams

9 June 2022

This week Morgan, Communications Manager for the Vice-Provost (Health) Office, talks to us about the latest news from Project Oriel, rediscovering classic children's literature, and the record that started his lifelong love of music.

Morgan Williams

What is your role and what does it involve?

I’m a Communications Manager working with the Vice-Provost (Health) team. I spend a lot of time collaborating with our NHS partners as well as supporting the Office in its internal co-ordination of health research and cross-cutting initiatives in biomedicine.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I’ve been at UCL for 9 years. This is, by far, the longest I’ve worked anywhere - I have a permanent, and very vocal reminder of just how long it is as my daughter was born shortly after I started.      

What working achievement or, initiative are you most proud of?

Some of the projects I work on take years to complete and involve colleagues from across the whole of UCL. Seeing these projects finished after so much collective effort and care is amazing.

The recent completion of the Pears Building, a joint project between UCL, the Royal Free, and the Royal Free Charity and home to the UCL Institute of Institute of Immunity and Transplantation is something everyone involved should be proud of.

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list

There’s a lot happening with Oriel at the moment including the Mayor of London approving the plans. It’s a really exciting project that will bring major academic and clinical benefits for people living with sight loss. I’m working closely with colleagues from Moorfields and across UCL on this at the moment.

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

I have a crippling record buying habit so it’s hard to pick one. But I’ll go for It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy which, in true revolutionary style, I initially borrowed on cassette from my local library – probably using my Mum’s library card.

Point Blank (the 1967 movie with Lee Marvin)

I’m rereading lots of books with my kids and I’m currently terrifying them with The Owl Service by Alan Garner. So, that’s my new favourite.

What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?

A cowboy asked me if I could help him round up 18 cows.

I said, ‘Yes, of course. That’s 20 cows.’

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Kool Keith, Sun Ra, Patti Smith, Alice Coltrane, Delia Derbyshire, George Clinton, Lee “Scratch” Perry.

What advice would you give your younger self?

You don’t always have to be the last to leave.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

That I ever went out.

What is your favourite place?  

Cities in general. New York in particular.