Celebrating Anthony Smith: a champion for education and inclusion at UCL

[Image at top: Professor Anthony Smith and the then-Women's Officer for Students' Union UCL, Abeni Adeyemi, officially opening UCL's Student Centre in February 2019]

Professor Smith's unwavering dedication to improving the student experience and his passion for fostering a supportive academic environment have transformed our university community. His vision and commitment have left a lasting legacy at UCL, inspiring educational excellence and innovation for years to come.

Smith’s academic journey began at the University of Bath’s Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, where he earned his PhD and later served as a lecturer. Under his leadership as Principal and Dean, the School of Pharmacy at the University of London merged with UCL in 2012, under the Faculty of Life Sciences. This merger placed the school at the heart of Europe’s largest biomedical research hub and showcased Smith's visionary approach to integrated education, paving the way for his impactful tenure as Vice-Provost.

A Student-Centred education...

Smith’s vision helped lead to the creation of UCL's iconic Student Centre in 2019, a landmark demonstrating his commitment to a supportive educational environment. "It was something at the heart of the campus," Smith remarked. “It's a place of sanctuary, always open, and there's always someone there to support you.”

He envisioned the Student Centre as a one-stop shop for student support, saying, “We talked with students about what they wanted and listened.” This approach ensured the Centre was not just a building but a reflection of UCL’s founding principle: Open to everyone.

I am no stranger to the Student Centre, having spent much of my Master's taking Zoom calls in the study rooms, working late into the night with my flatmate on our thesis, or meeting up with the hiking club. The space not only provided a conducive environment for my academic pursuits but also fostered a sense of community and support during my studies.

More than just a functional space, the Student Centre serves as an aesthetic and symbolic landmark, reflecting UCL’s ethos of continual self-challenge. It houses significant art pieces, such as Bouke de Vries’ "Fragments of Memory" in the Japanese Garden, which features fractured Arita soy bottles symbolizing the power of resilience and the beauty of healing. This installation, unveiled in 2022, commemorates the strength UCL’s community showed during the Covid-19 pandemic and highlights UCL’s rich history with Japan.

In an article featuring the sculpture’s unveiling, Smith wrote, “What makes it even more compelling is how Bouke has worked with UCL academics to create a work that not only acknowledges our historic links with Japan but also speaks to modern-day challenges.”

Additionally, the building’s sustainable design, featuring ground-source heating and cooling systems, underscores Smith’s dedication to environmental responsibility and aligns with the community's broader commitment to sustainability. His pride in the Student Centre is evident as it was the first building on campus to reopen after the Covid-19 lockdown, serving as a sanctuary for students during a challenging period. He emphasised its importance in providing a stable and supportive environment for those returning to campus life.

Leading through crisis: Responding to the pandemic

Reflecting on the pandemic, Smith said, "One of the things I'm proud of is how we, as a community, came together in response to Covid-19.”

A commitment to student voices was a hallmark of his approach during this time: "We talk about the ‘student voice’ as if it's one thing, but there's a huge diversity of voices," he remarked, underscoring the necessity of listening to a wide range of perspectives.

Smith and his team met daily during the pandemic, ensuring continuous support for students and staff. This rigorous schedule maintained communication and responsiveness, with constant dialogue with student leaders shaping the university’s response to the crisis.

These meetings went beyond gathering feedback; they addressed immediate concerns, from transitioning to online learning and exams to ensuring accessible mental health support. "We wanted every decision informed by the real-time experiences of our students," Smith explained.

Smith’s leadership during the pandemic was uniquely marked by his daily Twitter updates, which kept the UCL community informed, connected, and uplifted. 

"Throughout the 100 days of lockdown, I tweeted daily about what I was doing," he shared. His updates, often featuring selfies from his balcony with a cheerful smile, a coffee cup, or his kitchen desk, brought solidarity and positivity to the university during challenging times.

Listening to student voices

“By definition, education is all about students... they should be in every part of what we do,” Smith explained. His student-centered approach led to initiatives such as the Student ChangeMakers programme, inspired by the volunteer “Games Makers” of the 2012 London Olympics. This programme empowered students to propose and lead projects aimed at improving their education and overall experience.

Recognising the need for a balanced approach that values both research and education, Smith reformed the promotion criteria for academic staff. This new framework ensured that a commitment to student education became a threshold criterion for career advancement, promoting an inclusive culture where teaching is valued as highly as research.

This focus on students also drove efforts to improve assessment and feedback processes. "We trained students to advise the academics on how to do a better job," Smith recounted. This initiative was part of a broader strategy to ensure that students were more than passive recipients of education but active participants in shaping their learning experiences.

Championing diversity and inclusion

As UCL’s LGBTQ+ Senior Champion, Anthony Smith has been a vocal advocate for creating an inclusive environment where everyone can feel welcome, and he emphasised the importance of trust and kindness in fostering an inclusive atmosphere. His efforts have been instrumental in promoting diversity and ensuring that UCL remains open to everyone, reflecting the university’s guiding principle. "Whether you're a student or a member of staff, you want to be able to bring your whole self to the university," Smith said.
Smith’s dedication to inclusivity extends beyond personal identity to creating a culture of trust and respect. He highlighted the importance of creating an environment where people feel safe to disclose aspects of their identity without fear of discrimination.

Smith's leadership has served as a role model, demonstrating that it is possible to have a successful academic career while being open about one’s identity. As Smith noted, "Early career professionals and students can see that there's a senior figure at the university who is an out gay man, who has had a university career, and it's been great." In April, Smith celebrated a personal milestone by marrying Michael, his partner of sixteen years. His openness and success inspire others to be their authentic selves while pursuing their careers at UCL.

UCL Academy and engagement with the wider community

UCL involvement with the UCL Academy has significantly enhanced its community engagement. Involved with the Academy for the past 12 years, Smith highlights this initiative as a reflection of UCL's commitment to expanding educational opportunities and fostering local connections. The Academy bridges the university's resources and expertise to secondary education, ensuring students from diverse backgrounds have access to high-quality learning experiences.

As UCL Academy’s Chair of Trustees, Smith emphasised, "Education should not be confined within the walls of the university but should extend to benefit the broader community." The UCL Academy aims to inspire and support students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to pursue higher education. By providing a robust curriculum and opportunities for collaboration with UCL researchers and students, the Academy promotes educational equity and excellence.

Legacy and future plans

Smith’s legacy will endure through the programmes he has championed and the culture of inclusivity he fostered. "One of the things I’m proudest of is the way we’ve managed to engage with a broad diversity of student voices," he noted. This focus on inclusivity will continue to shape UCL’s educational approach.

As he transitions into retirement, Smith plans to stay connected with UCL by contributing to the university’s bicentenary celebrations in 2026 – “The big 200!” as he put it. He looks forward to supporting UCL through advisory roles and strategic projects that align with his vision for inclusive and transformative education, and is enthusiastic about the bicentenary, stating, "I'm looking forward to being involved and continuing to support UCL in whatever capacity I can." His dedication to the university remains unwavering, and he aims to use his experience to further UCL’s mission.

Anthony Smith’s tenure at UCL is marked by a strong commitment to student education, innovative leadership, and a passion for diversity and inclusion. His transformative work has set a high standard for future generations of educators and leaders at UCL. As the university moves forward, his contributions will continue to inspire and guide its path toward excellence. 

Here's to a future as impactful as the legacy he leaves behind!

Meet VPEE Student Journalist, Caroline: 

Caroline Coyer began her multimedia journalism career in New York City and recently completed an MFA in Creative Documentary at UCL, where she also works as a Student Journalist for UCL News. She was recently awarded as a UCL Student Champion, chosen to represent our PG community. She has produced content for the New York Post and The English National Ballet and served as a lead producer for the Chief of Stuff podcast and magazine. Her personal documentary work delves into criminal justice, women's health, and the artistic process. Now, as a freelance journalist and producer in London, she is eager to explore stories at the intersection of arts, health, and technology.