University of Chicago signs new science and innovation partnership with Imperial College London

The agreement formalises ties between two of the world’s leading research universities, focusing on capabilities in security, resilience, and allied fields

The University of Chicago (@UChicago) has increased its global ties by signing a new agreement with Imperial College London (@imperialcollege), deepening the University’s connections in the science and innovation ecosystem of the U.K and leveraging the London presence of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.The Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Chicago and the Institute for Security Science and Technology (ISST) at Imperial College London, signed this summer, focuses on furthering expertise and capabilities in security, resilience and allied fields. It will build collaborative research and education work in three main areas:

• Next Generation Secure Communications: techniques and systems to enable secure communications in future infrastructure settings.
• AI and Machine Learning for Science: investigating the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for the purpose of progressing insights in fundamental science.
• Resilience and Networks for Crises Planning and Response: Establishing networks of expertise in resilience, scenario modelling and threat analysis for large-scale global crises and security events.

The partnership also offers access to Imperial’s new innovation ecosystem dedicated to looking at the next generation of solutions for security and defence problems. This ecosystem includes government partners such as NATO and the UK’s Ministry of Defence, industry partners such as Northrup Grumman, Airbus, and Rolls Royce, plus security-related startups.The collaboration is led by Professor Deeph Chana, co-director of the Institute for Security Science and Technology at Imperial, and Professor Juan de Pablo, UChicago Vice President for National Laboratories,

Science Strategy, Innovation, and Global Initiatives, Professor Deeph Chana said:

“I am particularly happy to be signing this MoU with the University of Chicago which strengthens the relationship we established some time ago. The challenges we face in security and resilience are international in nature and require international collaboration if we are to solve them. We very much look forward to working more closely with our colleagues in Chicago.”

Professor Washington Ochieng, co-director of the Institute for Security Science and Technology (ISST), Imperial College London said:

“The work of the ISST and the rest of Imperial will benefit hugely from this connection to the University of Chicago. The two universities are recognised leaders in the areas of secure communications, resilience, infrastructure, AI and ML, and we see exciting things to come under the new agreement.”

Professor Juan de Pablo, Vice President for National Laboratories, Science Strategy, Innovation, and Global Initiatives at the University of Chicago said:

“Tackling grand challenges in security, resilience, and defense requires deep collaboration across institutions and across borders. We are thrilled to be joining the ISST’s network, bringing the University’s strengths in science, innovation, policy and business to such an eminent institution as Imperial College London. Already our institutional partnership is bearing fruit and we look forward to a very successful collaboration.”