History and news
History of Imperial
Founded in 1907, the Imperial of today is built on a distinguished past, having pioneered penicillin, holography and fibre optics.
The university was an icon of Albertopolis, bringing together the Royal College of Science, the Royal School of Mines and the City and Guilds College to create an institution with agility and orientation to the future.
During World War I and II, our staff and students used their expertise to develop critical advancements in fields like munitions, aeronautics and medicine.
As the world around us changed, so too did Imperial. We embraced cutting edge science, introducing groundbreaking disciplines like nuclear science and engineering, computing and control systems. We also welcomed the Imperial College School of Medicine (now the Faculty of Medicine), furthering our commitment to healthcare innovation.
And in 2007, we embarked on a new chapter, becoming an independent university, building on our rich legacy and continuing to use scientific imagination for world-changing impact.
This is just a glimpse into the incredible story of Imperial College London. It’s a story of passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. It’s a story that continues to inspire generations, and one that we are proud you are a part of.
Today, Imperial combines exceptional teaching, world-class facilities and collaborative working to unlock scientific imagination.
Our people
Our story isn’t just about our physical history, though. It’s about the countless individuals who have shaped our journey – from Sir Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin to Abdus Salam’s electroweak unification theory. From tackling climate change to winning Oscars, Imperial alumni go on to do some amazing things.
By graduating here at the Royal Albert Hall, you are joining our esteemed Imperial alumni community – 250,000 strong and growing.
1970: Professor Monique Frize
Pioneering electrical engineer and ambassador for women in STEM who made instrumental changes in the safety of hospital equipment.
1974: Ambassador Yvette Stevens
Sierra Leone’s first female engineer and the country’s first Permanent Representative to the UN.
1999: Harris Bokhari OBE
A social entrepreneur and founder of Patchwork Foundation, which supports young people from communities that are underrepresented in UK politics.
2007: Tony Shen
One of the youngest Fellows of the Royal Aeronautical Society and is dedicated to addressing sustainability and gender imbalance in STEM.
2009: Dr Veeru Kasivisvanathan
A world expert in prostate cancer whose work has led to changes in the NICE, European and American guidelines for prostate cancer care.
2011: Christopher Hopper
CEO and co-founder of Aurora Solar, who develop AI-powered software for solar panel installations, with a vision of clean energy for all.
2012: Professor Phebe Vayanos
Training the next generation in trustworthy AI and helping public service organisations make more effective and equitable decisions.
2017: Dr Clementine Chambon
An expert in climate change solutions and co-founder of Oorja, working with farmers in sustainable agriculture and clean energy.
2022: Dr Jean Marc Feghali and Gökhan Meriçliler
Creators of WeWalk, manufacturer of the smart cane for visually impaired people, using technological innovation to change lives.
2024: You!
Discover more stories of the varied careers, achievements and stories of our alumni community on our website.
1970: Professor Monique Frize
Pioneering electrical engineer and ambassador for women in STEM who made instrumental changes in the safety of hospital equipment.
1974: Ambassador Yvette Stevens
Sierra Leone’s first female engineer and the country’s first Permanent Representative to the UN.
1999: Harris Bokhari OBE
A social entrepreneur and founder of Patchwork Foundation, which supports young people from communities that are underrepresented in UK politics.
2007: Tony Shen
One of the youngest Fellows of the Royal Aeronautical Society and is dedicated to addressing sustainability and gender imbalance in STEM.
2009: Dr Veeru Kasivisvanathan
A world expert in prostate cancer whose work has led to changes in the NICE, European and American guidelines for prostate cancer care.
2011: Christopher Hopper
CEO and co-founder of Aurora Solar, who develop AI-powered software for solar panel installations, with a vision of clean energy for all.
2012: Professor Phebe Vayanos
Training the next generation in trustworthy AI and helping public service organisations make more effective and equitable decisions.
2017: Dr Clementine Chambon
An expert in climate change solutions and co-founder of Oorja, working with farmers in sustainable agriculture and clean energy.
2022: Dr Jean Marc Feghali and Gökhan Meriçliler
Creators of WeWalk, manufacturer of the smart cane for visually impaired people, using technological innovation to change lives.
2024: You!
Discover more about the varied careers, achievements and stories of our alumni community on our website.
News
Celebrating Abdus Salam’s legacy to physics at Imperial
2023 marked the formal unveiling of the new Abdus Salam Library in recognition of Professor Abdus Salam – one of the giants of 20th century theoretical physics who made Imperial his academic home for 40 years. Salam’s pioneering work on unifying the electromagnetic and the weak nuclear forces, saw him awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1979 – the first Pakistani and Muslim Nobel Laureate of science.
Imperial continues world-leading malaria research
A global programme that aims to modify mosquitoes so they are unable to transmit malaria has received a grant to fund its next phase of expansion. The funding will be used to substantially expand the operations of Transmission Zero, a global programme led by scientists at Imperial, the Ifakara Health Institute of Tanzania, in partnership with the Tanzanian National Institute of Medical Research.
Launch of Centre for Paediatric Blast Injuries Studies
Imperial joined with Save the Children to launch the world’s first centre dedicated to studying and providing lifesaving innovations to children injured by explosive weapons.
The new centre brings together medics, engineers, pain specialists, operational humanitarians and prosthetics and rehabilitation experts who are driving research and innovations to meet the clinical needs of children with blast injuries.
White City Campus launch of AI initiative
Imperial’s major new initiative I-X launched in 2023 at White City. I-X will use AI and data science to tackle global challenges by bringing together multidisciplinary academic teams from across Imperial with companies and non-profit labs.
Its projects include developing computational tools for improving image-based detection and diagnosis of disease, using AI to direct the design and implementation of new biological systems, and intelligent systems and networks for monitoring, control, and security of critical infrastructure.
Space mission to Jupiter’s icy moons launches with Imperial-built kit on board
The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) successfully launched in 2023, carrying Imperial kit on a mission to assess the habitability of Jupiter’s moons. The Imperial-led technology – the J-MAG magnetometer instrument – will help to characterise Jupiter’s environment and three of its largest moons.
World’s first transatlantic flight on 100% sustainable aviation fuel
Imperial has continued its research to pioneer breakthroughs and technologies to support the aviation industry’s transition to zero pollution – with work on the world’s first transatlantic flight on 100% sustainable aviation fuel.
Launch of Imperial’s Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance
Imperial is launching a new research centre to find ways to make the UK economy more productive and competitive. The Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance will bring together the UK’s top engineers, scientists and economists with the UK’s science- and technology-based industries to co-design globally competitive strategies.
Living paint startup wins Imperial’s top entrepreneurship prize
A startup developing a ‘living paint’ that turns buildings into CO2-absorbing structures won Imperial’s flagship entrepreneurial competition.
Cyanoskin took the top prize in the Venture Catalyst Challenge 2024 for their innovative technology which aims to provide an efficient and cost-effective tool for capturing CO2. The startup was founded by Imperial College Business School alumnus Antoinette Nothomb and Royal College of Art alumnus Emma Money.
First UK patients receive experimental mRNA therapy for cancer
Cancer patients in the UK are receiving a new therapeutic to help their bodies recognise and fight cancer cells as part of a global trial.
The first UK patients received the experimental mRNA therapy at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust as part of a phase 1/2 clinical trial.
Breakthrough research could spare brain cancer patients risky surgery
A simple blood test could help diagnose patients with the deadliest form of brain cancer, sparing them from undergoing invasive, highly-risky surgery.
In a world-first, the new technique has been proven for glial tumours including glioblastoma (GBM), the most commonly-diagnosed type of high-grade brain tumour in adults.
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