The Kennedy Trust has carried out its four-yearly review of the Kennedy Institute over a two-day site visit on 14-15^th November. The Trust Scientific Review Board (TSRB) was made up of an eminent panel of international scientists including Professors Tim Hardingham, Dylan Owen, Gitta Stockinger, Connie Weyand and Ramnik Xavier. The review focussed on the Kennedy Trust’s principal strategic investments, including the Institute’s Science Platforms, Career Development Programme and Graduate Studies Programme. TSRB members were also invited to meet with researchers at every career stage, along with the senior leadership and operations teams.

The review took place in parallel with the Kennedy Institute’s own Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), who were meeting in person for the first time since before the COVID pandemic. The Institute’s Director, Professor Dame Fiona Powrie, said, “We are very excited to see the members of the SAB and TSRB at the Kennedy after such a long break. We are delighted to have the opportunity to present our world class research and cutting edge technology platforms as well as showcase our training programmes for  students and post doctoral fellows alongside a new governance structure that will enable us to be nimble and responsive to the needs of our research groups. We are particularly proud to host the Boards in our new roof extension which forms part of our strategy to strengthen data science approaches alongside our lab-based research.”

The review was also attended by the Kennedy Trust’s CEO, Dr Stephen Simpson, who added, “This review by independent world-class scientists who gave their valuable time, is itself a testament to the international standing of the Kennedy Institute. The presentations and discussions over the two days were engaging and detailed and will form an important part of the forthcoming TSRB report, which is central to the thorough periodic review the Trust undertakes of its investment.”

A full report will be presented to the Board of Trustees to validate the Trust’s continued funding of the Kennedy Institute.