In an interesting conversation, Professor Francisco Veloso, Dean of Imperial College Business School since 2017, talks about his mission to connect education, innovation and societal impact. Drawing from his lifelong pursuit of economic and social impact through science and technology, Dean Veloso explains the role of business schools in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.
A Vision for Innovation and Impact
Dean Veloso started in applied physics but his passion for innovation led him to do a PhD in Technology Management & Policy at MIT. His academic background in entrepreneurship and innovation was the foundation for a career that would bridge the gap between research and practice.
“At Imperial where science and business are so connected I found the perfect place to explore how universities can create real economic and social change,” he said.
Since he became Dean, Veloso has been focused on building the Business School’s research capacity. Under his leadership the School was ranked 2nd in the UK for management and business schools and 1st for research environment in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
“Our growth in faculty size and output has given us the capacity to tackle complex problems and deliver impact,” he said.
Transformative Initiatives
Reappointed for 2022, Dean Veloso has big plans to take the School to the next level. Collaborative initiatives like I-X and the Institute for Deep Tech Entrepreneurship show his commitment to tackling global issues like climate change and sustainable food systems with technology.
“These are the fruits of years of work and show how Imperial is applying innovation to real world problems,” he said.
Dean Veloso is a big fan of experimentation at the Business School, as seen in our tech spinouts like Edtech Lab initiatives Epigeum and Insendi. Looking forward he sees technology playing a key role in hybrid learning models that combine digital and physical experiences.
“We are social animals who love to laugh, learn and share together. How do we keep that social bit in a digital world?”
Advancing Diversity and Inclusion
Inclusivity is another of Veloso’s key priorities. Through the School’s Diversity Committee and Student EDI Strategy he wants to create a community where all voices are heard and valued.
“This is a journey, there’s more to do. A diverse and supportive environment is key to us driving real change,” he said.
He believes younger, socially aware students will increasingly look for institutions that match their values.
“We must be the change we want to see. Preparing students to be change agents starts with being inclusive and sustainable within our own institution,” he said.
— Veloso. Business schools can change the world. Innovation. Inclusivity.inability, he envisions a future where business education is a catalyst for meaningful change.
