How science at Middlesex is delivering for society and inspiring the next generation of students

It is a privilege to write my first blog for MDX Voices as the incoming interim Dean for the Faculty of Science and Technology.

My background is as a Geography PhD and a researcher and writer in geopolitics, with a specialism in the polar regions - I am a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and honorary fellow of the British Antarctic Survey. I come to Middlesex from Royal Holloway, University of London, where I lectured for many years, serving as dean of the graduate school and most recently as executive dean of the School of Life Sciences and Environment.

Although not a scientist by training, the role of science and technology is a long-standing interest of mine. As a regular visitor to the Arctic and Antarctic, I am only too aware of how dependent you are on GPS technologies, cold weather technology and engineering and the role of the natural sciences in monitoring a rapidly warming Arctic. Given the “grand challenges” facing the UK such as climate change, energy transition, ageing populations, healthy living and so on, we require underpinning evidence but also a willingness to think creatively about how we engage people. It will also require us to educate and train a new generation of graduates and apprentices to take up roles that will enable positive societal transformation.

A mission for social good

Within a few hours of meeting new colleagues in the Faculty, I was struck by how well the Faculty’s mission to deploy science and technology for social good is. Not only did I learn about educational outreach activities but also research and knowledge exchange impact and engagement in all areas of computer science, design engineering and mathematics, natural sciences, psychology and the London Sport Institute. In the Shanghai 2025 Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments, we are positioned in the top 10 for the UK and top 100 globally – up from the top 150 internationally in 2024.

Research with real-world impact

The Faculty of Science and Technology’s research direction spans a wide range of disciplines and aligns well with key government priorities and external strategies such as the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, as well as key sectors identified in the London Growth Plan. Much of our impactful research and knowledge exchange also focuses on delivering outcomes relevant to society. For example, the London Digital Twin Research Centre has been working with an international and interdisciplinary team to utilise cutting-edge digital twin technology and machine learning to enable the real time monitoring of stroke patients. This British Council-funded project has enabled Prof. Huan Nguyen and his team to collaborate with front line clinicians, to better enable swifter and more targeted medical interventions, thereby providing the best possible chance of effective treatments and reducing the societal burden of strokes.

Professor Lisa Marzano’s world-leading work in suicide and self-harm prevention was awarded the Transport for London Lifesaver Award and in December 2025 Lisa received Middlesex University’s Impact Award. Her research has shaped national and international practice and saved lives. Her current work includes research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), examining the effectiveness of surveillance technologies for suicide prevention.

As well as more established research areas, the Faculty has been developing new focuses for research and knowledge exchange, connecting Middlesex to communities beyond the university gate. In 2024, the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) research group was founded bringing together colleagues working in this important and timely research area. Led by Dr Enas Newire from the Department of Natural Sciences, this group has been undertaking collaborative research across disciplines with particular interests in AMR, but has also worked hard to highlight the AMR issue to our students at Middlesex and to engage local schools. Funding won competitively from the Microbiological Society as part of their Champions Scheme supported a series of events: from participation in engagement activities during World AMR Awareness Week and New Scientist Live last autumn, to running an inaugural International AMR conference.

As well as a vehicle to engage future scientists, linking our research into the curriculum is fundamental to the ethos of our Faculty. Our students are clearly engaged in the Faculty mission - one poignant example was hearing how even our first-year students, with just weeks of experience of the university, were already generously supporting outreach activities and inspiring members of the public and schoolchildren at New Scientist Live. We want to see even more of our student graduate employers playing their part in helping us shape assignments and assessments and thus ensuring that our graduates can approach the future confident of their competencies and skills.

Excellence in education and student experience

The Faculty’s National Student Survey (NSS) results demonstrate strong performance across a wide range of programmes, with many scores of 90% and above, highlighting a high-quality student experience. Teaching is a clear strength, reaching 100% in Environmental Health (Apprenticeship), 97.5% in Sport and Exercise Science, 92%+ across Information Technology and Computing Science, and 90% in Mechatronics and Robotics. Learning resources are rated exceptionally highly, including 96.7% in Mechatronics and Robotics, 94.9% in Psychology with Neuroscience, and 92.9% in Biomedical Science with Foundation Year. Academic support stands out in Psychology with Neuroscience at 100% and is also very strong in Computer Science (94.3%), while learning opportunities achieve 98% in Environmental Health and 94.3% in Computer Networks and Security.

Bridging the gap between industry and academia

The Faculty’s wealth of experience in apprenticeships and industry outreach is exactly what the current Government’s Industrial Strategy and plans for universities as anchor institutions envisages. We have developed, among other things, strategic partnerships with Festo and Siemens and our curriculum content and assessment reflects industry standards. In my first week alone, I met briefly three representatives from Coventry-based Fanuc, a leading industrial automation company. They were being hosted by the Head of Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics and the Deputy Dean for Research & Knowledge Exchange, and we expect to work with them on student-related activities.

All of this work is underpinned by dedicated educators who are also researchers, practitioners and technical specialists. It is hugely exciting to join a university which is active and impactful at so many different levels, serving local and regional communities, as well as engaging with national and global stakeholders.

About the author

Klaus Dodds is Professor of Geopolitics and Interim Faculty Dean for Science and Technology.