Dr. Declan Ali
Dean of the Faculty of Science

Every day in our faculty, someone discovers something. It is a humbling experience to serve as the dean of a place like that. And yet our ambition is always to do more.

This year we set out to write a strategic plan worthy of that work, and I was struck by how readily our community answered the call. Students, faculty members, staff, alumni, donors and partners gave time and wisdom to chart our course for the next five years.

Your contributions have been generous and unsparing: telling us about the faculty you love, and the faculty that challenges you, on topics that ranged from grant administration to courses and programs. But in our many conversations, one theme emerged again and again: connection. You told us that science is at its best when we get close to it. Students told us they came here to do science, not just to study it. Researchers told us their discoveries take shape in the meaningful relationships between colleagues, mentors and students. Alumni and community members told us they want a clearer window into the remarkable work happening here every day.

Through the efforts of our faculty members and staff, we carry out extraordinary science every day. Bringing it up close and personal — for our students, our researchers and our public — is at the heart of our strategy. Together, we will take on that challenge.