Knowledge Quarter launched at British Library

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The new Knowledge Quarter, a partnership of 35 academic, cultural, research, scientific and media organisations based in Kings Cross, Euston and Bloomsbury, was launched by the Chancellor, George Osborne today at the British Library in London.

The members, which range from the British Museum and the University of the Arts London to the Digital Catapult, Wellcome Trust, The Guardian and the Aga Khan University, will work together to share their information, ideas, research and innovation. The aim of the Knowledge Quarter is to make the outstanding facilities, collections and expertise of its members understood, available and used as widely as possible for the benefit of researchers, creative people, students and the local community.

Whilst launching London’s new Knowledge Quarter the Chancellor George Osborne announced that the headquarters of the £42 million pioneering Alan Turing Institute for Data Science will be based at Knowledge Quarter – with spurs around the country. The world-class research institute, dedicated to British computer pioneer and WW2 Enigma code-breaker Alan Turing, will work with universities across the country to focus on new ways of collecting, organising and analysing large sets of data – commonly known as big data.

Welcoming the launch of the Knowledge Quarter and announcing the Alan Turing Institute the Chancellor George Osborne said:

“Key to the government’s long-term economic plan is ensuring Britain remains at the forefront of scientific innovation.

“That’s why I was delighted to announce the creation of the Alan Turing Institute, a world-class institution dedicated to the study of data science and big data, and why I’m pleased to confirm its home alongside other world-class institutions like the Crick Institute, the Wellcome Trust, and the British Library.

“The Institute will bring benefits to the whole country through partnerships with universities and businesses across Britain, including in our great northern cities, to better understand and exploit the amazing opportunities presented by big data.

“It’s a fitting tribute to Alan Turing – the father of modern computer science and a national hero – and will ensure Britain continues to lead the whole world in this important field.”

The objectives of the Knowledge Quarter are:

To facilitate knowledge exchange and identify opportunities to collaborate and achieve efficiencies between members;
To identify and support local environment and infrastructure projects with Camden Council, the GLA and TfL;
To raise awareness of the value of the Knowledge Quarter and its resources with stakeholders;
To support the local community by improving access to its resources and collections.

Roly Keating, Chief Executive of the British Library and Chair of the Knowledge Quarter said on the launch: “The area around King’s Cross, St Pancras and Euston stations is a gateway to the most valuable commodity of the 21st century – knowledge. Just as the great Victorian railway engineers built a revolutionary transport hub for people and goods in this part of London, so the Knowledge Quarter will establish an interchange for creative ideas, research and innovation: a centre for the knowledge economy in the 21st century.”

Deputy London Mayor for Business & Enterprise, Kit Malthouse commented: “London leads the way in supporting the UK’s knowledge economy. I am proud that within our great capital city we have leading international organisations that are coming together, through the Knowledge Quarter, to find ways that they can support growth and innovation through research.”

Leader of Camden Council, Councillor Sarah Hayward said:“The Knowledge Quarter will help to build thriving links between our world-class institutions, local businesses and communities. We want Camden to be a place where every business has the chance to succeed and residents benefit from the jobs and opportunities this success brings. Knowledge intensive sectors like science and the creative industries will create the jobs of the future and the Knowledge Quarter will be a key way of connecting local people to these opportunities.”

As well as established organisations, the Knowledge Quarter includes The Francis Crick Institute, now under construction, which will be a leading global centre for medical research, and Google, which is to build its new UK headquarters in King’s Cross.

Clustered around King’s Cross, the Euston Road and Bloomsbury is an incredible range of knowledge resources and expertise, ranging from the world’s earliest books and manuscripts to the latest fashion and creative designs and cutting-edge medical research.

Together, members of the Knowledge Quarter employ over 30,000 people, turn over more than £2bn, work with 3,500 volunteers, and serve more than 8m visitors annually.

The Knowledge Quarter is governed by a Board of nine organisations: the British Library, Art Fund, the British Museum, Camden Council, Guardian News and Media, The Royal College of GPs, the Wellcome Trust, UCL and the University of the Arts. The other partner organisations make up a Steering Group that manages the Knowledge Quarter’s activities.

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For more information contact:

Miki Lentin, Head of Communications, British Library
020 7412 7112 | 07976 793 666
miki.lentin@bl.uk
www.knowledgequarter.london
@KQ_London

Notes to Editors:

Membership is open to organisations within a one-mile radius of King’s Cross that are actively engaged in the advancement and dissemination of knowledge.

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