UEL shares ideas about civic engagement and sport with US mayor

Mayor Greg Fischer was in the UK as part of an exchange programme for metropolitan mayors. Thanks to a partnership established with UEL’s Chair of Governors, Geoff Thompson, Mayor Fischer included in his itinerary a visit to UEL and a tour of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.

Mayor Fischer and Mr Thompson are both interested in the potential of sporting and cultural engagement to provide opportunities for young people in inner-city areas. 

As part of the visit to University Square Stratford, UEL’s Director of Civic Engagement, Gail May, presented an overview of the University's work on civic engagement to the Mayor and his party and a range of key stakeholders. She was joined by UEL staff who have led civic engagement projects, students and community partners. 

UEL’s Interim Director of Sport, John White, and High Performance Manager Matt Tansley discussed UEL's sports initiatives, Two elite UEL athletes – paralympic shot-putter Vanessa Wallace and basketball scholar Tim Shodipo - also attended the event.

Ms May said, “It was a honour to be able to speak for the work that UEL has delivered on civic engagement, not just over the last three years but also in the historical commitment we have shown in providing opportunities for our local communities and to working in partnership with them.

“In the last three years we have funded 82 projects involving our staff and students, working with community partners, and we are committed to increasing our activity through the projects and through the curriculum to engage many more students and reach many more local people with projects that provide a real impact.”