New Partnership in London, UK: 35 Academic, Cultural, Research and Scientific Organizations Launch Knowledge Quarter

From the British Library (Member of the Knowledge Quarter Governing Board):

The new Knowledge Quarter, a partnership of 35 academic, cultural, research, scientific and media organisations based in King’s Cross, Euston and Bloomsbury, was launched today at the British Library in London.
The members, which range from the British Museum and the University of the Arts London to the Connected Digital Economy 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.
While 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.
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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.

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

Direct to Knowledge Quarter Web Site
List of Knowledge Quarter Partners

Read the Complete Announcement

Filed under: Academic Libraries, Associations and Organizations, Data Files, Libraries, News, Resources, School Libraries