UCL Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science

Old Relic, New Research: The Auto-Icon of Jeremy Bentham A free lunchtime talk on the ongoing research examining DNA from Jeremy Bentham's mummified head and Auto-Icon.

How does research help shed new light on Jeremy Bentham's genetic data and the way his Auto-Icon was created? Come along to the upcoming talk on 26 March.

People walking towards where a screen is located, with text that has the word Genius repeated several times.

People looking at displayed photographs in the Words Matter exhibition.

Two people watching a short film which is part of the Words Matter exhibition.

A book next to a plant and a lit lamp with text which reads. 'Words Matter Guest Book. 20th November to 25th February. Please leave a comment.'

Words Matter drew to a close last month, showcasing the works of 12 artists who participated in a six-month knowledge exchange programme. The exhibition was part of Prejudice in Power, exploring @ucl.ac.uk’s historic role in promoting the pseudoscience of eugenics.

Old Relic, New Research: The Auto-Icon of Jeremy Bentham A free lunchtime talk on the ongoing research examining DNA from Jeremy Bentham's mummified head and Auto-Icon.

Come along to hear @lucyvandorp.bsky.social and I talk about our new Bentham research. Join us 26th March.
@ucllccos.bsky.social @ugiatucl.bsky.social

Old Relic, New Research: The Auto-Icon of Jeremy Bentham | Museums and Collections - UCL – University College London share.google/wCX3bm7V5RKI...

A black and white photo from the 1950s with a person lying down on the floor.

Come along to the upcoming Research in Focus talk with Dr Liz Bruchet illuminating mental health and disability in an art school archive. Join us on 18 March. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/research-i...

A group photo from the 1950s.

Dr Katie Meheux examines post-World War II reconciliation work achieved by librarians and archaeologists using materials from the @uclarchaeology.bsky.social archives. Come along to the talk on 11 March. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/insights-f...

200 years ago, UCL was founded on a radical idea: education for all.

To mark our bicentenary, the Two Centuries Here Exhibition explores UCL’s past, present, and future across our Bloomsbury campus.

The exhibition is open from 18 Feb 2026 to 31 July 2027.
#UCL200

This year's theme for Women’s History Month is Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future, seeking to celebrate women's sustainability efforts. Share your book recommendations here. ucl-global.libwizard.com/f/WomensHist...

People at the Student Centre. There is a curated display on the wall and a large banner with text which reads, "UCL200. Two Centuries Here.".

Students looking at the display part of the Two Centuries Here exhibition.

Visitors looking into Two Centuries Here display cases at the Octagon Gallery.

A student writing on a card in response to the question on the wall which reads, "What do you hope for the future of UCL?".

Two Centuries Here is a multi-space exhibition in the heart of central London, tracing @ucl.ac.uk’s origins and exploring 200 years of ground-breaking research, innovation, education and impact. Find out more here: www.ucl.ac.uk/about/events... #UCL200

Call for applications!

We are looking for a small press to take up a temporary residency at UCL!

£5,000 to spend flexibly, an opportunity to work with outstanding collections & collaborate with brilliant students and staff!

blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll...

In celebration of LGBT+ History Month, students and staff across @ucl.ac.uk have shared their book recommendations with us. Find out more and read through the list here: www.ucl.ac.uk/library/news...

Students passing through the main library entrance barriers.

The entrance to the Main Library has now reopened following the completion of the bicentennial refurbishment works. Read more here: www.ucl.ac.uk/library/news...

UCL's portico building at night.

Visitors are invited to explore @ucl.ac.uk’s ground-breaking 200-year history through an expansive new exhibition hosted in multiple spaces across the Bloomsbury campus. Read more here: www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-coll... #UCL200

Paul Ayris obituary Other lives: Library leader at UCL committed to the movement for open science

Nice obituary of @ucllccos.bsky.social Pro-Vice Provost Paul Ayris by our former colleague Ben Meunier www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...

UCL celebrates 200 years: A landmark year begins Today, UCL marks 200 years since its foundation. Based in the heart of London, UCL is rooted in curiosity, tolerance and academic excellence. Throughout the year we will celebrate two centuries of lea...

💜 Today, @ucl.ac.uk marks 200 years since its foundation.
Throughout 2026, we will celebrate two centuries of learning and innovation and share those achievements with our global community.

➡️Discover our exciting #UCL200 programme of events and learn how you can get involved.

Today, UCL turns 200. 🎉 For two centuries, our community has opened doors, challenged convention and pushed the boundaries of knowledge across every discipline. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of the UCL story, here’s to the next century. ✨

#UCL200 #LoveUCL

A variety of wasp nest specimens in a display case at the Grant Museum.

Visitors interacting with the exhibition at the Grant Museum.

Two people looking into a display case at the Grant Museum.

Two people examining the paper sculptures in the Grant Museum.

The World of Wasps exhibition recently wrapped up in the @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social. It’s been great sharing @ucl.ac.uk research and celebrating the importance of wasps in our ecosystem. #GMZWasps

One month to go… UCL turns 200! 🎉

On 11 February, we kick off #UCL200 – a year of celebrations marking our radical founding in 1826 as London’s first university, open to all. Expect parties, exhibitions, student festivals, art, books, performances, and more.

Get ready!

@uclspeccoll.bsky.social

In memoriam: Dr Paul Ayris, BA, PhD, FRHist Remembering Dr Paul Ayris, Pro-Vice-Provost (LCCOS).

We are shocked and saddened to share news of the death of Dr Paul Ayris, Pro-Vice-Provost (LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science). Paul will be hugely missed in LCCOS and beyond, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.

Read our tribute: https://bit.ly/3XZKE25

UCL’s portico.

A diverse range of projects has progressed our mission in 2024-25; from curating and opening up world-class collections, to pioneering open science, and partnering with our local and global communities to address society’s grand challenges. Read our Annual Report here: www.ucl.ac.uk/lccos/about-...

A person wearing a virtual reality headset.

We are proud to currently host the world's first exhibition centred on wasps, combining science, art and technology to reveal the secret world of these complex animals. Read more in the LCCOS Annual Report here: www.ucl.ac.uk/lccos/about-...

A visitor looking into the display cases at the Petrie Museum.

This year, we were happy to have our accreditation renewed by Arts Council England recognising excellence across governance, collections and access. Read more in the LCCOS Annual Report here: www.ucl.ac.uk/lccos/about-...

Students at the UCL Science Library.

We have demonstrated our commitment to supporting student success in 2024-25 by transforming our study spaces, prioritising diverse learning needs. Read more in the LCCOS Annual Report here: www.ucl.ac.uk/lccos/about-...

Join Professor Philip Schofield and Dr Jane Gilmour in the latest episode of Beautiful Minds as they debunk the myths around Tourette's.

Listen now: bit.ly/448WE4H

#Tourettes #BeautifulMinds

Maria Dragoi stood in the Micrarium at the Grant Museum of Zoology.

What’s missing from natural history collections? Maria Dragoi, @ucl.ac.uk Museum Studies alumna and current PhD candidate, discusses her research into the Grant Museum’s entomology collection and the importance of interpreting collections through a decolonial lens. www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-coll...

Words Matter Events Programme Words Matter is a FREE multi-disciplinary exhibition showcasing the works of twelve artists who participated in a six-month knowledge exchange programme, exploring UCL’s historic role in promoting the...

Words Matter is a free multi-disciplinary exhibition that is part of Prejudice in Power. Find out more about the events programme exploring UCL’s historic role in promoting the pseudoscience of eugenics.

Why Sleep Hygiene Doesn’t Always Work, featuring Professor Dagmara Dimitriou Professor Dagmara Dimitriou and Professor Philip Schofield take a deep dive into the strange world of sleep and the brain.

From infant dreams to nightmares, take a deep dive into the strange world of sleep and the brain with the latest episode of UCL Press Play.

Get exclusive insights from Professor Dagmara Dimitriou's two decades of research.

Listen now: uclpress.co.uk/podcast/why-...

Opening today at the @uclpetriemuseum.bsky.social, a new group art show places contemporary Sudanese voices alongside the museum’s ancient artefacts. Find out more about The Land Carries: www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-coll...

Tales for a Winter’s Night Step into the Petrie Museum after hours for an evening of supernatural tales.

Discover stories of the supernatural penned by the @uclpetriemuseum.bsky.social’s founder Amelia B. Edwards. Award-winning actor Jonathan Goodwin returns on 21 November with 'Tales for a Winter’s Night'.

Head of Petrie Egyptian and Sudanese Archaeology Collections, Catriona Wilson, and Curator Dr Anna Garnett.

Listen in to a conversation addressing Flinders Petrie's complex legacy. UCL President and Provost Michael Spence meets Head of Petrie Egyptian and Sudanese Archaeology Collections, Catriona Wilson, and Curator Dr Anna Garnett in the Faces of UCL podcast. faces-of-ucl.transistor.fm/episodes/epi...

🎉 The 1st episode of Beautiful Minds, the new season of UCL Press Play, is out now!

Join Professor Philip Schofield and Dr Sarah White as they take a forensic look at the brain, and challenge outdated medical models and stereotypes of autism

Listen now: t.co/vQPLohtyDk