UCL School of Pharmacy seeks an Artist to collaborate with its four research departments to create artworks that reflect each field and inspire public engagement and research dialogue.
About UCL200
2026 marks 200 years since UCL’s establishment as the first University in London. The ambition of the bicentenary is to celebrate and reinforce UCL’s founding values, to highlight the excellence and impact of UCL’s groundbreaking work, and to present an ambitious and inspiring portrait of our its. As well as reflecting on UCL’s past, the bicentenary year will be used to frame the future, to position UCL as a forward-facing university and to convey the type of organisation it will become during its third century.
2026 will embrace a year of bicentennial activity, with planned exhibitions, new publications and an incredibly rich programme of engagement for both our internal and external community. The UCL200 celebrations offer a unique opportunity to invite artists to work with UCL’s diverse community, from academic staff, students, professional service teams at the university and the vitally important local neighbours. The intention is to re-visit UCL’s history and consider its future in the run up to and through the celebration year with a view to creating artworks that reflect the legacy of the University for the next 200 years.
About the UCL School of Pharmacy
The UCL School of Pharmacy is one of the world’s leading institutions for pharmaceutical education and research, with a rich heritage dating back to 1842. Nestled in the heart of London, the School combines cutting-edge science with clinical practice to train the next generation of pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, researchers and innovators. Its multidisciplinary approach spans drug discovery, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and pharmacy practice, exploring the frontiers of biopharmaceutics, nanomedicine and personalised medicine. With strong industry partnerships and a global research network, the School plays a pivotal role in shaping healthcare outcomes and improving lives worldwide.
Artist Commission
The UCL School of Pharmacy invites applications for an Artist to collaborate closely with our four research departments (Practice and Policy, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry), each inspiring the creation of a distinct artwork that captures its unique focus and character. This unique opportunity is designed to explore the intersections between scientific inquiry and creative practice, fostering new ways to engage the public, enrich academic dialogue, and offer fresh perspectives on pharmaceutical research.
Scope of the Commission
- Engage meaningfully with the UCL School of Pharmacy’s Research Departments, facilitating creative exchange between staff, students, and broader communities.
- Document and share their research and creative process
- Produce four distinct largescale works (spanning up to 100x100cm) inspired by the scientific environment and themes of the School’s four Research Departments – Practice and Policy, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, and Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry. These works will be housed permanently in the Maplethorpe Lecture Theatre – G02 (with the proviso that they are detachable should the UCL School of Pharmacy transfer location in the future).
Support Provided
The artist will be granted:
- Artist fee: £8,000
- Artwork production budget: £6,000 (managed by UCL School of Pharmacy)
- Desk space within the UCL School of Pharmacy
- Ongoing mentoring support from UCL School of Pharmacy
- UCL staff card (for access to campuses and libraries)
- Production and curatorial support from UCL’s Public Art team to realise the final workÂ
Timeline
| Period | Activity |
|---|---|
| February – June 2026 | Engagement period |
| July – Sept 2026 | Artwork development and realisation |
| 25 September 2026 | Public sharing / Celebration / Exhibition |
Engagement period (Feb-June 2026)
- The artist will deeply engage with the School of Pharmacy’s four Research Departments (Practice and Policy, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry)
- Artists will have access to researchers, labs (where appropriate) and events
- This phase encourages consultation, experimentation, and exploration
- Artists may host events, discussions, or workshops to support research and idea developmentÂ
Realisation (July-September 2026)
This period is dedicated to developing and delivering the outcome of the engagement process — culminating in an event unveiling the artwork on World Pharmacists Day, 25 September, 2026.
Regular check-ins with the Prof Cate Whittlesea, UCL School of Pharmacy Director, will ensure continued support and progress throughout the project.
Application Process
To apply, please submit:
- A short statement of interest (max 500 words)
- CV and portfolio of relevant work
- Ideas for potential engagement or project outcomes
Applications should be submitted by midnight, 23 November, 2025 to sop.director@ucl.ac.uk
Eligibility
We welcome applications from artists working with 2D and wall-based outputs (e.g. painting, mixed media, photography, textile), with a demonstrated interest in science, healthcare, or public engagement.