The UCL Institute of Education (IOE) has recognised Pears Foundation Director, Amy Braier, with an Honorary Fellowship for her work making philanthropic visions a reality in the charity sector. Amy was presented with the honour by Angharad Milenkovic (UCL Vice President (Advancement)), in a ceremony on Thursday, 10 September, at the Royal Festival Hall, which celebrated undergraduate students’ graduation from the Institute of Education. The Honorary Fellowship recognises Amy’s work to effect transformational change through philanthropy, including through her role in the long-standing relationship between UCL and Pears. UCL has partnered with Pears for 18 years during which time, under Amy’s Directorship, projects which have come to fruition including our internationally acclaimed Centre, established in 2008.

Amy has helped lead the way in the Pears Foundation’s efforts to foster cohesion. From the Commission into Countering Online Conspiracies in Schools, the Foundation enabled a new UCL initiative designed to equip teachers to address the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories in the classroom, sparking ideas that are now helping to shape national education policy. The Foundation’s association with the UCL Policy Lab convenes academic experts and people with lived experience of major societal challenges in the shared pursuit of solutions. The Foundation also supports the ‘Leaders in Dialogue’ programme at Students’ Union UCL, part of UCL’s ‘Disagreeing Well’ campaign to encourage critical thinking and respectful debate around complex issues.

Some of your greatest opportunities may begin with a conversation whose significance you cannot yet see. So seek out those conversations. Ask good questions. And stay curious about where they might lead. ”