King's showcases service in Parliament

King’s researchers, academics, students, staff and alumni were the focus of a parliamentary reception, bringing together MPs, Peers and other parliamentarians to reflect on how the King's community is making the world a better place through its service to society.

Among the speakers were members of Parent Power, part of the Widening Participation department at King’s. Using community organising techniques, the Parent Power programme recruits and trains a group of local parents, enabling them to become university access experts, who can then help local students on their journeys to higher education, improving their chances of attending selective universities.

Guests also heard from Momin Saqib, President of King’s College London Students’ Union, who spoke about the role students play in helping King’s realise its Vision.

The final King’s speaker, Dr Bhavagaya Bakshi, spoke about ‘C the Signs’, an app created to help doctors improve cancer detection. The app uses artificial intelligence, mapped with the latest evidence, to help early diagnosis of the disease. The app responds to complex NICE referral guidelines for suspected cancer, which made it difficult for them to be used in general practice.

The reception in the House of Commons was sponsored by Dame Margaret Hodge MP, a Visiting Professor at the Policy Institute at King’s.