UK Engagement Perspectives: How Can Universities Deliver Public Value and Social Accountability?

Prof Kumar is the Founding Executive Dean of Medicine at St Mary’s in London, leading their new School of Medicine, which will welcome its first cohort in September 2026. Prof Kumar has over two decades experience as a GP and educationalist, specialising in community-based health and education for the benefit of society, which will be core to the new School.

Samira Ben Omar is a community-led collaboration specialist with over 30 years’ experience across health, care and grassroots, community-centered movements for change. She has been recognised as one of the HSJ Top 50 Most Influential BAME Leaders in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and is a Trustee at New Local and the Nuffield Trust, a General Advisory Council Member at The King's Fund, an Advisor at SOAS Centre for Anthropology of Mental Health and Human Rights, and an Associate at Oxford University Centre for Research Equity. Samira is currently supporting the development of a Socially Accountable Medical School at St Mary’s University, embedding community partnership, lived experience and equity at the heart of medical education

Professor Peter Wells is Pro-Dean for Public Value at Cardiff Business School and undertakes research into the global automotive industry with academic and applied interests in socio-technical transitions, business models, cultures of automobility and sustainability. Peter loves challenging audiences and contesting accepted wisdom. Peter hopes that he is contributing to a more sustainable world, in what he teaches and in the research he undertakes.