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The Grim(m) Story: Far from a Fairy Tale
EXCERPTS
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
ICL was established in 1907 with the federation of the Royal College of Science , the Royal School of Mines , and the City & Guilds College as an institute for advanced university level training in science and technology. In 1914, the year when World War I (WWI) broke out, there were about 900 students in the college. According to some reports, ICL contributed significantly to the WWI by allowing several of its inventions and scientific advances it had made to be used during the war. throughout the war. As a result, the college earned great support from the British government and was considered as a national asset. ICL was able to establish a distinguished identity within the British University system due to its liberal outlook and its goals of providing new opportunities for social advancement. Despite being inadequately funded, the college attracted good talent with several eminent personalities having passed through the college. Notable alumni of the college included 14 Nobel laureates and two field medallists. According to observers, the great pool of talent at ICL significantly contributed to its success. |
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A MYSTERIOUS DEATH AND THE BITTER REVELATIONS
On 25 September 2014, Grimm was found dead in his home in Northwood, Middlesex. An inquest followed and it appeared that he had committed suicide. Grimm was a member of the Faculty of Medicine and news of his death came as a great shock to his colleagues...
ICL’S INITIAL REACTION
All this while, ICL remained tight lipped about Grimm’s suicide. When Wilkins was asked about the email he had sent to Grimm, he said he would not discuss the issue as there was an ongoing inquest into the circumstances of Grimm’s death and added that he had met Grimm from time to time only to discuss science and general matters. According to him, his meetings with Grimm had always been cordial...
A CULTURE OF BULLYING?
Critics alleged that there was a widespread culture of bullying at ICL with senior management bullying talented colleagues due to their insecurity...
DAMAGE CONTROL
Following the tragic death of Grimm, Stirling called upon the senior management of the college including Senior Consultant, Richard Thompson, and the Director of Human Resources, Louise Lindsay (Lindsay), and ordered an internal review of college policies and procedures and the support available to all staff during performance review...
LOOKING AHEAD
In October 2015, the Department of Medicine at ICL in collaboration with the HR department, organized an event for its staff members to highlight the new HR initiatives, services, and networks available at ICL including training and development, well-being initiatives, and a staff benefits booklet ‘Supporting our People’...
EXHIBITS
Exhibit I: World University Rankings 2015-2016: The Top Ten
Exhibit II: Imperial College London - Research Grants and Contracts Income
Exhibit III: ICL -Consolidated Income and Expenditure Statement(For the year ended 31 July 2014)
Exhibit IV: Imperial College London: Organization Chart (Partial)
Exhibit V: Performance Management Review - Summary recommendations
