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The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research has grown and evolved over its 32 year history, and is now the largest international academic Institute dedicated to the fight against cancer. With its network of Branches, Affiliates, and Clinical Trials Centers, the LICR quite literally spans the globe. The uniqueness of the LICR lies not only in its expanse, but also in the excellence of its science, and its philosophy and ability to drive the remarkable portfolio of knowledge, expertise, and reagents arising from its academic research into the world of the clinic. To do this, an entire infrastructure supporting clinical trials had to be established, including assembling a clinical trials management team, establishing production facilities, and developing patenting and licensing resources necessary to engage the clinical arena. In fact the Institute has already initiated over 30 clinical trials based on its scientific discoveries. The global structure and breadth of activities of the LICR have created a situation in which much of the LICR staff is not aware of all that their Institute has achieved, what it is now doing, and what it plans for the future. It has become increasingly clear that internal communications between LICR Offices, Branches, and Affiliates needs strengthening. Providing a forum for information, communication, and (very importantly) feedback has been a priority for some time. With the institution of the Office of Communications (see accompanying article), the LICR now has the mechanism to enhance external and internal LICR communications. A focused and strategic external communication process has already been put in place to ensure that the scientific community, media, industry, and public learn about, and understand, what we do. External communication is crucial to serving our public mission, and the communication efforts also help to create an interest that can lead to other benefits for the Institute, including new sources of funding. Identifying the best mechanism for internal communication within the LICR (i.e. from the Administration to the LICR staff, and vice versa) is challenging given the spread and size of the LICR – regular face-to-face meetings, video conferences, or telephone calls, are somewhat difficult with over 900 staff spread across five continents! Thus the Office of Communications will be producing the “LICR NewsLink”, a quarterly email bulletin that will give you, the staff of the LICR, information about our global activities. This will not be a newsletter for who is arriving or leaving, who’s getting married, or who’s having babies, the LICR NewsLink will provide you with information on Branch and Affiliate research, Institute policy changes, available reagents and resources, staffing directives, and so on. The LICR NewsLink is also a forum for feedback - reading the LICR NewsLink and sending your comments to the Office of Communications is your chance to learn, understand, and be involved. You belong to a remarkable Institute with a rich and proud history, and a dynamic and important future. And we’re going to tell you all about it… |
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research ©2003