Innovation and Impact

Amplifying scientific excellence to accelerate real-world impact

We amplify the Wellcome Sanger Institute's scientific excellence so that our scientists can deliver the Institute’s mission to apply genomic technologies at scale to advance understanding of biology and improve health. Our work accelerates the real-world impact of Sanger's research.

Amplifying excellence

The Innovation and Impact department brings together teams with complementary skills, expertise and capabilities under a shared vision: to amplify scientific excellence, enabling our scientists to deliver the Wellcome Sanger Institute’s mission and accelerating real-world impact.

Through our work across strategy, policy, partnerships, translation, learning and events, Impact and Innovation plays an important role in supporting the Institute’s long-term ambitions, strengthening collaboration across Sanger and with external partners, and creating new opportunities to support Sanger’s mission.

The Innovation and Impact department is designed to accelerate the reach of the Sanger Institute’s distinctive science, enabling meaningful outcomes and impacts outside the laboratory.

Drawing on the excellence of our own scientists, we also work with international partners and industry to create opportunities for collaboration, develop scientific capability, and help genomics research move towards real-world application.

Scientific Training and Events

Find out more about our training and events

Scientific Training and Events

Formerly known as Wellcome Connecting Science Courses and Conferences, this programme continues to provide dedicated learning, training and scientific events as part of Sanger’s wider research community, supporting and aligning with our scientific programmes.

The programme is designed to help scientists and research professionals build the skills, knowledge and connections they need throughout their scientific careers.

Our specialist events team develops and delivers practical training courses, online learning, conferences and networking events drawing on the expertise of the Institute’s scientists.

These activities provide opportunities to learn from leading researchers, develop technical skills and connect with peers working on shared scientific challenges.

From September 2026, the existing Connecting Science Courses and Conferences website and social media channels will begin to reflect the Sanger brand. From October, all event communications will link through to a new Sanger Institute website.

Find out more about the programme and forthcoming changes on the FAQs page

Strategy

The Strategy team, with expertise in strategy, policy and partnerships, enables Sanger to navigate and shape the changing landscape of biomedical science. Working across the Institute and with Wellcome, scientific organisations, policymakers and other external partners, the team brings together expertise, relationships and strategic thinking to help Sanger anticipate change, respond to opportunities and maximise the impact of the Institute’s science.

Strategy provides a whole-institute perspective, connecting Sanger’s scientific priorities with the wider opportunities and challenges shaping the broader research community. By bringing together insights in science, funding, and the research landscape, we help turn scientific ambitions into clear priorities that have potential impacts to track.

Policy work helps Sanger understand and influence the external research landscape in which our science takes place. We monitor developments in science policy, regulation, ethics and public expectations, bringing external perspectives into the Institute that will shape the future of our genomics and biomedical research.

Partnerships build and strengthen the relationships that extend the reach, influence and impact of Sanger’s science. We connect our scientists with organisations, communities and networks, enabling them to share expertise, collaborate, and contribute impactful outcomes in genomics and health.

The team also includes Sanger’s local representatives for the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH). GA4GH brings together more than 500 organisations across the globe to develop standards and policies that enable genomic and health data sharing within a human rights framework. Through GA4GH, Sanger both draws on global expertise and contributes to the development of the standards, policies and governance that will shape the future of genomics.

Together, the team connects Sanger with the wider world, bringing external insight into the Institute, sharing our expertise beyond it, and building the relationships and partnerships that help our science have greater reach and impact.

Innovation and Business Engagement

Examples of Sanger spinouts, licensing opportunities and industry partnerships

Innovation

Our Innovation and Business Engagement team connects Sanger scientists with innovators, businesses and industry partners to help drive our research towards practical application and real-world benefit.

Our specialists build relationships with industry and create opportunities to share best practices, expertise and approaches to translating biodata. Through partnerships, networks and communities, we connect our science with the organisations and entrepreneurs who can turn research into new applications and solutions.

Our people

Group lead

Dr Julia Wilson

Director of Innovation and Impact

I lead the Innovation and Impact Department for the Institute. In particular, I work in partnership with external organisations including other academic institutes, industry, governments, and funders to enable the Sanger Institute to conduct its world-leading genomics research.