In June 2025, Imperial College London launched the Schools of Convergence Science. These schools will use transdisciplinary (relating to more than one branch of knowledge) work and unique combinations of knowledge to further Imperial’s Science for Humanity strategy.
Introduction
Healthcare systems worldwide are facing incremental complexities: aging populations, entrenched health inequalities, pollution- and climate-driven illness, as well as rising health insecurity in vulnerable communities.
The rapid proliferation of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital health and MedTech offer both opportunities and challenges for clinical practitioners and the public health sector.
The challenge of health transformation
Centred around a new School of Convergence for Health and Technology, Imperial’s experts are at the forefront of using transdisciplinary collaboration to map these impacts, identifying how innovative solutions can address current and emerging health policy challenges.
As an Imperial Tech Foresight (ITF) article, Pre-future: readying your mind for the unknown highlights, this type of collaboration, study of data and scenario planning helps preparing for uncertainty and is essential: it enables organisations to adapt, innovate, and ensure that technological advances serve the needs of all communities.
Disruption in pharma and beyond
If we look more closely to sectors and themes within the health and technology realm, we can see one sector that is particularly affected by the rapid changes, the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry, traditionally seen as “too big to fail,” is itself not immune to disruption.
ITF’s analysis, Disruption and the pharma industry: Too big to fail?, examined how technological change is upending long-standing models of drug development and healthcare delivery.
The foresight report using academic insights and horizon scanning, underscores the need for pharmaceutical organisations to build resilience, anticipate radical change, and seize new opportunities. ITF provides practical foresight to help businesses and policymakers navigate these shifts, ensuring that the benefits of innovation are realised across the healthcare ecosystem.
Collaborative innovation for better health
The future of health is increasingly data-driven and collaborative.
Imperial, through services like ITF, and now the Schools of Convergence aims to bring together business leaders, academics, and policymakers to co-create solutions that are both impactful and equitable.
Initiatives such as discussion amongst industrial members of Imperial as described In an interview with Pierre Pinson, Perspectives on the role of data in designing future societies ITF explored how robust data governance, ethical frameworks, and inclusive design can guide the development of technology-driven health innovations.
Through bespoke workshops and collaborative projects, ITF helps organisations of different sizes and sectors identify emerging trends, manage uncertainty, and develop strategies that ensure new technologies are deployed responsibly and inclusively.
Connecting for a smarter and healthier future
The future of health and technology is increasingly deeply interconnected, requiring organisations to navigate disruption with agility, whole-systems thinking and foresight.
By integrating visionary approaches, collaborative innovation, and ethical reflection, ITF ensures that tomorrow’s healthcare is not only more advanced but also more inclusive and patient centric.
The convergence of health and technology offers immense potential; with the right tools, partnerships, and mindsets, we can shape a future where innovation truly serves the needs of society.