The Alan Turing
at King’s Initiative
Celebrating the life and work of
Alan Mathison Turing,
by supporting a new generation of
exceptionally talented individuals
who will build on his legacy.
MATHEMATICIAN.
COMPUTER SCIENTIST.
CODEBREAKER.
PIONEER.
Alan Turing’s code-breaking at Bletchley Park during the Second World War
is estimated to have saved over 14 million lives, shortening the war in Europe
by several years through cracking the German ‘Enigma’ cipher. It was achieved
following undergraduate study at King’s College, Cambridge, which provided
the support young Turing needed to thrive. He won a scholarship to study
Mathematics, gained his degree with first-class honours in 1934 and was
elected a Fellow, on the strength of a mathematical dissertation, just one year
later. In 1936 Turing derived his single most important idea, ‘On Computable
Numbers’, which gave birth to the idea of a computer.
After the war, Turing’s highly original mathematical ideas and pioneering
work in theoretical computer science continued. His ‘Turing Test’ examined
the behaviour necessary for a machine to be considered intelligent, and was
the foundation of artificial intelligence. His theory of morphogenesis, the
process by which biological patterns such as the stripes of a zebra arise, was
considered groundbreaking work in mathematical biology in 1952 and remains
the subject of intense investigation today.
At the age of 41, Turing took his own life after being prosecuted for homosexual
acts, still considered criminal in the UK at the time. Sixty years later, in 2013, he
was posthumously pardoned by Queen Elizabeth II. The Alan Turing Initiative
pays homage to a profound thinker, whose pioneering ideas changed our
world and continue to hold significant potential for our future.
“We can only see a short
distance ahead, but we can see
plenty there that needs
to be done.”
Alan Turing
TURING AND HIS WORLD
Turing’s highly influential contributions to mathematics were,
and still are, of great consequence within the discipline and
beyond. Their relevance can be seen in many fields, from
mathematical biology to computer science to psychology. The
story of his life also reveals important characteristics of our
society, especially in relation to the treatment of gender and
sexuality. This important new initiative at King’s will honour
both the man and his work. It will enable the creation of a
vibrant cluster of expertise, attracting the brightest minds who
will, through their discoveries and creativity, provide a lasting
testament to him.
Visionary donors are sought to support the Alan Turing at King’s Initiative
through the following exciting new opportunities, with particular focus on
computer science, biotechnology, mathematics and mathematical biology,
and the history and politics of sexuality and gender:
SUPPORT THE BRIGHTEST YOUNG MINDS
Alan Turing Studentships will attract the most promising scholars from around
the world who wish to delve deeper into these subjects, supported by leaders
in the field.
With the costs of higher education continuing to rise, King’s, and the
University, have made supporting an increased number of graduate students a
top priority. Alan Turing Studentships will make graduate education financially
accessible to the very best candidates, giving them the means to achieve their
full potential.
A gift of £115,000 will support one Alan Turing PhD Scholar (for three
years, at the overseas student rate).
An endowment of £1,150,000 will support a perpetual sequence of Alan
Turing Scholars.
SUPPORT THE TRANSFER OF IDEAS
Cambridge has extraordinary power to convene people and shape ideas. This
vibrant new hub of activity around Turing’s life and work will be attractive to
visiting experts, who we want to draw to King’s for valuable exchange of ideas
and perspectives.
The Alan Turing Annual Lecture will attract a leading authority on the life of
Alan Turing or one of the key disciplines on which his work has had greatest
impact. This annual event will become a highlight in the intellectual and social
calendar of the College, raising the profile of Turing and his legacy at King’s
and drawing together the academic community. Each lecture will be followed
by a formal dinner in College to enable further discussion and exchange of
ideas.
A gift of £15,000 per annum will support this opportunity.
The Alan Turing Visiting Professorship will enable distinguished experts from
overseas to spend between two weeks and one academic term in residence
at King’s, during which they will deliver lectures and seminars or run a
symposium. The opportunity to be fully involved in College life during this time
will enable Visiting Professors to interact with Turing Scholars and Faculty,
contributing to and supporting the vibrant community we have created.
A gift from £25,000 will support this opportunity.
The Alan Turing Art Installation will be a powerful and accessible way of
encouraging dialogue and awareness. A new sculpture or art installation in the
College grounds, open to all visitors, will commemorate Turing at King’s - the
place that played a formative role in his extraordinary career.
A gift of £400,000 will support this opportunity.
SUPPORT OUTSTANDING RESEARCHERS AND EDUCATORS
King’s’ aim is to create a strong and diverse community of expertise in these
subject specialisms at all levels, in order to build on Turing’s legacy through
world class research and teaching. We wish to establish a series of new posts
as outlined below.
Turing Junior Turing
Research
Teaching
Fellowship
Officer
Turing
Fellowship
To support one resident postholder for a four-year term
£175,000
£295,000
-
To support one non-resident
post-holder for a four-year
term
£165,000
£285,200
-
To endow one resident post in
perpetuity
£1,300,000
£2,200,000
£2,100,000
To endow one non-resident
post in perpetuity
£1,240,000
£2,140,000
£2,000,000
All costs are illustrative as at 2017/18.
King’s College invites you to consider how you can support
the Alan Turing at King’s Initiative, and help us develop this
ambitious new structure of excellence that will continue to
transform our world.
For further information or to discuss a gift, please contact:
Lorraine Headen
Director of Development,
King’s College
King’s Parade
Cambridge CB2 1ST
T: +44 (0)1223 331416
E: [email protected]
Alice Bailey
Senior Development Officer,
King’s College
King’s Parade
Cambridge CB2 1ST
T: +44 (0)1223 767489
E: [email protected]
“Sometimes it is the people no
one can imagine anything of
who do the things no one
can imagine.”
Alan Turing