KMi staff and doctoral students met on campus on this week for the first large face-to-face gathering since the 2020 lockdown. The afternoon event was held outdoors at the OU Pavilion in glorious sunshine. For members who joined KMi in the last two years this was opportunity to meet other lab members in person. People brought along a picnic lunch, chatted and played games in the sunshine.   

The highlight of the afternoon were tributes from KMi members past and present to outgoing KMi Director, John Domingue, celebrating his seven years of service.  These included video messages from alumni Simon Buckingham Shum and previous Director, Peter Scott, and a recorded performance by the KMi band.

John responded to staff:

“I am stunned!

Thanks for the cake.

Thanks for the many kind words on the card

Thanks for collecting all the written, image and video messages.

Thanks to the whole team so that we could go into ‘outside broadcast’ mode to include those who could not attend in person.

Thanks to the whole team that created the wonderful poster of my personal timeline

Thanks to the Knowledge Media Instruments for my fabulous song!

You are all REALLY REALLY SPECIAL and it has been the honour of my life to serve as your Director these last 7 years. 

I’m really looking forward to what the next 7 years will bring under Harith’s leadership.

A special thanks to my Executive Assistant, Rachel, for organising this gathering today and for her superb support over my term as Director.”

Harith Alani, who takes over the Directorship in August said: “KMi is indeed an amazing group, with amazing people, and you’ve been a truly amazing director.”