Professor Tom Rodden has been appointed as the University’s new Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, taking up the role from 1 October 2023.

He is a Professor of Computing at the University and has been working at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as its Chief Scientific Adviser since January 2019.

Professor Rodden will sit on the University Executive Board and have responsibility for the University’s research portfolio, in particular implementing the Research Strategy, which aims to transform our research quality, performance and culture over the next five years and ensure it is robust and truly reflective of our whole community.

Professor Rodden will also chair the University’s REF Steering Group, leading its post-REF2021 review to lay the foundations in preparing for the next exercise, as well as chairing the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committees and Nottingham Technology Ventures.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West congratulated Professor Rodden on his appointment:

“I am delighted that Tom will be our next Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Research and Knowledge Exchange portfolio. His many roles in research leadership across his impressive career, alongside his work in, and knowledge of, government will prove invaluable as we navigate the new research funding landscape.

“Following the achievement of the University’s excellent REF2021 results, which placed us 7th in the UK for Research Power, I look forward to Tom implementing the Research Strategy which represents the ideas of many colleagues across our research community to enhance our research quality and performance”

Professor Rodden looked forward to the new role, saying:

“I look forward to working with colleagues across the University’s research community to ensure Nottingham helps them realise their research ambitions and to continue to grow our reputation for research excellence and leadership. I shall be working particularly to support the careers, endeavours and welfare of all those involved in research across the institution and ensuring it promotes an adventurous, exciting and supportive research culture.”

As well as his roles as Professor of Computing and Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Rodden was also the Deputy Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) where we was responsible for research strategy, acting as the UK Research and Innovation lead in both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital research Infrastructure.

Tom also founded and co-directed the RCUK Horizon Digital Economy Research Institute, a university-wide interdisciplinary research centre that explored the use of personal data. He has acted as technical advisor to companies including the Microsoft Research Lab in Cambridge, Mobile Life (a Swedish centre of excellence) and been a visiting scientist at Xerox PARC and the Swedish Institute of Computer Science (SICS).

Professor Neil Crout will continue as interim Pro Vice-Chancellor until his retirement in March 2023, when the role will be covered by Professor Sam Kingman until Professor Rodden arrives.

Professor Robert Mokaya will continue to embed aspects of international research strategy within his current portfolio and represent the University in the continuing discussions on association with Horizon Europe or the UK government’s ‘Plan B’ alternative. The University is now advertising for the recruitment of Neil’s replacement in the newly-titled role of Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research & Knowledge Exchange.