Professor Jeanette Woolard has been appointed as Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Researcher Academy and Research Culture Development.

Professor Woolard will steer the academic direction for the Researcher Academy, provide institutional leadership in the postgraduate researcher (PGR) space and deliver a key pillar of our research strategy – helping our researchers develop and achieve excellence in a supportive environment.

Professor Woolard, who is Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology in the School of Life Sciences, will be in post from 23 September 2024. She takes on the role from Professor Richard Graham, who has been acting as interim for this academic year.

Professor Graham will remain involved with this important area, as academic lead of the lead of the Next Generation Research Super-Vision Project (RSVP) and  the HURDLE: Help For Under-represented Researcher Groups To Develop, Lead And Excel programme.

Professor Woolard said: “I am very much looking forward to taking up the role of A-PVC for the Researcher Academy and Research Culture Development in September 2024.

“The development of our researchers is an area that I am passionate about. As Director of the Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), a collaboration between the universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, we focus on the power of team science, and how bringing together researchers together in a supportive environment generates innovative opportunities.

“It’s also important to capture and recognise the contribution of individual researchers in the delivery of collaborative projects. My experience with the Wellcome Trust Doctoral Training Programme further demonstrates how early researchers can be supported to achieve their individual goals.

“I look forward to building on the Research Academy’s work in this area to share our vision across the institution – and beyond.

“I would like to thank Professor Richard Graham for delivering the role as interim A-PVC during this academic year and for his continued support as the lead of both the RSVP and HURDLE programmes.”

Professor Tom Rodden, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, said: “I am delighted to welcome Professor Woolard to our team. The Researcher Academy plays a crucial role in building a positive research culture and environment, which is a pre-requisite to the delivery of excellent research. Professor Woolard’s leadership and passion for this work will help drive further progress.

“The next Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2029 will assess the output and impact of research in a more holistic way, with more emphasise on people, culture, and environment.

“The Researcher Academy demonstrates the University of Nottingham’s commitment to these areas, not least with its trailblazing researcher development provision and delivery of an evolving, sector-leading programme that supports our researchers to achieve their potential.

“I would like to thank Professor Graham for his leadership and support for the Researcher Academy in the past year, and everyone at the academy and across the university who strives make this a great place for our people to thrive and deliver exceptional research.”