Watch Professor Jane Norman, the eighth President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, share her inspiring vision for the future of UK higher education.
Embracing Uncertainty: A Vision for the Future
In her thought-provoking inaugural lecture, Professor Norman explores the challenges and opportunities facing universities today, as well as outlining her ambitious plans for the University of Nottingham.
She touches on the rich history of the university, from its humble beginnings to its status as a world leader in teaching, research and innovation.
She reflects too on her personal and professional journey, from her early days studying medicine at Edinburgh University to her groundbreaking research into women's healthcare.
Looking ahead, Professor Norman discusses the future of higher education and how universities must embrace change and uncertainty in order to thrive. She emphasises the importance of putting students at the heart of everything we do, and the initiatives aimed at supporting and inspiring the change-makers of tomorrow.
The lecture, delivered in front of an audience of staff, students, alumni, partners, friends and her family, explores the university's role as a dedicated anchor institution in the region, contributing to the local economy and community wellbeing, as well as creating prosperity for all.
Professor Norman also highlights the university's global approach, from our overseas campuses and role in knowledge diplomacy to addressing global challenges through our research and discoveries that change the world.
Highlighting the value of partnership and collaboration, Professor Norman shares an optimistic and uplifting vision of the role that the university – and higher education in general – has to play in the delivery of new ideas, innovations and the next generation of leaders.
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The role of the President and Vice-Chancellor
The President and Vice-Chancellor is responsible for ensuring excellence and impact across all academic areas, notably the delivery of an outstanding education and student experience; fostering outstanding research of global importance and deepening interaction, innovation and partnerships; inspiring an inclusive institutional culture; ensuring financial and environmental sustainability; and the fulfilment of the university's global and civic mission.
A key part of the Vice-Chancellor's role is to represent the university both locally and externally to governments in the UK and overseas, to major donors and supporters, thus helping to raise the profile of the University of Nottingham nationally and internationally.
The Vice-Chancellor leads development activities, including fundraising and the reinforcement of the university's reputation and scope, both in the UK and overseas.
About Professor Jane Norman
Jane Norman has been President and Vice Chancellor at the University of Nottingham since January 2025. Her previous executive roles include Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Nottingham 2022 – 2024, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol 2019– 2022, and Vice Principal (PVC) People and Culture University of Edinburgh 2013-19.
Jane’s non-executive roles include Board Membership of UKRI (UK Research and Innovation, the UK’s largest public funding body for science, research and innovation) 2024 onwards; University Hospitals Bristol and Weston, 2021 – 2024; and the Equality Challenge Unit 2014 - 2018.
Jane graduated in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1986. From 2008 to 2019 she was Director of the Tommy’s Centre for Maternal & Foetal Health and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician in Edinburgh.
Her research investigated factors responsible for the initiation of normal parturition and developed strategies for the prevention of preterm birth and stillbirth. She was awarded the quinquennial Eardley Holland Medal by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2020.
Jane chaired grant award committees internationally, and nationally for the Wellcome Trust and the National Institute for Health Research.
She has chaired working groups for the MHRA and for National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. She was a member of the clinical medicine panel for REF2021 and the Scotland A National Multicentre Research Ethics committee.
She has held leadership positions in health-related UK societies, including council membership of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
She is Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.