Rebecca Surender appointed to senior role in Social Sciences Division

Vice Principal Professor Rebecca Surender has been appointed to the position of Associate Head of Social Sciences Division (Graduate and Research Training) at the University of Oxford.

In this role she will provide strategic leadership for all aspects of Social Sciences graduate and research training, with a particular focus on professional development for postgraduate research students and early-career researchers.

Professor Rebecca Surender has been a Governing Body Fellow at Green then Green Templeton College since 2003. She is also a member of Academic Committee, Building Committee and Fellowship Committee.

Professor Surender is a Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Social Policy and Intervention where she supervises doctoral students and undertakes research in health policy and social policy in developing countries. Her primary focus concerns the politics, implementation and outcomes of health and income maintenance policies in South Africa.

She has held several senior administrative positions within the wider University of Oxford including University Proctor in 2013 and Advocate and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Equality and Diversity (2014 to 2021). Professor Surender is a member of Advance HE’s EDI Strategic Advisory Group and serves as a Special Advisor on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the London School of Economics.

Professor Surender said of her appointment:

‘I am delighted to be taking up this role in the Social Sciences Division team and to begin working with colleagues within and across Division.

‘Plans include further developing graduate access initiatives, expanding the research training and career development opportunities for our doctoral students and implementing the next phase of our Doctoral Training Partnership programme.’

Green Templeton congratulates Professor Surender on this new appointment, while looking forward to her continued engagement as Vice Principal at college.