Professor Katja Strohfeldt appointed to Council

Congratulations to Professor Katja Strohfeldt, who has been appointed to the University Council.

Professor Strohfeldt, Teaching and Learning Dean, was the sole nomination from academic members of the University’s Leadership Group, and is therefore appointed to the Council. Her term begins on 6 February 2023 and will run until 5 February 2026.

She takes over from Professor Uma Kambhampati, whose term ends in February 2023.

Professor Strohfeldt joined the University in 2006 as a Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Since then she has held a series of leadership roles in the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy and served as a Hall Warden for seven years. She was appointed Teaching and Learning Dean in 2017, supporting a wide range of academic areas and supporting and steering the University strategy.

She said: “Communication is at the heart of my approach to project management and when working with my cluster schools. It is important to me to be transparent, use an evidence-informed approach and be pragmatic when making decisions. It is important to me to be accessible to colleagues and to ensure all voices are heard.

“As a member of University Council I promise to provide a voice for the views of students and staff at all levels. As colleagues know, my door is always open and I am very keen to hear colleagues’ views, opinions, challenges, ideas and successes.

“I have a wide ranging and varied experience with no specific agenda other than supporting colleagues, students and enabling our Institution to successfully develop and grow.

“It is my privilege to represent not only the academic members of the leadership group, but the University of Reading community as a whole, in this way”.

An election is also under way to appoint a second member of the Council to represent Professional Services. Professional Services staff at grades 1-9 are eligible to vote in the election, with voting closing on 14 December.