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Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Enterprise

A photograph of Rpger Whitaker
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise, Roger Whitaker

Professor Roger Whitaker is Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research Innovation and Enterprise has overall responsibility for leading the University’s research and innovation portfolio, involving live contracts worth over £0.6 Billion.

As Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Whitaker is a member of the University Executive Board.

Responsibilities

In this role Professor Whitaker is responsible for:

  • growing the strength and diversity of Cardiff University’s research and innovation activities
  • ensuring a global outlook for our research, via positive engagement in international research funding and networks
  • building effective relationships with national (UKRI) and international funders, as well as business, government and other university partners
  • increasing the translation, commercialisation and broader economic impact of Cardiff’s research
  • developing a positive research and innovation culture benefiting all members of our diverse research community, at all stages of their academic career.

Previously Professor Whitaker has been Dean for Research and Innovation in the Physical Sciences and Engineering (2012-2021) with responsibilities for submission to both REF2014 and REF2021. He has a track-record of research and innovation leadership, including Head of Cardiff University’s School of Computer Science and Informatics between 2009 and 2013, and Director of Supercomputing Wales, representing a £19M investment supported by European Commission in high performance computing equipment capabilities across Wales.

Research

Professor Whitaker’s research interests concern the intersection of human and machine intelligence. He has led a number of large-scale international research projects with European and American partners, including widespread industry engagement. Recent research highlights include insights into the impact of psychological phenomena on social networks and groups, using participatory experimentation through smartphones, as well as novel computational techniques such as agent-based computing. His work has been featured in over 70 media outlets worldwide. Professor Whitaker’s current work is considering new approaches to harnessing machines for innovation. These directions build on longstanding interests in social networks, cognition and evolutionary approaches to problem solving in engineering. Read more about Professor Whitaker’s research.

Contact details

Personal Assistant

Izzy Macfarlane