3 June 2026
"We have been very fortunate to have Laura as part of the Sunderland community, and she will be greatly missed"
Professor Laura Stroud
Professor Laura Stroud, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing, will be leaving the University at the end of September.
Since joining in October 2023, Professor Stroud has led her Faculty through a period of transformation and growth while strengthening its reputation for high-quality education, research and professional practice.
Throughout her time, she has played a key role in advancing the University’s health portfolio, supporting developments across teaching, research and external partnerships. This has included championing major initiatives such as the John Dawson Drug Discovery and Development Institute, the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Institute, and opportunities linked to the Northern Ophthalmic Research and Innovation Institute (NORI).
Helen Driscoll, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), said: “It has been a real pleasure working with Laura over the last few years. She has been a wonderful colleague - inspirational, principled and deeply values-led.
"Among many other things, she has made an important contribution to strengthening our research profile and has consistently brought a strong commitment to public health and wellbeing, alongside a deep sense of purpose in everything she does.
"We have been very fortunate to have Laura as part of the Sunderland community, and she will be greatly missed.”
Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University, paid tribute to Professor Stroud’s leadership and impact.
He said: “Laura has done a brilliant job for us over the past three years. She brought formidable experience of the health system and outstanding academic credentials to the University. As a result, she led the Faculty with great credibility and further enhanced our standing as one of the leading health universities in the country.
“At a personal level, I want to pay tribute to Laura for being a highly supportive senior colleague. She has led with wisdom, insight, and compassion, all qualities that are highly valued here in Sunderland. I wish Laura every success as she retires from the University and embarks on the next phase of life.”
Professor Stroud said: “It is not an easy decision to leave such fantastic colleagues in a Faculty on the rise. However, that is the challenge of leadership, to know when the time is right to hand on the baton.
“I am certain that in the light of the strategic plans the University will go from strength to strength but in a time-horizon that stretches beyond what I can offer. As many of you know, I relocated to Cambridge, where my growing family is. Whilst I am retiring from my academic post, I am continuing with external NHS and Public Health roles, in which I will continue to champion and advocate for the brilliant work we do here.
“It remains only to thank you all and to say what a privilege it has been to work alongside you for the last three years.”