Professor Rebecca Cain has been appointed Dean of the School of Design and Creative Arts (SDCA), and Professor Lauren Sherar has been appointed Dean of the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS).
Professor Cain is a human-centred designer with over 20 years’ experience building design-led inter-disciplinary research teams to tackle technological and societal challenges to improve wellbeing. Through collaboration with industry, civic partners and the third sector her £7 million portfolio of projects funded by the EPSRC, AHRC and Innovate UK has developed the careers of over 30 doctoral and early career researchers.
Prior to joining Loughborough in 2017 she led the Experiential Engineering Research Group at WMG at the University of Warwick. Professor Cain has held the roles of Chair and Vice-Chair of the Design Research Society and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. At Loughborough she has held the positions of Acting Dean, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Vibrant and Inclusive Communities, and Associate Dean for Research and Innovation.
Professor Sherar is a leading expert in device measurements of physical activity, health data harmonisation and designing, implementing and evaluating public health interventions. Her work spans youth, underserved, and global populations, supported by more than 170 publications and £13 million in funding from bodies including the NIHR and EU Horizon. She currently holds an honorary contract with the Government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
At Loughborough, Professor Sherar has held the positions of Acting Dean, Associate Dean for Education and Student Experience and Interim Lead of the University’s Sport and Exercise Research Beacon. Prior to joining Loughborough in 2012 she was an Assistant Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Speaking about the new appointments Loughborough’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Jennings, said: “Professors Cain and Sherar are outstanding academics and proven leaders. Their contributions as Acting Deans have already made a meaningful difference within their Schools, and I look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of their faculties under their leadership.”
Both will take up their roles with immediate effect.