This week, we get to know Professor Tracy Bhamra, Provost and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Global). Tracy joined Royal Holloway in 2021, and is currently working with Professor Giuliana Pieri to develop a globally-engaged workstream as part of our new RH2030s strategy.
1) Please tell us a bit about yourself and your role
I joined Royal Holloway in May 2021, as a Senior Vice-Principal after spending 19 years at Loughborough University. My research and teaching has always been focused on ‘Sustainability and Product Design’, working closely with a number of industry sectors including electronics, textiles and construction.
I’ve been Provost and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global) since April 2023, and I am responsible for our academic Schools working with the six Executive Deans. I am also responsible for our global and civic work, leading our partnerships with international universities, local and regional stakeholders and the University of London.
2) What do you enjoy most about working at Royal Holloway?
The people and the campus. I love working with such an amazing team of colleagues who care so much about our students and work hard every day to make the University a success. Coming to work at the Egham campus with an office in the Founder’s Building is real a privilege, it is fantastic to be surrounded by so much history, in such a beautiful location, I never take it for granted.
3) What are you looking to achieve in your role over the next six months?
I will be working with Professor Giuliana Pieri in her role as Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) to develop the civic-minded, globally engaged workstream as part of our new strategy, RH2030s. This is an exciting time for us all and thinking carefully about how Royal Holloway can build a strong global reputation in a competitive landscape is important for the future.
In my role as Provost there is a real opportunity to work more consistently across all the Schools, with a focus on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the University. An important part of that over the next six months will be helping the academic Schools to support the work on ‘Education and Student Experience’ that Professor Zainab Khan is driving forward.
I am also leading a review of Academic Promotion and over the next six months we will ensure we develop a system with more flexibility and transparency, which also focuses on equality of application and ensures accessibility for all.
4) What or who inspires you inside and/or outside of work?
I’m a proud to be a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Did you know women still only make up less than 17% of the profession? So, those who inspire me are the women who paved the way for people like me, the Electrifying Women website gives some great examples.
It might sound corny, but my mum has been my main inspiration. She came from a working-class background in Yorkshire and was the first person in her family to study beyond the age of 14. She trained as a teacher in the 1960s, was a primary school teacher for over 40 years and when she retired was the headteacher of a federation of two schools, so her drive and dedication was inspirational to me growing up.
5) How do you like to spend your free time outside of work?
Reading. I always have a book on the go although it seems to take me much longer now to finish them!
I also play hockey most weekends for my local club, in both the mixed and women’s teams, having restarted about eight years ago after not playing since my school days.
Over the years I have done quite a bit of running too but haven’t for a few months so I am hoping by writing this down I will be committing to restarting the morning runs!