Professor Janet Finch is Vice Chancellor of Keele University, a post which she has occupied since 1995. A Sociologist by background, Prof Finch was awarded a CBE in 1999 for services to Social Science. In the same year she was named as one of the Founder Academicians of Learned Societies for the Social Sciences. As an academic her research expertise lies principally in studies of family relationships, especially relationships across generations.
Prof Finch has had long and varied experience of contributing to research and scientific policy development. These include:
- Economic and Social Research Council: member of Council and Chair of Research Grants Board (1993-97)
- Office for National Statistics: Non-Executive Director (1999- )
- National Centre for Social Research: Trustee (2002- )
- Higher Education Funding Council for England: Member of Strategic Advisory Committee for Research (2003- )
- Council for Science and Technology: Member (2004- )
She also has occupied senior leadership positions within the University sector more generally. Currently she chairs the Health Strategy Group of Universities UK, and also the Board of the Equality Challenge Unit for Higher Education.