University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge has 31 autonomous Colleges and 150 academic units. It is dedicated to excellence in education and research, with 19 000 students, including 3 700 from 120 countries.

Education, research, and global collaboration

Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge comprises 31 autonomous Colleges, and 150 departments, faculties and institutions. Its mission is to advance education, research, and learning at the highest international standards. To date, 90 affiliates of the University have won the Nobel Prize. Cambridge is consistently ranked among the top five universities in the world. Its 19 000 students include 3 700 international students from 120 countries, and Cambridge researchers collaborate with colleagues worldwide.

The University sits at the heart of one of the world’s largest technology clusters. The ‘Cambridge Phenomenon’ has created 1 500 hi-tech companies, 12 of them valued at over US$1 billion and two at over US$10 billion. Cambridge promotes the interface between academia and business, and has a global reputation for innovation. 

President

Prof Deborah Prentice

Professor Deborah Prentice is the University of Cambridge’s 347th Vice-Chancellor. Formerly at Princeton University, she held key leadership roles including Department Chair and Provost. As psychologist, her research focuses on social norms and human behavior, especially domestic violence, alcohol abuse, and gender stereotypes.

Professor Deborah Prentice became the University of Cambridge’s 347th Vice-Chancellor on 1 July 2023. An eminent psychologist, Professor Prentice carried out her academic and administrative career at Princeton University, which she first joined in 1988.

She rose through the academic ranks and took on administrative responsibilities of increasing scope, chairing the Department of Psychology for 12 years, serving as Dean of Faculty for three years, and then serving six years as Provost, with primary responsibility for all academic, budgetary, and long-term planning issues.

Her academic expertise is in the study of social norms that govern human behaviour – particularly the impact and development of unwritten rules and conventions, and how people respond to breaches of those rules. She has edited three academic volumes and published more than 50 articles and chapters, and she has specialised in the study of domestic violence, alcohol abuse and gender stereotypes.

IARU Senior Officer

Dr Karen Kennedy

Director of the Strategic Partnerships Office

Dr. Kennedy directs Cambridge’s Strategic Partnerships Office, fostering collaborations across sectors to support the University’s academic goals. She joined in 2018 from the National Cancer Research Institute, where she was Director since 2013. Karen has experience in strategic relations with organizations like Genome Canada and the Wellcome Trust. She holds a PhD in medicinal chemistry and completed postdoctoral research in France and at the Babraham Institute.

IARU Key Contact

Dr Bruna Millard

Research Analyst, 
Strategic Partnerships Office

Dr. Bruna Millard is a Research Analyst in the Strategic Partnerships Office at the University of Cambridge, where she supports the development and management of global partnerships that advance the University’s academic and research goals. Her work involves conducting research to inform partnership strategies and coordinating collaborative initiatives with public, private, and educational organizations. 



IARU Working Group Memberships

The University of Cambridge’s engagement in IARU spans diverse collaborative initiatives, including the:

  • Alumni Associations Network
  • Artificial Intelligence Working Group
  • Cybersecurity Forum
  • Gender Working Group (Group Lead)
  • Global Transformation Working Group
  • Libraries Working Group
  • Lifelong Learning Working Group
  • Real Estate Working Group
  • Sustainable Campus Initiative
  • Student Wellbeing Working Group (Group Lead)

IARU promotes collaboration through various working groups and joint initiatives

Key IARU roles

President
Prof Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor

IARU Senior Officer

Dr Karen Kennedy
karen.kennedy@admin.cam.ac.uk

IARU Key Contact

Dr Bruna Millard
bruna.millard@admin.cam.ac.uk