Laurie Butler leaving University for new role
Friday, 11 January 2019
Professor Laurie Butler is leaving the University at the end of March to join Anglia Ruskin University as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
He has led the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences (SPCLS) for over six years.
Announcing his decision, Laurie said, “The decision to leave Reading has not been easy. I have spent nearly my entire professional career here, and have been fortunate to work with so many talented and inspiring colleagues. However, after nearly six-and-a-half years as Head of School, it felt like the right time for a change.”
The process to recruit a new Head of School for SPCLS will be initiated soon.
Laurie came to Reading in 1991 to do a Psychology degree and stayed on to complete a PhD at the then Institute of Food Research. “I never imagined doing what I do when I first came to the University. My final year project supervisor inspired me to do a project looking at vision and apparent motion, and I have not looked back since. I wanted to work in research from that point on and teach others to be as excited about psychology as I am.”
He became a Lecturer in May 2004 and was appointed the Head of School for SPCLS in August 2012.
Laurie specialises in nutritional psychology, cognition and ageing. He has conducted multidisciplinary research into the role of nutrition on cognitive performance in children, adults and memory impaired populations.
He is a passionate advocate of the University’s developing health strategy and is currently a member of the R&D boards for both Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. As well as playing a leading role in developing the Thames Valley Clinical Trials Unit, he helped to establish the new Healthreach programme for widening participation in health-related careers.
Mark Fellowes, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Planning and Resource, said, “Laurie has been a brilliant leader of the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences. He has developed strong links within the healthcare sector and has been a keen advocate of developing the University’s healthcare offer. His commitment to a diverse and inclusive School brought an Athena SWAN Bronze award in 2016. We are sad to see Laurie go, but wish him the very best in his next role.”