{{Short description|British-Belgian psychologist and academic}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Koen Lamberts | office = President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Sheffield | term_start = November 2018 | term_end = | predecessor = Keith Burnett | successor = | office1 = 6th Vice Chancellor of the University of York | term_start1 = January 2014 | term_end1 = November 2018 | predecessor1 = Brian Cantor | successor1 = Charlie Jeffery | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1964|2}} | birth_place = Hasselt, Belgium | death_date = | death_place = | education = {{ubl |Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (BA, BSc) |University of Birmingham (MA, PhD)}} | module = {{Infobox academic | child = yes | thesis_year = 1992 | discipline = Psychology | sub_discipline = Experimental psychology | workplaces = {{ubl |University of Chicago |University of Birmingham |University of Warwick |University of York |University of Sheffield}}}} }} '''Koenraad Lamberts''' (born February 1964)<ref>{{cite web |title=Koenraad LAMBERTS - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House) |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/BPh57kIbx1haGHUk-ZIU4oZkOt0/appointments |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> is a British/Belgian psychologist and academic. Since 2018, he has served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield.<ref name="Sheffield Financial Statement 21/22">{{cite web |title=Annual Report and Financial Statements 2021–22 |url=https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/media/38080/download?attachment |publisher=The University of Sheffield |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref> From 2014 to 2018, he was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of York. Previously, he had taught at the University of Chicago, University of Birmingham, and the University of Warwick. Lamberts was chair of UCAS between 2019 and 2020. During his time at Sheffield, Lamberts oversaw the closure of its "world-renowned archaeology department".<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-07-13|title=University of Sheffield confirms archaeology department closure|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-57820390|access-date=2021-08-27}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Lamberts was born in Hasselt, Belgium. He studied at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven). He holds two undergraduate degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in philosophy (1985) and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in psychology (1987). He continued his studies in experimental psychology, and completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the University of Birmingham in 1992.<ref name="WW 2019">{{cite web|date=28 August 2021|url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-281234|website=Who's Who 2019|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U281234|isbn=978-0-19-954088-4|accessdate=17 March 2019 |title=Lamberts, Prof. Koen, Vice-Chancellor, University of York, since 2014 }}</ref>
==Academic career== ===Birmingham=== Following a research appointment at the University of Chicago, Lamberts became a lecturer at the University of Birmingham in 1992.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} In 1996 he won the British Psychological Society Cognitive Psychology Award, which recognises "outstanding published contributions to research in the area of Cognitive Psychology".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archives.bps.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=PHO%2f001%2f04%2f03%2f03%2f02 |publisher=British Psychology Society |title=History of Psychology Centre: Archive Catalogue: PHO/001/04/03/03/02 |accessdate=22 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bps.org.uk/member-microsites/cognitive-psychology-section/awards-funding |title=Awards & Funding |publisher=British Psychological Society |accessdate=22 July 2021 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722174120/https://www.bps.org.uk/member-microsites/cognitive-psychology-section/awards-funding |url-status=dead }}</ref>
He also won the Experimental Psychology Society Award while at Birmingham, recognising "distinguished, independent and original contributions to experimental psychology made during early career".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eps.ac.uk/eps-prize-lecturer-early-career/ |title=EPS Prize |date=17 October 2017 |publisher=Experimental Psychology Society |accessdate=22 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://eps.ac.uk/eps-prize-lectures/ |title=EPS Prize Lectures |date=9 November 2017 |publisher=Experimental Psychology Society |accessdate=22 July 2021}}</ref>
===Warwick=== Lamberts was Professor of Cognitive Science at the University of Warwick from 2000 to 2013. At Warwick, he served as Faculty Chair for Science, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Science & Medicine) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost.<ref name="Sheffield appoints">{{cite web |title=University of Sheffield appoints Professor Koen Lamberts as its next President and Vice-Chancellor |url=https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/koen-lamberts-president-vice-chancellor-sheffield-announcement-1.788405 |website=www.sheffield.ac.uk |publisher=The University of Sheffield |accessdate=17 March 2019 |date=26 June 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
=== University of York=== From 2014 to 2018, Lamberts was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of York.<ref name="York v-c">{{cite news|last1=Jump|first1=Paul|title=Koen Lamberts to be new York v-c|url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/koen-lamberts-to-be-new-york-v-c/2002626.article|accessdate=30 September 2014|work=Times Higher Education|date=18 March 2013}}</ref> Since becoming a Vice-Chancellor, a chief executive position within university, Lamberts has had less time to carry out research.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Professor Koen Lamberts: Sheffield University chief on Brexit, Northern investment and his 'just about doable' job|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/education/sheffield-university-vice-chancellor-professor-koen-lamberts-weve-overtaken-cambridge-oxford-and-now-imperial-college-london-were-number-one-487058|access-date=2021-08-01|website=www.thestar.co.uk|date=30 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
The university considered outsourcing English-language teaching of international students to INTO University Partnerships. The plans to privatise were criticised by the York branch of the University and College Union (UCU), and Lamberts subsequently announced that the partnership had been abandoned.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mortimer|first=Josiah|date=2014-02-04|title=What Is York Getting Into?|url=https://www.yorkvision.co.uk/archived/what-is-york-getting-into/04/02/2014|access-date=2021-07-22|website=York Vision|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Horton|first=Helena|date=2014-03-27|title=Lamberts announces axing of INTO outsourcing plans|url=https://www.yorkvision.co.uk/archived/lamberts-announces-axing-of-into-outsourcing-plans/27/03/2014|access-date=2021-07-22|website=York Vision|language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2014, 69 universities in the UK were affected by strikes over proposed changes to pension schemes after a University and College Union (UCU) ballot; the University of York threatened to deduct 100% of striking staff's pay and was prompted to review the decision after a petition and intervention from UCU.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Grove|first=Jack|date=2014-11-05|title=York to review pay threat over marking boycott|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/york-to-review-pay-threat-over-marking-boycott/2016825.article|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Times Higher Education (THE)|language=en}}</ref> During the 2016/17 financial year he claimed £20,743 on expenses in his role as Vice-Chancellor; this was second highest amongst Russell Group VCs, and more than double the average.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fyles|first=Fred S.|date=1 June 2018|title=Imperial President's expenses bill among highest of entire Russell Group|url=https://old.felixonline.co.uk/articles/2018-05-31-imperial-president-s-expenses-bill-among-highest-of-entire-russell-group/|access-date=21 July 2021|website=old.felixonline.co.uk|language=en-gb}}</ref> Student newspaper ''York Vision'' reported that along with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Saul Tendler he accounted for 65% of the executive board's £58,000 spending on domestic and international flights.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Philpott|first=Adam|date=1 October 2019|title=Hall of Shame|pages=4–5|work=York Vision|url=https://issuu.com/visionarchive/docs/issue_267_final|access-date=22 July 2021}}</ref> Student news site ''The Sheffield Tab'' filed a freedom of information request and revealed that Lamberts spent nearly £11,000 on air travel in 2016/17. The UCU described it as an "embarrassment for the university sector".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Somerville|first=Ewan|date=2019-09-27|title=Revealed: Sheff Uni spends £10k on cars and mansion while preaching on climate change|url=https://thetab.com/uk/sheffield/2019/09/27/revealed-sheffield-uni-spends-10k-on-cars-and-mansion-while-preaching-about-climate-change-39941|access-date=2021-07-22|website=The Tab Sheffield|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Somerville|first=Ewan|date=2020-02-09|title=Sheffield Uni bosses spend £55k on flights but refuse compensation for strikes|url=https://thetab.com/uk/sheffield/2020/02/09/sheffield-university-climate-koen-lamberts-ueb-42048|access-date=2021-07-22|website=The Tab Sheffield|language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== University of Sheffield===
In June 2018, he was announced as the new president and vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield: he took up the post in November 2018.<ref name="Sheffield appoints" /> Lamberts was appointed chair of the board of trustees of UCAS in March 2019, replacing Steve Smith who filled the position for seven years.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-19|title=UCAS announces new Chair of the Board of Trustees|url=https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/ucas-announces-new-chair-board-trustees|access-date=2021-07-22|website=UCAS|language=en}}</ref> He was replaced by Trudy Norris-Grey in December the next year.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-03|title=UCAS appoints first independent Chair to Board of Trustees|url=https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/ucas-appoints-first-independent-chair-board-trustees|access-date=2021-07-22|website=UCAS|language=en}}</ref> In September 2019, a 5,000-protest marched through Sheffield, demanding action to tackle climate change. Lamberts joined the protest and announced that all courses would involve teaching about sustainability.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pearce|first=Lee|date=20 September 2019|title=University of Sheffield vice chancellor joins in huge climate change protest|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/people/university-sheffield-vice-chancellor-joins-huge-climate-change-protest-635793|access-date=2021-07-22|website=www.thestar.co.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Somerville|first1=Ewan|last2=Robinson|first2=Hannah|date=2019-09-22|title=Every Sheffield Uni student will soon have to attend climate change lectures|url=https://thetab.com/uk/sheffield/2019/09/22/every-sheffield-uni-student-will-soon-have-to-attend-climate-change-lectures-39807|access-date=2021-07-22|website=The Tab Sheffield|language=en-GB}}</ref>
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the university faced significant financial challenges; in June 2020, Lamberts announced that the University of Sheffield was preparing for a £100-million reduction in income and consequently staff were invited to apply for a voluntary severance scheme as part of measures to reduce budgets by 15%.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sheffield University to cut jobs as it faces £100 million loss caused by virus crisis|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/education/sheffield-university-cut-jobs-it-faces-ps100-million-loss-caused-virus-crisis-2880065|access-date=2021-07-22|website=www.thestar.co.uk|date=10 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
In May 2021, Lamberts commissioned a review of Sheffield's Department of Archaeology. Three days after the review was presented to the University Executive Board, it voted to propose the department's closure, provoking widespread objection, with over 25,000 signing a petition against closure within two days.<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 May 2021|title=Sheffield steal as archaeology department faces the axe|url=http://thepipeline.info/blog/2021/05/21/sheffield-steal-as-archaeology-department-faces-the-axe/|access-date=22 July 2021|website=thepipeline.info|language=en-GB}}</ref> The decision sparked international outrage and, in an open letter to Lamberts encouraging the university to reconsider, the European Association of Archaeologists described the department as a "world-leading Department".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Morris|first=Steven|date=21 May 2021|title=Stonehenge research at risk if Sheffield archaeology unit closes, say experts|url=http://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/21/stonehenge-research-in-jeopardy-if-sheffield-university-archaeology-unit-closes|access-date=22 July 2021|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sheffield|url=https://www.e-a-a.org/EAA/News/Sheffield/EAA/Navigation_news/Sheffield.aspx|access-date=2021-07-22|website=www.e-a-a.org}}</ref> Mike Parker-Pearson warned that amongst the projects put at risk by the move was important research on Stonehenge.<ref name=":0" /> The decision was confirmed in July, by which time the petition had amassed more than 40,000 signatures and 2,200 letters of support had been submitted.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-07-13|title=University of Sheffield confirms archaeology department closure|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-57820390|access-date=2021-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Ross|first=Steven|date=9 July 2021|title=Last chance for campaigners as over 45,000 people sign petition to save University of Sheffield archaeology department|language=en-GB|work=Sheffield Telegraph|url=https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/people/last-chance-for-campaigners-as-over-45000-people-sign-petition-to-save-university-of-sheffield-archaeology-department-3302073|access-date=22 July 2021|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
In October 2024 it was announced that the University of Sheffield was facing a £50m shortfall for the academic year 2024/25.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashton |first=Lucy |date=17 October 2024 |title=University faces £50m shortfall in finances |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7v64e6vj2yo |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=bbc.co.uk}}</ref> Despite the announcement of a university wide severance scheme to cut staff costs, Lamberts was awarded a 10% salary increase for the following academic year in 2024/25.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual Report 2024-2024 |url=https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/about/annual-report |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=sheffield.ac.uk}}</ref> He also received heavy criticism for claiming £17,799 on business class airfares and 'non standard' rail travel in 2024 (a 68% increase on the previous year),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Sam |date=15 December 2024 |title=University of Sheffield vice-chancellor claims £17,000 in business class travel expenses |url=https://thetab.com/2024/12/03/revealed-university-of-sheffield-vice-chancellor-claimed-seventeenk-business-class-travel-expenses-this-year |access-date=17 December 2024 |website=thetab.com}}</ref> despite previous claims of promoting action against climate change.
==Awards== *British Psychological Society Cognitive Psychology Award (1996) *Experimental Psychology Society Prize (1998)
==Selected publications== {{scholia|author}} *{{Cite book |editor-first=Koen |editor-last=Lamberts |editor-first2=Rob |editor-last2=Goldstone |editor-link2=Robert Goldstone |title=Handbook of Cognition |year=2004 |publisher=SAGE Publications Ltd |isbn=9780761972778}} *{{Cite book |editor-first=Koen |editor-last=Lamberts |editor-first2=David |editor-last2=Shanks |title=Knowledge, Concepts and Categories |publisher=Psychology Press |year=1997 |isbn=9780863774911}}
==See also== * List of chancellors and vice-chancellors of British universities
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Wikiquote}} *[https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/vc/biography Biography from the University of Sheffield]
{{authority control}} {{University of Sheffield}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lamberts, Koen}} Category:Living people Category:Academics of the University of Birmingham Category:Academics of the University of Warwick Category:Academics of the University of York Category:Alumni of the University of Birmingham Category:Belgian psychologists Category:Vice-chancellors of the University of York Category:KU Leuven alumni Category:Belgian emigrants to the United Kingdom Category:Vice-chancellors of the University of Sheffield Category:1964 births