Catherine Richardson

Professor Catherine Richardson began her post as Pro Vice-Chancellor of Arts and Humanities in September 2024, joining UEA from the University of Kent where she was Professor of Early Modern Studies, and Director of the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries. Prof Richardson joined the University of Kent in 2007 from The Shakespeare Institute and during her time there, she took on a range of leadership roles including Director of the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, and Deputy Head and Director of Research for the School of English. From 2017 to 2020, she was Associate Dean for Research and Innovation (Humanities), with responsibility for the REF submission and establishment of Kent’s Signature Research Themes. Her final role as Director of the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries, which she held from 2019, included setting up the Institute and developing its strategic vision. 

Catherine is also Professor of Early Modern Studies, her research focusing on material culture and the history of the creative industries. She works closely with museums and archives on creative heritage projects, recently running a large Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) project, ‘The Cultural Lives of the Middling Sort, writing and material culture 1560-1660’, with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Folger Shakespeare Library, Weald and Downland Museum and Portable Antiquities Scheme as partners.  

A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Catherine sits on the Council of the Malone Society and, in 2021, took on the role of Governor of the Pasold Research Fund, which promotes and supports research on textile history.