Roderick Floud - Biography#

Sir Roderick Floud became Provost of Gresham College in the City of London in 2008. He is currently president emeritus (and professor emeritus) of London Metropolitan University.

He obtained his doctorate at the University of Oxford for a study of the economic history of the machine tool industry. After lecturing posts in London and Cambridge, he was appointed professor at Birkbeck College, University of London. He was appointed provost (president) of London Guildhall University in 1988, vice-chancellor of London Metropolitan University in 2002, and president of London Metropolitan University until 2006, subsequently emeritus.

He is a leading researcher in his field, with many innovative books and journal articles, often cited by researchers. His own research focuses on quantitative economic and social history, with influential books on themes ranging from technological change, the use of information technology and large data sets in the study of history, the evolution of technical education, and changes in human height, health and welfare. His recent work has drawn on the expertise of human biologists, demographers, nutritionists and physiologists, as well as that of social and economic historians, to create the new discipline of anthropometric history. Among his many editorial roles has been editing the Cambridge Economic History of Modern Britain.

He has held many senior positions within institutions of higher education in London, and has chaired influential committees in the UK and Europe. In addition to his leadership of Gresham College, London Guildhall University, and London Metropolitan University, he has been acting dean of the School of Advanced Study in the University of London, chair of the standing committee for social science of the European Science Foundation, vice-president of the European University Association, president of Universities UK (representing 121 British universities), and master of the Guild of Educators.

In his positions of senior management in higher education, he has developed particular concern for extending the opportunities of a university education to mature and part-time students and to those coming from less than privileged backgrounds. He has also championed the cause for improving the pedagogic skills of university teachers.

He lectured at University College London (1966-69), and the University of Cambridge (1969-75), before being appointed professor of modern history at Birkbeck College, university of London, in 1975 and elected vice-master in 1988. He was professor and provost of London Guildhall University (1988-2002), and vice-chancellor (2002-2004) then president (2004-2006) of London Metropolitan University (formed from the merger of London Guildhall University and the University of North London). From 2007 to 2009 he was acting dean of the School of Advanced Study, University of London. He was vice-president of the European University Association (2005-2007), dealing with implementation of the 'Bologna process', and chair of the standing committee for social science of the European Science Foundation (2007-2013). He was a member of the Economic and Social Research Council (1993-97) in the UK, and of the council of Universities UK (1997-2005), serving as vice-president (1998-2001) and president (2001-2003). He was a member of the London Development Partnership Board (1998-2001).

In 2005, he was awarded a Knighthood for services to higher education in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.