Professor Robert Van de Noort CBE
Vice-Chancellor

As Vice-Chancellor, Professor Van de Noort has general responsibility to the University governing body – the Council – for maintaining and promoting the effectiveness, efficiency and good order of the University.

Robert chairs the Senate and the University Executive Board and is an ex-officio member of all major committees in the University, some of which he chairs.

Robert's salary and conditions of service are independently determined by the University's Remuneration Committee, where he plays no part in the decision.

Full details of the Vice-Chancellor's salary are available in our financial statements.

Contacts

Professor Robert Van de Noort CBE became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading in 2018, where he oversees the effective running of the University. 

Since his appointment, Robert has championed academic freedom and promoted the University’s status as a global leader in climate research and action. In this time, Reading achieved one of the top positions in People and Planet's ranking of sustainable universities, was named Sustainable University of the Year by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, and received Times Higher Education's inaugural award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership.

Robert convenes the S10 Vice-Chancellor's Group and chairs the Universities UK Research Bureaucracy Working Group, while contributing to environmental initiatives as Executive Chair of the London Higher Sustainability Network.

After studying History at the University of Utrecht and Archaeology at the University of Amsterdam, Robert worked at several institutions including the British School at Rome, the Rotterdam Archaeology Unit, the University of Hull and the University of Exeter, where latterly he served as Dean of the College of Social Sciences and International Studies before joining Reading in 2014.

His research focuses on marine and wetland archaeology, especially around the North Sea Basin. He directed multi-organisational fieldwork projects in the Humber Wetlands and at Sutton Common in South Yorkshire (both funded by English Heritage), and he was the project lead of an AHRC-funded experimental reconstruction of a Bronze Age sewn-plank boat at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. 

In the local community, Robert serves as Deputy Lieutenant for Berkshire and is a member of the Berkshire Business Board. He is a Patron of Launchpad, a Reading-based homelessness charity, and President of the River Thames Society. In recognition of his work in science, flood risk management and sustainability, he was appointed CBE in the 2024 New Year Honours list.

We're part of a global community, and that's why we're bold about our net zero ambitions – December 2023

Making our menus more sustainable – November 2023

Our new clinical simulation training suite – October 2023

Your chance to discover the Natural History Museum's plans for Reading – September 2023

A university striving for knowledge and discovery – August 2023

Student mental health letter to Government – July 2023

Why I'm proud we're a University of Sanctuary – July 2023

Join the University of Reading for National Meadows Day – June 2023

Celebrating volunteering across students, staff, alumni and supporters of the University of Reading – May 2023

A university striving for knowledge and discovery – April 2023

Allyship and inclusion at Reading – March 2023

Taking time to listen to the community – February 2023

Consulting on Shinfield sports facilities – January 2023

Celebrations and time to reflect at turn of year – December 2022

Show solidarity with Iranian students – November 2022

Black History Month and ensuring equal treatment for all – November 2022

Building links between town and gown – October 2022

How the University intends to be a good neighbour – September 2022

Diversity schemes do not undermine free speech – July 2022

Return of graduations and what happens next – July 2022